TT,
You've gotten some great advice.
Observing possible classrooms is a great way to go.
Half day seems to work better than full day.
Play based is definitly better than 'academic' at the wrong level.
As the grade level increases, the pressure for all kids to be in the same place developmentally increases - so doing K and skipping 1st can be good. Many Preschool teachers differentiate naturally, as do some Kindy teacher, and a few 1st grade teacher. Remember, at least to some extent, the unspoken agenda of a school is to get the little ducks to get in a line and stay there.
Girls tend to be more bothered by other kid's immature behavior than by not being able to live up to school standards - so early enterance is mighty appealing for those kinds of girls or very socially aware/able boys.
Grade skips can have a negative effect on sports competitiveness at the high school level. If that is on the radar at your family, you can try to keep the child at grade level 'on paper' by have them go to older groups for reading and math. Even with an early enterance or grade skip, the child is likely to need subject acceleration for some or many academics. Some schools do this naturally, and some will do it once they met your child.
It's always really interesting to watch folks at school say:
'Oh, we never X'
You: OK, but would you just meet my child and tell me your opinion?
(later)
Them: We think we should do X.
You: (innocent face) well....ok....we could try....
Smiles,
Grinity
