Hello
I am very new to this message board and don't have much wisdom to share except my DD(5) started Reception (UK-based) in September 2009. We have not had her assessed so we don't know if she is gifted or not (her brother has a FSIQ 146 so the chances are she is at least above-average) but just over a year ago (Jan 09, age 4) we moved her from a day-care provider to a school-based nursery because she was bored. We discussed moving her straight into Reception (a year early) and the school (a small, private, village school) said they would take a view on it once she had started.
Within 6 weeks DD, having missed the first term of school at the new nursery, had caught up and by-passed all the other children. The teacher described her as "very able".
When we discussed moving her up, however, the advice we were given was that, emotionally, children are better off in their peer-group. We are fortunate because the school is able to modify the curriculum to suit the individual needs of the children (there are 12 in the class, with 1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant) so DD benefits from being with her peers, but is given work appropriate to her abilities.
I know this is not your situation however I think it is worth approaching the school / various education professionals and ask their honest and sincere opinion.
Leigh
