Today was Evan's first official preschool day. He'll be 4 next month, too late for enrollment in any of Florida's voluntary pre-K programs. I dropped him off with some trepidation, naturally. It was his first day in a new classroom, with new teachers, new everything. I checked out the other kids. Evan towers over all them, of course ... most of them are probably 3.

When I was initially told Evan would be put in a classroom with 3-year-olds, I was a little bummed. I had been hoping that there would be some sort of transitional classroom for those kids with late birthdays who will be past the Sept. 1 cutoff in Palm Beach County, as an acknowledgement that they may be a little advanced when compared to younger 3-year-olds.

A colleague of mine told me that her daughter, who just misses the cutoff by a week or so, has never once been at a disadvantage as a result of being one of the oldest in class. It has never made a lick of difference, I was assured.

I'm reassured and I know that realistically, it won't be a big deal to Evan whatsoever. Maybe, I hope, this will evolve into Evan taking a leadership role as the oldest kid. I have to admit, though, that I looked at the curriculum goals for the year and immediately thought that Evan already knows how to do 75 percent of the things on the list.

But as I spied on Evan through the window after saying goodbye this morning, I had to dismiss all of that concern. He barely looked back at me, he was so involved in an animated conversation with another boy. I know this is going to be a valuable experience for him.

Curious to hear what other parents think of the Sept. 1 cutoff. Too early? Just right?

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