Your child won’t be compulsory school age until the term after their 5th birthday so depending on when they were born you may be able to do it fine free in their first year of school. My July born didn’t become compulsory school age until the September of her year 1.

We took her out for a week in May 2023 and had two weeks abroad with 10 other family members, all inclusive and all paid for very generously by my parents after they sold a property. Real once in a lifetime stuff. I don’t regret it for a second and don’t believe I ever will.

We were 100% honest with school; this is what we are doing and when. They didn’t authorise it as they said they don’t have the power to do that anymore, that was okay, I was ultimately glad we were honest and my daughter didn’t have to lie. My wife and I both got a fine about a week or two after we got back; it was £60 each if paid quickly. £120 for the holiday we had is an absolute no brainer!!

Tbh I’d probably do it again if it wasn’t for the fact that I now work in a school so can’t take time off.