Do they have to go full time in the term they turn five, or the term after?

[emkana]

So for my June born ds, could full time wait until he starts Year 1, or will he have to start to go full time in the summer term?

[harpsichordcarrier]

Hi Emkana
they have to be in school the term AFTER the term they turn five

[harpsichordcarrier]

So yes, he could start in September.
everyone will say NOOOOO it is DOOOMED
ignore them :-)

[emkana]

Thanks harpsi, haven't seen you for aaaaaaaaaaaages, hope you're well!

[FunnysInTheGarden]

so do your DC have the option of going to reception PT?

[emkana]

Yes ds goes until lunchtime.

[harpsichordcarrier]

I am MOSTLY well but feel crapola today for some reason!
my dd2 was 5 on Saturday and she starts school in January. She is following the same curriculum at preschool, with much higher adult/child ratios. you would not BELIEVE the hassle I got for it, but the head was very supportive. and she has grown HUGELY in confidence being the 'big girl' at preschool.
I also delayed my summer born dd1 starting f/t till the term after she turned 5. My FIL said 'she will never catch up' ... she WAS able to start p/t. which is no longer an option - LEA policy

[PonderStibbonsandHex]

So, to hijack, can they start in reception the term after they turn 5 instead of year 1? Just wondering as I have a summer-born ds2, who I think might benefit from waiting the extra nine months (they only have two intakes per year in our area, in September and January).

[FunnysInTheGarden]

oooooh am . Here all children start reception FT during the year they turn 5, so a lot of children are only just 4 when they start reception. TBH a lot of them look lost, inc DS1 who is 5 in November

[harpsichordcarrier]

Yes, there is no legal requirement to start until the term AFTER they turn 5, in reception or Y1.
I had a leetle debate with the LEA about whether that meant 'old' or 'new' terms (we now operate a 6 term year) - she confirmed it meant 'old' terms i.e. a third of the year.

[ProfessorLaytonIsMyLoveSlave]

Ponder, no, not for summer-born children (at least not in most areas and I think even Bradford which used to offer flexibility have stopped). A summer-born child starting school the September after they turn 5 will have to start in Year 1 at an English state school. The private sector is often more flexible, and the Scottish state system is inherently more flexible.

[emkana]

Excellent news, I'm so happy!

So your LA will only allow FT or not at all? I thought it was down to the discretion of the headteacher whether you're allowed to send them PT in reception?

Btw does anybody know anything about flexi-schooling?

[prh47bridge]

Assuming you are in England, as your child was born in June you have the option of deferring entry until later in the year, although you will still apply for a place as if he was starting in September. However, if you defer a full year he will start in Y1 and you will have a limited choice of schools - they won't hold a place for you for a full year so most schools will already be full up.

The previous government clearly intended that parents should be able to choose when their children went full time but the provisions they put into the Admissions Code do not reflect that, simply giving you the right to request that your son is part time until he reaches compulsory school age (the start of the term following his fifth birthday).

Reception is about learning through play and is designed to be a gentle introduction to school. Reception is Foundation Stage which covers ages 3-5. Nurseries use the same syllabus for children aged 3+. If your son is going to nursery he will find that Reception is very similar.

[SkyBluePearl]

Mine will go part time untill Easter when they will be 5. They will find it too exhausting otherwise. ESW's won't be interested in non attendance during the Reception year.

[gabid]

Would have loved to send my April born DS to reception one year later but he would have had to start in Y1 so we decided against it. Reception should be similar to nursery but I found they basically learned to read and he would have struggled moving straight into Y1. I still feel DS is too young and immature for formal education.

Luckyly, DD is going to be one of the oldest when starting - will send her part-time as well though - its a nice way to start school.

[Lara2]

I've got a feeling you might have to register your ds for reception, accept the place and then say you want him to start the term after his 5th birthday. Otherwise you may end up with no place at your chosen school as Y1 is usually full.

[prh47bridge]

You can delay entry until January or Easter but that's it. If you want to delay to the following September so that your child starts in Y1 you will lose your place at your chosen school.