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Original poster

Children start school at 5, oh no they don't

287 replies

Sadworld23 · 13/09/2025 23:48

We should stop taking about children starting school in the UK at 5.
Whilst that may be the legal age, even Gov.uk says most parents send their child to reception class at 4.

This makes me sad tbh, bc our child is (generally) happy at his nursery, 7m-3y, and I can't see him being ready for school at 4y.
He's barely out of nappies and bottles and I'm already choosing a school for him. And that's without the worries of sorting wrap around childcare to make my work hours work.

I had considered holding him back but nursery are already calculating giving up his place.

YABU children don't really start school til 5y.
YANBU children start school at 4y.

OP posts:
MeinKraft · 14/09/2025 00:06

They’re going to school, not a workhouse. They’ll be fine whether they’re 4 or 5.

dementedpixie · 14/09/2025 00:06

In Scotland they are at least 4½ years old with the cut off being age 4 by the end of February for an August start. They can also defer starting primary 1 for a year and be 5 ½ instead

JLou08 · 14/09/2025 00:03

A year is a a long time for the development of preschool children. You may find that he is ready by September. There is still a lot of play in reception and preschool also involves some time sat together for learning, it's not a huge change. For the wrap around care look at schools that provide this. Most of the schools in my area have breakfast and after school clubs so children can be there from 7.30am-6pm.

padronpepper · 14/09/2025 00:03

@ResusciAnnie
It was lovely. Juniors and Seniors shared yard time together, did forest classes, art and drama and music and dance classes together- such a lovely gentle elongated introduction to formal education. The seniors loved being in the older gang !

Dryshampoofordays · 14/09/2025 00:01

My July born 4 year old has just started reception and she’s doing well, but it makes me sad that some of her classmates are already turning 5. I would have loved another 10 months of her at home with me, but also didn’t want her to miss out on reception year. You will do fine op, face it when you come to it, the months of build up caused me more worry than actually getting on with it the past couple of weeks. Watch time for school on CBeebies, it helped prepare us!

InMyShowgirlEra · 13/09/2025 23:59

You are entitled to keep him in nursery until the term after he turns 5. It sounds like he will need quite a bit of SEN support anyway so it will be quite different to the set up for a typical 4 yo

NuffSaidSam · 13/09/2025 23:57

I don't think anyone does talk about starting school at five so they?! I think we all know that the vast majority of children start school the September after they turn four.

If you want to hold your child back then you can do. Do what works for you.

ResusciAnnie · 13/09/2025 23:57

padronpepper · 13/09/2025 23:55

I was in Ireland when my children started school. My dd has a July birthday and she started at 5 and 2 months; ds is October so he was 4 and 11 months.
Worked really well for both of them. There were 2 years of Infant classes - junior and senior - so they were very ready for 1st class and the more intensive work and longer school day.

That sounds really nice. I don’t mind reception in England, but some kids will have just turned 4, and already in reception there’s lots of sitting still and learning phonics etc. I wouldn’t mind more nursery-esque years

OwlBeThere · 13/09/2025 23:57

Sadworld23 · 13/09/2025 23:48

We should stop taking about children starting school in the UK at 5.
Whilst that may be the legal age, even Gov.uk says most parents send their child to reception class at 4.

This makes me sad tbh, bc our child is (generally) happy at his nursery, 7m-3y, and I can't see him being ready for school at 4y.
He's barely out of nappies and bottles and I'm already choosing a school for him. And that's without the worries of sorting wrap around childcare to make my work hours work.

I had considered holding him back but nursery are already calculating giving up his place.

YABU children don't really start school til 5y.
YANBU children start school at 4y.

Rising 5. So the September before they turn 5. Scotland has a different system.

ResusciAnnie · 13/09/2025 23:55

I had considered holding him back but nursery are already calculating giving up his place.

Well don’t let that put you off, if you keep him there they’ll still get their money won’t they.

Keep him back if you want, and if it’s possible. I agree it’s very young. My kids have all been fine with it but I’d have been happy with a later start.

padronpepper · 13/09/2025 23:55

I was in Ireland when my children started school. My dd has a July birthday and she started at 5 and 2 months; ds is October so he was 4 and 11 months.
Worked really well for both of them. There were 2 years of Infant classes - junior and senior - so they were very ready for 1st class and the more intensive work and longer school day.

IPM · 13/09/2025 23:53

Compulsory school age is the term after their 5th birthday.

You can send yours earlier if you want to or not.

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