Primary school which class

[noenergy]

Moving to Dublin and wondering what class my 5 year old would go into mid year?
It is reception in England and P1 in N.Ireland.
Not sure what way the classes work in Dublin

Primary school teacher here- when do they turn 6? A lot of children are 5 yrs old starting in Junior Infants in Sept or at least 4.5yrs old.

He turns 6 in December

When are you moving? If he’s just turned 5 now and you are moving shortly he would probably be in Junior Infants. If he’s a ‘young’ five year old though you could possibly put him in pre-school for the rest of the academic year and start junior infants in September.

I thought they started reception at 4 in England? Is that wrong?
I would enroll in Junior Infants personally. Some children his age will be in Senior Infants as it's a bit of a toss up with a Dec/Jan/Feb birthday, but I'd always choose to have them that bit older. Especially with the move and everything.

Most kids start school (Junior Infants) between 4.5 - 5.5.
If he just turned 5 in December then typically he would be in Junior Infants. Would be on the very young side for Senior Infants and very much on older side for holding him back until next year.

Sorry, ignore my previous post. I think I got mixed-up about when he was six. Obviously in my head I'm still in 2022! Agree with pp that most start in the months before or after they turn five. I think people tend to start them a bit older now though, even when compared to a few years ago. If he's just turned 5 in December then he could either start in Junior Infants straightaway or you could wait until September and start him in Junior Infants then. Personally, I would start him next Sept, but he would probably be one of the older ones in his class - which is an advantage imho. (There is more flexibility around starting age here than there is in England.)

So he will be starting junior infants next week.

I didn't realise the classes were different, I just assumed it was p1-p7

No, there are 8 years of primary school here. Junior and Senior Infants, then first class up to sixth class. So they are 12 or 13 starting secondary school.

Hope he settles in well and enjoys his new school.