Reception age

[obiozo]

my little girl was born 4th of sept,2007 and i was wondering when she would be allowed to join the reception class. i have been getting different answers from different towns.some say she has to wait a whole year and get in sept 2012, while some say she can join the jan 2012 intake. she is a very big girl,looks like a 4 year old already, and she is also really smart cos of her interactions with her elder ones. i am a bit worried that being the oldest and most possibly the biggest might affect her confidence. pls advise.

Are you mad?? why would you want her to be at such a disadvantage? All the evidence shows that it's better to be the eldest in the class. Socially, academically, and for future state exam results.....

I'd send her to reception September 2011, she'll still only be four on her first day of school.

She'll start reception just as she turns five.

Don't worry about being the tallest in the class. My DD friend is easily the tallest in her year, but hasn't had any problems. Anyway, other children are catching up fast!

Almost everywhere she'd start in September 2012. All the research shows that being the eldest and potentially biggest in the year has a significant positive impact on the confidence of September- and October-born children and the benefits of that continue for years, so please try not to worry.

Here she would start in January 2012.

We have 3 intakes a year, September, January and April.

My eldest was born in September 2002 and started in January 2007.

My dd is one of the youngest in her class, 2nd youngest actually. To begin with it seemed absolutely fine because she was toilet trained young, spoke early etc... but roll on 4 years and there have been some minor issues. She is clever, but she is a bit giddy in class and has only come out on English scores as average, even though I know that she's bright. I read at home with her and she couldn't have improved any faster in this last year. Maybe that will have resolved itself by next year actually, but by the time she lost her first teeth, it was old news... Her concentration span is definitely shorter than the rest of her class. She is friendly with a girl who only just missed the previous year's intake, so there is 10 months between them. I can really see the difference! Even in their handwriting and their drawings.

My ds was born sept 5th and is the oldest in his class. This has been wonderful. He went there a slightly shy child but is leaving today sooooo confident. He is the brightest in his class, the tallest and all the other children look up to him. I think if he had gone to school a year earlier it would be a very different story now.

Lucky you if she is to be the eldest in the year. DD2 is the youngest and has really struggled academically. Although we know she is very bright, teacher told me a few days ago that because of her age she is quite a way below 'average', scoring only 3s & 4s in final assessment. Am absolutely sick of hearing it's because she is so young and am wondering when that will cease to be an excuse. Luckily she will be given extra support in September but I really worry she will still be at a disadvantage for many years. DD1 is a December child and has sailed though school

Thanks everyone. your advice has helped to put my mind at rest.