Even though the application deadline for reception places has passed you can still apply to delay your child's entry into reception until 2026 if they were born April - August 2021.
Research suggests that being summer born can affect children's outcomes simply because they have had less time to develop than their autumn-born peers.
Delaying until the following year obviously isn't the right choice for every child but some people are not aware that it's even an option. As parents, we know our children best and if you think your child won't be ready for full-time school by September this year then you can apply to delay now, even though the application deadline has passed.
Some local authorities are more permissive than others - and I'm wary to give any guarantees - but the vast majority of children will not:
Have to go straight into year 1
Have to miss a year later down the line
Go up to secondary school a year early
Have to leave school at 17
Feel 'held back'
And they are still entitled to nursery funding for the full year.
As I said, this is not a post trying to sway anyone in any particular direction - each child will be different - but it's just for information as I didn't know it was an option and wish I had.
Flexible Admissions for Summer Borns on Facebook is a great resource if you want to explore your options.