starting reception

[alem]

I was just wondering if anyone knew for certain, as i have heard on a couple of different grapevines, whether or not they are stopping the 'phased start' in reception?

By 'phased start', (i didn't know what else to call it) I mean when they start only doing part sessions, or just mornings/afternoons for a while.

In our area, they don't do full days until after the Christmas Holidays at the moment.

Thanks

No they are not, at least, not as a national policy. Under the Admissions Code parents have the right to request that their child attends school part time until they reach compulsory school age (i.e. the start of term following the child's 5th birthday). The school does not have to agree to that request, however. So it is up to the individual school whether or not they want to continue to offer part time schooling for the younger children.

We haven't had "phased starts" for years every child starts full time on day one unless there is a reason why it isn't appropriate for individual children.

Interesting, mrz.

The statements on this by the last government suggest that they intended to give parents the option of choosing whether or not their child would be educated part time until they reached compulsory school age. However that isn't what they actually did. They merely gave parents the right to ask for their child to attend school part time, which seems pretty pointless really. If schools don't have to comply with such requests parents are no better off just because they have the right to ask.

Yes, there is a change from this September. In England all children will be able to start full time in Reception from the September following their fourth birthday although parents have the right to delay the start date or for the child to start part-time if they prefer. You need to apply as usual (by the normal deadline) even if you want to delay the start date.

Once you have been allocated a primary school I think you just need to accept the place and inform the school when and how your child will be joining Reception. I must say if it were me I would be very sure to send that letter Special Delivery and keep a copy so there cannot be any misunderstanding that your child will be taking up their place during Reception (ie. so the school don't allocate your child's place to someone else waiting for a place that wants to start in September).

Also, be aware if you delay their start in Reception you are able to continue to claim for the 15 hours pw early education.

Slight correction to LadyLapsang's post. Parents have the right to delay the start date but they only have the right to request that their child starts part time. So the school has to comply with requests for a delayed start but does not have to comply with requests for the child to attend part time.

As per my last post, I think the previous government intended to allow parents to choose whether or not their child started part time. However, that isn't what they put in the Admissions Code.

The previous Admissions Code gave parents the right to request a delayed start but did not force schools to comply. As a result many schools refused to comply with such requests. I expect that many schools will similarly refuse to comply with requests for part time education.

prh47bridge we scrapped our staggered starts (although my LA has operated a single September intake for much longer) in response to parents requests and in the time since we made this move we haven't had a single request for part time education. We have had a number of parents refuse part time attendance when we suggested this was best for their child due to individual needs.

mrz - I wasn't suggesting you (or, indeed, any school which doesn't offer part time education) are doing anything wrong. Sorry if it came across that I was.

My intention was to comment on the gap between the last government's intentions and its actions. Their announcement (which can still be seen on the old DCSF website) says that "Parents will be able to choose for their child to start school on a part-time or full-time basis" but that is not what they actually put into place in the Admissions Code.

Sorry prh47bridge I didn't think you were. What I was trying to say is that very few parents IMHE actually want part time and in fact feel short changed when it is suggested which is very different from the impression someone would get by reading this forum.

Having received a brick sized envelope from the occupational therapist with activities to do at home, alongside the existing physiotherapy exercises and hearing dd read, I was beginning to consider asking for part time education to fit the whole flippin' lot in before bedtime. (never mind teatime, bathtime and some chill out and just play time!!)

Just can't see how it is all going to fit.

DD started Reception last year, her school had 9-1 until half term then full time. The school she is now at Reception goes full time from the off, a local vilage school, reception children have only just gone full time.

there is much sence in what you write BlackEyedSusan, DS started school this week, last term was quite busy enough with 5 sessions of preschool PLUS a lot of Speech therapy work at home. BUT he is now starting school with teachers and other children understanding his speech and him willing to talk to people. Totally NOT a wasted term and has put him in better position to benefit from reception class.