Starting school

[Ranmis]

My daughter will be 3 in Dec 2011. She's at a nursery full time at the moment. When would she be starting formal school, state or private? When should I start applying for school places. would like to know this for state schools as well as private schools

She'll start September 2013 whether it's state or private. You'll need to apply in a year for state, I'm only assuming private applications are the same time but sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong

You'd need to enquire directly at each private school you're interested in to find out their applications deadline and selection process.

State schools have an allocations window, which starts in the autumn term the year before entry, and closes min-January. Applications after that time will be dealt with, but only after all on-time applications so there might be very little choice if you miss it. Check the LA website for all key dates, and admissions criteria for the schools you are interested in.

She will start in Reception in September 2013 but if you are in a LA that has state nursery provision ( as we do here in Salford) then she could start this in September 2012. Your best bet is to look on your local council website and see what they say!