Not even a clue...

[pinkbunnybooks]

Read on a website some schools in the UK need to register immediately after birth. I'm getting bewildered by all the many options in the UK for children - entry at 2, 3, 4, 5 years of age, State, Primary, Reception, Grammar, Public... Can someone with half a clue please explain to me what it all means and what I need to do??

You only need to register a child this soon if you're hoping they will attend a private school, which are usually fee paying. If you just want them to go to state schools like most people, you don't need to do anything till they are about 3-4.

There are state schools and private schools. Public schools are also private schools in the UK. And Independent schools are also private, fee paying schools.

You only need to worry about putting names down at birth etc if it is a private school.

Many private schools are selective. Your child will have to sit an exam or tests and there are various entry points for private schools at various ages, eg 4+, 7+ etc

With state schools you put in an application stating your preferred schools ranked in order, and submit to your local authority. This is the January before they start school in Reception (children start in Reception the year they turn 5).

If they are talking about registering at birth that's private.

State you apply by 15 Jan the year they start.

Preschool is 3-4 years and not compulsory
Reception is 1st year primary and you start the year they turn 5 for birthdays between September and August.
State schools are tax payer funded schools.
Public schools are private fee paying schools

I should clarify - state schools take children from the age of 4. Private schools have attached nurseries often and take children from younger if you wish.

Primary is generally from 4-11

Reception class is age 4, ie the first year at school

Grammar school is to do with secondary schools, ie, children are selected by doing an exam and top few get into grammar schools. Not ubiquitous in the UK but some areas still have them. Controversial!

Public school is the same as private (fee paying) school. Not sure why it is called that as it makes no sense

My local pre-schools you need to register at birth or soon after to guarantee a place. Here they start the September after they turn 3.

Primary school you apply between 1st September -15th January the year your child turns 3. You do this through your council.

Secondary school you apply between 1st September - 31st October the year your child turns 10. You do this through your council.

Psipina actually state schools can take children from the year they turn 3 in England and Wales (Scotland and Northern Ireland have different education systems). It depends on the local authority and how much funding they offer.

So a state primary school can start with Nursery (year a child turn 4).

Really? What class would a state school put a 3yo in though - that's sub reception surely?

Some schools have attached nurseries which are effectively so integrated into the school that they are part of it.

Most don't. And in most areas attending the school pre-school gives no admission preference.

Many state primarys have a nursery or F1 class that takes children the term after they turn 3. Sometimes these are run separately, sometimes they are run as a Foundation stage unit with all the nursery and reception children in together.

Primaries

What Rafals said.

My son's school has Nursery, Reception in EYFS (early years foundation), Year 1, Y2 KS1 (key stage one).

Nursery has the same hours as the rest of the school 9-3. But the local authority only finds places for half to have full time, the other half are on half days. Also, you still have to apply for Reception - you don't get a priority.