When do I apply for reception and when does my child start

[Shari06]

Hi everyone

I am so anxious, and worried please help any advise would be appreciated, my daughter was born on the 6th September 2021 (UK) when am I supposed to apply for her to attend reception in the UK and when would she be attending?

From my understanding because she was born on the 6 September application for reception was august 2025 to Jan 2026 then she would be attending reception in September 2026 is this the case ?

Or Should I be applying by deadline Jan 2025 for attendance of reception in September 2025?

She will be four by September 6 2025 and online I am reading that on fourth birthday children attending reception I am so confused please help , I don't have long left to apply of it is the case so any advise would be appreciated many thanks

January 2026 deadline for a September 2026 start.

Assuming England, not UK in general.

If she'd been born any time that year up until 31st Aug you'd need to apply before Jan for admission in '25

You've given her the gift of being September-born so you'll need to apply by Jan '26 ☺️

Assuming England: The age that matters is their age on 31st Aug. She will still be 3 on 31/8/25, so as PP said, apply by Jan 26 to start Sept 26. She will be 1 of the oldest in the class.

She will be a 2026 starter, beginning the September after she turns 4. School years are worked out from September 1st, so your DD will be one of the oldest in the year, turning 5 almost immediately.

Thank you so much everyone for responding so quickly to message I am so relieved , your advise is great appreciated thank you