Why can't all LEAs have the same rules!!

[nappyaddict]

Some have 1 intake, some have 2 and some have 3. Who is it that decides how many intakes each LEA will have and how and why do they decide to have 1,2 or 3? Why don't they all just have the same! It is such a lottery depending on where you live at the moment.

It is crazy. Must be the LEA's that decide?

My dneice didn't start reception until two months after her 5th birthday which I don't get as round here they start the term after they're 4.

Does she live in Maidenhead by any chance?

yes....how do you know that?? Is that the only area around with that arrangment?

She was so ready for school and it seemed strange that she had to wait so long and was stuck in nursery!

It's the only area I've heard of that do it like that but there may be others. Did she start in January?

yes. It was long overdue really as she was bored silly in nursery.

Maidenhead are changing from 2010 to offer rising 5 places. They have an odd system which means if you are born between 1st May and 31st August you miss out on reception completely and start school in year 1. We ended up going private so ds would have time in reception.

Mollie how many intakes will they have?

Don't know about future but it is currently a twice a year - Sept and Jan. I imagine they must be adding an Easter one to take account of summer born children. I know in Bucks it varies between one entry a year and three.

Round here is seems to be teh schools that decide not teh LEA as different schools in Leicestershire have different intakes.

I reckon it should be one intake for all, but with prents able to make the decision to defer for up to a year (still going into reception) for their own child should they and/or preschool/nursery feel it is in the child's best interests.

Mollie I thought at the moment in Maidenhead they take Autumn born children in January, Spring born children in April and Summer born children the following September straight into year 1?