Please can someone explian to me when my DS can/should attend 'infants'

[guiltyandfedup]

Ds is 4 in October, so obviously too young to start this september. Have had a look in a few local scholl info packs and it mentions that some children can start in a january. Would this apply to DS or will he need to wait until next September?

Have Dc2 coming in september so just trting to get my head around what I will need to re-organise work wise/childcare wise!!

He will start reception in September. The other starts are for children whose birthdays are spring or summer. If the school has a nursery he could start there now if they have places.

Doh! Not THIS September NEXT September obviously...

Children become eligible to start infant school (in the Reception class) the September after they turn 4. So Jonny who has his 4th birthday on 31 August this year will start school this September, together with a Mary who will turn 5 on 1 September.

Your ds will be elgibile to start Reception in September 2011. Some LEAs stagger intake, so that the summer babies like Jonny start later in the year when they are a bit older. This might be the January entry your shool packs mentoion. If you choose to take advantage of this for your ds, the school should accommodate you, but that would be in January 2012, not next year.

Your child is not legally required to be in education until the start of the term after he turns 5. In your ds's case, January 2013.

Minor correction to PrettyCandles - unless I misunderstand your post your DS will be 5 in October 2011 so must start school in January 2012.

Also the rules are changing slightly so that you can insist on delaying until January 2012 if you want. Some local authorities currently insist on all children starting in September. However, I would strongly recommend a September start.

Yup January 2012, but if it's anything like my LEA they have to join back into 'their' class.

So my DS a July babe would miss the whole of the reception year and then join in at Year 1. Which struck me as entirely pointless..because then not only are they still the youngest in the year, they are also a year behind with friendship groups and understanding the routine.

oops, sorry that read as a hijack

It depends on your area. Here he would be able to start the January after he turned 4.

DD turned 4 in February and started in Reception after Easter.

Your best bet is to check with the school or your LEA.

The rules for 2011 onwards are that children are entitled to be admitted in the September following their 4th birthday but may delay to January or after Easter if they wish. It is, of course, possible that the new government will change this.

Children must start school in the term following their 5th birthday.

As FlightyButPolite says, summer children can, in theory, delay entry for a year. However, they will then start in year 1 and may find it difficult to find a place as all the popular schools will be full already.

Oops

I agree with PrettyCandles and PixieOnaLeaf a child with a birthday in October can start school the September before their 5th birthday (not before but could delay until January as said)

Where we live in Lincs, they can start the term after they are 4 ie if 4 in Oct 10, would start in Jan 11. Our school call them pre reception, but they do the same as the reception children.