What age do Lo's start school?

**jubiedoo16** · 08-08-2008, 05:13pm

I am confused. DD was born in october so will be 4 in October 2010, so would she start school that september or would she start in 2011 when she is almost 5? Or do somechildren start in the January after there fouth birthday?

**sersha** · 08-08-2008, 05:14pm

She would start in 2011 when almost 5, or even in 2012 when almost six, if you deferred entry.

***Fallen Angel*** · 08-08-2008, 06:45pm

I thought legally they had to start by the time they were 5? Jess will go into reception next Sept (2009) but will be one of the youngest in the year. Not that it matters a jot as she is more than ready for school!

**clowe74** · 08-08-2008, 06:48pm

They start in the September following their 4th birthday

**BellaDonna** · 08-08-2008, 06:55pm

Depends where you live and what policy the school they are going to has. It's either the September or January following their 4th birthday.
Here some schools have one intake in September and some have two, September and January. The school Bella is going to has two, so she is starting just before she is 5, in January 09. She has a friend who is only just 4, who is starting before her this September! Madness!

**Princess Fiona** · 08-08-2008, 07:30pm

It differs from area to area from what i gather but here it goes like this...

The TERM following their 3rd Birthday they are entitled to government funding for 5 x 2.5 hr sessions of Preschool during term time. You can find a list of local preschools on your local authority website, the sessions can also be claimed through most private nurseries as well so you would just get the cost of those sessions deducted from your usual private bill.

The September term following their 3rd Birthday they are entitled to a FREE Nursery Place, most Infant Schools have a Nursery attached, you get a form posted to you by the Local Council the August before and you find out whether they've been accepted to your chosen Nursery in March/April time. This is where Lucy is starting this September, and she'll be 4 in December.

Then again you get sent an application for School whilst they're in Nursery (should you choose to send them) for their School place where they'll start the September term following their 4th Birthday.

Depending when their Birthday falls depends how old they are iyswim, my friends little girl isn't even 3 yet, and Lucy will be 4 in December but they're both in the same School year and are both starting Nursery THIS September.

Some schools do a half year intake and take kids at say Easter time, but they don't do that here.