Can someone explain what age DC start primary school at?

[NorkyButNice]

Probably a very stupid question but I'm in a total muddle about what age they start school these days.

DS is 2 and a September birthday (so he'll turn 5 during Sept 2012). My Mum is telling me that this means he won't start school till Sept 2013, a couple of weeks before he turns 6. Is this right?

When I picked him up from nursery yesterday they asked me what my plans are for his schooling, as they think he's "very bright" and an ideal candidate for the local private prep, where he'd start in Jan 2012 aged 4.

We specifically moved to this area so we could use the very good local state schools but I can appreciate that if there's going to be 18 months difference between start dates that we might have to reconsider.

Help!

[NoahAndTheWhale]

If you are in England, he will start school full time in September 2012 when he is nearly 5.

Depending on where you are, there are possibly school nurseries that might start from September 2011.

[wonderingwondering]

You are obliged to attend school the term after you turn 5 -so he'd be obliged to go from Jan 2013. But the local state school will probably be happy to take him from Sept 2012.

[lou031205]

Children in England & Wales start in the September following their 4th Birthday. So, as your DS won't be 4 until September 2011, he will start school in September 2012. Had he been born on August 31st 2007, he would start school in September 2011.

[lou031205]

DD2 is 2.8, born 12th August, so will start at 4 yrs 2 weeks.

[NorkyButNice]

Thanks for the information - Sept 2012 sounds reasonable so no need to worry about private school fees quite yet!

[mrz]

With a September birthday he will be due to start full time school 2012 not 2013 and many areas will offer part time nursery when he is three.

[KMR281]

hi,
well, my youngest is 2, with a sept birthday (born 2007) and as we are in Scotland, he will start in 2012, a few weeks before he is 5.

Funny how there is such a difference. My eldest started last august, just before he was 5 (his b'day is very end aug).

nothing useful, just it has always seemed odd to me that the two systems are so different. Oh, and we don't have reception either - what is that anyway??

[activate]

rising 5 means the term they turn 5

so he'll start sept 2012 and not eligible for state school in jan 2012

also being bright doesn't mean a 4 year old needs to go to school - school is about social development in early years

[THK]

DD September baby also identified very bright at kindy was pushed to be tested and started private school at 3 yrs 7 months as she was already reading and writing and mature enough to handle a school environment. Currently youngest in her year and top of her year so its worked out well.
However, now on reflection I think she could have waited a year easily without any consequences. Bright children with support will always be bright, and I now wished I had the extra year with her at home.
Its easy to become swayed by outside pressure and others oppinions especially with yr first child. If you can afford it and it feels right then private school is an option.
Children in Australia start at 6, UK generally 5 but dont feel you are compelled to put your child in school ahead of the norm.theres still lots to learn outside the classroom.

[3point14]

I asked about my daughter, born July 2007 and she'll be starting in September 2011. I don't see why your child should wait another year until September 2012 just because he was born a month later than mine.

I guess you can start in January 2012 at the latest but you can get at least 15 hours nursery before that from age 3.

[prh47bridge]

3point14 - the op's child will have to wait another year because that is the way the system works.

From next year LAs must allow children to be admitted in the September following their 4th birthday - most do this already. They are not required to admit children any earlier than that. So, for a child born in September 2007, the earliest an LA is required to admit the child is September 2012.

Your daughter will be one of the youngest in her class. The op's son will be one of the oldest in his class.

[ShadeofViolet]

My DS2 is 3.1 and starts school January 2012, when he is 4.10. However he is Autistic so there is a little bit of debate over whether he will start FT straight away.

My DD is 18 months and will start school in September 2013 a month before her 5th birthday.