Starting reception in England

The usual start, and the legal latest start

GOV.UK says most children start reception full-time in the September after they turn four. A child who turns four in June would usually start that September. If you do not think your child is ready, GOV.UK says they can start later: part time, part-way through the year, or in the September after they turn five. You still apply with everyone else and ask for the later start.

Compulsory school age is the point by which they must be in full-time education. GOV.UK defines it as 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following the fifth birthday, whichever comes first. A child who starts in the September after they turn five would normally go into year 1. You can ask the admission authority to admit them to reception instead. GOV.UK is clear that the authority does not have to agree.

Summer-born children

Children born from 1 April to 31 August are described by the Department for Education as summer-born. The department’s advice for parents says they do not have to start school until the September after their fifth birthday. If you want that later start to be in reception rather than year 1, you need to request admission out of the normal age group. If you do not make that request, the same advice says your child would start in year 1.

Apply on time even if you think you may defer. The summer-born advice says to apply as if they might start at four, and to send the out-of-year request at the same time if you do not want them to miss reception. This is a decision about your child, not a general recommendation from us to delay or not delay.

The first weeks at home

Reception is still early years. Children tire quickly, and the after-school unravel is common. Keep evenings short, tell the teacher if drop-off distress continues long after you leave, and use the words your school uses for the toilet, the playground and the teacher. This page is about England. GOV.UK says Scotland and Northern Ireland have different rules. If you live in Wales, check Welsh Government or your council. We have not published a separate Welsh admissions guide.

What you can say

• We have applied. If we want a later start, we still have to ask. We will not just stay away.
• After school we will have a snack and a quiet bit before any questions.
• I’ll say goodbye at the door, and I will come back at home time.

What you can try

• Read the GOV.UK school starting age page before you rely on playground advice.
• If your child is summer-born and you are considering delay, read the Department for Education’s advice and talk to the admission authority.
• Ask the school about part-time starts if you are offered that flexibility.
• Plan a short after-school landing for the first half term.

Easy to miss

• Turning four does not, by itself, mean a child must start full-time the next day. The usual reception start and compulsory school age are different.
• Waiting until five does not automatically keep a place in reception.
• An England admissions page should not be used as the rule for Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

When to seek more support

• Talk to your council’s school admissions service about applications, deferral and summer-born requests. The rules are administered locally.
• Speak to a health visitor, GP or the school if your child is very distressed about starting, or has additional needs you want the school to understand.
• If you need the legal wording, use the GOV.UK pages linked below rather than a summary on a parenting site, including this one.

Further reading

These are public sources we used as background. They are not a review of this page, and they are not Everyday Parent partners.

• School admissions: School starting age — GOV.UK
• Summer-born children starting school: advice for parents — GOV.UK
• Separation anxiety — NHS