The move takes forward recommendations made by Sir Jim Rose in hisreview of the primary curriculum, which said children should startreception the September after their fourth birthday.
The Government proposes that from September 2011, parents will be ableto choose whether their child takes up a full- or part-time place fromthe September, January or April after their fourth birthday.
They will also be able to choose to take up a full-time early yearsplace at nursery, if they prefer. Parents can also still wait untiltheir child turns five to send them to school.
The Government will fund local authorities for the costs of full- orpart-time provision, including in maintained nursery schools and classesand in private, voluntary and independent settings.
Children's secretary Ed Balls said, 'We know that not everyfour-year-old is going to be ready for reception at the same time, so itis important families have the choice when to start full-time orpart-time classes or have free early years provision if they wantit.'
Claire Schofield, director of membership, policy and communications atthe National Day Nurseries Association, said it was pleased familieswould have the option to be funded to stay with an existing childcareprovider if they felt their child was not ready for school.
'This consultation will be of interest to nurseries who will be keen toensure that staying at nursery is seen as an option by parents andunderstand that if they choose to this will not mean they will miss outon a place at school later on.'
Further information: www.dcsf.gov.uk/consultations
