Nursery World - New plans for school entry from age four or nursery alternative

All four-year-olds will be able to start school once they turn four, under plans put out for consultation on Monday - just days after the Cambridge Review called for a delay to the start of formal schooling until children turn six.

The move takes forward recommendations made by Sir Jim Rose in his review of the primary curriculum, which said children should start reception the September after their fourth birthday.

The Government proposes that from September 2011, parents will be able to choose whether their child takes up a full- or part-time place from the September, January or April after their fourth birthday.

They will also be able to choose to take up a full-time early years place at nursery, if they prefer. Parents can also still wait until their child turns five to send them to school.

The Government will fund local authorities for the costs of full- or part-time provision, including in maintained nursery schools and classes and in private, voluntary and independent settings.

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