Primary schools All four-year-olds to be offered school or nursery place

Retrieved from [Guardian] on 31/10/2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/oct/19/balls-primary-school-starting-age
*Polly Curtis, education editor *Monday 19 October 2009 01.05 BST

Every four-year old in England will be offered a place at school or nursery under plans set out by the schools secretary Ed Balls today to bring forward the age that children start full-time education by a year.

The move comes days after the biggest independent inquiry into primary education in 40 years recommended delaying the start of formal learning until a child turns six to prevent those who struggle being put-off learning at an early age.

From September 2011 every family will be able to choose to between a free place at school or nursery from the September, January or April after their child turns four. If they opt for a nursery place the child will learn the early years play-based curriculum but if they start school it will mean more formal lessons in reading and writing. The Cambridge University primary review last week argued children should not start formal learning until they turn six reporting that England, where children currently have to start school at five, is out of step with international practice.

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