Statement on Deferring a Reception Place Until the Term After a Child Turns Five Years of Age
Statement on Deferring a Reception Place Until the Term After a Child Turns Five Years of Age
At Larkrise, Reception, all children start with us full-time in September, joining a carefully planned curriculum and nurturing environment supporting academic and social development from the beginning of the school year.
Why do we feel that it is important to ensure children start full-time in September?
If children do not start with the rest of their peers in September, it has the following impact:
Missed Early Learning Opportunities: The Reception year provides a vital foundation for early literacy, maths, and social skills. Starting late means missing significant parts of the Early Years curriculum designed to build confidence and readiness for Year 1.
Social Integration: Starting later can make it more difficult for children to form friendships and become part of the class community. Children benefit from shared experiences and routines that begin in September.
Disruption to Progression: Reception is a whole school year with a carefully sequenced curriculum. Joining partway through can make it harder for children to settle into routines and keep up with their peers.
No Guarantee of Reception Place: If a child delays starting and applies for Reception later, there is no automatic right to a Reception place in the term after your child turns five, and places may not be available. We are a popular school with a waiting list, and we can not legally hold a place for a child to start later in the school year.
Emotional Impact: Children often adapt more quickly and happily than anticipated. Delaying their start may postpone their natural social and emotional development in our school setting.
Impact on Staff Workload: At Larkrise, we feel it is essential to support and protect our staff, as they are our most important resource in providing a successful educational experience for your children. If children start in the term after their fifth birthday, it creates an additional workload for staff as they have to support a child starting school at a different time to their peers and continue to support the children already at school.
We strongly encourage parents and carers to discuss any concerns about school readiness with us. We are here to support each child as they begin their school journey, and we work closely with families to ensure a smooth and positive start in September.