Summer-born children - delaying entry to Reception by a full year

Deciding to delay your child's admission

Children are expected to start school in the September following their fourth birthday. 

Most children thrive when starting school at the age of four, but there are options for parents who do not feel their children are ready to start school full-time at this point.

They can:

• defer the date their child is admitted to their allocated school until later in the school year (but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age, or beyond the start of the summer term of that school year)
• choose for their child to attend school part-time until they reach compulsory school age
• choose to delay their child’s start to school by a full year (if they are summer born)

Parents/carers should visit the schools they plan to apply for. Teachers will be able to explain the provision on offer in the Reception class and how individual needs are supported. 

It is best to do this before the time when they would normally be expected to apply for a place for their child in Reception.

Compulsory school age

A child reaches compulsory school age on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday - whichever comes first. 

For example, a child born on 16 February 2021 reaches compulsory school age on 31 March 2026. Children must be receiving suitable full-time education as soon as they reach compulsory school age.

Summer-born children

Summer-born children have birthdays between 1 April and 31 August. They do not reach compulsory school age until a full school year they could have first started school. This is when other children in their age group are beginning Year 1.

Delaying a summer-born child’s start at school for a full year

Parents/carers of summer born children can choose to delay their child’s start to school by a full year. This is their choice and they do not need anyone to authorise or agree to this. 

Parents/carers are advised to read the DfE's advice for parents on summer born children starting school to help them make an informed decision. 

Children can stay at pre-school or nursery if there is a place available for them.

Contact the Early Years team at [email protected] to find out more about funding for nursery places for school-age children. 

The expectation is that these children would then start school in Year 1 and join their normal age group as they move from Reception to Year 1. 

Parents/carers would need to make an in-year application for a Year 1 place in the summer before the school place is required for September.

Parents/carers can however request that their child is admitted out of their normal age group (into Reception in the September following their fifth birthday instead of Year 1).

Requesting a start in Reception out of the normal age group

Parents do not have the right to insist that their child is admitted to a particular age group. However, if they do not want their child to miss their Reception year, they may request that their child be admitted out of their normal age group.

School admission authorities are responsible for making the decision about which year group a child should be admitted to. 

The Local Authority is the admission authority for some schools but Academies, Voluntary Aided, Free and Foundation schools have their own admission authorities.

If a school’s admission authority agrees that it would be in a child’s best interests to start school in Reception (rather than year 1), parents/carers can apply for a Reception place as part of the main admissions round for the following September.

Last updated 15 April 2025