Moving on to reception

Most children in England start reception, the first year of primary school, in the September after their 4th birthday. It is a big step, and the final year at nursery is a good time to plan it. Here is how the timing, applications and funding work.

When children start

The school year runs from 1 September to 31 August. Children start reception in the September after they turn 4. So a child born on 31 August starts school just after turning 4, while a child born on 1 September starts almost a year later, just before turning 5. Our start date tool shows your child’s reception date.

Children do not have to be in school until compulsory school age, which is the term after their 5th birthday. If you want your child to start later, or part-time during reception, talk to the school and your council about the options.

Applying for a school place

You apply through your local council, even for schools in another council area. Applications usually open in the autumn of the year before your child starts and close in January; the national deadline is usually 15 January. Offers are made in April.

Tips:

• List several schools in order of preference. You are more likely to get one of them.
• Read each school’s admission criteria. Distance, siblings and, for some faith schools, religious practice often decide places.
• Check distances. Many nursery pages on Toddly list nearby schools with their phase, age range and straight-line distance.
• Read inspection reports for each school.
• Apply on time. Late applications are usually considered after on-time ones.

A place at a school’s nursery class usually does not give priority for reception, though a few schools’ criteria say otherwise. See school nursery vs day nursery.

What happens to funded hours

Funded early years hours, including the 30 hours for working families, end when your child starts reception. Reception at a state school is free during school hours. You may need to plan for wraparound care, such as breakfast and after-school clubs or a childminder, and for the school holidays. Tax-Free Childcare can help with registered childcare for children up to 11.

Helping your child move on

• Talk about school in positive, simple terms, and walk or drive past it.
• Practise independence: toilet, coats, shoes, opening lunch packaging.
• Read stories about starting school.
• Go to transition events: many schools run visits, stay-and-play sessions or home visits in the summer term.
• Share information: the nursery passes on records about your child’s development, and may meet the reception teacher. Ask what they will share, especially if your child has additional needs.

Children with additional needs

If your child has special educational needs, talk to the nursery’s SENCO early in the final year. If they have an EHC plan, the council’s process for naming a school runs on a different timetable, so ask your council.

Planning the last nursery year

Our when to apply planner includes the reception application on its timeline, and our guide to the pre-school year covers how nurseries help children get ready for school.