When 4 Seems Too Soon for School
- Mrs B
- Aug 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 12
The Story
Ava* was due to be born in October; she would have been one of the oldest in her school year. However, she was premature and was born almost 3 months early. For the first years of her life, her achievements were measured not in line with those who had the same birthday as her in August, but those who were born when she was due in autumn.
Then she was 4 and it was time to start school, and all anyone saw was her birth date; this little dot (hardly more than a toddler) was made to go. Her parents were told this was how it had to be. The law said differently, but no one told them. By the time I found out about her situation, she had been struggling for two years. She was brought to my attention as she was flagged as having special educational needs; she couldn't keep up with her peers. Was that at all surprising?
Ava did not have any special needs; she was simply an August-born baby (who should have been born in October) whose parents were not made aware that, by law, she could start school part-time or even a whole year later.
Now, she is in Secondary school, learning in line with her friends, but those first few years of stress could have been avoided if her parents were aware of the law.
This was an extreme case, but years later, I helped Sidney's parents understand the law. He was born in late August, and they did not feel he was ready to go to school full-time just a month later. So he didn't. He did a few mornings each week and slowly built up time over the year. He's going into Year 1 in September and is thriving. He hasn't fallen behind; in fact, he is a bit of a phonics whizz now ready to take the next step into full-time school.
Lots of schools do not want children starting later; it is not their policy. Well, my lovelies, one of my favourite sayings as part of my method is...
'Law Overrides Policy'
Read on if you'd like to know more... Or scroll to the end if you want a free downloadable letter/email to inform your child's school that they will not be starting full-time in September!
The Method in Motion (Main Article)
Starting school is one of those big milestones that feels both exciting and somewhat overwhelming for both little ones and parents.
Many parents find their child isn’t quite ready to jump into full-time education at just four years old, especially if they’re summer-born, with birthdays in July or August. It can feel like a big leap, going from being a ‘3-year-old’ to starting full-time school just weeks later.
The good news? You have options. If you’ve been wondering when your child has to start school or whether you can delay things a little, you’re not alone. Let’s break down what the law says and what your choices are.
When Do Children Start School in the UK?
In most cases, children in the UK start Reception - the first year of primary school - in September after they turn 4. So, if your child’s birthday falls between 1st September and 31st August, they’re usually expected to start that same autumn.
But here’s what many parents don’t realise: they don’t have to start school at four.
So, When Do They Have To Start?
Aged 5.
Legally, your child must be in full-time education by the start of the term after they turn 5. This is known as the Compulsory School Age (CSA).
Here’s what that might look like:
If they turn 5 in December, they need to start by the spring term (January).
If they turn 5 in March, they need to start by the summer term (April).
That means you’ve got a bit of breathing room if you think your child isn’t quite ready for the full school experience at 4.
Why Might You Choose to Wait?
There are lots of good reasons why a later start might make sense:
Maturity: Some children just aren’t emotionally ready to start school at four.
Health or Developmental Needs: Extra time can help your child catch up if they need a little support.
Family Circumstances: Life happens - whether you’re moving house or feel your child needs another year in a familiar environment, that’s okay. (My dad died, and we needed some time together before this massive step.)
Why Starting School Later Can Be a Good Thing
In the UK, the idea of starting school later isn't widely known or practised. However, many countries around the world begin formal education at a later age - often at 6 or 7 - and see excellent results. For example, in Finland, children start school at age 7 after attending play-based preschool. Despite the later start, Finland consistently ranks among the top in global education systems.
Possible reasons for this are:
Emotional Readiness: Older children are better at managing emotions, making friends, and handling new routines.
Stronger Social Skills: More time to play and interact helps build confidence and cooperation.
Improved Focus: Children who start later are often better able to concentrate and follow instructions.
Academic Confidence: A mature start can reduce stress and support long-term learning success.
So… Should You Delay?
Only you know what’s best for your child. Every child is different - some are ready to jump into Reception at four, while others need a bit more time to bloom.
If your child is struggling emotionally, isn’t keen on the idea of school, or seems young for their age, waiting could be the right call. The key is to weigh up your child’s individual needs and have open conversations with early years providers and your local education authority.
Things to be Aware of…
Some schools might tell you it’s not possible to delay your child’s start or that it goes against their policy, but the law overrides school policy.
You do have the right to request a delayed start if your child isn’t ready.
Stay calm, be polite, but stand your ground. Silken tone, steel resolve - that’s the key. You’ll get through to them.
Keep in mind...
Children who defer their Reception year usually join the same school year group as their peers when they do start. This means, if they don’t attend any Reception they’ll go straight into Year 1.
With this in mind, I recommend considering one of the following options:
Request a part-time timetable.
Start your child later in the academic year but during Reception (e.g., in January or April instead of September).
Keep them in nursery or preschool until they’re ready and introduce a few homeschool activities.
Homeschool your child using a Reception curriculum.
Final Thoughts
Your child’s school journey is important - but there’s no one-size-fits-all path. Whether you choose to start them at 4, delay until 5, or explore alternative options, knowing your rights and the possibilities can give you peace of mind.
Take your time, do what feels right, and trust your instincts - because you know your child best
If you'd like a hand finding out where your local school or education authority stand on this, feel free to get in touch. I offer one-to-one support and can walk you through your options, whether it’s understanding the policies or drafting a request. It’s something we can explore together in a consultation.
Need More Information?
Go to the Government page for more information - https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions
This is such important information. Parents I spoke to were not always given this information and thought they would loose their reception place in a popular church school. However during my supply teaching I worked for a year in a reception school where 3 children started a year later as they were prem babies and one boy was emotionally not ready. These children flourished in reception because they had delayed their starting date.