Can a September baby start reception early?

[prm]

Does anybody know if children who turn 4 in September can apply to start Reception early eg in January (rather than waiting until the following September. If anybody has and can share their experience / pros and cons that would be great, thanks!

[lightweight]

I don't think that is possible - haven't most schools scrapped the January intake?

[pebbles]

No I'm pretty sure they can't. When they did the January intake it wouldn't have been allowed either as it's for younger children to start a bit later rather than older children to start earlier if that makes sense.

[nunheadmum]

No don't think it's possible. I know a few kids who have their birthday in the first few days of September and were so ready to go up with their July/August friends but had to wait.

Funny how some parents worry their August kids are too young while others are desperate for their September kids to move up. Just goes to show how arbitrary a cut-off date is.

[prm]

Thanks all for your replies. Just for the record I'm not really desperate to get my daughter ahead, quite the opposite I'm quite happy for her to play and be a kid for as long as possible. But with all the recent talk about getting into a good local primary / catchment areas / bulges etc. I was just wondering if we had that option to consider as well (as you do with school nurseries, but quite understandably not for Reception, I think it's preferable to start in September like everyone else anyway!)

[pommie]

my daughter's birthday is 1st September so she missed out when all her friends moved up (by one day) last time she has just started reception this September so she is the oldest in her class