Deferred Entry - Primary School

Children do not have to start Primary 1 until the year after your child turns 5 years of age. Legislation changes from August 2023 means that children who have not had their 5th birthday by the time school starts in August, are entitled to another year of funded Early Learning and Childcare (Nursery). This will mean a guaranteed further funded year in an early years setting of your choice.

For session 2024/25 this is available to children who turn 5 years of age between 14 August 2024 and 29 February 2025.

Considerations when choosing to defer entry:

• You must discuss your request with your child’s early learning and childcare provider as well as the primary school they would be attending.
• The final decision will be a shared one between you and the Education team.

If you have not decided whether to defer entry of your child, please continue with the enrolment process so that your child does not miss out on a place.

If you have decided to defer entry of your child you must complete both the ELC registration form and continue with the enrolment process and indicate deferred entry as your choice, the enrolment registration will be much shorter as a result and should take no more than a few minutes.

For more information, please contact the Education team.