When's the right time to start school?

Tuesday 02 May 2017

Some children in Jersey start school too early, sometimes when they have only just turned four, according to a review by the Education and Home Affairs Scrutiny Panel.

The current legislation requires that children start school at the beginning of the term they turn five, however its been suggested some parents do not choose that option because of a lack of information, and the difficulty in finding a space for the child in the school they want.

Although the Education (Jersey) Law 1999 states that a child is "..of compulsory school age throughout the period beginning on the first day of the school term in which the child’s fifth birthday falls and ending on 30th June in the school year in which the child attains the age of 16 years", parents are asked to have their child start school in the September of the school year their child turns five. For summer-born children, this means that they sometimes start school just after turning four.

The Scrutiny Panel has pointed out there is no provision to reserve a place for children beyond the autumn term and even the Education Department website states that "Children start school in the September of the school year in which they have their 5th birthday (so they can experience three terms in reception)."

It says parents feel like they have no choice on when their children can start school or what kind of education they receive, as no real teaching alternatives, like Montessori, Steiner or Reggio Emilia, are available in the Island. It also expresses concerns regarding the school's ability to cope with younger children.

Therefore they recommend that, "The Minister for Education should provide a genuine option to the public for their children to start school in the term in which they turn five, including giving thought to extending the provision of high-quality nursery provision to cover any gaps," while also considering "providing more variety as to the types of schooling available, as currently, only those who can afford to pay for private schools have a real choice relating to their child’s education." 

Another area of concern highlighted in the review is the lack of information available to parents. In her foreword to the report, Deputy Louise Doublet, Chair of the Panel, says: "Well-meaning Ministers and staff within departments produce information which is printed onto leaflets or placed on a website for islanders to look up. However I believe that we must make efforts to ensure the information is given in different formats and made easy for the public to access.

"We live full and busy lives here on our little island and it is clear to me that Ministers should be going to where the public are, rather than expecting the public to come to them."

 The Scrutiny panel also urges the Minister to consult more with Education professionals from the private and public sector to "...create a Jersey Early Years Curriculum that is truly responsive to young children whatever age they start school." There is currently no consensus between teachers on what is best practice in the early years.