County’s four year-olds start full-time school

MANY four-year-olds across Oxfordshire will be starting school full-time this month, following a major alteration to school admissions policies.

The change and increased funding by Oxfordshire County Council means that from January 2009, all children are entitled to a full-time school place for the whole academic year in which they turn five.

Oxfordshire primary schools were previously funded to offer half-time places to children from the September after their fourth birthday. This place then became full-time in the term after their fifth birthday.

The county council commissioned an independent survey to investigate parents’ views the results of which indicated that eight out of ten parents of children aged between two and six years old said they would support this policy change.

Cllr Michael Waine, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement, said: “Learning through play in the foundation stage gives children a firm base on which their primary education can build.
“The additional entitlement will increase access to a quality early education for children in Oxfordshire and give them firmer foundations for their life of learning ahead.
“I am very proud that we have been able to achieve this major policy change and improved entitlement for the young children of Oxfordshire.”

Photo: Courtesy of Oxfordshire County council