When should your child start school?

Children are required by law to receive full-time education after they become five. In Hertfordshire, children normally start full-time schooling in a reception class at least a term before they become five years old. Hertfordshire schools generally have two intakes a year which work as follows:
| Child's 5th birthday |
Start month |
| 1 September-28 February |
September |
| 1 March-31 August |
January |
If you want your child to start later than the date shown above, you may be able to defer your place - speak to the school to find out.
Nursery education
You can also apply for a nursery place, to start the year before your child starts reception. You have to apply separately for nursery and reception places. If you get a nursery place it does not guarantee your application for a reception place.
When will my Child start school?
| Child's date of birth |
Nursery start month |
Primary start month |
| 01/09/04 - 28/02/05 |
September 2009 |
September 2010 |
01/03/05 - 31/08/05 |
January 2009 |
January 2010 |
| 01/09/05 - 28/02/06 |
September 2009 |
September 2010 |
| 01/03/06 - 31/08/06 |
January 2010 |
January 2011 |
| 01/09/06 - 28/02/07 |
September 2010 |
September 2011 |
| 01/03/07 - 31/08/07 |
January 2011 |
January 2012 |
A few schools still have three intakes a year, in September, January and April.
If you have not received an application pack in the November prior to the academic year in which your child is due to start at primary school, please contact us.