Reception
Early Years In Action
The early years are considered vital to a child’s future well-being and academic success. It’s widely believed that children who are nurtured and taught well in Reception go on to perform better in their future exams, as it lays the fundamental building blocks in which other skills and knowledge are developed.
Reception covers academic skills as well as encouraging developmental skills, such as developing fine motor skills to use pens, pencils, or scissors. Reception class works to bring a strong foundation that children can use and build on as they learn more throughout their learning journeys.
In the national framework for EYFS, it's stated that:
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life and the support that enables them to fulfil their potential. Children develop quickly in the early years, and a child's experiences between birth and age five have a major impact on their future life chances. A secure, safe and happy childhood is important in its own right. Good parenting and high quality early learning together provide the foundation children need to make the most of their abilities and talents as they grow up.”
Applying for a Place
Most children start school in the September after their fourth birthday.
If your child was born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 202 you need to apply for admission to Reception for entry in September 2025.
Reception class applications opened on 23 September 2024 and will close on 15 January 2025. It is very important that you make an application for your child for the 2025/2026 school year by Wednesday 15 January 2025.
You must apply for a Reception class place even if your child currently goes to a nursery class at a school. Going to a nursery attached to a school does not increase your chances of getting a Reception class place at that school.
If you want your child to start later, you still need to apply for a reception class place at the same time as everyone else.
The following is information from Suffolk County Council for parents/carers who will be making an application for their child to start Reception in September 2025.
Where can parents find information about how to apply?
All of the information parents/carers need to help them make their decision is available on our website at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions, including information about the School Travel Policy and some School Travel Scenarios.
To begin an online application, please click onto the following link:
