If my child will have their birthday between August and February and is therefore eligible for an additional year of ELC but I am considering sending my child to school instead, what should I do?

You should discuss your thoughts with staff in your child’s ELC setting. Staff will meet with you to discuss your child’s learning and development. Advised by the information shared you will be able to make your decision about if your child should start school or access an additional year of ELC.

If you choose for your child to have an additional year of funded ELC you should complete an online application form to retain your child’s current place and attendance pattern for their pre-school year, or to change to a different attendance pattern. To access ELC in a different funded provider you will be required to complete an application form. 

If you decide that your child will start school, you should complete the school enrolment form. (Please note the school enrolment form will be available to complete from week commencing 9 January 2024).

For parents that are still undecided as to whether their child will remain in ELC or begin primary one in August, we advise you to apply for both an ELC and school place and inform us at a later date when you have made a final decision.

When do I need to finalise my decision whether my child will start school in August or access an additional year of ELC?

Ideally decisions should be finalised by 15 March. You should either complete the school enrolment form if your child is starting primary one or notify the ELC setting that you wish your child to have another year of funded ELC. This will allow children to be appropriately involved in transition activities if they are moving on to school. It will also enable decisions to be made about staffing in primary one classes and capacities in ELC settings for the following academic year. If you are unsure, you should notify the ELC setting and at the same time register your child for primary school to ensure a space is held for them should you change your mind. Every effort will be made to give your child a place in the ELC setting of your choice, but this cannot be guaranteed. Places will be allocated according to Perth and Kinross Council Policy and Guidelines for Admission to Nursery Classes and Early Childhood Centres.

Will my child cope with primary one?

Primary schools are very well equipped to meet a wide range of needs. Additional supports are put in place at transition from nursery to primary one to ensure individual children’s needs are met in a supportive learning context. e.g. use of visual supports to aid communication; support for toileting and other self-care needs; playground supports; active learning opportunities; buddies etc. The staff at your child’s ELC setting will be happy to discuss these possibilities with you. You can also approach the headteacher of your catchment school for information.

If I choose to home educate my child for their first year of education can my child start primary one the following year?

Children home educated in the year that they are able to enter primary one would begin in primary two the following year should parents then opt to send their child to school. Further information is available on the Perth and Kinross website Home Education – A Parent’s Choice – Perth & Kinross Council

Is there anything I need to consider or be aware of if I choose an additional year of ELC for my child rather than send them to school?

It is important to consider your child’s school career from nursery to secondary school and beyond. For example, by sending your child to school a year later your child will legally have the option to leave secondary school before sitting their National Examinations. Further information on deferral and accessing and additional year of ELC can be found at Can my child defer starting school? | Parent Club. If you wish to discuss any information in this leaflet, please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff at your child’s ELC setting. Staff will be aware of the Policy and Guidelines for Admission to Nursery Classes and Early Childhood Centres and can advise you further.