City of York Council wants to consult again on the age at which primary schools will admit children to full time education.

The council wants to reconsider whether schools should admit children at the beginning of the term in which they are five rather than the term after. In addition, it is proposing that summer born children should be admitted in January.

As part of a pioneering scheme, the council decided two years ago to introduce new arrangements for the education and childcare of young children in the city.

Called 'A Shared Foundation', the scheme provides tailor-made 'wraparound' packages of early years education and childcare for all children between the ages of three and four whose parents want them.

Earlier this month, as a result of its work in setting up A Shared Foundation, the council received a Partners in Excellence Award from the Department for Education and Skills and the Daycare Trust's award for Seamless Services.

In order to establish a common admissions policy across the city, it was originally proposed that the start of formal schooling should be delayed for all children until the term after their fifth birthday. It is this part of the package that the council is looking at again in the light of the pilot schemes that have been running in four areas of the city.

There would be no change in the statutory age for admission to full time education and parents would continue to have the option of delaying entry to school until the term after their children are five if they wished.

Heather Marsland, the council's early years manager said, "The initiative has been working wonderfully and we have had lots of positive feedback from providers and parents but we have also been listening to their concerns which is why we are proposing this change."

Concerns over present arrangements include: difficulties for schools because of the impact of losing a significant number of children and staff at the point when the new system is being introduced the potential loss of £800,000 a year in government grant to the council as a result of fewer children being in school for the annual headcount some concern from the voluntary, independent and private sectors that a sudden growth in the number of four year olds would limit provision for three year olds some parents wanting the option of sending their children to school before they are five

Ms Marsland said, "In response to these issues we are looking to consult with all the partners in the initiative to slightly amend the arrangements. We don't regard this as anything but a teething problem but it is very important that parents are kept informed so they know what options are open to them."

A progress report on A Shared Foundation and the change to school starting arrangements will be discussed at a meeting of the council's executive on Friday (January 25).

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