Day nurseries mooted for four-year-olds
National Day Nurseries Association has proposed using spare nursery places for four-year-olds as a solution to the shortage of primary school places.
The NDNA said private, voluntary and independent day nurseries should be used, rather then sending children to school at four years of age.
Purnima Tanuku, chief executive of the NDNA said, 'With an average of 79.5% occupancy and around 15,500 UK day nurseries, there are potentially thousands of places available for four-year-olds in day nurseries.'
The NDNA also said a later school start would benefit children born in summer.
In response to the Primary Review, schools secretary Ed Balls said that parents worried that their child was too young to start school could access 25 hours of free childcare instead.
The review said that summer-born children should start reception class in September after their fourth birthday rather than the January following, and added that children might start school part-time (News, 30 April).
A spokesperson for the Local Government Association said, 'The NDNA's suggestion is not a solution as it's about finding primary school places and parents want to get their children started at school.'
Chairman of the LGA's Children and Young People's board, Councillor Les Lawrence said, 'In the short term, councils will be working with schools to help them find extra capacity and draft in extra teachers and support staff.'
