Four-year-olds get school places

Councillor Michael Waine in Windmill Primary School

Four-year-old children in Oxfordshire can now start school full-time after major changes to schools admissions policy.

From January 2009, all children are entitled to a full-time school place for the whole academic year in which they turn five.

Parents can choose whether their child starts in September or January.

In 2007, the county council surveyed parents and 81% said they were in favour of the changes.

Lynn Knapp, headteacher at Windmill Primary School in Headington, said the changes would be an improvement.

She said: "In the past, we've had one foundation class in September then moving to two in January. Staffing has been complicated.

"From the children's perspective it will make it easier, bringing them full-time in one place."

Councillor Michael Waine said the policy change was a "very significant" decision.

He said: "Up until now, Oxfordshire presented a fairly confused position where schools offered different admissions policies.

"Now, consistently across the county, all children will be able to start in the September of their fifth birthday."

Oxfordshire County Council has applied for government grants to meet the cost of the change.