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Deferred entry to Primary 1
How to defer entry for your child into Primary 1, depending on their age.
Most children start school when they are between 4 years 6 months and 5 years old.
It is however possible for your child to start later, depending on the circumstances. This is called deferred entry.
Children born between 21 August 2020 and 28 February 2021
Children born between 21 August 2020 and 28 February 2021:
- are automatically entitled to defer entry
- receive an extra year of funded early learning and childcare
There's no need to formally apply for a deferred entry to school.
However, you will need to apply for a funded nursery place at a provider of your choice.
The deadline for decisions on entry to school or nursery is Friday 14 March 2025.
Children born between 1 March 2020 and 20 August 2020
Children born between 1 March 2020 and 20 August 2020:
- do not have an automatic right to defer entry to primary school
- are not entitled to an extra year of funded early learning and childcare
However, you can apply for special consideration for a deferred year.
The application deadline for the 2025/26 academic year is Friday 6 December 2024.
Things to consider
The first thing to do is talk to staff at the nursery or the headteacher at the school about your child's development.
You'll also need to remember to apply for a primary school place.
You should apply even if you are still trying to decide whether your child should start school later or not.
Any delays in applying can mean you lose a priority place at your child's catchment school.
Contact us
For more information: