Children are all diffferent! Children differ widely in their abilities and early development. Parents (NOT schools or LEAs) are best able to judge when their children are ready to start school. It allows them to consider their childrens needs, their previous experience in nursery and pre-school, and their family arrangements. Giving parents this choice can help to ensure their children enjoy and fully benefit from school – rather than being a source of great anxiety for both parents and children where they are forced to start too early, or conversely where a childs learning and development is hindered because they are prevented from starting when they are ready.