Have your say on options for cohort entry Submissions close 19 March 2018

The Government is proposing to change the law so that children can start school in groups (cohort entry), but only after they have turned five.

Prior to this change, the Ministry of Education is consulting with the public on two options for cohort entry for children over five: once a term at the start of the term, or twice a term at the start of the term and at the term mid-point. The consultation also seeks views on whether schools should be able to adopt either of these options instead of only having one option in legislation.

We would love to hear your views. Consultation closes on 19 March. 

Find out more about the options and how to make a submission(external link)

Schools with a cohort entry policy

Schools that have adopted a cohort entry policy for 2018, or are already in the process of introducing a cohort entry policy, will still be able to start new entrants before their fifth birthday until the legislation is changed.

Requirement for schools to consult

The change to cohort entry for over-five-year-olds only would not affect the requirement for schools to consult with their communities, including local early childhood services, prior to introducing cohort entry.

Following the change, these schools would need to consult with their communities to decide whether to adopt the new model of cohort entry or whether to return to continuous entry. More information on the transition will be available during the legislative process.

Regardless of the model of cohort entry legislated, schools continue to have continuous entry, with all students able to start school on or after their fifth birthday, unless the school opts into cohort entry.

Parent choice

Regardless of the change and whether or not a school adopts cohort entry, parents always retain the right to not start their child at school until they think they are ready – up until the age of six.