"Our children are being robbed of their childhoods” (From Swindon Advertiser)

"Our children are being robbed of their childhoods”

9:10am Tuesday 8th August 2006

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CHILDREN are being robbed of their childhood, parents have warned.

They say the change to the school's admission policy which will see four year olds start school full-time from September 2007 is absurd.

But Swindon Council said the change was necessary to bring the town in line with other local authorities.

Full-time mum, Gale Langley, has three children, Nicholas, eight, Joseph, six, and Elizabeth, two.

The 38-year-old, of Ambrose Road, Old Town, said: "I was alarmed to discover Elizabeth will be expected to start school next September at just four years old, full time.

"I have grave concerns about the new arrangement.

"We have only just mastered toilet training, although as to be expected we still have the odd accident, but it doesn't matter because she is at home.

"But in just a year's time she will be expected to leave home and be at school for 8.40am until 3.05pm, a total of six hours and 25 minutes, which is not much less than some office working hours."

Currently children aged four begin the reception year at primary school in September part-time until Christmas. They start full-time in January.

Mrs Langley added: "I don't think Elizabeth will cope with a full day at school straight away.

"Her birthday is in August so she will be starting as one of the youngest children.

"How can these young children be expected to go to the toilet on their own, open their lunch boxes and put their coats on for play?

"My other children were tired after being at school for just a half day but at least I was collecting them at midday to have a sleep.

"I don't want Elizabeth to be exhausted but I have no other choice but to send her.

"If I don't, she will miss out on getting to make friends with the other children and will be the odd one out.

"This is robbing our children of their childhood.

"School is for education, not free childcare."

Claire Cady, 38, has two children, Leo two, and Louise, one.

The full-time mum, of Chiseldon, said: "This is putting a lot of pressure on parents. I'm going to have to teach Leo a lot and prepare him before this massive change happens in just a year's time. It's not like he's going to be able to get used to school before he starts properly now."

Pharmacist Sarah Phillip, 41, of Old Town, who has two children, Susannah, five, and Daniel four, said: "I found with my daughter she was exhausted by the end of the week, and that was doing half days.

"I don't understand how children who have just turned four are expected to be in an institution for this length of time."

Last week Labour MP Barry Sheerman, who heads the education select committee, called for a change to the admissions policy.

He wants the school start age to be pushed back to seven to fall in line with some other European countries.

Swindon Council spokeswoman Anne Glover said: "Consultations were held in February 2006 with the Education Partnership Board and the results from that were fed down through headteachers to parents.

"The reason the change has happened is to bring us in line with other councils."

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