Heard this on Sunrise this morning and it was in todays Herald-Sun:


Kids to start school younger
By GLENN MILNE and CARLY CRAWFORD
04jun06

VICTORIAN children could start school younger under a new plan to standardise primary school enrolment ages across the country.

Children would be able to start school at 4 1/2, three months earlier than the current minimum starting age of four years and nine months.
At a meeting with states and territories in July, federal Education Minister Julie Bishop will argue economic and educational benefits would flow from standardising the minimum starting age.

She is expected to nominate four years and six months as the optimum age at which children should start school.

Victorian Education Minister Lynne Kosky backed the concept.

"The states agreed to standardise the school age several years ago, in-principle, before Julie Bishop was minister and we look forward to discussing it further when we next meet her," her spokesman said yesterday.

Across the country there are five minimum school starting ages; NSW 4.5 years, Queensland 4.6, Victoria 4.8, WA 4.6, SA 4.5, Tasmania 5.0, ACT 4.8 and NT 4.6.

It is understood if Ms Bishop can get agreement from the states on the primary school issue, she intends to move to standardise the age for entry to high school.



YAY I say, that means Lucy will start school in 2008 instead of 2009, saves me a hell of a lot of money in childcare fees!! I statred school just before I turned 5 and I turned out alright.

What do you reckon, a good or a bad thing?
xxxCaz