A Government advisory group has recommended a law change so that New Zealand children start school in groups at set times of the year. This change challenges the New Zealand tradition of children starting school on their fifth birthday.
The group believed that this law change will help young children make friends and adjust at school, as every child is adapting at the same rate. However the advisory group still advises the Government that schools should retain the option of starting children at school on their 5th birthday in order to account for flexibility of numbers.
The group suggested that schools use the early childhood curriculum instead of the school curriculum with new entrants. They also believed that funding needs to be increased for special needs children in order to ensure that these individuals are receiving the same level of education and care as other students.
