If your child turns 5 by the 19th\u00a0 \u00a0August 2026, they will start P1 in August 2025. If they turn 5 by end February 2027, they can start P1 in August 2026 or you can choose to defer their P1 start and give them an additional nursery year. There are pros and cons to giving your child an additional nursery year and it is important to discuss this with your child\u2019s key worker and Mrs Jess before making the final decision. If you are considering an additional nursery year please discuss it with us\u00a0 as soon as possible. If your child attends a different setting, you should discuss it with the staff at that setting in the first instance. The decision needs to be finalised by the end of January 2026.<\/p>\n
If your child turns 5 on or after 1st March 2027 then they aren\u2019t old enough for school in August 2026 and they will continue in Nursery for an additional year. If you are happy with their current placement then you don\u2019t need to do anything but if you want to change their setting or the days they attend then you should reapply during January 2026 using the Fife Council online application form for session 2025-26 \u2013 this will go live in the early part of January, don\u2019t try to apply yet.<\/p>\n
If your child is due to start P1 in August 2026, you should enrol them online during January 2025 via an online application \u2013 the applications will go live in the first half of January, you can\u2019t apply yet. If you live in our catchment area, you can enrol directly to Balmerino Primary School. If you live in another catchment area, you should enrol at that school but can choose to make a placing request to Balmerino if you want your child to come here. Once all catchment children have been allocated a place, any additional places will be given to those who made a placing request following Fife Council policy. Parents will receive the decision on their placing request at the end of April 2026. If you don\u2019t live in our catchment area you should be aware that attending our Nursery does not increase the chance of your child having a place at our school for P1.<\/p>\n
Any prospective parent is welcome to contact me at lucy.jess@fife.gov.uk<\/a> to come and tour the school.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to check your catchment area.<\/p>\n Click here<\/a> to read a message from the Headteacher.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If your child turns 5 by the 19th\u00a0 \u00a0August 2026, they will start P1 in August 2025. If they turn 5 by end February 2027, they can start P1 in August 2026 or you can choose to defer their P1 start and give them an additional nursery year. There are pros and cons to giving … Continue reading Starting P1 or Staying in Nursery in August 2026?<\/span>