Children usually start school in the September after they turn 4 but parents of children born between April 1 and August 31, also known as "summer-born" children, can ask to delay entry to reception for a year. While the School Admissions Code requires school admission authorities to provide for the admission of all children in the September following their fourth birthday, a child does not reach compulsory school age until the "prescribed day" following their fifth birthday (or on their fifth birthday if it falls on a prescribed day). If a parent wishes to delay their child's admission to school until compulsory school age, and wants them to be admitted to reception at this point, they must request they are admitted out of their normal age group. In December 2014, the Department for Education (DfE) amended the Code to require admission authorities to make decisions in the child's best interests (as well as on the basis of the circumstances of the case), taking into account a number of factors. This report summarises the findings of two surveys, one issued to local authorities, the other to parents of summer-born children who have requested to delay their child's admission to reception.