In the past, there were no four-year-olds to be found in infant or primary schools. The statutory school age of five had been established in 1870, after a hurried and confused debate in the House of Commons; one hundred years later, it was a regulation still honoured in practice. Throughout the 1960s and 70s, children started school in the term after their fifth birthday. This article discusses the introduction of the "Foundation Stage" for three- to five-year olds, and the author's participation in evaluation of selected "reception classes" that had been recommended for their good practice of this program. (Contains 1 note.)