Dr Christine Stephen from the Institute of Education at the University of Stirling suggested the school starting age should be raised to six, in a report published by the Scottish Executive last week.
She said there were 'enormous variations' in children's developmental profiles when they leave early years settings and there was 'no compelling educational reason for beginning school at age five'.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said, 'As part of the Executive's Partnership Agreement, we have agreed to look at ways to improve the transition between nursery and primary school and to make the first year of primary school less formal. However, we have no plans to change the school starting age.'
Early Education: Perspectives from a review of the international literature can be downloaded from www.scotland.gov.uk/publications.
