Hero photograph
 

Cohort Entry for New Entrants in 2023

Tony Grey —

At Te Ao Mārama we are deeply committed to ensuring children have the best possible start to school life, and experience a positive transition from Early Childhood Education.

The early years at school are so important and for this reason, we have decided to use a cohort entry approach in 2023. This term we have consulted with a sample of new entrant parents, contributing ECEs and also visited schools that are using cohort entry. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive.

What is cohort entry?
Cohort entry is when new entrant children start school in groups through the year rather than on their fifth birthday. The Ministry of Education and Education Review Office are encouraging schools to take this approach.

What are the benefits of cohort entry?
In short, cohort entry helps children settle into school life and routines better.

The Education Review Office found the following benefits of cohort entry:

  • Supports the emotional wellbeing of young children as they start school in groups, sometimes with friends from early learning. For some children, this meant they felt like they belonged at school, were less anxious, and settled quickly into school routines
  • Supports learning for new children as teachers can teach without the constant interruption of new students arriving any time during the year 
  • Helps whānau connect with other whānau and the school as school visits and activities can be scheduled so parents can come together in groups 
  • Helps schools to plan children’s transitions from early childhood to school, making the experience better for children and whānau

You can read the full ERO guide here: https://ero.govt.nz/our-research/a-guide-for-parents-sending-their-child-to-a-cohort-entry-school

How does cohort entry work?
New entrants start school in cohorts but only after they have turned five. There are two entry points per term, one on the first day of term, and one at a mid-point during a term (usually the Monday of the 6th week).

This image shows how children turning 5 become a Cohort group, and start school together


If you have a younger child due to start school in 2023, we will be in touch with more information, and also add more detail to our website/enrolment process. For any queries, please see Melissa or Tony