Plan to delay some youngsters beginning main college till age 7 in Scotland

On Apr 14, 2026

A new proposal has suggested a play-based kindergarten for ages 3-6, delaying school to 7, aiming to boost wellbeing and learning by moving away from early formal education

14:09, 14 Apr 2026Updated 14:09, 14 Apr 2026

A new plan for a major shake-up of early years education has been proposed, including the introduction of a new kindergarten stage for children aged three to six that would focus on play-based learning rather than traditional classroom teaching.

Under the proposals, from Scottish Greens, young children would be taught by specially trained kindergarten teachers in an environment designed to prioritise creativity, exploration and social development. The party says the approach would mark a significant shift away from more formal education methods currently used in the early years of primary school.

Central to the plan is the idea of delaying the start of formal schooling until the age of seven, though only for children in Scotland. At present, children in Scotland can begin primary school as young as four and a half, something the Greens argue is unusually early compared to other developed nations.

They believe this early start can have a negative impact, with some children developing poor attitudes towards learning if they are pushed into structured environments before they are ready.

Instead, the proposed kindergarten phase would emphasise “learning through play”, with activities designed to build confidence, communication skills and emotional understanding.

The party claims that this method not only benefits children’s wellbeing in the short term, but can also lead to better educational outcomes later in life.

Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay said the current system does not always reflect how young children learn best. She argued that expecting very young pupils to sit at desks and follow formal lessons can be counterproductive, and that a more flexible, play-led approach would better support their development.

She pointed to countries such as Finland as examples of where this model has been successful. In Finland, children typically start formal education later, and early years learning is centred around play, outdoor activities and social interaction.

According to the Greens, this contributes to stronger academic performance over time as well as higher levels of wellbeing among pupils.

Mackay said Scotland could learn from these systems, suggesting that giving children more time to develop key life skills before entering a structured school environment would help create a more positive relationship with education.

She also highlighted the importance of emotional development, arguing that confidence, curiosity and resilience are just as vital as academic knowledge in the early years.

The kindergarten proposal forms part of a wider package of education reforms the Scottish Greens are putting forward ahead of the next Scottish Parliament election.

Among the more eye-catching policies are plans to scrap homework and exams, moves the party says would reduce pressure on pupils and create a more balanced approach to learning.

Supporters of the reforms argue that the current system places too much emphasis on testing and rigid structures, particularly at a young age. By contrast, the Greens say their proposals would create a more nurturing environment that allows children to develop at their own pace.

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However, the plans are likely to spark debate, particularly around how such changes would be implemented and funded, and how they would impact working families who rely on existing school and childcare arrangements.

Despite this, Mackay insists that a more fundamental rethink of early education is needed. She said that while many teachers already try to incorporate play-based methods into early primary classrooms, these efforts are limited within the current framework.