Cheshire East parents may keep children at home until 5 due to transport constraints

Parents on low incomes might delay sending their children to school until they are five years old if Cheshire East changes its travel policy, councillors said.

The statutory duty for councils to provide travel support, for those eligible, begins the term after a child reaches five up to age of 16.

Travel support for children below compulsory school age is discretionary.

Cheshire East's current policy provides free travel support for [eligible] children attending a reception class from the term after their fourth birthday (referred to as 'rising fives').

The council is looking to 'refresh' its compulsory school age travel policy – but some councillors expressed concerns about the impact on children from poorer households.