Labour's planned changes to the primary school starting age has the backing of the New Zealand Educational Institute.

The Government announced yesterday it would revert National's policy that saw parents have the option to start their kids at school before they turned five.

READ MORE: Govt slammed as 'nanny state' over school starting age reversal

The institute has long been a believer that children shouldn't start before five.

President of the institute Lynda Stuart said there is no evidence to suggest starting school before that age is beneficial for children.

"There was some evidence coming out that it wasn't in the child's best interest. I think whenever we have these debates we always need to be thinking about those children."

Stuart said to be starting school at five is very early and they don't want to be making it any earlier.

"There's no actual evidence around them starting earlier being of any benefit to children. One would have to question is this of benefit to adults or is it actually of benefit to children."

National has attacked the Government, with Education Spokesman Nikki Kaye calling the party a 'nanny state'.