Elementary Education for Wizarding Children

[supermouse35]

No: HPFGUIDX 42704

Hello all!  I'm new to the list and have been enjoying it 
immensely.  :-)  

I was wondering if anyone has any theories as to how children in the 
wizarding world are educated before they attend Hogwarts.  Since 
Hogwarts seems to be the equivalent of the American junior high/high 
school, you'd think they would have to have some kind of elementary 
school system in place, as well.  But they don't seem to, as Hogwarts 
appears to beginning of the educational process for all magical 
children in the UK.  The existence of a magical elementary school 
system would also put children from Muggle families at a distinct 
disadvantage when they begin Hogwarts as they would not have access 
to it. 

So do these kids just sit around until they are 11 and then get only 
7 years of formalized education?  

Gina