It's a controversial idea in a country known for prudishness about sex — teaching kids as young as 5 about the birds and the bees.

But with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Europe, the British government is bringing sex education to all schools in England — including kindergarten-age children.

While countries like France, Holland and China require sex education, few places demand that it be introduced at such a young age.

"It's vital that this information doesn't come from playground rumor or the mixed messages from the media about sex," Schools Minister Jim Knight said Oct. 23, announcing that sex ed would be added to the national curriculum.

Currently, English schools are only required to teach basic lessons on reproduction as part of the country's science curriculum. Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales all have separate education departments and standards. Only Scotland makes sex education voluntary.