One of the biggest milestones for both kids and parents is embarking on the journey of formal education. With many kindergartens having long waiting lists this can begin before their Brisbane Kid is even one year old, with many anxious parents putting their children’s names down at every desired kindergarten and school in the area.
My child just isn’t ready to start Prep
What happens if, in the lead up to the start of the school year, you start to think: “My child just isn’t ready to start Prep”?
Delaying the start of Kindy or Prep can be a tricky area for parents. Those whose children have their birthdays close to the June 30 cut-off date may start to question- will my child be just that bit too young? Others may have noticed that their child is keeping their own pace with regards to their development and may just need another year before beginning either the Kindy or Prep journey.
Here are the steps suggested by the Queensland Department of Education to help you with your decision:
Meet with your Kindergarten
Having the support of your child’s kindergarten teacher is important. They can help you understand how the kindergarten program can support the needs of your child.
This process is not as easy as saying you think your child would benefit from another year before starting kindergarten or school. You need to discuss this with your kindergarten teacher so they understand why you think your child is not ready start kindergarten or move on to Prep. They can additionally ensure you understand what assistance is available to support your child.
Your kindergarten is also the place to start your application and they can help you understand more about the application and approval process and timeline.
Meet with the Principal of the school your child is likely to attend
It is important that you understand the impact of delaying the start of your child’s education. Your school Principal can help you understand how the Prep program can support the needs of your child, and also any implications of delaying Prep on your child’s enrolment at the school.
It is important to understand the school’s policy with regards to “changing your mind”. If you get approval for your child’s start to Prep being delayed some schools may not be able to accept you if you change your mind closer to the start of the school year.
Meet with other professionals
Your application will require supporting documents from professionals such as your child’s GP, paediatrician, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist and early childhood education teacher.
This can be an expensive and time-consuming part of the process, but is an important one. Having a thorough understanding of your child’s needs will help you make the decision on whether your child is ready to start Kindergarten or Prep.
What to do if you wish to delay your child starting Kindergarten
You will need to complete a form stating that you are delaying their entry to Kindy. This can be found at www.qld.gov.au/kindy. This has to be done to allow the Kindy to accept your child the following year when they are of school age.
What to do if you wish to delay your child’s first year of Prep
You will need to complete the same form as above, however, as the law states that all children who will be five years old by June 30 will need to be enrolled in school (Prep), the process is a little more complicated. You will need to gather evidence from supporting professionals such as those listed above to support your application for delaying your child’s exit from kindergarten and entry to Prep. The best place to start is with your kindergarten teacher. Having your teacher’s support makes the whole process easier as they can help you understand the process, timeline and necessary requirements.
Whatever decision you make, the support is available for you from your kindergarten and school. The resources provided by the Department of Education are clear and helpful. You can find these at www.qld.gov.au/kindy.
If your child is already in Prep and having difficulties with reading, these Home Reading Tips for Parents may help.
The post What to do if your child is not ready to start Prep appeared first on Brisbane Kids.