Do your child/ren go to Prep in QLD???

[Miss_N]

Hi! :)

As a graduate Early Childhood Teacher I was aware that the 'new' Prep year that was integrated into all QLD State and Independent Schools was not compulsary however many parents and other caregivers I have spoken to were not aware of this.

So Im wondering how many parents sent/send their children to prep thinking it is compulsary and how many send then even though they do know it is not compulsary?

Also how many dont send their children to Prep as they know it is not compulsary?

Poll Coming! :)

[StrawberryTheMilkshake]

My DD starts next year. She was premature, so i believe an extra year, compulsory or not, of 'formalised' schooling as such will be beneficial for her, as in some things she is rather young. We figure that we should start her early, and if she required another year of prep, then so be it. I would hate for her to go to Grade 1, struggle through until, say year four or something, when shes established friends, etc. Know what i mean?
Also, Im a teacher myself (as you know) and i like the curriculum, i like the learning outcomes, and the ways the teachers can encourage the children to learn according to their learning style.

It is also going to be cheaper for us to send our daughter to school at a private school than childcare.

So, all a win win situation for us here.

[Miss_N]

My DD starts next year. She was premature, so i believe an extra year, compulsory or not, of 'formalised' schooling as such will be beneficial for her, as in some things she is rather young. We figure that we should start her early, and if she required another year of prep, then so be it. I would hate for her to go to Grade 1, struggle through until, say year four or something, when shes established friends, etc. Know what i mean?
Also, Im a teacher myself (as you know) and i like the curriculum, i like the learning outcomes, and the ways the teachers can encourage the children to learn according to their learning style.

It is also going to be cheaper for us to send our daughter to school at a private school than childcare.

So, all a win win situation for us here.

:iagree:Although I dont have my own children (yet) I see extensive benefits in sending children to Prep. Mostly these classrooms are play and inquiry based learning environments meaning that the children and teacher work together collaboratively to plan learning experiences. On top of all of that it is a GREAT time for children to become familiar with the school environment, routines and expectations! :yes:

[JabberJaw]

I sent my daughter this year and my son will be attending next year. It is fantastic, my daughter has not only learnt to write her name and basic words, but she is reading too. It has been great for her confidence and the best bit of all.....her behavior has improved like i cant believe. She has gone from a whinger to a perfect angel! Her mind is active now, not bored i guess, she is absorbing endless amounts of information and has even showed me a thing or 2 on the computer (just on word, but sheshhh she is 5, imagine her teaching me things)

I think prep is a great lead up to grade one. It gives them the basic knowledge as well as the confidence to begin the next 12 years of their life.

I am hoping the behavioral changes will also happen when my son attends! He is being a bit of a handful, and the structure of prep will suit him. :yes:

[subaruforestermum]

DS is too young currently... so next year he will be attending a 'proper' kindy, not one run through a child care centre....

Then in 2010 if DS is 'ready' I am going to push to get him into Prep...There are certain channels we will have to go through apparently, as he was born on 15th July... and the cut off limit is born 30th June, which really irritates me to bits...

He is very intelligent and I think he will have no problems what so ever...

Do you ladies know what we will have to endure to try to get him in in 2010, instead of having to wait until 2011?? When he will be almost 6....

ETA: In SA, we had reception then year 1, which is much like the new 'prep' year in QLD. So to me I think it's a great to have it here, as I loved it as a child.... I am aware that it's not compulsary in QLD...but I want DS to do it...

[Kayteigh]

My son Dylan went to Prep in 2006 (he only just made it into prep as his birthday is on the 27th june) as where we were living at the time (Biloela) the smaller schools out of town were able to offer Prep a year early and Vanessa and Travis will be sent to prep when it is they're time.

Katie

[Miss_N]

DS is too young currently... so next year he will be attending a 'proper' kindy, not one run through a child care centre....

Then in 2010 if DS is 'ready' I am going to push to get him into Prep...There are certain channels we will have to go through apparently, as he was born on 15th July... and the cut off limit is born 30th June, which really irritates me to bits...

He is very intelligent and I think he will have no problems what so ever...

Do you ladies know what we will have to endure to try to get him in in 2010, instead of having to wait until 2011?? When he will be almost 6....

ETA: In SA, we had reception then year 1, which is much like the new 'prep' year in QLD. So to me I think it's a great to have it here, as I loved it as a child.... I am aware that it's not compulsary in QLD...but I want DS to do it...

I found this information on the Education Queensland Website.

The documents that I found state that there are two ESSENTIAL criteria that a child has to meet to be considered for early entry into the QLD Prep year. These are:

· The child must has started education in another State or country that is equivalent to the Preparatory Year; and
· The child is ready for education in the Preparatory Year, having regard to the child’s attributes.

From the looks of this it doesnt seem that your DS will be eligable but I would say it is worth contacting the district office closest to you to enquire further! :flowerz:

Heres the link if you want! :)

http://education.qld.gov.au/apps/owa/search.actionquery?p_exclude_folder=HOME&p_include_folder=HOME&p_subfolders=Y&p_exclude_folder=WPHOURL&p_exclude_folder=WCISURL&p_text=Early%20Entry%20to%20Prep