QLD starting ages

[MikeyEmmasMum]

My DS was born on 30 May 2005, so according to the QLD cut-off will be one of the youngest in his year. I've read in a number of places that it's better for boys to be older rather than younger. I know that legally children are supposed to have started school in time to be 6 by 30 June of that year - so 5 by 30 June prep year and only 4 on 30 June of the pre-prep year. Working by this my ds will only be 3 and a half when starting pre-prep.

Strangely most of the people I meet aren't happy because they want their kids to start earlier (I guess if one had a girl born on 1 July this would be rather frustrating!), but I'd really like the option to keep him back - if he doesn't seem ready. Is it possible to do such a thing? In such a situation would the child then compete in sports with other kids in his class (younger than him) or those in the year above (11 months worth will be older than him).

I realise that obviously there will be older and younger children in each class, but I'm just worried that my ds will struggle being the youngest - esp as girls in the class will probably be a lot more mature than him.

Thanks for any info

ps. Wouldn't it make more sense to run school years according to the same calendar as the actual terms run?

[kirsten74]

I don't know why they had to mess with the system. It used to be easy. Now it is all messed up.
I think if you want to have your child held back then you have to have them assessed by the specialist who will determine whether or not there is grounds for holding them back. Apparently they are being quite strict with the tests and there has to be a very good reason (eg learning disability). I know a mum who wanted to hold her child back last year for the same reason as you and she got turned down.
As for the sport thing, I'm not sure how they are going to work that.
I would check out the Dept of Education web site and see what they say. Things may have changed in the last year, but I don't think it has.

[AmandaJ]

Prep is not compulsory I don't think, so you could probably hold him back until the next year to start Prep, have you tried to call QLD education, they might be able to advise you better.

hugs xoxo

[~Flossie~]

I found this on a Govt website

What's changed for Queensland schools?
All Queensland children of eligible age can attend a full-time Preparatory Year of education before starting Year 1. The Preparatory Year is non-compulsory and is available at schools offering primary education. It is the first year in the Early Phase of Learning, which includes Prep to Year 3.
Children need to be five by 30 June in the year they enrol in Prep.
From 2008 the age of compulsory schooling increased by six months so that children must be enrolled in school in the year they will turn six by 30 June. This means that Queensland children will be starting school at about the same age as children in other states.

[kirsten74]

But by skipping prep, wouldn't you just be delaying the problem by a year? And how would he go when put in a class with kids who have already done a year in Prep?

[AmandaJ]

I actually meant to start Prep a year later, I'm sure that would be alright.

hugs xoxo

[tiggerandpooh]

The prep year replaced preschool, and the age cut offs are new. prior to the introduction of the prep year, if your child was turning 6 in the year they started grade 1 - even if that was the 31 Dec then they could start school. By introducing the 30 June cut off it decreases the chances of a child born in the later half of the year repeating grade 1. and also means that kids finishing year 12 will be 17 when they finish school.

Only you can know if your child is ready for school. pre-prep and prep are good opportunities for kids to develop social skills and peer relationships. if the prep teacher your child ends up with is doing their job - if they think your child isn't ready to move onto school, then they will recommend that they repeat prep.

HTH. but as others have said, check out the qld education website, or give them a ring.

[MikeyEmmasMum]

Thanks for all the answers! As a couple of you mentioned, not starting pre-prep would just delay the problem by a year (and probably make it worse as the other kids in his class would have had that preparation). What a pity it seems he can't just start the whole system one year later. Hopefully if his pre-prep or prep teachers think he should be held back on starting the school will listen - it wouldn't be very nice to start school with a particular peer group and then have to change after a couple of years to the year younger

[Ambah]

I have a similar problem - my son being born in May 04, and have thought about wanting him to start a whole year later, but have since found out that Ed Qld doesn't allow it.
I'm happy for him to start Prep next year, where hopefully his teachers will keep me updated well on his progress, and if they think he needs to repeat the year then I will be fine with that too. Better to repeat earlier on than later I believe.
He is starting a 4yo kindy program this year (next week) in preparation for prep next year, although he's still only 3.5, so will be one of the youngest there as well...