Hi Freya, your DS will be the right age to start Qld prep in 2012. My DD1 is Nov 05 and started this year. Prep is technically not compulsory but I don't know of anyone who doesn't do it. Most schools have their prep's going exactly the same hours as the rest of the school, same lunch breaks etc. Some of the private schools have slightly less hours (our's does, she starts slightly later and finishes slightly earlier - makes the parking much easier!!) but prep is essentially the first year of school. DD is doing early maths, starting to learn "proper" writing, etc so very different to the preschool program last year. Still a fair bit of playing and craft, but yes, it's "real school" Check with your chosen school as to whether they're implementing the national curriculum for prep yet - not compulsory but a lot of schools (including ours) are starting to follow it. I believe it's a big step up from what they used to do in prep, essentially the first 6 months of grade 1 now are done in prep. A lot of the mums thought this was horrifying but I know my DD is loving the extra learning and your DS will probably be ready for it too!