Qld Vs NSW

[Freya]

Can someone tell me what the equivalent in QLD is to the first year of primary school (kindergarten) here in NSW?

[Arimeh]

The first year of primary school is Prep in queensland I believe. Aricyn will be going to prep next year - the year that he turns 5.

[toomanyshoes]

prep in QLD

[Freya]

So its proper schooling though and not preschool right?

Im freakin out because Jett is supposed to be in proper schooling next year, 9-3 monday to friday. He's already done TWO years of preschool. I read the QLD Education website and it said that prep isnt compulsory? Also that kids have to be 6 by 30th June to go to Year 1 (first compulsory year of school which is I think the equivalent to kindergarten here).

Im guessing I might have to fight to get him into Year 1 as he misses the cutoff by 3 months but is definately school ready. Im not putting him through preschool for another year, no way.

[toomanyshoes]

yep its proper full time full days kind of thing now.

Also kids don't *have* to start school until 6 in NSW as well.

[Freya]

Yeah but they can start school as long as they are 5 by July 30th. Which is why he isnt starting this year, because he missed kindergarten cutoff by 2 months.

So prep means they do subjects like reading, math, english - proper structured lessons I mean - recess and lunch, get reports etc?

I just do not want him to end up bored like he is this year because he needs to be academically stimulated but isnt old enough for kindergarten (and I couldnt be bothered fighting with Ed.Dept about it) but preschool is "too baby" (his words lol) for him now.

[toomanyshoes]

Yep DS started school in QLD before we moved to NSW.

But I would say DD who started kindy this year in NSW gets WAY more homework than DS did in prep in QLD. But I would also say that depends on the school.

Do you know what school he'll be going to? Maybe give them a call and talk to them. DD's school teachers to the child's level rather than the "norm", ITMS? So if she is advanced in her reading she's given more complex books and so on.