Foundation (Prep/Kinder) 2016 chatter

I'm in qld so not 100% sure it's the same. Some schools have catchment areas. Others don't. You can check with the school. Most have websites or just call them. You don't need to put your name down early at public schools. We enrolled ds in term 3 of last year. That was the earliest they were taking enrollments. He started this year. A friend enrolled her son at a school near where she worked. That one had a catchment zone so she had to apply for an exemption. If you are in her situation I would apply as soon as they allow so that you are near the top of the list.

I wouldn't stress to much just yet as there is just too much you can't know. I do believe 4 is too young imo they are still so little. However I decided to stick with the government decreed age. DS's kindy teachers thought he was ready. He struggled term 1 but seems to be doing great this term. I don't pressure him to do extra work. He's had some days off just because.

Dd is born the same month as your ds. I think she will be fine. I'm very much looking forward to having a bit extra in the weekly budget not having to pay daycare fees!

I think we've finally picked :D

We've enrolled in a small, local kinder. Not all the bells and whistles, but awesome outdoor play areas, and a pretty switched on head educator.

And I think we've picked a school. Woot !!

Message me nutter, your inbox is full

Great news PN! Where did you decide on?

Ds is enrolled at kinder and keeps asking when he gets to go longer. He just wants to be at school. He has been in the classroom a few times this year while I am helping in dd2's class. He is joining in the literacy games some sessions.

starts with M, finishes with the end of your avvy :)

I'm in qld too and was told to go to a school outside catchment had to enrol first week term 2 2015. We have decided on a private school. That might bite me on the butt

That's an awesome school, nutter. You'll be happy there 👍

I hope so, Ginger!

It was a really hard choice - the ones around are so different, comparing them was tricky.

BD - we looked at some privates earlier, but the cost is just prohibitive ... anything from $5K to $7K per kid, p/annum ... ouch.

Have others picked a kinder and/or a school?

It was easy for me too choose. DD is just going where DS is. Both kindy and school are walking distance from my house although in opposite directions. Looking forward to 2016 and having them in the same place.

We are staying at the same kinder and school even though we have moved. Wanted to go to the local kinder which has bush sessions but they finish at 3.45pm do can't get there from school in time.

Something I find difficult is the school we have chosen is not my number one pick. The reasons we went the way we have are financial and convenience. We chose the public school down our street over the private school 10 minutes drive away. I'm very happy with how DS is doing so we will be keeping him there and sending DD too. But I can't help but wonder if they would do better at my top pick of school. On the flip side I wonder if they would do as well there. A bit of mummy's guilt I suppose. We're hoping that the savings will mean an international holiday to somewhere like Thailand in the next year or 2. We're thinking that the experience will be more beneficial than a private education. We are intending that this private school will be their high school so best if both worlds I guess. Anyway I guess I'm just hoping for some validation in my choice. What has everyone else considered when choosing a school? I have a friend who has enrolled her DD (the eldest of 3) in the most expensive school in the area. I can't imagine how she can afford it! It will cost her $40k a year once all 3 are in school.

One of our preferences is $7K p/an per child. So that's about $100K over primary school. That's could be a LOT of tutoring, holidays, dates (a healthy marriage makes for a happier household!) and *years* off our mortgage.

So bring on the public primary school, here.

Exactly Peanutter! The money we've saved this year is unbelievable. The cost of daycare is not much less than the school I prefer not including fuel or bus fares to get there! Public School is almost free. Uniforms are half the price. No tuition fees. Just a small resource levy. The public school DS is going to has a great reputation. One of the best in our area! And it's less than 10 minutes walk from our house. His teacher is awesome. I've not heard a single bad thing about the school and being a school mum now I expect I would. The only thing I don't like about it is the size. It has 5 prep classes and over 700 students in total. It hasn't really proven an issue with DS though. He loves it.

DD has a bestie at daycare and it bothers me a bit. DD seems to find it difficult to play with other people. When A isn't there, DD often says she just plays on her own. I'm not sure how true this is as her carer says she is very interactive even without A. A's mum says A well be going to our chosen school. Given that there are 5 prep classes I'm worried that they won't be in the same class. And I'm also worried that they will be! DD needs to branch out a bit! I know I shouldn't even think about it now as things change. I mean DS's bestie from kindy was meant to be in his class but moved last minute. He's coping fine. He's different from DD though. He'll be friends with anyone. DD is more particular.

Anyway I'm rambling so I'll shut up now. :lol:

I'm stressing a little because we haven't heard anything from A's kinder since the letter from the council saying she has a spot, and did we still want her to go there? We sent off TWO copies of our acceptance form JIC, but I kind of expected some sort of notification they really did receive it :-/ When do kinders generally do information nights for parents, or whatever they do? I'm so worried we did something wrong and she's not going to be able to go for another couple of years or something stupid like that...

Update to the above:
We FINALLY received more communication the other day, inviting us to the AGM and information night at the kinder. We also got a nomination form for the kinder council - I've applied to be on the fundraising committee. We also sent in our preferences for which group she'll go into, and if we want the jumper/tshirt. I filled it all in, sent it off, and now I feel like I've got nothing to do but wait again :lol:

Woot!! We should touch base with ours, when we're back ...

PN did you get a letter of offer from your kinder before you left??

No, but we're not sure whether the kinder we're going with (a little, local one) let you know particularly early ... !

I've flicked them an email - hopefully will hear back tomorrow! Fridays is just their 3yo program, so with any luck, the main 4yo teacher catches up on corro on Fridays. :)

I guess I'll join in here too Jazzy will be doing kinder at her current daycare and will be going to the same primary as my son is starting next year if all goes well so that's at least a relief still waiting to see how everything works coz I've never done the school thing before I'm glad that they are going one year after the other though

Hi ya'll,

I thought I might pop in and start joining in the chatter. My baby will be starting school in 2016 too. Can't believe next year is my last year with a baby at home! *gulp*

I will send DD to the local PS which is where her big brothers currently are. It is a great school and has really good NAPLAN results from what I have been told by some school Mums and non-school Mums. When I enrolled our eldest it was because it was close by and I liked that it reminded me of my first school!!!

DD is currently in her second year of preschool and only on Mondays. Next year it will be two days a week.

xxxxx

Just got kinder AGM and open day invite today! Eeeeeeeep!

School is decided after much umming and ahhing between two nearby public options. Now it's time to start stressing about the little one!

Got DS2 letter for kinder last week to pick which group suited. I took it back and told teacher he will only attend 2 days of the 4 as at CC the other days and we cant make info night as its this week and DH away, and orientation day is a day I am working and he is in CC. She was fine with that as we have been at kinder with DS1 so DS2 knows the enviornoment and staff! He is so so excited. I will most likely again be on kinder commitee but will not take on a big job this time as also on school council!

Confirmation received from the kinder we booked DS1 into - and we got the days we wanted!

Huzzah.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays - which is ideal, because DH takes DS1 and DS2 to library group on Mondays, and Forest Kinder on Fridays :D

How have people been going?

Anyone's little one started kinder (preschool)? DS1 had his first session of kinder Thursday just gone, and he loved it :heartbeat:

And we have definitely settled on a school - it's been months since we did the tour, so (as I had taken the day off work, for his first day of kinder) we were able to organise another tour of the school first (only a 5 minute drive away) and we're pretty set. Very happy.

How are others?

DS2 has kinder interview on Monday and we start Tuesday. He is only doing 2 of the 4 sessions as 3 days at CC. He is very excited.

School all set as DS1 is already at school, he starts grade 1 Monday.

Peanutter good news you have picked school!

Yes! Very happy with our choice :)

So many schools out our way, and really REALLY different in terms of learning model, size, specialist classes (how long, what teachers are specialised -v- general, etc), languages, sports, etc.

But we've chosen, and we're happy - and the boys seemed to like it too :)

Yep we have done a week. Love it. It's done aT the daycare centre they go to

We have had one 1 hour session with me there, then we have two 2 hour sessions next week before the 15 hours start its kind of frustrating as ds is all excited to go and his sisters are at school and he keeps asking to stay all day. Trying to keep him occupied at home but at least swimming starts tomorrow.

Jazzy started on Thursday this is her in her Kinder shirt today she's so excited to be doing Kinder

4032

Just dropped DS2 off at kinder 0815-1045. They have only half the kids of group today other half tomorrow then same next 2 days, then we have nearly a month f slowly increasing hours!! Only 3.75 hr sessions anyway!!!!

DS2 was super excited and was off to play!! Yesterday for interview appt he wore kinder top and hat! so cute

We had our interview this morning, and start transition on Thursday. That is - just 3 hours and it gradually increases till he's doing 8:30-4 on Tuesdays and Thursday's.

He is going to be 1 tired boy!
Tuesday - kinder 8:30-4
Wednesday - child care
Thursday - kinder 8:30-4, greek school 5-8pm

We had another 2 hr session today - but DS1 could hardly talk for 60 seconds about what he did ... is that normal?!?

Totally normal! I found I have to wait until we get home and ask leading questions rather than what did you do today, eg what was your favourite activity, can you name one friend you played with kind of thing otherwise it's nothing happened.

Thanks! Shall try in the morning :)

Miss A starts tomorrow morning. Two hours, two and a half, three, building up for the next few weeks until she's doing her full sessions. One "short" day and two long.

She's raring to go, and I'm excited for her that she'll finally be around other kids her age... But I'm so sad to see her go at the same time. What will I do without my little shadow? :) We went and bought a special first-day outfit today, she kept wanting to wear it so we compromised and its hanging on her door. I'll post photos tomorrow :)

Then there's the "Ianto's not here to hit all these milestones..." thing :cry: His teddy is in our family photo, though, and the teachers know about him. They're putting his name in the "My Family" part of Miss A's portfolio, they made sure to check that that was okay. That was wonderful of them :heartbeat:

How are everyone's LOs finding preschool/kinder?

DS1 is loving it, but got a new "wife" on his second day, and has been playing mostly with her every day since. We're encouraging him to make more friends, rather than becoming too invested in just the one friendship (sorry, marriage).

He's well behaved mostly, loving exploring and learning new things, and won an award for being a "little gentleman".

He has been spoken to about sitting down during mat time, and letting others have a turn at sharing ... no surprises there. We've discussed with him about how some other boys and girls are shy, and might need some bigger quiet spaces to feel comfortable sharing, so while it's 100% ok for him to have a turn talking and sharing, he also needs to leave some big gaps for other people to feel comfortable to share. He seems to understand that , and wants those kids to feel comfortable, so hopefully that will help him to care for them in that way :) He's got a big and generous heart, he was a bit sad to think that other kids aren't always comfortable piping up with their thoughts. He wants to help :heartbeat:

What about everyone else?

DS2 is having a great time and very happy to go. Found out today that 1 boy whom he had got to know well and we also got to see at school drop off and pick up has changed to other group so now means he won't see him as kinder sessions opposite to each other.
Tomorrow they have an incursion to learn how to make Passata which he is very excited about, he doesn't normally go on Wednesdays however because of incursion I have managed to get a friend to look after him then take him to kinder.

Miss A is loving kinder :D Less than a month in, she's already got the hang of putting her bag up, washing her hands, and putting her water bottle with the others. Some days she hasn't even said goodbye to us! She's doing well at pick up too, no crying to stay etc.

I'm not completely sure how she's doing in the hours between, to be honest, but the only issues her teacher has mentioned is the whinging noise she makes when she doesn't get her way. That's a problem at home too, so we just need to work on it. I'm going to volunteer to help out during the day sometime in Term 2, I'll be able to see for myself then.

She has at least two budding friendships happening, and another little girl that I want her to start playing with (because her mum's really nice and I want to be friends with her :lol: ) R is outgoing and "weally fun!". S is one of the other younger kids, quiet, but has latched onto Miss A and the teachers are encouraging that friendship.

Everyone ready?