Foundation (Prep/Kinder) 2015 - Chat

Seeing as there are threads for 2014 and 2016 - thought would start one for 2015.

DD will start next year, until very recently I was 100% sure of where she would go - the state school at the bottom of the road - as it has a very good rep, is easily walkable and has a bilingual program.

She probably will still go there, but recently have been wondering at the sense of our plan. We live in a small two bed flat, the area is very expensive - we can live here ok for a good few more years but will have to move at some point - but may never be able to afford to buy here. The public high schools are good enough here so that is a benefit of staying round here.

The zone for the primary school may change our flat is not likely to ever move out of it as is bang in center but the availability of 3 bed housing to buy or rent within the zone at the moment is limited and if the zone shrinks is likely to be even more so, and it seems that in future if you move out of zone even siblings won't necessarily get a place.

I wonder if we would be better off living elsewhere (a better demographic/ideology fit), but then I think the decision is probably too late to make before starting of primary schools - as don't enrollments have to be in May sort of time? Plus don't really have an idea of where to go :-) Also DD also refers to it as her school and talks about it all the time. She doesn't have a specific friend who will go there as a lot of her childcare friends will either go to private school or are in a different zone for primary - but she does know a few people who will go there.

I don't have any real advice but I can understand your concerns. We had our school picked out and then decided to buy in another area and moved just before xmas last year. We are not likely to get into the original school, and seeing it is now a 20 minute drive away (not in school traffic) we are looking elsewhere. I don't know anything about the schools nearby. Decision needs to be made by June!

DD2 will be starting school next year, She'll turn 6 in March so i'm hoping she'll be more ready to start school.
She's really looking forward to going to 4yo Kinder this year, we brought her new shoes & a backpack etc..

Public schools don't really have a cut off for enrollments, if your in their zone they have to accept you but that doesn't help much if you don't know where to move.

DD1 will be starting prep next year too. She turns 5 on 21 Jan this year but we decided (in consultation with her Kinder teachers and the council Field Officer) to start her next year and she'll be doing another year of 4yr old Kinder this year. The extra year is for maturity more than anything else.
she will be going to our local Catholic primary school :)

Where about are you GW?
I'm also outer south east :)

DD2 will be in prep next year.
It's a very small school (19 kids total) 2min down the road.

DD1 will be in grade 1 and they will be in the same class for the next 5yrs!

Ds1 starts next year :o going to a local Lutheran primary school - did interview for that earlier last year; glad we got in earlyish on that as now I hear there's a waiting list for his year. I think it's a max of 2 classes per year for the school and they're capping themselves at about 300 students. SA is single intake from this year otherwise he probably would have started term 3 this year; not sure if he'd be ready maturity wise this year anyway, although he'll be 5.5 yrs when he finishes childcare :/

Dd willbe starting in 2015. She is beyond ready already according to her! We haven't decided on a school yet. We have one very nearby but it's reputation is questionable.

Subbing- will reply later :-)

We're here. DD1 turns five this March, so she'll be nearly six when starting. I've seriously struggled with deciding on a school for her and now I'm resigned that she'll probably move schools somewhere in her primary school years.

She talks about primary school all the time. One of her friends asked her why she isn't starting school this year and she just looked at us as though she was missing out. Quite a few of her friends are starting this year, they're the same age as her. It never crossed my mind that she would feel left behind and I hope her friends don't treat her differently because she's still a kinder kid. Intellectually, she's ready. She's staring to teach herself to read, talks about what different words start with ("Mum, flower starts with F"), can count and write numbers to 100, can write a fair amount of words without help. Emotionally is where I've always worried about her. Her kinder teacher said we're not doing he wrong thing by keeping her back. I've heard many parents say that they've regretted sending heir child early, but nobody has said it about keeping their child back.

The school we're thinking of is in a large country style town about twenty minutes away. Have heard mixed reports about it. Has good arts and music programs, lunchtime instrument lessons. I think she'll be okay there. They run an entire year of pre prep classes, kids go for a session each week so that it's all pretty familiar when they start.

Just edited title. Foundation is meant to be the new term for Prep/Kinder (depending on the state you are in) ;)

DD2 is also going next year, she turns 5 next month, she's also socially and academically ready but we feel not emotionally, though we decided when she was only 1 that she wouldnt be going early.

At this stage, DD will be starting in 2015. She is an April baby, so will be one of the youngest. She did 3 year old kinder last year (2 x 3 hours), and starts 4 year old kinder soon. They are all new kids and teachers this year, but she generally makes friends easily. Many of the kids in her kinder class this year will follow on to the same school.

My dd will be starting foundation next year too. This year she will be starting kindy - which is part of the school she will be starting foundation (pre-primary), for 5 days a fortnight. Ds1 was in prep last year so she knows what it's all about, and although she's only turning 4 in May, she's well and truly ready for it.

DD starts kindergarten (if it will still be called that who knows LOL) in 2015. For me this year is about celebrating the last of our mostly informal timetable :) at the moment we have scheduled things but I have the freedom to schedule and reschedule as needed - next year that flexibility goes out the window

We haven't yet decided on a school

DS1 starts pre-primary/prep/foundation next year. We are in WA at the moment, but there's a good chance we'll be back in Qld by then...not sure how the change will go. Either way, the education system seems similar between the two, and DS will be one of the youngest. Academically, I have no qualms about his readiness. Socially and emotionally he's made great progress in the last six months, partly from going to 3yo kindy, so I'm hoping he'll continue to mature over the next 12 months. If it's too much, he'll do kindy again next year.

DD starts next year, and is also a March baby (1st of to be exact). We have one primary school very close, easy walking distance, but does have some bad reports.
Otherwise, there are 2 primaries within a 5-10 drive and then another 4 within a 20 minute drive (radius) so I will go have a squiz at all of them. I really want the walking distance one to be great, as I much prefer the idea of bundling twins into pram vs car, but we shall see...
WYSIWYG - I would enrol your DD into your local primary school so at least she's in for this year and them change as needed. It won't harm her any to move when/if needed...

DD is going next year. She is going to be turning 5 next month. She will go to the school her brother is already at. I am confident with our decision for her to be a late started. We decided a long time ago. DS struggles academically, and I didn't want to end up with two struggling even though I am confident she could have gone with no problems.

Seems to be a lot of late starters.
DD2 is no where near ready academically, she has no interest in learning.
I'm hoping once she turns 5 march she'll want to start learning.

Yes, there are definitely more late starters than not. DS will be more than 12 months younger than some of his classmates I'm guessing.

I forgot to say...he's enrolled at our local primary school for kindy this year and will continue on there if we're still here. If not, he'll go to the local primary school back home. Not sure what kindy he'll go to back home if we end up moving this year as we had to give up our place at the community kindy he'd had his name down at from 8 months....wherever we can get in I suppose :)

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WYSIWYG - I would enrol your DD into your local primary school so at least she's in for this year and them change as needed. It won't harm her any to move when/if needed...

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We probably wouldn't think of moving until 2016 anyway but more likely 2018, but it now being only next year it has caused us to think a bit further ahead.

DD is excited about the whole prospect of school as am I as will significantly improve our finances. Childcare is across the road from the school so the drop off/pick up to the two locations shouldn't be much bother at all. Depending on work plan is to use before and after-school care on days DS is in childcare.

Not quite sure what to do about the whole Wednesday's off for the first 4 weeks (I think it is) - at the moment I don't know any other parents whose kids are going there (I asked at childcare and there were only I think two names apart from DD who they thought were intending to go there - and weren't ones I know - that was somewhat surprising to me as the school is across the road from childcare) who could maybe do a looking after the kids swap with but have a while to work that out. Not sure if will be able to change work days as could well be working four days a week anyway and not sure if could get a swap for DS in childcare. DH reckons is a big con not having school everyday (I somewhat agree) and we should pick a school that doesn't do this (sometimes I wonder about the reality he lives in :-)) at least having the whole day off is better than weeks and weeks of short days in my opinion - although reading the 2014 thread it seems like quite a few schools will start with a couple of short-days anyway. I suspect DD will be the sort of kid who is gutted to have to come home, and annoyed can't go those first few Wednesdays.

I assume OHSC generally doesn't do anything to cover those Wednesdays and short days etc?

My DS1 will be starting in 2015 in prep. He will be 5 and 3 months. I think he will love it! This year and last he has been doing 5 days a fortnight 8:30-2:30 kindy. I love the play based focus of kindy and I'm a bit anxious about too my academic/learning pressure in prep. (That said, he is just so thirsty for knowledge - obsessed with numbers, maths, spelling and learning new words - all of his own accord, so I don't think he will have any problems!).

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Not quite sure what to do about the whole Wednesday's off for the first 4 weeks (I think it is) - at the moment I don't know any other parents whose kids are going there (I asked at childcare and there were only I think two names apart from DD who they thought were intending to go there - and weren't ones I know - that was somewhat surprising to me as the school is across the road from childcare) who could maybe do a looking after the kids swap with but have a while to work that out. Not sure if will be able to change work days as could well be working four days a week anyway and not sure if could get a swap for DS in childcare. DH reckons is a big con not having school everyday (I somewhat agree) and we should pick a school that doesn't do this (sometimes I wonder about the reality he lives in :-)) at least having the whole day off is better than weeks and weeks of short days in my opinion - although reading the 2014 thread it seems like quite a few schools will start with a couple of short-days anyway. I suspect DD will be the sort of kid who is gutted to have to come home, and annoyed can't go those first few Wednesdays.

I assume OHSC generally doesn't do anything to cover those Wednesdays and short days etc?

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I eventually found out about this, by chatting to a mum at the park (as the school website gives no information at all really about hours ) - they don't do Wednesdays off but do a 2:30 finish for about 10 weeks apparently (sometimes the whole of the first term) - OHSC will cover this but charges alot more for this prep-gap hour. Anyway I think that will work better for us anyway as OHSC covers us.

Is there a specific time of year places start doing open days or something (state schools)? The website for the school seems particularly useless. I am only considering one, but I would kind of like to know a little about it, at least feel like have done my due diligence.

If daycare isn't an option ask what other parents are doing at orientation if you get to meet them, maybe you could do the child swap? I know a few mums take their kids to work others have pkay dates.

So I have just realised dd will have kindy next year!! Im so not ready :( She on the other hand cant wait

EDITED - posted what I wanted to write about foundation 2014 in here... I am having one of THOSE days... lol :wall:

DD2 is kind of excited about school next year, she is 5 in January so should be smack bang in the middle age wise, she is going to a very small school and at this stage they have only 2 prep enrolments including her.
DD1 is at this school and is exceeding all of our expectations so I am very happy with the tiny class size (23 kids in total at school this year) and am looking forward to seeing how they go in a class together next year (well actually the next 5yrs).

She has started using a program called Study Ladder that DD1 uses at school and home, she was getting annoyed that DD1 had 'homework' and she didn't so I signed her up for that and she loves it, we also gave her a 'homework' book with some random letter worksheets etc in them so she feels included.

So we had an info evening at childcare where school was discussed and also talking to lots of other parents school for next year is on peoples mind, and I have an open evening next wee. I was wondering if anyone else has read the "2012 Annual Report to the School Community" for schools they are looking at? (It might just be a VIC thing)?

A few things bother me about our chosen school (chosen based on proximity alone currently) based on the report -

1. In the report there is a section on "Student attitudes to school Results" the results are lower than the median and are at the bottom of the range (for 60% of Victorian schools)
2. There is a similar section on parental satisfaction, and one on staff satisfaction and both give results that are lower than the median and outside of the range (for 60% of Victorian schools)

The school does very well on the tests but the student attitudes and staff attitudes I find a bit worrying.

I think you can get all the reports (2013 ones are available for some schools on the VRQA site

DS starts prep next year and I have no clue where to send him I was going to look at schools but I have to wait till school holidays are finished I know I should have done it earlier but we just moved here and this is my first time so I had no idea what to do I think I'm a little late to the party but he'll be going to a state school

DS1 starts Puerto next year. I cried when I enrolled my baby at school. He'll be going to the local public school which is across the road from his kinder. He's so excited.

DH is in the army and as far as we were concerned DS1 would only be at this school until the end of grade 1. However I've recently decided to apply for uni next year and we are now considering staying where we are until I finish uni. This means that all 3 boys will now go to this school with DS3 starting prep in 2019

We haven't enrolled yet - as first you have to send in proof of your address (if you are renting which we are not you have to show a years rental agreement from Jan 2015, which seems a bit ridiculous given the way most tenancy works - IMO, also really what does it prove, you can still move in MAR 2015 and keep place at school) - I sent in our proof three weeks ago - so waiting for forms. I have a few issues with the way the school communicates with those who are not yet part of the 'club' but not enough to put me off.

DD is also very excited - I am excited too, the only thing that is likely to make me cry is the having to prepare lunches!!!

Triple J - with state schools if you are in the zone they have to take you, no matter how late you apply, I wouldn't worry too much about being late.

MM - exciting about the uni, I don't know how long DD will go to this school - as we can't really afford to stay in this area forever, plus we want to do a year travelling round Oz at some point, so things will be somewhat fluid.

I enrolled my DD a fortnight ago!!!
So exciting for her, sad for me as she is my only.
Mixed emotions.

We handed in enrolment firms just before the holidays. Dd is super excited. The principlal came out and introduced herself to dd then took her (us) on a your, including prep room, computer room, library etc. it was a really good experience for dd. Sh e needed to see how big a school really was as she kept thinking kinder es huge. Having the principal come out and talk to dd directly (we had met her at info night) was great. We had already picked up a really positive vibe from the school, and this just confirmed it.

This school isn't our nerest public school. We have one quite literally a stoned throw away. But we aren't sure we will be living here long term, and the feedback about the local school was enough to put me off. They are apparently really good with kids that are struggling academically, kinda ok with kids that are struggling socially, not at all great with the kids tht are average or excelling. The school we have chosen has a few extras that really appealed to us (Stephanie Alexander kitchen garden program) etc), a wonderful approach to integrating children that are shy/struggling with friendships etc. I was just really impressed. And dh was happy. He is very laid back about things but was adamant dd wouldn't to go to the local school and his reaction to this one is very positive and vocal so I'm encouraged :)

Downside to dd seeing "her school" is that she is finding kinder a bit "less than challenging" and wants to go to school. Now. RIGHT now!!

We enrolled DD1 back in Feb and she's very excited to start!

These term holidays has had Moo asking if this means he 'is a big school boy now?' :lol: too cute. We all can't wait for big school! Our chosen school is not the closest either but 115 kids compared to over 600...was a no brainer for us. The principal is amazing and we have taken Moo in a few times now for tours, she is happy to bring him through as many times as we like, she is going to visit him at kinder (because he goes to a different one that isn't local so knows no one from the school community) and she has offered more transition days for him in the later terms. We have had a big chat about his personality and anxiety level when faced with new and strange situations and this should hopefully do the trick come the new school year!

There will be tears...from me :lol:

I still haven't managed to enroll - they now want proof of ownership - and they won't accept an Annual Rates Notice which is what everyone else accepts and want to see the Contract of Sale (which only proves you bought the property at some point in time not that you are current owners) - I don't think is appropriate to ask for the Contract of Sale - there is alsorts of info in there which is of no concern to them - ok I could black it all out but on principle they are asking for the wrong thing - so I am waiting on info back from the Department of Education as to whether they can actually demand that.

This is all for the local state primary!

Their attitude to prospective parents sucks, the communications have all been quite rude - I am hoping it is just like when sometimes you have to put up with a rude receptionist but the doctor is really nice.

Really!!!! That's ummmm crazy lol!!

DD2 is really excited now about school, I'm certainly glad we didn't send her early, she's really grown up emotionally (and physically) and I know she's going to settle in beautifully.

That is very strange.

Like you Olive i'm really glad i didn't my DD this year, seeing how far she has come this year has been amazing.
She's confident & she listens to he teachers. I always get told how beautifully she is doing & how helpful she is to the other kids.
I think next year she will settle in well :D

She had her interview & she starts transition days in Oct.
I said we will buy her school bag soon as we pretty much have all her uniform thanks to DD1 & 2 of her friends.

That is so bizarre wysiwyg. I'm assuming this is because the school is zoned? Wonder why something with your address on it isn't enough. Will be interested in hearing what the department says about it, I would not be happy either.

I haven't filled out any enrolments yet! The school is small, only 115 children and the principal says he is accepted...but just want it to be official lol. I am so impressed with this principal. We have met her a few times and mentioned Moo's anxiety when she offered to visit him at kinder etc. Sure enough last week the kinder teacher informs me that the principal has been in contact to arrange a day to visit him!

I have actually been quite worried about him going to school, how he was going to cope, it has been brought up about an extra year of kinder etc. But he just seems to have matured in the last week or two, just turned 5 on Monday actually so possibly has had a leap of some kind. Even his kinder teacher is now saying that school is where he needs to be. A load off my mind for sure!

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That is so bizarre wysiwyg. I'm assuming this is because the school is zoned? Wonder why something with your address on it isn't enough. Will be interested in hearing what the department says about it, I would not be happy either.

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It is zoned and with an enrollment ceiling (so grounds are not deemed big enough to go over a certain amount) - there was actually an article in the age recently "School zones frustrate parents" which named the school. I sympathize with their position - but it is their attitude that sucks - and the fact they are asking for something which doesn't even prove current ownership. They feel address only is not enough because of all the shenanigans that go on to get kids into the school (e.g. people taking out short leases just for enrollment etc.) - people giving home address as an investment property which is in the zone etc. They are trying to make sure that people who live here do get in, through proof of ownership and proof of residence or things like seeing year long leases and statutory declarations (you can apparently get a stat dec from the local police station stating your intention to renew or lease in the area if currently residing in the area but unable to show a lease for all of 2015 - of course you can get a stat dec and intend to do something but then not actually do it or not be able to do it). But really none of these things actually will stop people who desperately want to go to this school and don't intend to live round here long term and are happy to travel to it.

But we actually do live right in the middle of the zone - and if we moved to someone non walking distance away I would change schools (although the zone is actually quite small (and the school is not the center) - so you can live easily walkable and not be in zone (if we moved out of zone before DS starts in 2017 then he wouldn't be guaranteed a place, I can live with that) - I know they have alot of siblings down to start this year - now some cynical people might suggest that the fact they were so rubbish about having an info evening, or providing any info, and then this - that they are actually trying to put new families off starting - because I know existing parents are up in arms about the siblings if you move out of zone thing (which is somewhat understandable) - and is probably easier for the school to keep existing parents happy.

I am not sure what the answer is for the schools round here - it isn't an area booming with children like some (you would think with the school expecting 110 for foundation I would know another parent wouldn't you but I don't - where they all hang out is beyond me :-)) - the bilingual thing distorts things somewhat (although plenty of people are put off by that also) but the next two closest schools are also zoned with enrollment ceilings - so it isn't just that.

Anyone started with their transitions or have heard what they are going to be?

I took Moo on an official tour even though he has toured the school privately about 3 times already lol. He went to kinder beforehand and when I picked him up, came out yelling 'are we going to my school now?!' Safe to say he is excited! His transition dates are 3 Friday sessions in a row, the first two being an hour and a bit and the last being half a day. There is an option for extra sessions if need be and his new principal will be visiting the kids at kinder too.

Found out that the Foundation kids will do whole days straight away but have Wednesday off for the entire first term.