Not sure DD will be ready for prep next year

[heliana]

Just wondering,
if I enroll DD into a state school prep (QLD) next year, do I have to send her every day? Can I send her for a 4 day week?
Sounds strange I know, but I just can't see her being ready for the fulltime program next year.
I know its half a year away, so maybe there will be big changes before then, but she is so tired now when she has a three day week at pre-prep and she is still having naps there.
She's bright, but she is quite clingy/anxious, and quiet too so she doesn't really seem to get involved at pre-prep, and hasn't really got the concept of playing with other kids yet I don't think.
Mum suggests I look into a montessori school, there is one nearby that goes up to 6yrs. Though after visiting a different one, I wasn't that comfortable with the idea that they have to follow set ways of doing things (not building creative skills) but then I might have misunderstood that, I do think it would really suit her way of thinking - she gets a bit lost in the free-play thing they have going on at c&k at the moment. I just worry that if she goes to a different prep program, it will be even harder for her to join in at school the next year.
What do you think? Any thoughts for me? Any one have recommendations for schools in Brissy east (seven hills/norman park/etc)

[littlelara]

Just wondering, have you brought up your concerns with your dd's teacher?
What do they say?

[lilima]

I was going to say the same thing. Maybe have a chat with her pre prep teacher and see what they have to say.

[nickle730]

I agree with the other posts, you should start with your DD's teacher/s. Explain your concerns to them and see what their opinions are. I'm not sure about QLD, but here in Vic prep is five days per week and all five days are compulsory. Some schools do run a four day week for the first term or so as a 'settling in' measure. To not send your child to school one day per week would constitute truancy and (more importantly) would probably result in your DD finding it more difficult to keep up academically and perhaps to find her place socially within the peer group.

My DD was borderline to start prep (an April baby) and I did a whole lot of research as to how 'school readiness' is judged. It is based almost entirely on social and emotional maturity. Academic ability, such as a child's ability to write their name or recognize the alphabet, whilst observed is not considered terribly important in assessing a child's readiness for school - children go to school to learn these things. Plenty of very bright kids are simply not ready to start school when the calendar says they might be, and this is no reflection on the child's intelligence. They simply need a bit more time!

Best of luck deciding what to do for your DD, heliana, I know that this is a very difficult decision to make!

[heliana]

Thanks, I will have a chat to her pre-prep teacher, though as great as she is, I don't find her very approachable. Anyway Im going in to spend the day there soon so I should have a good chance then.
Is prep in QLD still voluntary? That's the only reason I thought it might be ok to send her 4 days. As soon as I go on hols from uni I'll ring them up and ask for a tour (do state schools do that?) and I can talk to them about it then- see what they suggest. I wouldn't want to get her behind but, well you know.
nickle I didnt realise that it was based on that - makes alot of sense, though she is tall for her age and I can't imagine holding her back altogether. I wish they still did prep/pre-school at the c&k she's at now - think it would have made a big difference. It might just take her longer to settle in.
Oh well THanks very much for your replies. I'm sure it will work out, perhaps I'm just a worrying mummy lol. I think I'll feel better after I talk to her school. And maybe they really do grow alot in the next 6months

[heliana]

I was just reading this article, Is your child really ready to start school? - theage.com.au
Not that I'm basing everything on a newspaper article but I thought it made a few good points.
it says 'She advises parents to be guided by their common sense and to talk to preschool teachers and carers. They should also visit schools and ask many questions'
and 'And schools vary in size, approach, teaching styles and subjects they specialise in. This means that ``even if a child is academically but not socially ready, they may cope well in a small, friendly school''.
DD does seem to meet all the checklist items for school readiness, so maybe I should start looking for a 'small, friendly school' which is funny because I already thought that sort of school would suit her better and put her name down at one (long waitlist - guess everyone feels the same. The one down the road is pretty small, but we are in the catchment area for the other direction which is very big in comparison. Maybe its time to start visiting a few schools..

[MantaRay]

My DS started prep this year, and they really do ease them in gently. At DS's school, they had an afternoon rest in first term, and finished at 2:30. He does come home tired a lot, but was definitely ready.

Unfortunately most of the schools in your area are catchment only if you are not already on a waiting list by now. We were looking at the same area last year, although we have since moved across town. Seven Hills looks fantastic but I think you would have had to have been on the list well before now. Mayfield also looked really good and aren't catchment zone only so that could be worth a try. We were trying to find a small school but the really small ones didn't look like they would work for us (our DS has some special needs). If we hadn't have moved we would have sent him to either Seven Hills or Mayfield.

GL hun. Also remember that nothing is permanent. If she finds prep hard, you can always pull her out and try again, or start doing part-time and then have her try again the next year. Lots of people do these things, so you won't seem strange.

[nickle730]

Heliana, my DD is definitely at a school which could be described as 'small' and 'friendly'! Ultimately, we did decide that she was ready for prep. It was always my gut feeling and also her ELC4 (pre-prep in QLD??) teacher's recommendation, but I wanted to be very sure that we advanced her for the right reasons (ie. not because I enjoy the parent social group!). She is now in Grade 2 and doing exceptionally well both socially and academically... BUT every year I still wonder whether she is ready for the next year. I still love the parent social group, but I wonder if I will forever question our decision!

Gotta love that Mother Guilt!!