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.

[Freya]

I have a private school in mind, its brand new. But Im not sure if we will be in the place we'll be living for the rest of this year when he starts school (its likely but not definite) which is frustrating lol

I might talk with his current preschool teachers about the situation and ask what they think re him being ready for school and the whole kindergarten vs. prep vs. Year 1 situation.

[2girls]

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!

[Rach75]

jett and jack are same freya as you know jack is kindy this year which is 5 days a fortnight next year is prep which is same as school hrs yes its not compulsary but i am yet to find anyone who doesn't have their kids going

[JLeigh29]

Prep has a curriculum, is full time and although it's 'play-based' (prep-yr 3 are play-based curriculums), students still do literacy, numeracy etc. They do PE and music with a different teacher the same as the older kids and have the same breaks etc. It's 'proper' school. At our school, the preppies were doing formal reading, including being sent home with readers and sight words to learn. And the school has a Prep/year 1 composite class, which wouldn't work if Prep wasn't 'proper' school. If you talk to the school about your concerns, they can keep an eye on DS. Since prep started, we've had a few students go straight into year 1 or from prep to year 2 after a little while. Teachers can extend children academically, rather than put them up a grade if children aren't socially ready to go up. GL

[Freya]

Prep has a curriculum, is full time and although it's 'play-based' (prep-yr 3 are play-based curriculums), students still do literacy, numeracy etc. They do PE and music with a different teacher the same as the older kids and have the same breaks etc. It's 'proper' school. At our school, the preppies were doing formal reading, including being sent home with readers and sight words to learn. And the school has a Prep/year 1 composite class, which wouldn't work if Prep wasn't 'proper' school. If you talk to the school about your concerns, they can keep an eye on DS. Since prep started, we've had a few students go straight into year 1 or from prep to year 2 after a little while. Teachers can extend children academically, rather than put them up a grade if children aren't socially ready to go up. GL

Thanks for that! That makes me feel slightly better.

[JLeigh29]

No worries Freya! I love talking school, makes me miss it slightly less!