NSW kindergarten - Questions to ask school & local schools local decisions

**BrightSparkles** · February 6th, 2013, 09:27 AM

So we are looking at the possibility of apply out of area for DD1 who starts kindergarten in 2014.
I have a couple of schools I want to go and talk to and see what they are offering. I have some ideas of what I want to know but what things would you like to know about if you were looking at a new school?

Also, What issues has your school had since the implementation of Local Schools Local Decisions? Has this affected the way your school operates? Has it affected the relationships within the school etc??

Need some help! TIA x

**BrightSparkles** · February 6th, 2013, 03:12 PM

Bump

**Trillian** · February 6th, 2013, 03:20 PM

I'd ask things like how do they support the students learning - do they offer extra help if they need it and do they extend kids further etc. Ask to have a look in the classrooms - they will tell you a lot about the school and you can get a feel for things. Stuff like do they have reading areas, music, technology areas etc. Ask the principal what their ideals are and where they want to 'take' the school and students. As for the local schools policy it hasn't really affected our school in a way that you'd notice it - as far as I can tell it's the same as it always was.

**Amaunet** · February 6th, 2013, 04:15 PM

Local Schools Local Decisions is still being implemented in most schools - it was only trialled up until now and still isn't complete so we won't know the impact of theat for some time. If the school has a good leadership/decision making team LSLD should be positive.

As for schools, just by visiting each one, you should get a "vibe" for the place. Definitely ask about their programs/curriculum, school values, extra curricular etc. Also ask about their policy for out of area applications as many schools don't have many (if any) extra places available.