Starting School

Starting school is an important step in a young child's life and 'Is my child ready for school?' is a question asked by many parents.

Children develop at different rates and learn skills in different ways. It is the school's task to respond to the needs, learning styles and rates of progress of individual students. Schools also plan learning experiences based on the skills students bring to school.

Children may enter Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year in NSW government schools if they turn five on or before 31 July in that year.

Some gifted or talented children may be ready to start school at an earlier age while others may benefit from being a little older. By law, all children must start school by their sixth birthday.

Parents will need to provide proof of their child's age when starting school. When children start Kindergarten, parents/caregivers are also required to provide an immunisation certificate - a record of the child's immunisation status. Speak to your doctor, local council, or school about immunisation.

Specialist advice and support is available to parents/caregivers of children with disabilities to help them access appropriate educational services. Talk to the school as early as possible about these services. You may also consider speaking to the ESL teacher at your chosen school, the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer or the Aboriginal Education Assistant and the Special Education Consultant.

Parents/caregivers of students starting kindergarten often want further information and advice about whether their child is ready to start school. There are a number of education professionals who may be able to offer guidance about your child's specific needs. Parents/caregivers are encouraged to speak to their child's pre-school or day care teacher or carer, the school principal, school counsellor, school K-2 supervisor and the Kindergarten teacher at school.

Most schools have orientation days towards the end of the previous year to welcome children to Kindergarten. Many schools also have transition to Kindergarten programs over several weeks in the second part of the year. Contact your local school for details.