1. Starting School How do I know my child is ready for school? Choosing a school that is right for you and your child Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School

2. Starting School is an important step in a young childs life. Children develop a different rates and learn skills in different ways. As a school it is our role to respond to the needs, individual learning styles and rates of progress of each individual child. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Starting School

3. Schools tend to plan initial learning experiences around the skills which individual students bring to school. Specialist advice is always available at all stages fo schooling for children with specific needs. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Starting School

4. Children may enter Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before the 31 st July. The law states that all children must start school by the age of six. However… Starting school is a very individual journey. There is no real exact age to start school, hence the DET allowing a 4yrs to 6 yrs age range. Starting School early is not always the best thing to do for your child! Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Is my child the right age to start school?

5. Dont be dazzled by the hype …. Consider: Are you in the schools drawing area for local enrolments? Do you feel that the school has a positive vibe and welcoming feel? Do you think the wider school community is supports your own views and perspectives? Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Which school do I choose?

6. Ask the right questions: What questions do you have in your mind regarding your child and the school? Ask for a tour of the school and to visit the classrooms whilst classes are in progress. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Which school do I choose?

7. Ask the right questions: Chat to the teachers and current school parents if possible. Look at it from the perspective of your child… Will this be a fun and exciting place to start your childs learning journey! Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Which school do I choose?

8. What do you remember about your first day at school? What were you excited about? What were you concerned about? Chances are your child will have the same thoughts and feelings about their first day at school! Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Have a think …

9. Ask them! As children mature and develop they naturally start to challenge and question the world around them and start to wonder what else is out there. Some children start to begin to role play at home and copy school like behaviors of older children. Some children start to make decisions about their own learning through questioning and making their needs known. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

10. In terms of assessing a childs range of abilities and assessing readiness for school, we would generally be looking at a range of capabilities which include: Language Mathematics Personal & Social Skills Physical skills Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

11. Language Talks to other people about familiar objects and events. Answers and asks simple questions. Makes needs known. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

12. Language Follows simple instructions. Uses books for enjoyment or looking at pictures. Uses a variety of objects such as pens, pencils, textas, paintbrushes to scribble with. Joins in with familiar songs. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

13. Mathematics Recognizes that numbers can be used to count. Uses words like: all, a lot, less. Identifies things in a group. Sees differences in shapes. Differentiates between opposites eg: up and down, under and over in front and behind, day and night. Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

14. Personal & Social Skills Uses the toilet independently Can say own name and address Adapts to familiar settings and new experiences Can finish a task and tidies up afterwards Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

15. Personal & Social Skills Plays cooperatively with other children Shares and takes turns Can sit still to listen to a story for a few minutes Is curious about the world Participates in imaginative play Can play with others Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

16. Physical Skills Recognises that numbers can be used to count Uses scissors to cut along a straight line Enjoys a variety of indoor and outdoor play Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

17. Physical Skills Can put on and take off jumpers, shoes, socks independently Makes and designs using a variety of materials Participates in imaginative play Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

18. Perspectives How do you expect to be welcomed on your childs first day? What do you think your childs teacher will be feeling and wanting to know when they first meet your child? What do you expect will happen on the their first day at school? Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 How do I know my child is ready for school?

19. Your childs pre-school teacher The school principal and kindergarten teacher Your local school education area office can also provide support in regards to: Special Education needs and disability support programs Aboriginal community support and liaison Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 There is a range of support available to support the transition to school which includes: Who can I contact for further advice?

20. Sydney Regional Office Contact number: 9217 4877 Sylvia Corish: Network 8 School Education Area Director Contact number: 9298 6900 Pam Mezups: Early Intervention Arnclife School Education Area Office Contact number: 9556 3097 Bernard Cheng: Principal, Australia Street Infants School Contact number: 9557 5377 Bernard Cheng. Principal: Australia Street Infants School. August 2005 Some important contacts