KINDERGARTEN READINESS
Starting 3 year old kindergarten at Grange Road
Starting kindergarten is a big step, as it is the beginning of your child’s more formal education, or education outside of the home. Once a child begins 3 year old kinder, their education journey has commenced with the expectation of moving on to 4 year old kinder the following year, and to school the year after. Every child’s development is unique. However, research suggests that children that turn 3 between January and April of that kinder year, can significantly benefit from waiting a year and starting 3 year old kinder in the year they turn 4. It is common for children born in January to April to defer their kinder entry, therefore starting school when they are 5.
Starting 3 year old kindergarten at Grange Road
Starting kindergarten is a big step, as it is the beginning of your child’s more formal education, or education outside of the home. Once a child begins 3 year old kinder, their education journey has commenced with the expectation of moving on to 4 year old kinder the following year, and to school the year after. Every child’s development is unique. However, research suggests that children that turn 3 between January and April of that kinder year, can significantly benefit from waiting a year and starting 3 year old kinder in the year they turn 4. It is common for children born in January to April to defer their kinder entry, therefore starting school when they are 5.
Considerations you might like to think about:
- independence. Is your child an independent toilet user, eater, snack box and bag user, can they pack their own bag, and manage their own clothing – shoes on/off, for the toilet, coats for outside play?
- school readiness, not necessarily cognitively or academically, but emotionally. Will they manage?
- the emotions of 5 long school days when they are 4 turning 5.
- your child’s stamina when they start school (5 long days, filled with learning, new expectations, assessments, and socially demanding situations)
- readiness for secondary school (being 13 years old rather than 12) – children may be catching public transport to secondary school, travelling alone, likely to have a mobile phone, social media
- concerns at a less mature age, their ability to deal with difficult emotional and social situations, puberty, etc.
- making career choices, subject choices, at a more mature age and developmental level when they are in year 11 and 12.
We encourage you to have a discussion with your Maternal Child Health Nurse or other professionals.
Please see articles below.
Considerations you might like to think about:
- independence. Is your child an independent toilet user, eater, snack box and bag user, can they pack their own bag, and manage their own clothing – shoes on/off, for the toilet, coats for outside play?
- school readiness, not necessarily cognitively or academically, but emotionally. Will they manage?
- the emotions of 5 long school days when they are 4 turning 5.
- your child’s stamina when they start school (5 long days, filled with learning, new expectations, assessments, and socially demanding situations)
- readiness for secondary school (being 13 years old rather than 12) – children may be catching public transport to secondary school, travelling alone, likely to have a mobile phone, social media
- concerns at a less mature age, their ability to deal with difficult emotional and social situations, puberty, etc.
- making career choices, subject choices, at a more mature age and developmental level when they are in year 11 and 12.
We encourage you to reach out to your Maternal and Child Health Nurse or other professionals. Please see reference articles below.
Articles
- Bayside Council – How to Gauge if your Child is ready for Kindergarten
- Early Life Foundations – Starting School Fact Sheet
Articles
- Bayside Council – How to Gauge if your Child is ready for Kindergarten
- Early Life Foundations – Starting School Fact Sheet