Prep Information

To be eligible to enrol in Prep your child must turn 5 by 30 June in the year of attendance in Prep.

Birthdate	Eligible for Prep in
Child born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021	2026
Child born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2022	2027
Child born 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2023	2028

It is compulsory for all Queensland children to undertake full-time Prep Year, prior to commencing Year 1. The changes have been made to establish the importance of Prep as the first year of schooling.

Most parents enrol their child in Prep at the Prep-eligible age – in the year they turn five by 30 June. However; parents still retain flexibility to enrol their child in Prep the following year, in the year they turn six by 30 June, giving consideration to the child's developmental, behavioural and emotional readiness for schooling.

The only exceptions to compulsory participation in Prep are where:

• a child has undertaken education in another jurisdiction that is equivalent to Prep;
• a child was registered for home education in the year prior to enrolment in a state or non-state school; or
• the Principal is satisfied the child is ready to be enrolled in Year 1 taking into account the child's attributes.

National and international research highlights the importance of quality fulltime early education and smooth transitions to formal schooling to aid children’s long term educational outcomes.

Research tells us that children learn best when they actively construct knowledge of their world around them. Therefore your child will be actively involved in an inquiry- based learning program where teachers and children work together to explore, observe, ask questions, discuss observations and seek answers about everyday experiences. On a daily basis your child will be developing their physical skills through activities such as climbing an obstacle course. They will also building the literacy skills through a variety of language activities including language games.

An old adage states: “tell me and I forget, show me and I remember, involve me and I understand” – this is the essence of inquiry learning where your child actively constructs

knowledge in a meaningful way. Prep programs that are child-centred and play based will improve your child’s social and problem-solving skills and encourage them to have a greater interest in learning.

To enrol in prep please follow the same process for all enrolments. Complete the Application for Enrolment Form or contact the school office.

Some of the activities your child will be participating in:

• actively making choices about what and how they learn
• investigating and learning how to inquire about their interests
• planning collaboratively with the teacher
• participating in music and language experiences
• investigating and playing independently, in pairs, small groups and as a class
• participating in dramatic play to build an understanding of themselves and the world around them
• drawing and painting to encourage oral language, reading and writing skills
• constructing, using blocks and creating collages to develop early mathematical concepts and skills.

Your child will wear the school sports uniform.  You will be able to discuss this with the principal during the prep enrolment interview.

The Religious Education Guidelines for the Early Years support teaching and learning of religious education in the Preparatory Year and align with the aim of Religious Education in the Brisbane Archdiocese.

“All young Catholics, throughout their school years, are provided with opportunities for religious education suited to their age, background and the changing world in which they live.”

(Policy Statement Religious Education of school-Aged Catholics - Archdiocese of Brisbane Catholic Education Council August 2005)

Building partnerships is a key part of the new early years curriculum. Making partnerships with families and carers is a key element to a positive learning environment for young children. Prep teachers will be building on these partnerships and involving families in a variety of ways in the prep classroom.

If your child has a disability and is of eligible age, they will be included in Prep classes wherever possible. Sometimes if the child has high support needs and cannot be supported in the prep class then they will eligible for early special education programs such as Special Education Developmental Units and Centres. Please talk to the school principal for further information and support for your child.