From 2007, the Queensland Government will have a state-wide Preparatory Year.
The introduction of Prep will be followed in 2008 by a six-month increase in the school starting age. To start Year 1, children will have to turn six by 30 June (instead of 31 December) in their first year at school.
Increasing the starting age for Year 1 will bring Queensland's education system more into line with other Australian states and territories. This has significant benefits for families who move between states during their children's education.
Like pre-school, the Prep Year will not be compulsory. Parents may choose not to, or can continue to send their children to an alternative early childhood care and education service.
Unlike preschool, Prep is being offered full time and children will attend from Monday to Friday during normal school hours generally from 9 am to 3 pm. Prep will generally be located on the same grounds as the primary school which will help with the transition to Year 1. Each individual school will decide if Prep children will wear a uniform or not.
Parents intending to enrol their child in Prep in 2007 are encouraged to contact their chosen school early in 2006.
There will be no waiting lists for enrolment in state schools but it is advisable to check if the school has an enrolment management plan in place. If so you may have to live the catchment area to attend certain state schools.
Enrolments are generally taken up to 2 years prior to the year of commencement. There will be different application procedures depending on the relevant school you apply to.
Children who turn five in the first half of 2007 will be eligible to attend Prep in that year. Children who turn five between 1 July 2007 and 30 June 2008 will be eligible to attend Prep in 2008.
Children who turn six in 2007 will start Year 1 in that year. Those who turn six in the latter part of 2007 may be eligible for Prep if an assessment of their educational need indicates they will be disadvantaged by starting Year 1 before 2008. Educational need will be assessed by looking at the learning readiness and physical and social development of the child.
Community kindergartens and other early childhood education and care providers will continue to offer programs for children not enrolled in Prep. Preschool will finish at the end of 2006.
From 2008, children will need to be six by 30 June the year they enrol in Year 1.
| Birth Date | Eligible for Prep Year in: | Eligible for Year 1 in: |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001 | Eligible for Preschool in 2006 | 2007 |
| 1 January 2002 to 30 June 2002 | 2007 | 2008 |
| 1 January 2002 to 30 June 2003 | 2008 | 2009 |
| 1 January 2003 to 30 June 2004 | 2009 | 2010 |
| 1 January 2004 to 30 June 2005 | 2010 | 2011 |
Portions of this report have been taken from the Education Queensland Government website.
