School Readiness for children in Australian Capital Territory

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network says school readiness is when a child has the ability and skills to start school easily and successfully. The NSW Department of Education says children develop at different rates and learn skills in different ways, and that schools plan learning around the skills students bring with them. A 2019 opinion piece on Early Childhood Australia's website argues that school readiness should be about whether the school is ready or suitable for the child.

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network lists school readiness tasks for children aged 4 to 5, such as pulling their own pants or skirt up and down for the toilet, sitting at a table for meals and snacks until they finish, and opening and closing their drink bottle and lunch box. It also suggests giving them 2-step instructions before they start. The NSW Department of Education says children can practise writing their first name, and schools encourage parents to read with their children every day for 15 minutes.

The NSW Department of Education says when your child starts school is an individual decision, and you may wish to discuss it with your child's preschool teacher, carer, doctor or local primary school. In NSW, children can start Kindergarten if they turn 5 on or before 31 July that year, and by law they must be in school by their 6th birthday. In Queensland, parents may delay their child's entry to Prep by one year if they feel the child is not ready, and no formal documentation, assessment or approval is required. These rules are for NSW and Queensland only, so ask your local primary school about the rules where you live.

The Sydney Children's Hospitals Network in NSW says that if your child has trouble with toileting tasks or holding a pencil by themselves, speak to your local child and family nurse service about support from an occupational therapist. If your child has trouble following 2-step instructions, it suggests asking the same service about a speech pathologist. It says developmental delays are likely to be identified at regular health check-ups with your family doctor. It also recommends booking your child's free four-year developmental check with your local family doctor when they are 4 years old.

The NSW Department of Education says most schools have orientation days towards the end of the year. It suggests walking or driving past the school regularly before school starts and being positive. It also suggests reassuring your child that it is OK to tell the teacher what they need and how they are feeling. In Queensland, the government suggests giving your child's Prep teacher their kindergarten transition statement.