We aim to make sure that the transition to school goes well for you and your child. The best time to enrol your child at school is around their fourth birthday.- As the time to graduate from preschool approaches, we will talk to you and your child about making a pre-enrollment visit to the school.
- You can help to prepare your child by encouraging what we call ‘self-help skills’ – going to the toilet, washing hands, taking care of belongings such as hat, shoes and bag, and unpacking their lunch and morning tea boxes.
- We suggest that you share your child’s portfolio with their new teacher. This will show your child’s strengths, interests and needs. And the teacher will learn a little about your family as well.
- Confidence is important when starting school. It really helps a child to be able to communicate with a group, to know how to wait for their turn, to sit and listen to other voices and to talk about their emotions and needs. An example here might be “Please don’t push me!” These skills will also help your child to manage any conflicts that may happen at school.
- Being able to join a group feels good when starting school. Just saying something such as “Hey, can I have a turn at that?” can break the ice.
- During the last few months at preschool, we pay special attention to anything in your child’s development which may impact on their transition to school. If we see something we will discuss it with you and suggest ways that you could help or seek appropriate help, eg speech therapy.
- Though most children begin school when they turn five, six is the legal age in New Zealand. Sometimes this can be a good idea. It is the parents’/ whanau decision. We can talk it through with you. The Ministry of Education has some helpful advice for the transition to school on its website: www.education.govt.nz