• encouraging them to explore their feelings
• helping them connect to their school
• supporting them in building friendships and relationships
• empowering them to build their confidence and independence.
Some tips on how best to do this are provided in the NSW Department of Education’s ‘Getting ready for primary school’ guide.
The guide also provides some helpful information on how to prepare yourself and your child for school, and how to support your child through the transition early next year.
Following, we provide you with some of the tips you need to know about now as you start the enrolment process for your child.
Primary school orientation
You can get the best feel for your chosen school by attend a school orientation or transition to school program.
• If your child attends an early childhood education service, talk to staff about their transition to school.
• Ask the school for an enrolment pack.
• Ask for the date your child will start school, as some school timetables will vary.
• Write down the date your child will start school.
Get involved
• Get to know teachers, school staff, other parents or carers and your child’s friends.
• Attend school events such as parent and teacher nights, presentation nights, award ceremonies, performances or showcases.
• If you can, provide your child with out-of-school opportunities to bond with their friends and the community, such as volunteering, sports and supervised play dates.
Budgeting for new costs
Schools usually provide most things Kindergarten students will use in the classroom, but starting school may require new items such as uniforms, school shoes, backpack and hats.
Check with your child’s school so you can budget for the items your child will need.
Uniforms
Your child’s school will tell you about the school uniform and items, and where to buy them.
There is usually a summer, a winter and a sports uniform.
The school can tell you which shops supply the uniform or the material to make it.
Many schools run a clothing pool where uniform items are donated after children have outgrown them.
• To access the full, 32-page guide, head to the parents and carers section at education.nsw.gov.au.
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