I have just discovered that the age cut off for starting Prep has changed for QLD from June 30 to July 31st. This will mean I have the choice to send my daughter to school when she is 4.5 instead of 5.5. I always liked the thought of her starting late but after asking around people are telling me that she may be ready.... She is a switched on kid but don't want to rush her emotionally or socially.
Is 4.5 too early and should I keep her home a year or should I let her start early and see how she goes? I will be able to send her to Kindergarden still this year so she will not miss that development. Would love to hear your thoughts and experiences so I can make the best choice for my daughter. Thank you x
3 Replies
Most of the schools are being very very strict with the preps that they are allowing to enrol in this age group - they have a very specific criteria and expect reports from kinds etc. I would find out the process for the school that you are looking at.
Totally depends on the child. For myself I was just not ready emotionally or otherwise and wasn't coping in kindergarten but was started anyway. For my sister who is academically gifted, and just more switched on socially it was the right age to start. Talk to the staff at kindergarten and make your decision based on that.
My daughter was very advanced & it was recommended to me that she 'bypass' preschool (she is 16 now, so this is in the days before prep in QLD) and go straight to year 1 at 5 years old. I am so glad I said no. She would have been able to do the work easily, but socially I don't believe she would have. My concern was that she would have hated school if her social skills weren't at the same level, which would have Impacted on her school work. We've been lucky though, that she has had amazing teachers all the way through who have given her additional work at her level so she didn't get bored.
Good luck with your decision as you know your child the best.