Starting Kindergarten
Starting Kindergarten at Kent Road Public School
Beginning school is an exciting milestone, and our Kindergarten program is thoughtfully designed to support your child’s transition into learning in a warm, supportive setting. We focus on nurturing each child’s confidence, curiosity, and social skills through creative and active learning. Our experienced teachers work closely with families to create a positive and engaging environment where every child feels valued and inspired to explore. At Kent Road Public School, Kindergarten is the first step on a rewarding educational journey within our caring and inclusive community.
1. Ready for School - How Can You Tell?
Social Skills:
- Being able to get along with other children, demonstrate basic manners, assert themselves, and
- being able to play independently and with other children, as well as speak and interact with adults.
Language Skills:
- Being able to talk and listen to adults and other children, speak clearly, communicate needs, being familiar with books and understand stories.
Emotional Maturity:
- Being able to manage their emotions, cope with minimal adult contact in large groups, focus on tasks, follow directions and instructions from teachers, cope with the new school environment, and understand and follow the rules and expectations.
Cognitive Skills:
- Basic number sense, basic thinking skills, being able to wait and take turns.
Physical Health and Coordination:
- Basic health (able to blow their own nose, toilet themselves and wash hands )
- fine motor skills (such as being able to grip a pencil and turn pages in a book)
- physical coordination (being able to run, jump, climb, and play ball).
Independence:
- Basic skills to manage their needs without adult supervision, such as going to the toilet, dressing, unwrapping their lunch, managing their belongings and carry their own school bag.
If you are not sure whether your child is ready to start big school, talk to your child’s preschool teacher or early childhood educator – they will be able to help you with assessing your child’s development and readiness for school.
2. Getting to Know the School
3. Starting School
1. Speaking Positively about School
We encourage you to have positive conversations with your child about their new teachers and the wonderful experiences ahead. It’s natural for children to feel a little nervous, acknowledging their feelings and offering reassurance can make the transition smoother. Celebrate the excitement of beginning school while being mindful of your child’s individual needs and emotions. Remember, every child adjusts in their own way and at their own pace, and we’re here to support you.
2. Uniform and Belongings
Label all clothing items and practice dressing independently.
Ensure your child can manage tasks like zipping jackets and tying shoes.
Emphasise the importance of taking care of personal belongings.
3. School Bags
Teach your child how to manage their school bag, including zipping and packing.
Encourage them to take ownership of their belongings and practice independence.
4. Using the Bathroom
Reassure your child about finding and using the bathroom at school.
Teach proper hygiene practices like washing hands and provide spare underwear if needed.
Students need to be able to use the lock on the door.
5. Using a Lunchbox
Help your child practice opening and closing their lunchbox and packaging.
Label all items clearly with your child's name to avoid confusion.
Involve them in meal planning and preparation to foster independence.
6. Lunchtime: Can they open everything?
Allow your child to practice opening lunch items to ensure they can manage independently.
Encourage self-sufficiency and confidence in handling their lunch.
7. Limit After-School Activities
Recognise that adjusting to Kindergarten can be tiring for children.
Limit extracurricular activities initially to allow your child time to rest and adjust.
8. Label Everything
Label all of your child's belongings clearly to prevent loss and confusion.
Take the time to label items before school starts to avoid any issues later on.
What makes us a great choice for your child?
Learn about why we make a great choice for your child.
Stories and highlights
Hear about stories, wins and proud moments from our staff and students.
Policies and reports
Discover our local school policies, reports and plans.