Steps to school
In NSW, children can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn 5 on or before 31 July of that year. All children must be in compulsory schooling by their 6th birthday.
Parents can help their child to be ready to start school by taking them to playgroup when they’re very young, and enrolling them in childcare or preschool as they get older. At playgroup, childcare and preschool, children will learn to play with other children, practice sharing toys and waiting for their turn; they will practice listening to stories, and learn to count and lots of other things they will need when they start school.
Parents can also help by talking, singing, reading and playing with children everyday as that’s how children learn – talk about what you see when you are walking or driving, ask your child to help you set the table for dinner and count how many spoons you will need, read a story with your child before bedtime – everyday activities like these are learning opportunities for young children and help them to be ready to start school.