Starting school: a practical Australian guide

Starting school is a big transition for children and parents. It is also surrounded by a lot of noise about readiness, cut-off dates and whether a child is "ready" or not.

The practical truth is that children start school at different ages depending on where they live, and readiness is about a cluster of skills rather than a checklist. You can help more by practising independence, protecting sleep and keeping the goodbye calm than by drilling sight words in the holidays.

When do children start school?#

Australia does not have one national starting age. Each state and territory sets its own cut-off date and compulsory school age. Most children begin the first year of primary school in the year they turn five or six, but the exact rule depends on your child's birth date and where you live.

The first year of school is also called different things:

• Kindergarten in New South Wales and the ACT
• Prep in Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania
• Reception in South Australia
• Pre-primary in Western Australia
• Transition in the Northern Territory

Check your state or territory education department's website for the current rule. Do not rely on a friend's advice from another state.

What school readiness really means#

Schools are not looking for children who can already read. They are looking for children who can cope with the day: separate from a parent, communicate a need, follow a routine, play alongside others, manage toileting and lunch, and stick with a task for a short time.

Useful readiness skills:

• Social: takes turns, shares with support, joins play, uses words to solve small problems
• Emotional: separates from you with reassurance, recovers from disappointment, asks for help
• Language: follows simple instructions, says what they need, understands stories
• Self-care: toilets independently, washes hands, opens a lunchbox, puts on shoes and a hat
• Attention: sits for a short story or activity, follows two-step instructions
• Fine motor: holds a pencil, uses scissors with help, manipulates small objects
• Gross motor: runs, climbs, balances, manages stairs

If your child is behind in one area, that is not automatically a reason to delay. Many children develop these skills in the first year of school. If they are behind in several areas, or you have ongoing developmental concerns, get advice before enrolment.

Enrolment#

Most schools enrol children in the year before they start. The process usually involves:

• checking your address and catchment area
• providing proof of age and identity
• an immunisation history statement
• emergency contacts and health information
• information about additional needs, allergies or disabilities
• a school tour or orientation session

Some schools have waiting lists or specialist programs. Catholic and independent schools may have their own enrolment processes and timelines. Start early — waiting until December is stressful.

If your child has a disability, a health condition or a developmental delay, contact the school well before the start of the year to discuss support. You may need a health care plan, an allergy action plan or an individual learning plan.

Practical preparation#

The summer before school is a good time to practise the things your child will do every day.

Lunchbox and drink bottle#

Choose containers your child can open and close independently. Practise at home. A lunchbox that a parent can open but a five-year-old cannot is a daily problem. Label everything.

Toileting and hygiene#

Make sure your child can:

• use the toilet independently
• wipe front to back
• flush and wash hands
• manage buttons, zips and belts
• ask an adult for help if needed

If your child is still learning, talk to the school. Teachers are used to it.

Shoes, uniform and hat#

Try the uniform on before the first day. Practise doing up shoes, buttons and zips. Most schools require a hat for outdoor play, so make sure it fits and is labelled.

The school visit#

Visit the school before the first day if you can. Walk past the classroom, toilets, playground and drop-off area. Talk about what will happen: "We'll walk to the gate, say goodbye, and you'll go to your classroom. I'll pick you up after school."

Routines#

Start moving bedtime and wake-up time towards the school routine a week or two before term begins. A tired child has a much harder first term.

The first term#

Expect a bumpy start. Many children are exhausted for the first few weeks, even if they are happy. Some regress with toileting, sleep or behaviour. Some cry at drop-off; others are fine until week three, when the novelty wears off.

What helps:

• keep home calm and predictable
• protect sleep
• offer a snack and downtime after school
• ask specific questions: "Who did you sit next to?" "What was the best thing today?"
• keep drop-off short and confident
• say goodbye clearly and tell them when you will be back
• communicate with the teacher early if something is wrong
• do not schedule too many after-school activities in the first term

If your child is anxious, a small comfort object, a family photo or a predictable goodbye ritual can help. If anxiety is persistent and severe, talk to the teacher and your GP.

Common worries#

"My child can't read yet." That is what school is for. Read to them, talk about stories and let them see you reading. Do not turn the holidays into a phonics bootcamp.

"My child is shy." Shyness is not a problem to fix. Teachers are skilled at helping children join in. Practise asking for help at home and reassure your child that they do not have to be loud to belong.

"My child has a food allergy." Meet the teacher before school starts, provide an ASCIA action plan, check the school's policy and make sure your child knows not to share food. Our food allergy guide has more detail.

"My child is still toilet training." Talk to the school. Most schools expect some accidents in the first year. Pack spare clothes and do not shame your child. Our toilet training guide can help.

"My child's speech is unclear." Ask for a speech pathology assessment before school if you are worried. Clear speech helps with friendships, phonics and confidence. See our speech milestones guide.

When to get help#

Talk to your GP, child and family health nurse, preschool educator or the school if:

• your child has significant separation anxiety that does not settle
• your child is not understanding instructions or is hard to understand
• your child has frequent accidents, withholding or constipation
• your child is very aggressive, withdrawn or unable to join play
• your child has a developmental concern, disability or health condition
• you are worried about your child's readiness or the school's ability to support them

If your child has a seizure, breathing difficulty or sudden loss of consciousness, call 000.

The bottom line#

Starting school is a transition, not an exam. Check your local starting age, practise independence, visit the school and protect sleep. Expect a tired, emotional first term and keep the lines open with the teacher. Your child does not need to be able to read before school. They need to feel safe enough to learn.

For the year before school, read our choosing childcare guide. For the practical side of toilet training and speech, see our toilet training and speech milestones guides.