Starting school in the St George area smoother than ever

The move to big school in the local area should be smoother for next year’s Kindergarten thanks to a NSW Government initiative designed to ensure teachers are provided with important information about their new students.

The first-ever NSW Transition to School Statement provides a consistent picture of a child which should help them to better settle into the new world of school, Member for Oatley, Mr Coure said today.

“The Statement gives important information to a child’s new school,” Mr Coure said.

“It also gives parents the opportunity to provide their unique perspective on the child’s early learning and development. Children, too, have the chance to provide their own input.”

Early childhood educators, families and children will be able to contribute to the Statement, which includes:

· a summary of the child’s strengths, their approach to learning and interests;

· an outline of the strategies that have supported the child’s learning to date; and

· advice to support Kindergarten teachers in getting to know the children.

Many schools already offer transition-to-school programs — and Kindergarten teachers have an opportunity to identify a child’s strengths on orientation days — but the type and depth of information obtained can vary between locations.

“The research is very clear about the contribution early childhood education makes to children as they begin their educational journey,” Mr Coure said.

“It makes sense to capture a consistent report of how they have developed in their early years and ensure this information is passed on when they make the move to school.”