As the end of kindy approaches and the beginning of prep draws near, many parents and caregivers begin to consider whether their child is truly ready for school. Fortunately, there are several valuable resources available to support this decision-making process.
One particularly helpful resource is the book Ready, Set, Go? by Kathy Walker. This book explores the concept of school readiness and provides practical tools and insights to assist in evaluating whether a child is prepared for the transition to prep. While it may not always be readily available in bookstores, it can be ordered through major retailers or downloaded via platforms such as iBooks.
The chapter on school readiness outlines key developmental considerations, including emotional maturity, social skills, and overall preparedness—beyond just academic abilities. Many families find that reviewing this information, including the school readiness checklist, offers clarity and confidence in making the best choice for their child’s individual needs.
Delaying the start of prep in favor of a second year of kindy is a decision some families make, not due to academic concerns, but to allow additional time for emotional and social development. This can lead to a more positive and successful transition to school the following year.
Here are some keypoints from Ready, Set, Go?
"An easy way to help understand the concept of readiness is to define what it is not. Readiness is NOT:"

• "being able to write your name or count to 100"
• "being able to recite the alphabet"
• "being gifted or academically bright"
• "saying you want to go to school."
• "showing interest in reading"

Ready, Set, Go? Talks about how we really need to be looking at our child's Maturity, being able to control their emotions, actions and behaviors.

"A Brief Checklist from Ready, Set, Go? The following are factors to consider and the skills to look out for when assessing your child's readiness for school:"

• "Self regulation of emotions, actions and behaviors."
• "Self-initiation and confidence"
• "Independence and self-help skills"
• "Effective communication: speaking, listening and responding.
• "Awareness of and interest in others and ability to interact with a variety of people."
• "Ability to concentrate and attend, follow through and persist."
• "Adaptability, flexibility and responsiveness to change."
• "General awareness of and interest in their environment, peers, adults and experiences."
• "Age and Gender"

"Signs that your child is not ready"

• "They just seem to be like lost little children."
• "They need me to direct them and remind them constantly of what to do next or where to go next."
• "They seem as if they are in a world of their own, not really aware of everything else going on around them"
• They seem to just follow the lead of others. They don't seem to initiate anything themselves."
• "They seem smart enough but they just can't concentrate or follow through with their workand tasks. They often lag behind the rest of the class, not because they can't do it, just because they can't concentrate long enough."
• "They just don't seem able to work at the level I think they are at. They are to easily distracted by others and can't stay on task."
• "They have difficulty making friends. They follow some children around but other children just don't seem to notice them."
• "They act like they just needed another year of play in a preschool rather than being sent to school."
• "They seem to find things overwhelming."
• " They get so very tired and find it hard to even stay awake, let alone concentrate."

When reviewing the school readiness checklist, if several items apply to a child, it may suggest that they could benefit from a delayed transition to Prep and an additional year in Kindergarten.
The book Ready, Set, Go? by Kathy Walker explores these factors in greater depth, including real case studies of children who either transitioned directly to Prep or remained in Kindy for an additional year. It highlights that some children who begin school before they are developmentally ready—particularly in terms of maturity—may require a repeated year later in their schooling.
This raises an important consideration for families: is it more beneficial for a child to remain in Kindergarten now, or face the possibility of repeating Prep, Year 1, or even Year 7 later on? The potential social and emotional impact of either option is worth thoughtful consideration.
The school readiness checklist serves two main purposes: it can either confirm that a child is well prepared for the transition to Prep, or it can indicate that a second year of Kindergarten may better support their development.
For families still navigating this decision, Ready, Set, Go? is a highly recommended resource. It offers practical insights and reassurance, helping make the process clearer. If uncertainty remains, parents and caregivers are encouraged to speak with their child's Kindy teacher for further guidance and perspective.

We will be hosting an open morning on Saturday the 29th of October from 10am to 11am for all families looking to enrol for the 2017 Kindy program. We currently have vacancies in both our Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday groups. 

Please Email [email protected] to register your interest for the day. 

We look forward to meeting with you all.