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Moving to school

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Starting school is an exciting step for children and a positive transition helps foster their enthusiasm for lifelong learning.

Families and carers play a significant role in supporting their children's transition to school. Helping children to make the big move to Prep starts well before, and extends far beyond, their first day.

By working together, early education and care services, schools, families and relevant community organisations can help children enjoy a great start to school.

Let’s make the big moves smaller.​

Supporting your child's move to school

A positive transition to school is your child feeling welcome, safe and confident in their new school environment. This journey begins before your child starts school and only ends when they feel a sense of belonging.

As a parent or carer, there are many ways you can help your child enjoy a great start to school including these simple tips:

  • ​be ready to support your child
  • listen to your child's thoughts about starting school
  • make time to talk, read, play and relax with your child
  • share your positive feelings about school
  • practise new routines
  • encourage your child to know how to seek help
  • meet new children and families before the first day
  • celebrate starting school.

Access resources, activities and videos designed to support the move to school.

Transition statements

Transition statements contain valuable information about your child's learning progress at kindy, as well as suggestions for supporting a successful move to school.

Kindergarten teachers develop the transition statement in November with written permission and input from you, the parents/carer and your child. More information is available on the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) website​.

For details on the importance of transition statement’s to your child’s positive move to school, watch what other parents and teachers are saying about transition statements.

The QCAA website​ provides detailed information on transition statements purpose, use, development and the role of parents/carers

Together, let’s make the big moves smaller.

Orientation to school

Orientation is an important part of the transition to school. It can be described as an event or series of events and activities, which familiarise children and families with significant features of their new environment.

​For an optimal transition to school, all partners have a key role to play. The aim is to support every child to feel secure and have a sense of belonging at school.

Contact your local school to find out more about orientation for your child.

Enrolling in Prep

Find a Queensland state school near you and see how to enrol in Prep.​

Use the Enrolling in Prep checklist​, so ;you don't forget anything. Keep it handy on your phone or computer.

More information

Information for families fact sheet
Read about the ways you can help support your child's transition to school.

Supporting families: Principal Daniel EvansTranscript
Watch Principal Daniel Evans discuss how the school principal can welcome your family into the school community.
'How can principals help families with the transition to school?'​

Orientation to school – Bradley ClarkeTranscript
Watch the video of school principal Bradley Clarke discussing orientation to school.​

Related information

Parent and community engagement framework
Learn about how to strengthen your school's engagement between students, teachers, parents, support staff and the community.​

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Last updated 30 November 2022