Brisbane Kindergarten/1st grade?

[cherimoya]

We're moving back to Australia in April. I will be in North NSW for a couple of months and then moving to Brisbane hopefully by June/July.

DS is currently in Kindergarten here in the states (started Sept08). His B'day is in May, so I think officially he can go to 1st grade this year, but we're worried that with the moves, new environment, new family etc, that putting him in the 2nd half of 1st grade would be too much for him. He's a smart kid, but we're also not in a rush, so why unnecessarily rush him?!

So first question: holding him back for a year, so 1st grade next year, is that ok? is that acceptable in Queensland? (I'm guessing it's fine)

Also, from what I've read online, looks like there is a prep-class (Kindergarten) that is with primary schools. Is this right? So I could enroll him in the last half of Kindy this year and then off to 1st grade next year.

Any Queensland specific info. would be great. Thanks.

[Brettys_Girl]

I *THINK* Kindy is called pre-prep in QLD.

The school year starts in late January with the first term (of 4) over at Easter time in mid April. If he's in Yr 1 in NSW when you first come there's pretty much no difference in State changes (It's technically not really like USA where things & laws differ from State to State)

IDK about the differences in schooling between here & the USA but if you are worried about where to place your kiddo in terms of school year the school can do a quick assessment that helps them know what level he's at & where best to put him
Holding him back, if that's what you wish is fine too though. LOADS of kids repeat kindy not just cause of intellectual stats but social difficulty not really transitioning well into the school life etc...

Most kindy/pre-prep classes here run from the normal 8.45-9amish time til 3.00pm - before the "older" kids finish so they can get sorted for busses, pick ups etc... & USUALLY pre-prep, Yr 1 & Yr 2 are considered "infants" with Yr 3, 4, 5 & 6 being Primary & are kept separated (not always by physical boundary like a wall/fence but usually like past that tree there is out of bounds) so the bigger kids can play their big kids games without any "infants" years "getting in the way" or getting hurt IYKWIM

Here's a link to QLD Department of education site: http://education.qld.gov.au/
& seeing as though you will be in NSW for some of that time here's the NSW one
[url]https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/[.url]

[cherimoya]

Thanks for the info. Yes, I found out from my sister & online that kindy in Brissy is called pre-prep.....that's what I'll put him in when we get to Brissy. Will home-school (& take it easy) when we first arrive in NSW.

[cherimoya]

btw, that times for school was good info also....makes me think I should find that out for sure before looking for part-time work etc. thx again.

[majikfaerie]

if you're going to be landing into N Nsw for a while, and relaxing with some home schooling, there's a few great local natural home ed groups around that meet regularly. let me know if you want more info

[cherimoya]

Thanks majikfaerie. I will pm...