Hello!

I am hoping for some help. I am from overseas, where a child that is supposed to start school receives a letter and goes to the school to “sign up.” My daughter is quickly approaching school age, and I wonder how it works here (we’re in SA), as I have so far received no info or been approached by anyone about schooling at all. Am I meant to take the first step? She is five in january..


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  • Pretty sure you need to take the first step. I had to with my first kindy starter. I don’t think we have a system where letters are sent out


  • You need to choose your preferred school and contact them directly. If it isn’t your local school you may need to apply for out of area entry. Once registered with the school and department they will contact you when the school readiness programs start.


  • Yes, it’s up to you to make initial contact. All the other mums have given you the right advice. Hope you find a suitable school.


  • I would start by looking around at what schools are in your area, then go from there


  • No need for my input as all the other mums have answered well.. but I would suggest you visit the school close to you and ask what is the going procedure..soon.


  • You need to approach the local school in your area. You them need to fill out the forms and talk to the school about your child.the child then goes for several days leading up to starting to help them get used it.


  • I researched schools in my area. Found out which ones have the best scores, offer the best teacher/student ratio and school size in general. Then I made an appointment to meet the principal and tour the school. I left it late and was lucky to get her into a small school with great naplan results, attendance and a great mentoring program. They also offer fantastic extra curricular events. My daughter is 5 turning 6 and is in prep. Start looking for schools now, and get her booked in. Good luck


  • Look around your neighbourhood and check out the schools that are local.
    Phone them up for a appointment and have someone show you around.
    Ask your neighbours which school is which. You may want a religious school or an independent or private school. After you look at them ask for a application and apply.


  • I am from SA too. You would need to contact the school you want to send your child to.


  • Every State is different and here in QLD things have changed from when my kids went through the early schooling system. Back then you pretty much had to enrol them into a kindy at birth to make sure they got in. They started the year they turned 3 and then started preschool the year they turned 4 and off to school the year they turned 5. Now its changed and they have prep instead of preschool.
    I think you should contact local schools and find out when you can visit and then make your choice and get her enrolled.


  • Go and start approaching schools you are interested on and then make your decision to enrol her!! Have fun


  • We just went to our local primary school and enrolled our daughter into kindergarten, filled out some forms and waited to get a letter of confirmation to say she was accepted. When we got the letter it told us when she starts and what to do next etc.
    Maybe see the school and ask what you need to do.


  • In SA if your child turns 5 before May 1, then they start school (Prep) that year. You need to do your research on your choice of schooling…public, Private or Independent. Then you contact the school and have interviews. They will then contact you with acceptance (if not already) and starting information.


  • Have you enrolled your child in kindergarten? In Victoria we can get information about where our local schools are and then you have to visit each of the schools to decide which is the school you would like to send your child to. There are government run schools (small annual fee), religious schools (Catholic) and Independent schools, both of which cost more money. It is up to you to do the research and you can get information from government and school websites. Other mums in your suburb usually have lots of information too, so you could join a local mothers/baby club. Cheers Gill


  • Not sure if it is the same in SA here in VIC we went to the school and enrolled our child and then they sent a letter to say the start date.


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