Supporting successful transitions: Kindergarten to school transition programs on school sites
Importance of kindergarten and transitions programs / Legislative framework and policy / What schools need to consider in their planningKindergarten Programs / What is a kindergarten program?
In Queensland, children attend a kindergarten program in the year before Prep when children are at least 4 year old by 30 June in the year they start. An approved kindergarten program:
- runs for 600 hours a year, or at least 15 hours a week for 40 weeks;
- is delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher who meets ACECQA qualification requirements;
- must be an accredited kindergarten learning program;
- is provided by an approved education and care service which is regulated under the Education and Care Services National Law.
A state school cannot deliver a kindergarten program unless it is authorised under the National Law or authorised under the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006.
The Act authorises the Minister to prescribe state schools to deliver a ‘pre-preparatory learning program’ and this enables the delivery of pre-Prep by:
•the School of Distance Education to deliver eKindy
•28 state schools in discrete Indigenous communities. / Can a state school invite a third party to deliver a kindergarten program from the state school?
As kindergarten participation is subsidised by the Queensland Government, anyone who wishes to deliver a kindergarten program must seek approval and meet the national requirements for the delivery of that program before approval is given. In addition, there has to be evidence of a need for the new program i.e. more demand for places than the current local providers can deliver.
If a state school believes that the local community does not have enough kindergarten places to meet demand, the school needs to have this validated by the Division of Early Childhood Education and Care. If there is an under-supply of places, the school would need to go out to tender to identify and select a suitable provider.
It is important to remember that Queensland kindergartens are based on a cost sharing model where the approved provider, parents and the Queensland Government share the cost of the kindergarten program.
Transition Programs / Why should schools prioritise transition activities?
When transition to school is well managed through collaborative relationships, children have a much greater chance of better academic, social and emotional outcomes.
Transition activities which provide opportunities for conversations with families are the most direct and effective ways to build knowledge of the child, minimise disruption or stress and be well-prepared for the start of the school year.
Supporting transition to school is a priority for the Department. The Supporting successful transitions: school decision-making tool provides the framework for school planning and action in supporting children’s transition to school. / Why does the family need to be included in transition programs?
It is important that parents/carers are included in transition programs. Research indicates that parents’ aspirations for their children are an important driver for their children’s educational success, and children’s experiences at school can depend on their family’s perceptions of, and relationships with, the school community.
High priority is given to the welfare and safety of young children who are visiting the school and this means that it is critical that parents/carers are present when their children attend a transition activity at school.
The Queensland Education and Care Services Act 2013 enables a program for up to 4 children who are under school age without parents under certain conditions:
- the program is enabled by a third party facilitator
- the program is not funded/delivered by a school
- the educator is not funded/employed by the school.
Family/parenting support programs, playgroups, orientation programs, and information sessions are all examples of activities that assist a successful transition to school.
Transition programs, such as Transition to School Playgroups, complement the kindergarten program. These playgroups can introduce children and carers to the school environment and connect families with other families, building their confidence as a member of their school community.
It is important that transition activities are scheduled so they do not disrupt a child’s completion of 600 hours of kindergarten in the year before Prep.
More Information and related fact sheets
Transition information
Stand-alone care fact sheet
Transition and Partnerships and Innovation Officers
Transition to School Playgroups