What is the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment?

Children come to school with different levels of literacy and numeracy. Some are familiar with books, can recognise some letters, even write their name or count to ten, while others have not yet learned these skills.

The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment gives our teachers, and those teaching Kindergarten across all schools in the Diocese of Wollongong, a common set of high-quality assessment tools. We believe that the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment will build on the strengths of our teachers and give your child an even better start to school.

Your child and the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment

It is very important to emphasise that the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment is NOT a test. The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment provides teachers with the opportunity to sit with your child one on one, focusing on what they can do. It is designed to show teachers the literacy and numeracy skills of each student at the beginning of Kindergarten. This helps teachers to plan lessons to best support the learning needs of every child.

Best Start Kindergarten Assessment Schedule

The Best Start Kindergarten Assessment will be administered in the first week of Term 1 2024, from Wednesday 31 January to Tuesday 6 February. Your child will attend an assessment session of one hour on a designated day. Your appointment information will be forthcoming in Term 4 2023.

Due to the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment schedule, there will be a delayed start to school for Kindergarten students. Full daily attendance for all Kindergarten students in the Diocese of Wollongong will begin on Wednesday 7 February 2024.

Telephone Interpreter Service

If you need an interpreter to assist you to contact the school, please call the Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. The interpreter will call the school and will stay on the line to assist with the conversation. You will not be charged for this service.

With all good wishes for the best possible start to your child’s education.