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Get ready for Kindergarten
Get ready for Kindergarten
If your child attends an early childhood education service, talk to staff about their transition to school.
Attend a school orientation or transition to school program and make sure you have the school’s phone number.
If you need help with English ask for an interpreter to be present at the orientation meeting. The school will arrange one if available. Contact the school for an enrolment pack.
Take your child to your local community health nurse or doctor for a health check and make sure their immunisations are up to date before school starts. Visit health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation for details.
If your child takes medication or has an allergy, a medical condition, disability or additional learning and support needs, inform the school as early as possible and make an appointment to speak with school staff.
Apply for a school Opal card if needed. Go to transport.nsw.gov.au/ssts or phone 131 500.
Organise outside of school hours care.
Practise safely walking or travelling to and from school.
Talk about the plan for after school pickup.
Continue reading to your child.
Ask the school if there are any school-specific apps or social media groups that you could join to help you connect with other parents or get updates on school activities.
Before you start
Before you start
Enrolment
Enrolment
Schools can help with enrolment questions throughout the year. You may need to attend an interview with the principal. There you can discuss any medical conditions or other special circumstances before your child starts school. The school may develop a health care plan or a behaviour support plan to best support your child’s needs.
Budgeting for new costs
Budgeting for new costs
Schools usually provide most things Kindergarten students will use in the classroom, but starting school may require new items such as uniforms and school shoes. It may be helpful to check with your child's school so you can budget for the items your child will need.
Voluntary school contributions
Voluntary school contributions
All NSW public schools can request contributions to enhance educational and sporting programs including elective subjects. School contributions help provide additional educational resources for the benefit of all students. Payment is voluntary.
Telephone Interpreter Service
Telephone Interpreter Service
If you would like more information and you need an interpreter, please call the Telephone Interpreter Service on 131 450 and ask for an interpreter in your language. Tell the operator the phone number you want to call and the operator will get an interpreter on the line to assist you with the conversation. You will not be charged for this service.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance
If you are unable to pay school contributions because of financial hardship, you may be eligible for assistance from the school. The principal will ensure no student or family suffers any discrimination or embarrassment over the inability to pay school contributions.
Useful activities to try in the lead-up to starting Kindergarten
Useful activities to try in the lead-up to starting Kindergarten
Support your child to develop independence using the bathroom – including urinals for boys – and practise good hand-washing techniques.
Write your child’s name on all their school things and involve your child in organising them and recognising their name. Make sure your child’s name is not visible on the outside of anything they’ll be wearing to and from school.
If you live close to the school, go for a walk together and practise crossing roads safely.
Try this!
Try this!
Set up a play date for your child to play with a friend.
Check out the local library and let your child choose books to borrow. ٚ
Take a ball to a park to throw, catch and kick together.
Organise a picnic with a packed lunch and encourage your child to open it and eat the food by themselves. ٚ
Read Daisy’s First Day (education.nsw.gov.au/daisy) or a book about starting school together.
Practise
Practise
Putting on their school shoes and walking in them.
Dressing in their school uniform. ٚ
Writing alphabet letters. ٚ
Drinking from bubblers. ٚ
Cutting and pasting pictures from a magazine and drawing pictures.
The big day
The big day
The first day of Kindergarten is a big event in your child’s life – and that of your entire family.
To help you make the most of the day and enjoy the experience, here are some helpful tips.
The night before
The night before
Lay out your child’s clothes, shoes and socks.
Make your child’s morning tea and lunch and put it in the fridge.
Help your child pack their school bag.
Pack a spare pair of underpants, socks and a change of clothes. Let your child know these are there in case they have any toilet accidents at school.
On the day
On the day
Be confident with your child and let them dress themselves as much as possible.
Tie back or plait long hair.
Apply sunscreen and get your child to wear their hat on the way to school.
Don’t forget to take photos.
Pick your child up on time.
All of the information on this page can be found at this website.
© State of New South Wales (Department of Education), 2021
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