Prep at Belgian Gardens State School
Prep is an exciting time for you and your child. Prep is the first year of schooling and is a fulltime compulsory program, from Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 3.00pm.
The early years of learning are among the most significant periods of growth for children. Experiences during this time not only affect cognitive, social and physical development, but also deeply influence dispositions to learning and children's views of themselves as learners.
At Belgian Gardens State School the Prep program is designed to cater for each child's interests and needs and to foster a love of learning.
We conduct a Prep to School Transition Program in Term Four each year. Please contact the school for further details.
Read the "I am going to Prep at Belgian Gardens State School" book with your child to find out about starting Prep.
Enrolling in Prep
To enrol your child in Prep for the following year, please contact the school office by phone or email your enquiry to: admin@belgiangardensss.eq.edu.au for your child's information to be added to the prep waiting list.
As Belgian Gardens State School is an enrolled managed school, all families, whether you live in or outside the catchment area, will have their child's details added to our prep waiting list.
In the July prior to the year that your child is eligible to commence Prep, an invitation to attend a "Prep Information Session", will be sent to the address that you provided for the waiting list. It is important that you remember to advise the school, if any of your contact details change so that you do receive the information that is sent out.
At this session valuable information regarding our prep program is explained and the paperwork necessary for enrolment is distributed. Forms to complete and return to the school are:
- Education Queensland Enrolment Form
- Education Queensland Media Consent Form
- Copy of birth certificate
- Proof of Residency (rates notice; electricity bill; unconditional lease agreement)
- Copy of visas (where applicable)
- Copy of any court orders pertaining to your child (where applicable)
- The 'Getting to Know your Child' questionnaire
Early in Term 4, applications are assessed and the process for offers of enrolment is:
- children who reside in the catchment area
- siblings of students who are currently enrolled at the school,
- children who live outside the catchment area will be offered enrolment dependent on available places after step 1 and 2
Preparing for Prep
Starting school is an important time for children and their families - a time of change that can be both challenging and exciting. We know the significance of a positive experience for all, and our 'Transition to Prep' program includes a range of activities, events and initiatives designed to help bridge the gap between kindergarten and school and ensure a successful start for each child.
We welcome and encourage you to attend our transition activities prior to your son or daughter starting school, so you can meet teachers and get to know the facilities.
Kindergarten to Prep Transition
At BGSS we organize a number of events to provide parents and students with specific information and orientation well before the school year commences. The 'Prep Information Session' held in August provides interested parents of pre-school aged children with information about the early year's curriculum and insights into a typical day in Prep. Members of the Prep Team are available to answer questions and help explain the curriculum.
Late in the year prior to starting school, enrolled families are invited to participate in our 'Transition to Prep Program' – a series of four orientation sessions that provide our incoming Prep students with an opportunity to get to know their new environment and look forward to starting school. From a teaching & learning perspective, the visits provide the best possible beginning to a rich and rewarding educational experience
Every care is taken to ensure your child is ready to start school and will be able to adapt to the change. Belgian Gardens Prep teachers may visit your child's kindergarten environment and consult with your child's kindergarten teachers – allowing them to more easily plan for continuity of learning and development. We know that continuity between settings helps children feel secure, confident and connected and ensures that each child has a successful start to school.
Health & Development Checks
At Prep, children will need to be able to see clearly from a distance as well as focus on pictures and texts in books, IPADs or computers, they will need to be able hear and process teacher directions in a room with 24 other children, they will need to be well rested, alert and ready to learn. Consequently, it is timely to do some health checks (where needed) before children start Prep to ensure they have the best possible start.
As vision can change over time, if your child hasn't had a vision check in the last two years, make an appointment with your local optometrist. Most optometrists will bulk-bill this assessment when provided with your Medicare card.
If you have any concerns about your child's hearing, ask your GP or Child Health (44339000) for a referral for hearing assessment.
Parents of children 4-year old can use Queensland Health's Parents' Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS) to check progress and pick up developmental issues in children. Early identification means children can be referred to services that will help ensure they reach their full potential. Contact Child Health (44339000) for more details.
If you have any other concerns about your child's health especially if it is a recurring issue and you feel this is impacting on your child's development please consult with your child's GP or discuss with a Child Health nurse.