Kindergarten Transition

Welcome to Kindergarten. The following video 'A day in the life of Kindy' is all about our school and what a typical day in Kindergarten might look like. Please take the time to watch and share with your children. Buildings connections between home and school is a great way to help your child get ready for school. We can't wait to have you start school with us at Oakhill Drive PS.

Kindergarten is an important year of schooling as children formally begin to develop their literacy and numeracy skills. Our whole school community will help your child adjust to school and help them to feel comfortable.

When to start school?

Your child can start Kindergarten at the beginning of the school year if they turn five on or before 31 July in that year. By law, all children must start school by their sixth birthday. When to start your child at school is an individual decision. You may want to discuss this with us or with your child's preschool teacher, carer or doctor.

Transition to school

We have a set of planned activities to assist your child to make a smooth transition to Kindergarten. Research indicates that children who settle quickly into school are more likely to be socially competent and achieve better results. Contact us to find out about our activities and how you can be involved.

As part of our school's Transition Program for next year's Kindergarten students we will be running a series of orientation visits. It is important that your child attends all scheduled visits. This helps with settling into school.

During the program, children will be involved in a variety of activities and will go on "mini-excursions" around our school. It is envisaged that through the program the children will become familiar with our school and its playground, routines and staff. It will also provide a very valuable opportunity for our teachers to get to know the children and their needs before starting school in the new year.

Children are asked to bring morning tea, a drink and a hat for when they play outside.

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. Our Kindergarten teachers have always observed their new students and used different methods to find out what each child knows so that they can plan and teach what their students need to learn next. All government schools take part in Best Start, which has been developed by early learning experts in the Department of Education and Training. Best Start gives our teachers, and those teaching Kindergarten across New South Wales, a common set of high quality assessment tools and professional training. We believe that Best Start 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 Best Start Kindergarten Assessment is not a test. Its purpose is to help the teacher gather information to guide the teaching of your child. The teacher will observe each child and use tasks, such as talking about a book that has been read, and record what their students know and can do. The teaching of your child will be based on the information gathered in these ways. You'll be given feedback about what your child's teacher has learned about your child, which you are welcome to discuss, if you wish, in keeping with our usual practice.

What are we looking for?

The teacher will look at your child's early reading and writing, their ability to communicate with others, and how they recognise and work with numbers, groups and patterns.

When will your child participate in Best Start?

You will be given information that allows you to book a time and day before school starts in the new year. Each Best Start appointment will last between 30- 40 minutes and will be conducted at our school. After this assessment, your child can go home. Classes WILL NOT be graded based on the Best Start Results.

Best Start 2023 assessments (session time to be allocated)

Best Start Literacy

Best Start Numeracy

Kindergarten students playing in the play equipment

Buddy program

To promote a smooth transition to school, the Kindergarten/Year 6 Buddy Program successfully develops a very special relationship between the eldest and youngest members of Oakhill Drive. The students meet up weekly for an organised activity that may include doing art, reading, learning how to play a sport or just simply chatting.