November 12, 2021
Parenting
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A child care centre may also be referred to as a preschool centre, kindergarten or early learning centre. Even if the kind of learning that goes on in such centres may seem simplistic (it involves a lot of play-based programs), it does require appropriately qualified teachers.
You are also likely to come across integrated centres, which offer more than just one service to your child. These may include such aspects as early education, preschool, play grounds, health services, family support services and early development.
Basically, such child-centred facilities aim to prepare your child for adult life and, more specifically, entry to primary school.
When Does A Child Start Preschool And Primary School?
The government of South Australia offers clear guidelines on the best time for kids to get into preschool programs. Your child can get into preschool within the same year that he/she turns four years old, if he/she turn four years old before May 1. This will allow him/her to get in the first term. However, your child would have to wait for the following year in order to join preschool, if her/his fourth year birthday falls either on May 1 or after.
After going through preschool, your child would benefit from that much-needed preparation that would help him/her smoothly transition into primary school. This transition to primary school should be done by the time such a child has attained six years of age.
Just as in the case of preschool, the government of South Australia offers clear guidelines on the best time for kids to get into primary school. Your child can get into a primary school within the same year that he/she turns six years old, if he/she turn six years old before May 1. This will allow him/her to get in the first term. However, your child would have to wait for the following year in order to join primary school, if her/his sixth year birthday falls either on May 1 or after.
The Process Of Transitioning To Primary School
There are many aspects that can pose a challenge to kids and parents when children are transitioning from child care, on to preschool and finally to primary school. Parents need to understand the numerous aspects that can cause stress in their children, starting from the intimidating buildings to older kids in the playground. The rules can also be quite challenging to cope with as well as the formal setup.
To help deal with such challenges, several strategies can be used to give young children a better transitioning process:
– Prior visits to the school can be organized for a period of several weeks. This will help kids get used to such new environments.
– Such visits to schools can be made even more comprehensive, by taking the child around the new school, which gives an even better familiarization experience. This would help the child identify various features within the facility, such as toilets and playgrounds.
– Prior visits are made even richer and more meaningful by involving teachers and other children within the school.
