Preparatory Year Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility and access
- What's changed for Queensland schools?
- Why has the Government introduced a Preparatory Year?
- Why is the Government increasing the school starting age
- Is Prep compulsory?
- When can children enrol in the Preparatory Year and Year 1?
- Can children turning 5 after 30 June enrol in Prep?
- Can children with a disability attend Prep?
1. What's changed for Queensland schools?
All Queensland children of eligible age can attend a full-time Preparatory Year of education before starting Year 1. The Preparatory Year is non-compulsory and is available at schools offering primary education. It is the first year in the Early Phase of Learning, which includes Prep to Year 3.
Children need to be five by 30 June in the year they enrol in Prep.
From 2008 the age of compulsory schooling increased by six months so that children must be enrolled in school in the year they will turn six by 30 June. This means that Queensland children will be starting school at about the same age as children in other states.
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2. Why has the Government introduced a Preparatory Year?
An independent review of the Preparatory Year trial in 2003 indicated that the preparatory program is highly successful in promoting children 's social-emotional development and their communication, numeracy, literacy and motor skills.
Prep gives every young Queenslander the very best start to school by setting them on the path to lifelong learning and helping them make a smooth transition to Year 1.
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3. Why has the Government increased the school starting age?
Increasing the starting age for Year 1 brings Queensland's education system more into line with other Australian states and territories.
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4. Is Prep compulsory?
The Preparatory Year is not compulsory. Parents may choose to keep their children at home or to send them to an alternative early childhood education and care service. The Preparatory Year is available for those parents who want their children to participate in a full-time education program at a school.
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5. When can children enrol in the Preparatory Year and Year 1?
Children need to be five by 30 June in the year they enrol in Prep.
| 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
| Child born 1 July 2002
to 30 June 2003 | Prep | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 | Yr 4 | Yr 5 | Yr 6 | Yr 7 |
Child born 1 July 2003
to 30 June 2004 | | Prep | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 | Yr 4 | Yr 5 | Yr 6 |
Child born 1 July 2004
to 30 June 2005 | | | Prep | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 | Yr 4 | Yr 5 |
Child born 1 July 2005
to 30 June 2006 | | | | Prep | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 | Yr 4 |
Child born 1 July 2006
to 30 June 2007 | | | | | Prep | Yr 1 | Yr 2 | Yr 3 |
Child born 1 July 2007
to 30 June 2008 | | | | | | Prep | Yr 1 | Yr 2 |
Child born 1 July 2008
to 30 June 2009 | | | | | | | Prep | Yr 1 |
Child born 1 July 2009
to 30 June 2010 | | | | | | | | Prep |
* Preschool closed at the end of 2006. Community kindergartens and other early childhood providers offer programs for children prior to enrolment in Prep.
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6. Can children turning 5 after 30 June enrol in Prep?
Children must be five by 30 June in year of enrolment. Special consideration may be given to children from interstate or overseas who meet legislated criteria.
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7. Can children with a disability attend Prep?
Children with disabilities, who are of eligible age, are included in Prep classes wherever possible.
Children with high support needs who cannot be supported in their local Prep class continue to be eligible for highly specialised programs for example, in early childhood intervention programs such as the Early Childhood Development Program.
Parents are encouraged to talk to their local school about their child's enrolment in Prep.
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