Availability and Access
1. My child has a disability. When is my child able to attend Prep?
2. Can children with disabilities repeat their Prep year?
3. What are Prep options for children with disabilities?
Enrolment and Attendance
4. When must my child with a disability start in compulsory education?
6. Does my Prep-aged child with disabilities have to attend a full-time program, five full days a week?
Curriculum and Learning
9. Will my child have support from a teacher aide?
10. Is there any information on Early Special Education session times for Prep-aged children?
1. My child has a disability. When is my child able to attend Prep?
Your child will be eligible to attend full time Prep if they turn five by 30 June in the year of attendance. You can find out when your child is eligible to attend Prep on this website.
2. Can children with disabilities repeat their Prep year?
Yes. Attending Prep for two years may be considered for children who would benefit educationally from a second year of Prep education.
The decision to do two years of the Preparatory Year is made in consultation with parents/carers, Prep teachers, school administrators and other relevant professionals.
3. What are Prep options for children with disabilities?
Students with a disability who are of eligible age to attend Prep will be included in local Prep classes, wherever possible. This reflects the government's committments to providing inclusive education for all students.
There are a range of options for students with disabilities of Prep eligible age dependent on educational support needs. These include attendance at a full-time Prep program with support from specialist teachers, attendance at a combined Prep and Early Childhood Development Program and, for a small number of children, attendance for an individualised program at an Early Childhood Development Program or special school (approved to provide early childhood development programs).
Advice re the options in your local district can be sought from the Principal of the local state school and/or the Principal Education Officer (Student Services) based in the district office.
4. When must my child with a disability start in compulsory education?
Children need to be attending school in the year they turn six by June 30.
5. If my preparatory-aged child repeats Prep, will that be counted as the first 2 semesters of the 24 semester allocation of state education?
The basic allocation is 24 semesters.
A student who begins in education in Year 1 at a state school before the student turns 71/2 years has the basic allocation of 24 semesters. This allocation is irrespective of the student's prior enrolment in the Preparatory Year or a special education program.
6. Does my Prep-aged child with disabilities have to attend a full-time program, five full days a week?
There are a range of options for students with disabilities of Prep eligible age dependent on educational support needs. These include attendance at a full-time Prep program with support from specialist teachers, attendance at a combined Prep and Early Childhood Development Program and, for a small number of children, attendance for an individualised program at an Early Childhood Development Program or special school (approved to provide early childhood development programs).
In considering these options there may be some children with medical conditions, anxiety disorders and/or severe disabilities that would find it difficult to attend full-time. In these cases, please discuss your child's needs with your local Principal.
7. My child has a disability and has not attended an early special education program. What is the process that I need to follow to alert the school of my child 's needs?
When you approach your local school to enrol your child in Prep, you should discuss any additional needs your child might have with the Principal.
8. My child is not yet Prep-aged, has a disability and currently attends an Early Childhood Development program. How will I know that classroom support has been arranged and available from day one in Prep?
Staff of early childhood development programs, liaise with schools at points of transition to assist student entry into school. However, please discuss any additional needs your child has with the Principal when you enrol your child in Prep. It is best to approach the school in the year before you are intending your child to attend. It is vital that schools have information abour your child's needs provided from a parent/carer perspective.
9.Will my child have support from a teacher aide?
Regional/district staff, principals and school-based staff working together will ensure that the Prep program is able to adequately respond to the needs of Prep-aged students with disabilities. Regional and district offices are responsible for distributing human and physical resources to meet these needs.
Teacher aide support is provided to all Prep classes. Discuss the teacher aide support arrangements of your specific school with the Principal.
10. Is there any information on Early Special Education session times for Prep-aged children?
Children of eligible age may attend a fullt-time non compulsory Preparatory Year of education before starting Year 1. Children with disabilities may access a range of options as described in Question 3 above.
Where a child is attending a combined Prep program and Early Childhood Development Program the full-time attendance across both locations will be determined and may be adjusted, if required, throughout the year according to the educational needs of the child.
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