Access keys | Skip to primary navigation | Skip to secondary navigation | Skip to content | Skip to footer |
Problems viewing this site
Link to Queensland Government (www.qld.gov.au)
Home | Site map | Contact us | for
Department of Education, Training and Employment
DET procedure register > Student management and support >

Version: 5.2

SMS-PR-007: Variation to School Age Entry Enrolment

This procedure outlines practices associated with approval of variations to school age entry when a child or a student's ability, aptitude and developmental capabilities suggest that an alternative placement to regular age-based enrolment is required to maximise their learning. Alternative enrolments include early entry to Year 1, early entry to the Preparatory Year, flexibility to delay entry to the Preparatory Year and repeating the Preparatory Year.

Relevant legislation and policy

 Legislation and/or regulations Substantive policy Related procedures

Statement of intent

Consideration of children's education and development capabilities at the time of school entry should inform enrolment decisions. Variations to school age enrolment may be approved when specific criteria outlined in the Education (General Provisions) Regulation 2006 have been met.

A child reaches compulsory school age when they are at least 6 years and 6 months and it ends when the child turns 16 years or completes Year 10, whichever is sooner.  Parents of compulsory school aged children have a legal obligation to ensure that their children are enrolled in school and attend for every day of the educational program in which they are enrolled.  Enrolment in, and full-time attendance at, Prep fulfils this obligation where a student is of compulsory school age. A young person's compulsory participation phase  starts when s/he stops being of compulsory school age and ends when the person -

Decisions relating to early entry and delayed entry to school settings or repeating the Preparatory Year (Prep) must be documented in writing; detailing relevant team members (parents, school staff) involved, evidence looked at, facts relied upon and reasons for the decision as per LGS-PR-006: Decision-making and Responding to a Request for Reasons for a Decision.

All Queensland children are eligible to attend a full-time Prep when they attain the age of 5 years by 30 June in the year they propose to attend Prep. Participation in a Preparatory program of schooling is not compulsory.

Variations to school age entry enrolment include the following four situations:

(1) Early Entry to Preparatory Year
Early entry to Prep is a strategy for maximising continuity of learning for children on transfer across Australia and internationally. Children who are younger than the age prescribed for Prep in Queensland (aged 5 years by 30 June in the year they propose to attend Prep) may be enrolled in Prep only if the Principal's supervisor (i.e. Executive Director (Schools)) is satisfied the child:

(2) Early Entry to Year 1
Early entry to Year 1 is a strategy for meeting the educational and developmental needs of young children. Children who are younger than the age prescribed for Year 1 in Queensland (aged 6 years by 30 June in the year they propose to attend Year 1) may be enrolled in Year 1 if the Principal's supervisor (i.e. Executive Director (Schools)) is satisfied the child meets the required criteria to be enrolled, having regard to the child's attributes, which include the child's aptitude and ability, social and emotional competence, physical development and level of knowledge and understanding.

(3) Repeating the Preparatory Year
Repeating Prep is an option for students  for whom, it is considered educational and developmental benefits would be gained from participation in a second year of Preparatory education.

The decision to repeat the Prep Year is made: following consideration of evidence of the student's attributes. If the student is also attending an Early Childhood Development Program (ECDP) it is particularly important that prior to any decision, full consultation and discussion occurs between the school Principal responsible for the ECDP and the school Principal providing a Prep program (if different to the ECDP), parents, Prep teachers, and the Head of Special Education Services who may be involved in the delivery of programs or services to the student.

If parents and/or non-state school staff seek to repeat the Prep year for a student in a dual enrolment between an ECDP and a non-state school Prep Year program, prior discussion and approval must occur with the state school principal and the Head of Special Education Services for the ECDP if ongoing dual enrolment is sought.  It is essential the Principal Education Officer, Student Services be informed by the state school principal of the outcome via the Modified Form D. 

However, it should be noted that, if participation in a second year of Prep means that the child will be at least 7 years and 6 months before beginning Year 1; this may affect their remaining allocation of semesters of state education.

(4) Flexibility to delay entry to the Preparatory Year for children who have not previously been enrolled in the Preparatory Year
The Principal makes the decision to enrol a child who turns, or is already of, compulsory school age (6 years 6 months) in Prep where:

In making the decision, Principals should consult with parents, Prep teachers, school administrators and the Head of Special Education Services who may be involved in the delivery of programs or services to the child.

Enrolment in and full-time attendance at Prep of a child turning compulsory school age, or who is already compulsory school age, is deemed to comply with compulsory schooling requirements. An exemption from compulsory schooling requirements is therefore not necessary. However, it should be noted that, if such delayed entry means that the child will be at least 7 years and 6 months before beginning Year 1; this may affect their remaining allocation of semesters of state education.  

Responsibilities

Principals:

Early entry to the Preparatory Year or Year 1

Flexibility to delay entry to the Preparatory Year

Repeating the Preparatory Year

Executive Directors (Schools):

For early entry to Year 1, the child is ready to be enrolled in Year 1 of schooling, having regard to the child's attributes (that include the child's aptitude and ability, and social and emotional competence, and physical development, and level of knowledge and understanding).

Parents:

Forms

Guidelines

Not Applicable

Other relevant documents

Contacts

For general information, contact:

Principal Advisor, Education Services
Central Queensland Emerald
Phone:
(07) 4983 7561
Fax:
(07) 4983 7550
Principal Advisor, Education Services
Metropolitan Region
Phone:
(07) 3422 8351
Fax:
(07) 3349 8647
Principal Advisor, Education Services
North Coast Murrumba
Phone:
(07) 3881 9618
Fax:
(07) 3881 9630
Principal Advisor, Education Services
Metro North Primary
Phone:
(07) 3350 7870
Fax:
(07) 3350 7894
Principal Advisor, Education Services
North Queensland Region
Phone:
(07) 4726 3162
Fax:
(07) 4726 3100
Principal Advisor, Education Services
North Coast Bundaberg
Phone:
(07) 4154 0316
Fax:
(07) 4153 1212
Principal Advisor, Education Services
Metropolitan Region
Phone:
(07) 3280 1987
Fax:
(07) 3280 1048

For further information, contact:

Senior Policy Officer
Government Liaison and Projects
Phone:
(07) 3247 3396
Fax:
(07) 3237 0577

Document information

 Approval record: TRIM 09/147210
Date of implementation: 2011-10-13
Date of publication: 2011-10-13
Date to be reviewed: 2011-08-24
This procedure replaces:
Uncontrolled copy. Please refer to Education Policy and Procedure Register at http://iwww.qed.qld.gov.au/strategic/eppr/ for latest version.
Uncontrolled copy. Please refer to Education Policy and Procedure Register at http://education.qld.gov.au/strategic/eppr/ for latest version.

^ Top of page

Copyright | Disclaimer | Privacy | Access keys | Other languagesOther languages

© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2006.

Queensland Government