Kindergarten – here I come!

This year, 22,930 kids are expected to start Kindergarten in public schools across Western Australia.

Like many primary schools, South Thornlie Primary School is preparing for a new intake of Kindergarten students for 2024.

That one school is expecting close to 60 part-time students this year. 

Starting Kindergarten can be an exciting and emotional time for you and your child.  

Kindergarten is the first experience your child will have of school. It’s a great foundation year to spark their curiosity for learning.

South Thornlie Primary School Deputy Principal, Jacqueline Bell, said Kindergarten is an important foundation year; it gives a child a chance to settle in and establish a sense of belonging within school.

“It’s not just a big step for the child, but also for the parent,” she said.  

“Building those relationships and foundations is the best way to start and build the connection between home and school.” 

“Some of the ways we start to build these connections is encouraging them to come in to school, finding their interests, working on their strengths, and then talking to the families about what works best for them and making it work for everyone.”

Tips to help your child transition to Kindergarten  

Build independence at home and in your morning routine  

Get your child to open and close their lunchbox, pack their bag and start using their drink bottle. Practise getting dressed in the morning and putting on shoes that are easy for your child to put on and take off.

Help your child manage going to the toilet by themselves. Practise to undo, pull down and do up their clothes, flush the toilet and wash their hands, all by themselves.

Talk positively about school 

Talk about your great experiences and memories from school. Start to talk with your child about school:

• what it will look like 
• where they’re going  
• that they will make new friends  
• that they will learn new things and have lots of fun.  

Try to get a good night’s sleep  

Children need a good night’s sleep for their brain to be engaged and ready to learn. It is recommended that children aged 3-5 years get 10-13 hours of sleep a night.

Read books together  

Reading together helps your child learn that written words have meaning and can give lots of enjoyment. This helps them learn about reading and writing.

Try to relax and enjoy this time with your child 

If you feel calm and show you are happy about your child starting school, they’ll feel happier too. If you are feeling worried or concerned, contact your school for support or speak with a qualified healthcare professional.

We value working together with parents and families as critical partners in student learning outcomes. If you have concerns about your child speak with their teacher or principal.

To enrol, children must be four years old by 30 June in the year they attend Kindergarten.

For more information and tips visit Starting school.