The Queensland Parliament recently made important changes to the Education (General Provisions) Act 2006. From 2017, it will be compulsory for all Queensland children to undertake the Preparatory (Prep) Year, prior to entering Year 1. The legislation identifies specific exceptions that can be determined by principals on a case-by-case basis. To minimise disruption to schools and families, the new requirement will not apply to children already enrolled in Year 1 for 2017.
Prep is a full-time program that runs five days per week. The target prep class size is 25 children.
Prep is available to all children of eligible age and there are no waiting lists. Children need to be 5 by 30 June in the year they enrol in Prep. To determine when your child can commence their prep year, use the Prep enrolments link in Related Links.
Delayed start to Prep
It is not compulsory for your child to attend the Prep year as soon as they are old enough—5 by 30 June in the year they enrol. You can delay their entry by 1 year if you feel they are not ready, but when they start school, they will still start in the Prep year.
Parents who decide to delay their child’s start in Prep may choose to keep their child at home, or in an: