As the school year begins this morning, an increasing number of Queensland parents are delaying their child’s first year of schooling, citing concerns their four-year-olds are not ready to start prep.
Prep was initially optional but become compulsory in Queensland in 2017. Education Department figures show the rate of delayed entry rose from 1.5% in 2010 to 6.9% in 2018.
People who delay their child’s entry to prep are often concerned about their child’s social and emotional development, however parents are encouraged to pay attention to a child’s vocabulary and their ability to pay attention when considering delaying prep.