Early Years learning

Enrolment
Children may be enrolled in Prep if they turn 5 by June 30th in the year they start school. 

Children who are younger than this may enrol if they turn 5 by the 31st July in the year of proposed attendance and if the Principal is satisfied that the child is ready for Prep having regard to their attributes (including ability, aptitude, social and emotional competence, physical development and level of knowledge and understanding).  It has been found however that most children do benefit by waiting the extra year before enrolling. 
Mini Finnies
In recent years St Finbarr’s has developed and offered a program to prepare young children for successful transition into the Prep year.  This program runs every Friday morning from 9.00am until 11.00am during Term 3 and Term 4.  Parents need to accompany their child whilst at Mini Finnies.  The program is available for all young children whether or not they intend enrolling at St Finbarr’s for Prep the next year.
How can I prepare my child for school?
  • Encourage your child to experiment with various art and craft materials and equipment.
  • Encourage your child to explore different ways to organise areas, e.g. their bedroom, play area, cubby.
  • Read together and talk about everyday items such as signs, notices, letters, catalogues, magazines, TV guides, food packaging and bills.
  • Read and talk frequently about storybooks, factual books and rhymes.
  • Make available a variety of materials and containers for measuring such things as water, grain and sand
  • Involve your child in family activities that investigate mathematical ideas, e.g. cooking, setting the table, matching socks.
  • Provide “junk” materials for drawing, making patterns, and building things.
  • Encourage your child to ask questions about going to school
  • Help your child stay healthy. Make sure they have regular health and dental checks and keep immunisations up to date.
  • Encourage your child to try to do things on their own such as dressing, going to the toilet, washing their hands, unwrapping their food and opening and closing their drink bottle.
  • Attend transition-to-school programs and activities at your child’s early years service and school.
  • Talk to the school about how you can engage in your child’s learning and development at school.
  • Share information about your child with the teacher.  This information is always confidential
  • Show your child where the school is and talk about how you will get there.
  • Arrange play-times with other families whose children will be going to the same school as your child. It helps if your child knows another child at their school at the start of prep.
  • Practice the things your child will need to do to get ready for school (e.g. putting things in their bag, remembering to take a hat).
  • Be positive about starting school and enjoy your child’s excitement. 
The First Day of School
  • Help your child to organise their clothes, hat, shoes and socks the night before.
  • Help your child to pack their school bag with a snack, drink, lunch and a hat.
  • Place a spare pair of underpants and a change of clothes in a plastic bag. Let your child know these clothes are in their bag in case of any accidents at school. 
  • Make sure your child knows who will take them to school and pick them up on the first day.
  • Put sunscreen on your child in the morning.
  • Encourage your child to be independent including carrying their own bag into school and putting their lunch in the fridge.
  • At the end of the day talk to your child about what happened at school.
The First Year of School
  • Find out about what your child is learning at school. By doing this, you can support your child’s learning and find out how your child is adjusting to school.
  • Attend assemblies and classroom presentations.
  • Become involved in all school activities and meetings.
  • Read the school newsletter and notes home.
  • If your child is having difficulty at school, talk to their teacher. Your child can also say what they think might help them.
  • Keep talking to your child about school. Ask them about their new experiences, what they like and what they find hard.
  • Share feedback about your child’s experience of starting school with the school.