Prep
Remember your first day of school? I hardly remember any of mine anymore, but I do remember today. Today was my first day of Prep.
Since the Queensland Government first started talking about replacing Preschool with Prep in 2003/2004 it has been the subject of much debate throughout the State. I was always anti-prep, mostly because I saw it as a huge waste of time and money from the Government, as the whole reason other states, like Victoria, have Prep is as a ‘go between’ year. If Preschoolers aren’t ready for Year 1, they go to Prep.
The beauty of Preschool was the fact that it was only half the week, and sometimes not even full days. Now, while Prep is not enforceable as full time, this is what Education Queensland has to say about those children who don’t want to attend full time.
Part-time attendance has the potential to significantly limit continuity of learning, and may also interfere with the development of positive social interactions, friendships, independence and confidence in the school environment.
If everyone else at Prep is attending full time, then this is right, it will, but if you’re increasing the age you have to be to get into Prep, then what is there left for the children born after June?
This is the main problem with the Prep year, and it something that has angered many parents.
To be honest, the curriculum sounds great. Learning through play, inquiry based learning, etc. These are all great ways to teach kid, and children that age get a lot out of learning like that. Really, that philosophy and those teaching methods should be carried out not just in early childhood years and primary school, but is secondary as well. It could be very beneficial. “Real World Learning”, it has a ring to it, and reminisces to a few different courses available when I was in high school.
Prep should definitely be about preparing students for year 1. They need preparation for a big step like that!
But the Queensland Government has gone about Prep the wrong way. Shorter days or weeks at the beginning of the year would be a big help. My Preppies today were exhausted and were begging me to have a rest. We gave up after a while and spent the last hour or more of the day laying on the carpet, under the fans (not me - I wish - the kids). It was nice, and relaxing and good for a break. They get a day off tomorrow while the other half of Prep arrives, but they’re all there on Wednesday to start classes. We’ll see how this year pans out. Hopefully the best!
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January 29 2007 09:45 pm | Education and School
