Transition to school has an impact on a child’s educational trajectory.

A successful transition to school requires more than academic skills.

It requires social, emotional, communication, and motor skills.

GPs have a role in partnering with schools and supporting families to:

• Find early learning opportunities like playgroup and preschool (Starting Blocks)
• Access supports if there are concerns about their child’s development (Where and how to refer)
• Delay school start if a child is not ready (children in NSW should start school by the year they turn six)
• Enrol and attend kindergarten orientation (NSW Department of Education Parents and Carers Hub)
• Communicate with their school if additional supports are required (Enrolling and starting primary school: children with disability)
• Ensure their child is ready (Starting School: preparing children)

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Further links:

Children with disability have the right to go to school alongside their peers: Reimagine Australia Ready, Set, School! resource

Starting School (NSW Department of Education)

Playgroup NSW

Find your local school

Transition to School Resource

Crunch&Sip

Conversations for Collaboration

Early intervention: where and how to refer

These articles are written by members of the ‘Stronger Seeds, Taller Trees’ project which includes professionals from a number of government and non-government organisations in South Western Sydney. The group aims to support GPs working with families to navigate and access timely services when they have a concern about a child’s development.