Jackanory

Dec 11 2006, 09:37 AM

Hi

We are hoping to be in Frankston South by March 07 and wondered when my little ones would start school. My eldest will be 6 in May and has already done half a year here.

So will he be able to start straight away in March or will he have to wait until the following year as he wont be 6 until May as the cut off is April.

Our youngest will be 5 in July so when would he start? and what would it be, pre-school, nursery, sorry for all the questions :rolleyes:

Promise this is the last, could anyone recommend a good primary school in Frankston South?

Many thanks everyone

Caroline G

Dec 12 2006, 07:23 AM

My son attends a kinder in S.Frankston so I get to hear about the Primary schools from the other Mums (the majority all local and lived in the area for a long time). They have recommended the following public schools that are in the area to me: Derinya, Overport Road, Mt.Eliza North and Mt.Eliza.

There are also some private schools; Peninsula, Toorak College (I think they have just started taking in boys in certain grades)

Re: age starting school. I have found that many parents keep their children back a year if their birthday is close to the April cut off date. My son's birthday is in early Jan but I think he is the youngest child in his kinder group. He's doing fine as it's learning through play based education.

You need to register for a kinder place at the local council so it may be of assistance to contact them. I was lucky when I arrived last Feb as we got a place offering two sessions a week and it's a great kinder. Many expat parents I know could only get one session a week.

I am happy to help with any info on the S.Frankston, Mt.Eliza (comes under Morningtonshire council) area.

This link may help http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/schoolsonline/ and a Melway.

HTH Caroline

Caroline G

Dec 13 2006, 03:54 PM

Hi, I think I've got my head around it!

I have found some more info which states, "Most primary schools start taking enrolments in May each year, for the following year. Children must be five years of age or older by 30 April of the year they start school.

So it looks as if your eldest would start primary school upon your arrival as he is five now, turning six after the 30 April 2007.

See http://www.education.vic.gov.au/aboutschoo...ing/primary.htm

Your younger child would be eligible for 4 year kinder. Starting primary school Jan 2008. The days/hours offered by kinders vary from place to place. The kinder my son is at offers 3 sessions totalling 11hrs a week at age 4. Another I know of in Mt.Eliza offers one full day and two shorter sessions plus extended care.

I know of a private childcare centre in Mt.Eliza that has it's own Kinder program for those parents that work full-time and can't be running all over the place taking their children from kinder to nursery etc. My husbands employer (a university) is linked to two nursery centres and both of those offer a kinder program as well as general day care. It really depends what you want and can pay etc. Again waiting lists are usually long.

I can PM you some contact details of kinders if you're interested.

regards,
Caroline