Starting Kindergarten
Starting school is a big step for children and families. Our school runs orientation and transition activities to help your child feel ready for Kindergarten and to support you as parents and carers.
Read the Getting ready for primary school guide for detailed tips and checklists.
Our Kindergarten transition program
At Oatley Public School, we highly value providing a smooth and positive start to school. Our transition program supports children and families by working in partnership with parents and carers, preschools and teachers to ensure every child feels confident and ready for Kindergarten.
Our transition to school includes:
Preschool connections
We engage in professional conversations with preschool educators at local preschools, such as Red Bear, Minooka and Arndu, and and our Learning Support team conduct on-site observation visits when needed to support each child’s transition.
Local preschool visits
We invite our local preschools to visit throughout the year, offering additional transition experiences that add a personalised touch and help build strong early connections between home and school.
Parent Information Sessions and Transition mornings
Across two days late in Term 3/early Term 4, our future Kindergarten students join in classroom experiences while parents attend information sessions.
Play and Connect sessions
During these sessions, our future Kindergarten students get to know each other during fun developmental play activities. Parents/carers can use this time to also make some new connections with each other.
What to expect in Kindergarten
Learning and development
Kindergarten follows the NSW curriculum. Children build early skills in literacy, numeracy, creative arts, health and physical activity, science and technology. Learning through play also supports social, emotional and academic growth.
Daily Routines
Children learn routines such as morning arrival, snack and lunch breaks, lining up, using bubblers and moving safely around the school. Teachers guide children as they settle in, but practising at home helps.
Best Start Assessment
At the start of the year, all Kindergarten children take part in the Best Start Assessment. This is a friendly, one-on-one activity where teachers learn about your child’s literacy and numeracy skills. It is not a test and needs no preparation.
Getting Ready at home
You can help your child get ready by encouraging independence and routines, such as packing and unpacking their school bag, dressing themselves and practising hygiene, and following simple routines at home. For more advice, see the Getting ready for primary school guide.
Including our community
We greatly value our parent/carer community's thoughts. We asked our Kindergarten 2026 parents what they wanted their children to be supported to develop when they come to Oatley Public School.
Daisy's First Day
To help get your child ready for Kindergarten, introduce them to Daisy and learn together about her very first day at Primary School.
Daisy's First Day eBook - Read all about Daisy's first day and all the fun adventures she has at big school.
Colouring sheets - Print and colour in different scenes and characters from Daisy's first day.
Cut-out puzzle - Help your child piece together this jigsaw scene taken from Daisy's First Day.
Watch the video below together with your child and find out how many fun adventures Daisy has on her very first day of Primary School.
