[Debbie]

My son's preschool is starting to put together records of transfer ready for when he goes to primary school. Has anyone needed one of these for a NZ primary.

Could any NZ primary teachers tell me what sort of information they would like to have included. The preschool customises them to cover our local schools requiraments so if I know what sort of things will be looked for I will try and get that info included.

Also can anyone shed any light on what he will be expected to know before starting school. It seems that for reception class here he has to be able to use numbers 1-20 , recognise the alphabet and be up on his social skills. He still holds his pen like he is going to stab you with it and can't write with out assistance. I'm OK with this but if it will make him stand out as being behind his peers when we move to NZ I will try and do some prep work with him.

Thanks Debbie

[sizzlingbadger]

Hi Debbie

I wouldn't worry about your son not being able to write without assistance. His teacher will soon sort that one out.

My son has just started school at the age of 5 and he could write his name and a few other letters unaided but came unstuck with other letters. His teacher is great and is teaching him how to write properly. He's fantastic at writing a mirror image of what he's supposed to be writing the correct way, we're just hoping this is just because he can and not because of problem, his teacher is aware and is keeping an eye on him which makes me feel relieved.

I know of a child who has just started who couldn't count to 20, had no idea his alphabet let alone write his name, within a couple of weeks he was doing all of these things and more :)

Seems the kindys here do a profile for each child but these don't have to be shown to the teachers. I'm not sure if they do something unseen by us or not though.

[shagen]

My daughter will be turning five in April and ready for school in the second term. No the kindy does not prepare any materials for her to take along to the primary school. We have enrolled her and all that were needed was proof of residence, vaccination certificate and complete the relevant forms from the school.


In any event, she will making a couple of school visits (half-day visits) before she actual starts primary school. This is to help her familiarise herself with the school, teachers, etc.