Starting school is a big step…
In Victoria, your child must turn five by the 30th of April in the year they start school.
Research suggests that most children should not start school early, even if they are smarter than average. This is because they may not be ready to cope with the social and emotional demands of school.
But if your child is smart AND mature enough to start school early, should you really hold them back?
Furthermore, current Australian research suggests that after your child begins school they should not repeat a year (McGrath, 2006).
All of this makes the decision to begin school a very important one to get right!
Here are three reasons to consider a school readiness assessment:
- Discover your child’s learning potential
- Get expert advice on their readiness for school
- Make an informed decision about starting school
What Does a School Readiness Assessment Involve?
You will receive:
- An initial review of your child’s cognitive, social, family and emotional history
- Standardised cognitive (intelligence) test
- Standardised Developmental Assessment
- School Readiness Checklist
- Detailed assessment report
- Tailored learning recommendations for school and home
- A comprehensive feedback session to answer all your questions
- A letter to the Department of Education to support early school entry – if your child is eligible
School readiness assessment takes into account your child’s:
- cognitive development
- play skills and emotional development
- social development
- language and communication skills
- self-care skills
- gross and fine motor skills
How Many Appointments Are Required?
There are four sessions required in total:
- Initial consultation for parents (30 mins)
- Assessment session #1 for your child (76-90 mins)
- Assessment session #2 for your child (76-90 mins)
- Feedback session for parents (50 mins)
What Are the Fees?
The total fees will be approximately $2,200 (before any health fund rebates) which includes the initial consultation, two assessment consultations, a comprehensive psychological report, a feedback consultation, detailed recommendations for home and school, an action plan for your child and liaison with school or health professionals where appropriate. You can instantly claim a private health rebate at each session. (Rebate amounts vary widely depending on the health fund and your level of cover but can be up to a few hundred dollars or so in total.)
What’s the Next Step?
The next step is to book an initial parent consultation.
This is your opportunity to meet the psychologist, discuss the background issues in detail and get the right advice for your child’s needs.
You will have the opportunity to ask questions and make an informed decision before you book any appointments for your child.
Click the button below and follow the prompts to book now: