What's the hurry?

What age should a child start formal schooling?

In VIC, a child is eligible to enter Prep the year he turns 5, provided he does so by the cut-off date which is 30 April.

Children who turn 5 after that date would only qualify to go to Prep the following year.

Some children attend an extra year of kinder, perhaps on the teacher's recommendation or because their parents feel they aren't ready for Prep.

By the time children start Prep, you could have a class of 20 with some diversity in the ages, with very young children who have just turned 5, and older ones aged 6.

For some children, this can mean a marked difference in emotional maturity and coping skills.

Kathy Walker has written a book What's The Hurry?, which talks about the importance of giving children a childhood.

So when is the right age to start Prep?

Melinda Vander Reest, director of the Centre for Early Learning Excellence at Caulfield Grammar, a private school, recommends that parents consider opting for a second year of pre-prep.

Her reason?

"...so that children can consolidate what they have done in their first year. There is a lot to cope with in prep and some children may spend the next 13 years quietly playing catchup instead of having that early, extra year right at the beginning."

She says she has seen children who have come back for a second year blossom, initiate ideas and take the lead rather than hanging back and following other children.

"Even if they are reading fluently and have wonderful ideas, there will be other areas that need developing. I can use their reading in group games such as cooking and extend their fine or gross motor skills which may not be as advanced because they have centred so much on their one love."

She could be speaking of Beth.

Those parents who can afford to send their kids to a school like Caulfield Grammar for pre-prep under Ms Vander Reest are very privileged.