Parents and carers can learn how to prepare their children for the transition to big school at the Be Ready Starting School Expo this Saturday.
Held in March to give families time to prepare their child before school starts in 2019, the expo features fun activities for kids alongside a range of informative stalls for parents from schools and preschools.
Last year’s Be Ready Expo gave the Tester family the opportunity to introduce four-year-old Dante to the idea of heading to school. He met potential teachers and they could ask questions to help decide which school suited best.
Mum Tania said that with Dante their only child at the time, they had little knowledge of the progression to primary school.
“It is well worth your time going to the expo. It gives you the opportunity to meet teachers, talk about school policies, costs, subject areas and resources,” she said.
“Children are completely engaged in different activities throughout the day giving you the opportunity to seek important information you need. It helps you make an informed decision about which school would suit your child based on needs.”
Attending Council’s regular 3Bs playgroups on the grounds of Sunshine Bay Primary School also helped with Dante’s transition to big school.
“Not only did it allow Dante to become familiar with the school - using school toilets, visiting the library and classrooms - it also allowed us to meet other families who were also sending their kids to the same school,” she said.
“He was able to fit into the daily life of school and was ready for the routines. For a child who struggled to leave me in the past, Dante was able to swiftly let go of my hand and say ‘Bye mum!’ on the first day of school.”
The Be Ready Starting School Expo will be held Saturday 17 March at Riverside Park Amphitheatre, Moruya, from 9am-12pm. In the event of wet weather the expo will be held at Moruya High School Hall on Albert Street.
For more information visit Council’s website www.esc.nsw.gov/beready
