If you’ve waved goodbye to a child starting Kindy and think their beaming smile is worth sharing, please send it in to the News Of The Area team (see our details on page 2).

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We’re also interested in any unique stories.

Perhaps you have twins, triplets, a child going to the same school as their great, great, great, grandparent – and so on.

We’ll aim to feature them in next week’s edition.

This year, more local public school students can expect to have a qualified teacher in front of them.

New data shows that in the Regional North and West directorate, which includes the Camden Haven, vacancies have fallen by 47 percent in two years.

That means there are now 99 unfilled positions compared to 222 in 2023.

According to Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car, the figures “show what you can achieve when you listen to our dedicated and hardworking teachers and value the life-changing work they do.”

For parents and carers whose kindergarteners are nervous about going to “big school”, teachers say it will help if they can:

– recognise their belongings

– open and close lunchboxes, including packets

– know how to ask for help when needed

– be able to separate from parent or carer

– interact socially with other children

– put on their uniform

– know hygiene routines

“There’s a lot to take in, with new friends, environments, routines and expectations,” said Department Secretary Murat Dizdar.

“Our school staff will be right beside the Kinders and their role is to develop a love of learning in our classrooms.”

The department says children will participate in the Best Start Kindergarten Assessment in the first six weeks of Term One to identify their literacy and numeracy knowledge, skills and understanding.

This will allow educators to build on what new students already know.

Otherwise it’s a case of “one day at a time”.

“We know a successful transition to school has been shown to improve a child’s long-term academic, social and wellbeing outcomes,” Mr Dizdar said.

To make that a smooth transition, the Education Department recommends that parents:

– help develop a love of learning by reading books to their children, getting them used to writing, and practising art

– talk about the school routine. E.g., when they can play, go to the bathroom, or expect to hear the school bell or buzzers

– be positive about their child’s efforts and follow their interests

– discuss any special needs with the school

– practice how they will take their child to school

– promote a sense of belonging by taking part in transition programs, going on school tours and attending meetings or activities held on school grounds.

By Sue STEPHENSON