To determine if your child meets the requirements to start Prep view the department's prep online calculator.
The preparatory year implements the Foundation Level of the Australian Curriculum. It is a play-based program that allows young minds to experience and learn in a creative, supportive and educational context. Queensland's Preparatory Year gives all young Queenslanders the very best start to school by helping them make a smooth transition to Year 1 and sets them on the path to lifelong learning.
Surfers Paradise State School offers excellence in Early Childhood Education. Our Early Year Teachers are all experienced educators with a commitment to the education of the Whole Child. The Early Years at Surfers Paradise State School include Preparatory Year, Year 1 and Year 2. It is an integral part of the school. The Early Years are the foundation of school life. This period of learning holds the building blocks for future learning and builds on learning from home.
At Surfers Paradise State School we believe there needs to be a close liaison between home and school. In addition, we liaise with the early learning centres and providers who have already begun the formal teaching and learning process with our children. Information evenings and orientation mornings are held each year. The information evening is an opportunity for you to visit the school and hear from staff about the various programs on offer. An important part of this evening is hearing about the school’s Early Years Philosophy and the opportunity to enrol your child.
The orientation morning is an opportunity for your child to visit their future Prep classroom and meet their future classmates. An interview with the Principal and your child is organised for each new Prep student prior to the start of the Prep year. Once we have received your child's enrolment form your details will be added to an email notification list keeping you informed of important dates.
We welcome you with warmth and in the spirit of teamwork as your child enters this very important phase of learning. Please download and read the information below about starting Prep at Surfers Paradise State School.
- Information for families.
- Making the first day a success (PDF, 476KB).
- How to get involved (PDF, 445KB).
- Prep Handbook 2024 (PDF, 4,396KB).
In Terms 2, 3 and 4, the school will hold Principal school tours, where interested families can come to our school and see for themselves how our Prep program works. The dates are published in advance on our website and throughout the local community.
In addition, towards the end of Term Four, Prep students will be encouraged to attend our Transition Day. On this morning, the students will spend time in their new classroom, getting to know their new classmates and meeting their new classroom teacher. Feedback received from parents in previous years has been positive, so this will continue, with a date to be announced on the website in the near future.
To register for Prep please email enrolments@surfersparadisess.eq.edu.au.
Prep is 5 days a week and children stay all day 9am–3pm. Children must be 5 by 30 June in the year they start Prep.