Choosing a school for you child can be a difficult decision to make, especially if your child requires in class support. For a child to transition into a mainstream school setting he or she should be able to:
Follow instructions with minimal prompts
Attend to favourable and non-favourable activities / tasks
Have his/her snack independently or with minimal support
Able to follow class routine with minimal support and does not disrupt or alter the flow of the class schedule
Some children will be able to do the above without support, others will require support either from class teachers/assistants or a shadow. It is important that you identify the level of support the school will provide your child.
Before starting the process of school enquiries and registration, make sure you have your child's up to date report, Individual Education Plan and IEP Reviews; Schools will most likely request this information. When meeting the school registration officer ask if they require any further information or paper work. Take time to ask the below questions as well, as this information will help you choose the most suitable school/class setting for your child.
How many students are in each class?
What is the teacher to student ratio, how many assistants and teachers are in each class?
Does the school have a learning support department, do they provide shadows or can provide initial support for your child to settle in?
Is the school open for Behaviour or Speech Therapists to visit and provide a plan on how to further support your child in the school
What are the academic milestones that your child will need to reach in the first and second year of them attending the school.
We strongly recommend that you visit as many schools as possible as this will help you compare different school settings and choose the best option. You should apply to a minimum of 3 to 4 schools before registering.
If your child does not get accepted to a school of your choice, always ask the administration officer if it is possible to re-test in a couple of months and what are the areas that you need to work on.
Enrolling your child in a mainstream school can sometimes be a stressful and long journey. If you ever have questions or concerns, please contact a member of our team and we will be happy to help.