The preschoolers are called ‘Southie Sprouts’ and during 2024 they have been attending a playgroup and special transition sessions at Windsor South Public School to prepare for ‘big school’ next year.

They are among more than 60,000 four- and five-year-olds gearing up to start Kindergarten at the state’s public schools in February 2025.

At Windsor South Public School, the children have enjoyed weekly Southie Sprouts transition to school sessions, which allow them to become familiar with the school environment, meet their Kindergarten teachers and make new friends.

Principal Belinda Bristol said the transition to school is an exciting time for children, families and teachers and involves navigating and adjusting to several changes.

“Through this program the kids come to school ready for learning,” Mrs Bristol said.

“Four or five years ago when we didn’t run this program the children were coming in and we were spending all of Term 1 just teaching them how to sit, how to hold a pencil, how to write, how to look, how to listen.

“Because of Sprouts they now come in ready for learning, so from day one they’re learning.

“By this time of year, at the end of Kindergarten, they’re reading, writing, ready for Year 1. We’re not spending Kindergarten as a preschool year.”

Mrs Bristol said there were a record 60 children enrolled for Kindergarten next year. Around 45 of these children have participated in the three-hour Southie Sprouts sessions on Wednesdays this term.

The sessions are run by the assistant principal, early intervention teacher and four learning support officers and involve the children enjoying activities and games that challenge and develop their fine and gross motor skills, which are essential for school readiness.

The children have morning tea and lunch and across Term 4 have met their Kindergarten teachers, spent time in the classrooms and playground and visited the library and canteen.

“They are so excited to come, they wake up every day and say, ‘Is it Sprouts day?’” Mrs Bristol said.

“We have little Southie Sprouts T-shirts, but they love coming in their uniforms like they’re getting ready for school.

“There are no tears, they’re making friends, they’re making their social connections and developing a sense of belonging.”

Mrs Bristol said the sessions made the children more confident and comfortable at the school and helped teachers understand children’s interests, strengths and needs.

“We’ve seen such a difference in the children and can identify early any children with any specific learning support needs, allowing us to provide targeted interventions and resources to support their development effectively,” she said.

The number of children participating in Southie Sprouts this term is up from 35 last term and follows a weekly playgroup in Term 2.

The playgroup involved parents accompanying their children to the school but attending parent information sessions in the school hall, which covered subjects such as behaviour management, reading and early phonics skills.

It included visits from a speech therapist, occupational therapist, dietitian, counsellor, the NDIS, Centrelink and Service NSW. Parents also toured the school and visited classrooms.

The NSW Department of Education is committed to creating better transitions between early education and primary school to give children the best start in learning.

A successful transition to primary school has been shown to improve a child’s longer-term academic, social and wellbeing outcomes. 

It also lays a strong foundation for positive partnerships and relationships with families to support their ongoing engagement in a child’s learning.