Why More Australian Families Are Choosing to Send Children to School Later (and What “School Ready” Really Means)

Across Australia, a quiet shift is happening. More families are choosing to delay their child’s start to formal schooling—often opting for an extra year of kindergarten or preschool rather than rushing into Prep or Kindergarten the moment they’re age-eligible.

And it’s raising an important question for parents everywhere:

If so many children are already writing their names, knowing their ABCs, and counting confidently before they start school… what does “school ready” actually mean now?

The Growing Trend: Starting School Later in Australia

In most Australian states, children can start school anywhere between four and six years old, depending on their birth date. While many families still enrol as soon as their child is eligible, an increasing number are choosing to wait an extra year—particularly for children born later in the year.

Why?

Because readiness isn’t just about age anymore.

Educators, early-learning professionals and parents alike are recognising that emotional maturity, independence and confidence can be just as important as academic skills.

Academic Skills Are Coming Earlier Than Ever

It’s now very common for children arriving at kindergarten or Prep to already:

• Write their own name
• Recognise letters and sounds
• Count well beyond ten
• Identify shapes, colours and patterns

This isn’t a bad thing—it’s often the result of play-based early learning, curious little minds, and rich environments at home and in early education settings.

But it also means that academic readiness alone is no longer the deciding factor for starting school.

What “School Ready” Really Means

While early literacy and numeracy are helpful, schools are placing increasing value on skills such as:

• Following instructions
• Sitting and listening in a group
• Managing emotions and transitions
• Taking turns and resolving small conflicts
• Independently using the bathroom, opening lunchboxes, and packing bags
• Separating confidently from parents

These are the skills that help children feel secure, capable and confident in a classroom setting—especially in those early weeks of school.

For some children, an extra year allows these abilities to develop naturally, without pressure.

How the Big Bird Book Supports School Readiness

This is where resources like the Big Bird Book can play a gentle but powerful role.

Designed to grow with your child, the Big Bird Book focuses on the foundational skills children need for school—without rushing them or turning learning into a task.

Through hands-on, play-based activities, children can:

• Practise early literacy and numeracy at their own pace
• Build fine motor strength through zips, buttons, wheels and removable pieces
• Learn about routines like days of the week, weather, seasons and time
• Develop focus, persistence and problem-solving skills
• Build confidence through independent play

Rather than pushing children ahead academically, the Big Bird Book supports confidence, independence and calm engagement—the very things that help children walk into school feeling ready in themselves.

The Benefits of Waiting a Little Longer

Families who choose to start school later often notice:

• Greater confidence in the classroom
• Stronger emotional regulation
• Better resilience when challenges arise
• A more positive attitude toward learning

Rather than “falling behind,” many of these children thrive—academically and socially—because they feel ready.

There Is No One-Size-Fits-All Answer

Some children are absolutely ready to start school as soon as they’re eligible. Others benefit from extra time to grow, play, and mature.

Both choices are valid.

What matters most is looking beyond checklists and asking:

• Does my child feel confident?
• Can they manage their emotions most of the time?
• Are they curious and open to learning?
• Do they feel safe and secure away from me?

Preparing for School Without Rushing It

Being school ready doesn’t mean drilling worksheets or pushing academics early. It means building strong foundations through play, routine, independence and everyday learning.

And when children feel capable, supported and confident, they’re far more likely to step into school ready to learn—whenever that first day comes.

Because sometimes, the most powerful preparation isn’t doing more…

It’s simply giving children the time—and the tools—they need to grow.