Smart State Starts At Prep

Queensland’s first intake of 33,000 Prep students finish school this year better prepared for lifelong learning than any children in the state’s history.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh and Education and Training Minister Rod Welford were at Greenbank State School to present certificates to 69 Prep students who are finishing their first year of school today.

“The first year of Prep at all state, Catholic and independent schools has been a fantastic success,” Ms Bligh said.

“Greenbank’s Prep students have had a great first year and I am proud of them and of all of the Prep students across the state. I wish them all a wonderful Year 1 next year.

“They have been part of an important milestone in Queensland’s education history, being part of the first cohort to start their lifelong education at Prep.

“Prep reinforces our commitment to education as the most important advantage we can give our children, showing we mean business when we talk about the Smart State.”

Karen Thorpe, Professor of Early Childhood Education at QUT, said Prep benefited children academically and socially and helped bridge the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged children.

“Children who attend Prep were found to do much better in literacy and numeracy than children who attended the previous pre-school provision,” Professor Thorpe said.

Professor Thorpe headed a team of QUT early childhood experts who reported on the trial of Prep involving almost 2000 children from 39 schools across the state in 2003-04.

“The trial found that Prep benefited all children, but children from disadvantaged backgrounds who were at educational risk made the greatest gains,” Professor Thorpe said.

“We looked at the Prep children’s progress as they entered Year 1 and found that they were more ready for school than children who attended part-time pre-school.

“Contrary to popular belief, Prep children were found to engage in significantly more child-initiated learning then those in pre-school.”

Mr Welford said the rollout of Prep has been monitored throughout 2007 in order to fine-tune delivery to the first full cohort of some 54,000 children in 2008.

“A survey in November showed that around 90 per cent of state school principals are satisfied their schools are ready to welcome Prep children next year,” Mr Welford said.

“About 600 additional teachers will join more than 1550 current Prep teachers to deliver the program in 2008 for the first full cohort or Prep students in state schools.

“Most of these teachers will come from other early years classes as the 2007 half-cohort of students move into Year 1.

“An additional $7.5 million will also be allocated in 2008 to employ more teacher aides.”

Mr Welford said 81 new classrooms and 209 refurbished classrooms were also being provided on top of the 416 new classrooms and 420 refurbished classrooms put in place for the start of 2007.

More than $350 million has been invested by the State Government to introduce Prep across the state.

Prep year was introduced in all Queensland schools in 2007 to replace the part-time pre-school system. Children attend full school days, five days a week and need to be five by 30 June in the year they start Prep.

Media contact: Premier’s office – 3224 4500
Minister’s office – 3237 1000