School readiness assessments

School Readiness Assessments

School readiness assessments are comprehensive evaluations designed to understand a child’s foundational skills, cognitive development, and social-emotional readiness for starting school. These assessments help identify a child’s strengths, as well as any areas where additional support may be beneficial, to help ensure a positive and successful transition into Prep.

A school readiness assessment may be particularly helpful for children who are emotionally sensitive, neurodivergent, born close to the school entry cut-off date, or for families considering early entry into Prep. The assessment can provide valuable insights to support decision-making and help families, educators, and health professionals plan for a child’s individual needs.

For further information about early entry requirements in Queensland, please refer to the Queensland Department of Education website.

What does a School Readiness Assessment include?

A School Readiness Assessment is a comprehensive process designed to understand your child’s cognitive, developmental, behavioural, and social-emotional skills in preparation for starting school.

The assessment package typically includes:

Parent consultation: A parent-only interview to discuss your child’s developmental and educational history, and to determine whether a School Readiness Assessment is appropriate for your child.
Cognitive assessment: Administration of a standardised cognitive assessment (WPPSI-IV), along with questionnaires completed by parents and/or kindergarten teachers to provide further insight into your child’s skills and behaviour.
Report: A detailed written report outlining assessment results, your child’s strengths, and tailored recommendations to support their transition to school.
Parent feedback session: A 30-minute parent-only session with the psychologist to discuss the assessment findings and recommendations.
Early school entry support (where applicable): A letter to the Queensland Department of Education to support an application for early entry into Prep, where eligibility criteria are met.

The Assessment Process

Initial Consultation: The process begins with a 50-minute parent-only consultation with the Psychologist. During this session, the Psychologist will gather a detailed developmental history and discuss your child’s current strengths, needs, and readiness for school.
School Readiness Assessment: If a School Readiness Assessment is considered suitable and appropriate for your child, the assessment package will include:

A 2-hour child assessment session with the Psychologist (morning appointments are preferred).
A tailored feedback letter summarising assessment findings and recommendations.
A 30-minute parent-only feedback session with the Child Psychologist, approximately two weeks after the assessment session.

If you have any questions about our School Readiness Assessment process, including fees for the initial consultation or assessment, please contact our clinic or complete an enquiry form and a member of our team will be happy to assist you.