Guide: How to choose a primary school for your child

Parents want to give their children the best opportunities to set them up for their future, so every education decision is an important one. Right from the beginning, choosing a primary school is the first step in laying a secure educational foundation, but where do you start?

We’ve created a guide to help families navigate these intricate decisions, including our tips for how to choose a primary school in Melbourne, the significance of early education and our tips for creating a cohesive and consistent education journey for your child.

There are around 2277 schools in Victoria, including independent schools and government schools, all with their own unique resources and capabilities, so how do you know which one your child should enrol in?

Here are some important aspects to consider when choosing a primary school for the early years of your child’s education.

How important is early education?

When children are around the age of eight they have already begun to develop an understanding of their self-identity and their identity as a learner. Children will decide how valuable and competent they are in these early years and this belief becomes increasingly difficult to change the older they become. Often adults who viewed themselves as not particularly smart as children will still view themselves in the same light later in life.

Children’s sense of self also directly impacts their ability to engage in activities. Children who have a positive outlook on themselves are more likely to participate in social and academic activities, whereas children who have developed a more negative self-image typically struggle in these environments due to their lack of confidence. As children spend a significant amount of time at school, it is crucial their education provides a safe and encouraging environment where they feel supported to grow into more confident learners.

When it comes to education, families often buy into the idea that senior school, especially Years 11 and 12, are the most important years of a student’s education. Whilst VCE is a very important step to further education, research shows that early education has a long-lasting effect on children's academic success as well as mental and emotional wellbeing at school.

Primary school gives children's development a significant boost which combats the myth that primary school is less important than secondary school. In fact, primary school is arguably the most important period of a child’s education as this is when children develop and solidify their identity as learners, which in turn impacts their future approach to learning.

During this important phase, children develop independence, social skills, and communication and are introduced to skill learning which is exclusive to primary education. The accelerated growth during this period of a child's life only adds to the urgency of choosing the right school, so how do you pick the right primary school for your child?

Setting the foundation for your child’s learning

When choosing a school for your child, it’s important to understand that the decisions you make now could have an impact on decisions down the track, including the decisions around selecting a secondary school.

We’ve collated several simple steps to help inform your decision when choosing your child's kindergarten or primary school.

Factors to consider before kindergarten or primary school enrolment

1. Your personal views, preferences and priorities when choosing a school.

Consider your child’s educational needs and your personal preferences when considering school options.

2. The teaching philosophy of the school.

This will help to provide insight into the teachers’ approach to learning and help to define acceptable classroom behaviour.

3. Are the classes single stream, composite or multi-age?

Some children thrive in composite and multi-age classes as the younger students have older peers they can work alongside, while the older students have the opportunity to be leaders. However, some children do prefer to be around others with similar learning abilities, and it is about finding the best fit for your child’s needs.

4. Does the school have programs for students who are either above or below the expected level?

Children learn at different paces and it is important to know whether your child will be correctly supported, regardless if they need extra help or require more advanced work.

5. What specialist classes do Preps participate in? What specialist classes are there beyond Prep?

Specialist classes such as music can help promote memorisation, coordination, a sense of achievement and other benefits that can be carried across into other classes.

6. Is wellbeing included in the curriculum? Are there any other wellbeing support offerings?

By offering wellbeing classes and other areas of support in a school, children will begin to develop a deeper understanding of how to take care of themselves and others. This support will help students be more relaxed in class and promote confident learners.

7. Research and utilise resources.

There are useful resources such as the good schools guide to find a list of schools in your local area. Also talk to your child’s current teacher as they will have an in-depth understanding of your child’s educational needs.

8. Attend school open days and ask plenty of questions.

In person meetings will help you get to know the school and staff better, and also gather information on any questions you may have.

9. Consider the follow on effect for secondary school.

Transitioning from primary school to secondary school can be daunting for some children. This can be made less overwhelming when children have attended a school that offers both primary and secondary education as the child is already aware of the school’s expectations and requirements.

10. Learn about the enrolment process including deadlines and age requirements.

Schools have different enrolment processes and requirements, so familiarise yourself early with your chosen school’s processes to avoid missing out on deadlines.

11. Submit your application well in advance to ensure your child receives a school offer and to avoid waitlists.

Be prepared to apply early to your chosen schools and avoid missing out on offers. We recommend 18 months to 2 years.

The years children spend in primary school are formative to their development as learners. Our approach to learning is perfectly summarised by our Director of Early Learning at Toorak College: “When children experience a sense of security, belonging and sound wellbeing, they have the confidence to explore, the curiosity to question and the intrinsic motivation to learn.”

Learn more about our ELC to Year 12 program for your child and book a campus tour to see if Toorak College could be a good fit for you and your family.