Wellbeing and Support
Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, supported, and known.
Prep is a child's first year of formal schooling, so we take extra care to make their first experiences warm and secure. From the start, we foster a strong sense of belonging: children learn that this classroom is their school 'home,' and they are always welcome. It's in an environment like this that they develop the capacity to follow instructions and routines and master the language of learning. These skills prepare them for new challenges and lay the foundation for success at school.
Our Prep environment offers separate classrooms, age-appropriate bathrooms within the Prep complex, and a playground with a sandpit, cubby house, gardens, reading benches, and picnic tables, all exclusive to Prep and Year 1 use. The child-scaled play area contributes to their sense of safety and belonging as they adjust to 'big school.'
Throughout the year, we gradually increase their connection with the rest of the campus by strategically introducing new events and experiences into their program:
- Primary Chapel services,
- assemblies,
- library days
- sports carnivals
- book buddy time with Year 6, and
- special events such as Grandparents' Day, Junior Athletics Day, and Week of Worship.
The transition to Year 1 begins with meeting Year 1 teachers and visiting their classrooms. By the end of the year, the idea of graduating to Year 1 becomes familiar and exciting, rather than overwhelming.
BAC partners with families and visiting professionals to monitor and support each child's development, offering hearing, vision, and speech screening throughout the year. Together, these layers of care help every Prep child feel safe, known, and equipped to learn.
Unsure if your child is ready for Prep?
In Queensland, many children come to Prep straight from Kindergarten, especially if they turn five by June 30 of their Prep year. It seems like a natural next step! But we all know that some children benefit from an extra year before starting full-time school. This is no reflection of their natural abilities.
Our Prep Readiness Guide outlines clear developmental markers to help you decide whether your child is ready now or would benefit from a little extra time.
