Cohort Entry Policy

At Waipukurau School we are deeply committed to ensuring children have the best possible start to school life, and experience a positive transition from Early Childhood Education. The early years at school are so important and for this reason, we use a cohort entry approach.

Policy Objectives:

1. Supportive Learning Environment: Provide a learning environment that aligns with students' developmental stages.

2. Consistency and Clarity: Establish clear guidelines for when students start school.

3. Whānau Engagement: Help families understand and participate in their child’s school entry.

4. Enhanced Student Engagement: Promote student success and engagement from day one.

1. Eligibility for Cohort Entry

●      Students are eligible to start school when they turn five.

●      There are two main cohort entry points per term: Monday of Week 1 and Monday of Week 6. Children turning five between these dates will begin at the next cohort entry date.

2. Transition and Readiness

●      Group Entry: Starting school in groups helps children feel part of a peer community and makes it easier to adapt to routines.

●      What year will my child be:

○      Children enrolling during Term 1 (at start of term or midterm cohorts) are considered Year 1 students for the year.

○      Children enrolling from the start of Term two onwards are Year Zero for the remainder of the year and become Year One students the following year.

●      Pre-Entry Visits:

○      Students and whānau are invited to visit the school at least 3 visits or more if this is deemed necessary by the whānau and schoo.

○      These visits include classroom activities and meetings to introduce children to their teacher, peers, and school environment.

3. Flexibility for Individual Needs

●      Cohort Encouragement: While cohort entry is encouraged, the school is flexible and open to individual needs.

●      Special Entry Considerations:

○      Whānau may request early or delayed entry for their child, depending on readiness.

○      The school may recommend delayed entry if more time is needed for social, emotional, or academic development.

○      These decisions are made with input from the school leadership team, classroom teacher, and whānau.

4. Supporting Students After Entry

●      Monitoring Progress: The school will closely monitor new entrants' progress and well-being during their first term.

●      Extra Support: Additional help, like small group activities or targeted learning sessions, will be provided if needed.

●      Regular Communication: Ongoing communication with whānau to address any concerns or adjustments.

5. Policy Review and Communication

●      Annual Review: The cohort entry policy will be reviewed yearly to ensure it aligns with best practices and community needs.

●      Communication with Whānau: Any updates will be shared well in advance to keep whānau informed.

7. Policy Implementation

●      Sharing Information: The school will ensure all prospective students and their families are informed about the cohort entry process early on.

●      Availability: This policy will be available on the school website and in enrollment information packs.

Conclusion:

Cohort entry is designed to give students a strong start to their school journey, creating a sense of community and readiness. By working together with whānau, the school ensures a supportive environment for both students and families from day one.

Frequently asked questions…

My child turns 5 the day after a cohort entry date, can they begin a day earlier with the cohort?

Unfortunately not. Children in New Zealand can’t start school until they are 5 years old. However, we can arrange visits that work around this. 

Will this affect my ECE funding (20 free hours)?

No, children can remain at their ECE until the cohort entry date after their fifth birthday and they will continue to receive funding to attend ECE until they start school. 

Will my child start as a Year 1 or Year 0?

Children enrolling during Term 1 and 2 (at the start of term or midterm cohorts) are considered Year One students for the year.  Children enrolling from the start of Term 3 onwards are Year Zero for the remainder of the year and become Year One students the following year.

How can I best prepare my child for school?

Our new entrant teachers are warm and friendly, and our school is a supportive and welcoming environment. Although it can feel daunting to send your child off to school, there are some things you can do to help with the transition.

There is no set list of what a child should be able to do when they start school, but supporting your child to develop social/emotional and self-management skills is one of the best things you can do to help:

• Social and Emotional Skills

Treating themselves and others with care, using good manners, taking turns/sharing/waiting, listening to others, speaking respectfully, and having the confidence to have a go/try something new are important.

• Self-Management/Personal Independence

Tidying up after themselves, taking responsibility for their belongings, carrying their own school bag (starting when they are at pre-school), opening lunchboxes/food packets by themselves, using the toilet properly, blowing their own nose, dressing themselves, putting shoes on/taking shoes off.