Across Australia parents can choose from a wide range of schools for their children.  As parents, you now have real choice in the type of education that you want for your child. This choice can sometimes be a little overwhelming but this fact sheet gives some basic points to help you get underway.

Despite what many people might say around a community, there is no best school!!! What might be best for one child and family may not suit another.

"Many people seek information about where the best school in the community can be found. The reality is that there isn't one best school for all children" ... from: 'What's the Hurry? : Reclaiming Childhood in an Overscheduled world" by Kathy Walker, 2005.

There is a range of schools to choose from, for example:

• State schools
• Catholic schools
• Jewish schools
• Islamic schools
• Independent schools (private schools; religious and non-religious). Some independent schools may be single sex or co educational groupings of students

Some schools teach to a particular philosophy or teaching approach, for example:

• Steiner schools
• Montessori schools
• Community schools
• Progressive schools
• Alternative schools

Schools can also be categorized by the class structure; such as:

• Composite
• Multi age
• Single grade
• Combination of single and composite
• All boys grades in some years

Once you have identified the type of school you think you would like your child to attend I suggest you brainstorm some of what you think is most important to you and your family, for example

• You may wish to choose a school that teaches a language that your family speaks
• You may want a school that seems to specialize in sport or music
• You may want a school that has small numbers
• You may simply want to attend the school around the corner from home.

Once you have thought about the type of school you might like and have identified some aspects of schools that you believe to be important we suggest that you visit some schools that appear to meet your basic criteria.

Make an appointment to speak with the principal; don't just go on the tour that is given to all interested parents. Leadership is important and sets the tone and culture of a school

Go with a list of questions to ask so you come away feeling you have received information to the specific issues that are of interest to you, not just the general information given out in pamphlets or at interviews.

Examples of questions to ask a school or principal; remember, you interview the principal, they don't interview you!!

In general, ask questions in open ended ways so they don't know what answer you are looking for.

• Tell me about your homework policy (you may or may not wish homework for your child in the first years of school)
• Apart from the state framework, what particular philosophy and approach to teaching do you use?
• Tell me about your student well being strategies.
• What programs do you use for student behavior?
• How do you group students in grades, mixed or single?
• What extra curricula activities do you offer?

Always ask principals to describe and give examples to their answers so you gain an accurate picture of what they are talking about.

Good luck. This is an important decision so consider all your options carefully and make an informed choice, don't just be guided by well meaning friends or family.

Further reading: 'What's the Hurry?: Reclaiming Childhood in an Overscheduled world" by Kathy Walker.

How to Identify Schools Implementing the Australian Developmental Curriculum (Play Based)

Increasingly parents are asking us how they can locate schools that are implementing the Australian Developmental Curriculum. The following key questions will help you identify schools that are implementing the Australian Developmental Curriculum:

• Has your staff been working with Kathy Walker and Associates?
• How long has the school been implementing the approach?
• At what grades is the school implementing the Australian Developmental Curriculum?
• Is your school certified by Kathy Walker and Associates for implementing the Australian Developmental Curriculum according to the approach designed by Kathy Walker?
• If you would like to know if a school in your area is currently implementing the Australian Developmental Curriculum, please email us via the contact us option on the website.