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Ursha, my son will be four at the end of March. Where we live (Washington, DC, USA), the public schools have implemented a three year old program, and the kids go to school all day. I thought it would be too much for my little guy, but he begs to stay and play when I pick him up!

In addition to doing the testing through the state, I'd recommend going to your local school, at first without your daughter (my kid would have been heartbroken to have visited for just a little bit and not stay all day!) to assess the classroom, talk to the teachers, and get a feel for what it's like on a day to day basis. Bring your daughter over to meet the teacher later, and let the teachers and school see how bright and 'mature' and ready for school she is. They might have some advice on how to get your daughter enrolled early that would help dealing with the state. Good luck! I hope she loves it.

Christina

Hi Urshy,

               Try contacting the education department in your state.  They will have a local division for your area.  They will be able to help you with early entry testing extra to see if your daughter is ready for school.  I live in Qld and a friend of mine has a daughter was turned 4 in October 2006.  Under the new Prep laws, she isn't eligle to start Prep school until 2008, but she is too advanced and really needs to start now.  As Prep isn't compulsory, she doesn't have to attend, but she will be doing early entry testing this year, and will more then likely skip Prep school in 2008 and start grade 1 instead.  Only the education department can authorise your daughter to start school early.

Hope this helps a bit.