Why education matters

Education is important in building a strong foundation for children, leading to greater opportunities in adulthood. Children in care generally start with a level of disadvantage when compared to their peers and the consequences of a lack of achievement at school can be far reaching. Their exposure to trauma is recognised as a key contributor to this and can mean that the normal cognitive, emotional and social skills required to function effectively in a learning environment can be challenging for traumatised children.

It is the responsibility of both Child Safety and the Department of Education to provide the child in care with opportunities to overcome their adversity and help them achieve. Also, as the child’s primary carer, you have a significant role in promoting and supporting the child’s educational aspirations, progress and achievements.

Early childhood education and care

There is strong research on brain development in the first years of a child’s life, highlighting that access to early learning experiences are important for a child’s educational and emotional development. These experiences can be gained through informal social and learning activities, provided through the child in care’s relationship with you and your family, and community services – such as libraries, playgroups and crèche services.

Attending a quality early childhood program helps set children up for later success at school. Through play-based programs, young children develop their creativity and imagination, social and communication skills, develop self-confidence and make new friends.

When enrolling a child in care, the service provider will need to know:

• that the child is under a child protection order or care agreement
• if there are any special conditions relating to family contact or a risk of abduction by parents
• when the child leaves your care.

Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme

The Department of Education enables access to low or no-cost kindergarten for eligible families (including foster families) who meet 1 of the following criteria:

• the family or the child in care holds a current Health Care Card, Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or White Card, Pensioner Concession Card, or other government document confirming eligibility
• the child identifies as being an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
• the family has 3 or more children of the same age, enrolled in the same year.

The Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme subsidy is provided directly to your kindergarten service provider to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. It can be claimed only once, even if you meet multiple criteria. For more information, talk to your kindergarten service provider.

If the child attends kindergarten through long-day care, you may also be eligible for additional Commonwealth Government rebates such as the Child Care Subsidy. If a child is not immunised in accordance with the National Immunisation Program Schedule, they may not be eligible to attend a kindergarten program or will be precluded at times when a communicable disease is present in the centre.

Please refer to the Kindy in Queensland for more information or to find a kindergarten in your area, phone 13 QGOV (13 74 68) or visit www.qld.gov.au/kindy

If you are caring for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child, visit the Deadly Kindies website, a collaboration between the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health and the Queensland Government.

Schooling years

A child is considered to be of compulsory school age from 6 years and 6 months, until they turn 16 or complete Year 10, whichever comes first. The preparatory year (prep) is the first year of school. It is compulsory for children to undertake prep prior to Year 1. Find advice about preparing a child for prep.

Enrolling at a school

Selecting a school for a child in care or changing a child’s school, is a significant decision and will be made by the child’s guardian. This means:

• if the child is in care as a result of a care agreement, an assessment order or a custody order from the Childrens Court (including an interim custody order), the parents retain legal guardianship. If the parents are unable or unwilling to make a decision about the child’s school, the child safety services centre (CSSC) senior team leader will then make the decision
• if the child is on a guardianship order to Child Safety, the senior team leader is authorised to decide which school the child attends.

In consultation with you and others, the senior team leader will consider information such as:

• continuity of schooling
• nature of any educational disruption previously experienced
• the child’s views
• the needs of the child and which school can best meet these needs
• intended length of the placement
• practical considerations such as transport; and which schools other children in the carer household are attending.

For children with complex learning or behavioural needs, the Department of Education will likely advise on the school that can best respond to and support the child’s needs.

Generally, a child in care will attend public schooling, unless a private school has been assessed as the most appropriate response to the child’s educational needs. A CSSC may consider a private school for a child in a long-term placement where:

• the child was attending the private school prior to entering care and the child is not changing schools
• other children in the same carer household are attending the private school
• educational facilities in remote communities do not extend beyond Year 10 and attendance at boarding school is required in order to complete Year 11 and 12.

As part of the enrolment process, state schools require a completed enrolment form and an interview with a senior school officer. If you are enrolling the child, you will need to produce the Authority to care form and/or a copy of the current child protection order, as well as medical information about the child. If it is the first time the child has been enrolled in a Queensland school, a copy of the birth certificate may also be required. If you don’t have these documents/information, this will not delay the child’s enrolment or commencement at school. Ask your Child Safety Officer (CSO) to provide the required information to the school.

For children with complex needs, your CSO may attend the enrolment interview to provide additional information to the school.

Find information about enrolling at a Queensland state school.

A state school may refuse an application to enrol if its principal forms a reasonable belief that the student poses an unacceptable risk to the safety and wellbeing of the school community. This is a significant decision and in the case of an enrolment refusal a show cause notice will be issued by the Director-General of the Department of Education to the school.

Education decision making

There are a range of education decisions you can make including:

• a child’s daily routine such as homework, school absences due to illness
• attending meetings at the child’s school
• daily travel arrangements to and from school
• consenting to school incursions and excursions of low to moderate risk
• consenting to curriculum-related activities where these are consistent with the child and family’s views and beliefs – such as cultural and religious events, carnivals, etc.
• consenting to school or class photographs which are for personal/family purchase or distribution.