Please contact our friendly office team if you have any enrolment queries.

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New Entrants Information

Below are some of the most commonly asked questions from our New Entrant families. Additional enrolment information will be provided once your child is enrolled.

You can enrol your child at any time by visiting our school office or emailing office@greytown.school.nz. Children can be enrolled years in advance, although most families enrol six to twelve months before their child starts school.

Enrolling early helps us plan classrooms and staffing, while ensuring you receive important information about school visits, parent events, and your child’s transition to school.

No. You are welcome to complete the enrolment process before your child turns five, but they cannot legally begin school until their fifth birthday.

No. Once your child turns five, you can choose for them to start:

  1. On their fifth birthday.
  2. The day after their fifth birthday.
  3. On one of our scheduled cohort entry dates.

Your child cannot begin before they turn five and must start school before they turn six.

Not necessarily. Many children already know classmates from early childhood education, sports, or community activities, while others quickly make new friends during their first few days at school.

Our staff work hard to ensure every child feels welcome. New students are supported by class buddies who help them settle into classroom routines and playground activities.

Once your child has been enrolled, our office and New Entrant team will contact you to arrange school visits before they begin.

Most children attend two school visits before starting. If additional visits would benefit your child, these can be arranged following discussions between teachers and parents or caregivers.

Yes. As children are not legally enrolled until their first official day of school, an adult must accompany them during school visits. This may be a parent, caregiver, grandparent, family member, or trusted family friend.

Some early childhood centres also attend visits as a group with a staff member. School visits are generally held on Wednesday mornings unless a school event requires a change.

There are several skills that help children settle confidently into school life.

Self-help skills

  • Being toilet trained (please contact us if additional support is needed).
  • Managing their own clothing, shoes, and belongings.
  • Blowing their nose independently.
  • Opening lunch boxes, packets, and food wrappers.

Social skills

  • Making new friends.
  • Trying new experiences.
  • Taking turns and sharing.
  • Asking for help when needed.
  • Sharing ideas confidently.

Early learning skills

  • Holding a pencil.
  • Drawing.
  • Recognising basic colours.
  • Knowing some letters.
  • Counting to 10 or beyond.
  • Recognising their own name.
  • Beginning to write their name.

Please don’t worry if your child is still developing these skills. These are all things they will continue learning during their first months at school.

If your child requires additional support, such as help with toileting, speech, learning, behaviour, or physical needs, please let us know as early as possible. This allows us to work alongside your family and your child’s early learning provider to ensure a successful transition.

If your child receives ORS funding or has high health or specialist needs, please advise us during enrolment so we can coordinate with the Ministry of Education, specialist agencies, and support staff before your child starts school.

Early communication helps us put the right supports in place and create the best possible start to school.

Children can start school in one of three ways:

  1. On their fifth birthday.
  2. The day after their fifth birthday.
  3. On a scheduled cohort entry date.

Example A: If your child’s birthday falls on Sunday 11 May, they may begin on Monday 12 May or on the next scheduled cohort entry date, Monday 26 May.

Example B: If your child’s birthday falls on Thursday 1 May, they may begin on their birthday, Friday 2 May, or the next cohort entry date, Monday 26 May.

Note: Each child attends two school visits before their official start date.

Term 1

Visits

  • Thursday 4 December 2025
  • Thursday 11 December 2025

Start Date
Day 1, Week 1

Visits

  • Wednesday 25 February
  • Wednesday 4 March

Start Date
Birthday, the day after their birthday, or Monday 9 March (Week 6 Cohort Entry)

Term 2

Visits

  • Wednesday 18 March
  • Wednesday 1 April

Start Date
Monday 20 April (Day 1, Term 2)

Visits

  • Wednesday 20 May
  • Wednesday 27 May

Start Date
Birthday, the day after their birthday, or Tuesday 2 June (Week 7 Cohort Entry)

Term 3

Visits

  • Wednesday 24 June
  • Wednesday 1 July

Start Date
Monday 20 July (Day 1, Term 3)

Visits

  • Wednesday 12 August
  • Wednesday 19 August

Start Date
Birthday, the day after their birthday, or Monday 24 August (Week 6 Cohort Entry)

Term 4

Visits

  • Wednesday 16 September
  • Wednesday 23 September

Start Date
Monday 12 October (Day 1, Term 4)

Visits

  • Wednesday 4 November
  • Wednesday 11 November

Start Date
Birthday, the day after their birthday, or Monday 16 November (Week 6 Cohort Entry)

For children starting at the beginning of Term 1, 2027

  • Wednesday 2 December 2026
  • Wednesday 9 December 2026