Getting ready for Prep

Starting Prep is a big step for children and for parents. New routines, a new classroom, more people and more noise, and lots of new things to do on their own. Being “ready” is not about ticking off a checklist or changing who your child is. It is about helping your child feel safe, understood and confident as they settle into school. Our Occupational Therapists and Speech Pathologists support children and families getting ready for Prep, and in the first terms of school, at our Burleigh Waters and Hope Island clinics on the Gold Coast, and by telehealth.

Phone 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.

What Prep asks of a child

A Prep day asks a child to use many skills at once:

Looking after themselves: going to the toilet, putting on shoes and a hat, opening a lunchbox and food packets, and packing up their bag.
Using their hands: holding a pencil or crayon, cutting with scissors, gluing, and drawing.
Sitting and moving: sitting on a chair or the mat for longer, moving around the classroom and playground.
Talking and listening: following instructions given to the whole class, asking for help, being understood by the teacher and other children, and joining in with stories and songs.
Early sounds and letters: noticing the sounds in words, which helps with reading and spelling later.
Feelings and changes: saying goodbye in the morning, moving from one activity to the next, waiting, taking turns, and coping with a busy, noisy day.

Every child brings their own strengths and interests, and builds these skills at their own pace. Many skills keep growing during Prep itself. Our therapists can help you see where your child is strong and where a little support could make the start of school easier.

Signs parents notice

These are things families often mention, before Prep or in the first weeks and terms. They are not a checklist and they do not mean something is wrong. If you are unsure, a chat with reception is a good first step.

Everyday independence

Needs a lot of help with the toilet, shoes, a jumper or hat, or opening food at kindy.
Gets very upset when routines change, or finds mornings very hard.

Hands and body

Avoids drawing, colouring, cutting or puzzles, or holds the pencil in a way that tires them quickly.
Finds it hard to sit for a story, or seems clumsier than other children in play.

Talking and understanding

Is hard for people outside the family to understand.
Finds it hard to follow instructions, answer questions or tell you about their day.
Finds it hard to join in play with other children, or to take turns.

Feelings and changes

Has big feelings that are hard to settle at drop-off, when moving between activities, or after school.
Their kindy teacher has mentioned something they are noticing.

When to see your GP first: if you have any worries about your child’s hearing or eyesight, please ask your GP about a check. Hearing and vision affect talking, listening, drawing and learning.

How we help

Sessions are play-based and built around what your child enjoys. Depending on your child’s goals, your therapist may:

make a simple picture routine for school mornings (get dressed, breakfast, shoes, bag) and help you practise it in the holidays;
break tasks such as opening a lunchbox, putting on shoes or using the toilet into small steps;
build hand skills for pencils, scissors and craft through play;
practise listening, following short instructions and taking turns through games;
play with the sounds in words, as the first step towards reading and spelling;
help your child learn calming strategies, such as deep breathing or movement breaks, and talk through what school will be like;
coach you in ideas you can use at home in your everyday routine.

Parents are always involved, especially for children under 8. Our approach relies on working with you, so we are probably not the right service if you are looking for drop-off therapy.

Where. At our Burleigh Waters clinic (Treetops Square, 2 Classic Way), our Hope Island clinic (8 Halcyon Way), or by telehealth at home. We also do some school, childcare and home visits where possible and clinically suitable; a travel fee applies. With your permission, your therapist can also write to or talk with your child’s kindy or school teacher, so home and school can work on the same goals; this time is charged at your therapist’s usual rate.

Practice between sessions. Our Therapy Assistants can practise your child’s goals at home, at childcare or out in the community, following a plan written by their Occupational Therapist or Speech Pathologist.

Which therapist your child will see

An Occupational Therapist, a Speech Pathologist, or both, depending on your child’s needs. Our Occupational Therapists are registered with Ahpra, and all our Speech Pathologists are Certified Practising Speech Pathologists (CPSP) with Speech Pathology Australia. Our team works under one roof, and some families book joint sessions where an Occupational Therapist and a Speech Pathologist see your child together.

What a first visit looks like

Send a referral through our contact form, call 07 5559 9888 or come in and see reception. You do not need a letter from a GP.
We send you an intake form about your child, what support they may need, and their strengths and interests.
Our Directors read it and match your child with a therapist suited to their needs. Some families have an intake meeting with a Director first to set goals together. Depending on waitlists, your child is booked in or placed on the waiting list.

Your first appointment. The first Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology appointment is a little longer, so your therapist can get to know your child: 60 minutes face to face, plus time afterwards for notes, follow up and therapy planning. It may include talking with you about your child and your goals, watching your child play and try everyday tasks, and a checklist or assessment. You know your child well, so your goals shape the plan. Prices are on Therapist Fees.

Ideas to try at home

Progress does not need to be perfect: confidence and willingness to try matter most.

Morning routine. Use a simple picture routine (get dressed, breakfast, shoes, bag). Keep it the same each day, with room to be flexible, and practise on weekends or in the holidays when things are calm.
Everyday tasks. Break dressing, toileting, opening food and packing up into small steps. Offer choices, allow extra time to try, practise without rushing, and use adaptive tools if they help.
Feelings and changes. Talk about feelings in simple language, practise deep breathing or movement breaks, and talk through what will happen next and what to expect at school.
Listening and attention. Give short, clear instructions and check your child has understood. Play turn-taking games that are fun and low pressure, and support attention through connection rather than correction.

What it costs and how funding can help

Fees. The first Occupational Therapy or Speech Pathology appointment is $290.70 (60 minutes face to face, plus 30 minutes for notes, follow up and therapy planning). After that, a standard session is $209.95 (65 minutes billed: 50 minutes face to face, plus 15 minutes for planning, preparation, notes and session summaries).

Therapy Assistants. $56.16 per hour when your child’s therapist supervises directly, or $86.79 per hour when the Therapy Assistant works on their own with your child at home, childcare or in the community (Therapy Assistant Fees).

NDIS. If therapy is in your child’s NDIS plan, the cost may be covered by the plan. We see self-managed and plan-managed clients, not NDIA-managed plans.

Medicare. With a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, Medicare pays back approximately $63.40 per session (as of 1 July 2026) for up to 5 sessions a calendar year. Your GP decides whether your child is eligible. You can claim eligible rebates on the spot at reception.

Private health. With extras cover that includes therapy, you may be eligible for a rebate. The amount depends on your cover, so check with your fund.

Prep Readiness Group. Ask reception about the cost of the group.

For a worked example and an estimate calculator, see What will I pay?. NDIS, Medicare or private health explains each option.

Group programs that fit

Prep Readiness Group, Term 4 2026. A group run by our Speech Pathologists and Occupational Therapists, working on the skills that support a good start to Prep. Call 07 5559 9888 for days and times. Our summer school holiday programs are being finalised; details will be posted on Workshops and Groups.

Questions families ask

When should we get in touch about Prep?

Whenever you have a question. Some families call in the year before Prep, some in the holidays, and some once Prep has started and something is hard. Waitlists vary, so it helps to call early.

Can you tell me if my child is ready for Prep?

We can help you understand your child’s strengths and the skills they are still building, and plan support for the move to school. Decisions about when your child starts school are made by your family, with your child’s kindy and school.

Do I need a referral or a diagnosis?

No. You do not need a diagnosis or a referral to start therapy with us: you can refer your child yourself, and most families do. A referral, such as a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, is only needed if you want to claim a Medicare rebate. See Funding.

Can we use NDIS, Medicare or private health?

We see NDIS clients who are self-managed or plan-managed. Medicare rebates may apply with a GP Chronic Condition Management Plan, and eligible rebates can be claimed on the spot at reception. Families with private health extras cover may be able to claim a rebate. For a worked example, see What will I pay?

Talk to our team

Burleigh Waters and Hope Island, 8.30 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. Phone 07 5559 9888 or email reception@mytherapyspace.com.au.