The cornerstone of your application is a detailed, one-year educational plan tailored to your child’s needs. Your plan should demonstrate your ability to provide a suitable educational environment. Include the following elements:

Child Overview

• A summary of your child’s academic history, strengths, challenges, and personal interests. This is to ensure that the planned program matches your child’s current academic level, abilities and challenges.
• Example: “Jamie has a strong interest in science experiments and struggles with spelling. They enjoy hands-on activities and outdoor learning.”

Child-Centred Approach

• Create a plan that prioritises your child’s unique interests and strengths. To do this:
  • Observe and document interests: Spend time observing your child’s natural inclinations. Note the activities they enjoy and the topics they talk about most.
  • Engage your child: Discuss what they are curious about or what they want to learn. For example, a child fascinated by animals may enjoy a programme centred around biology and ecology.
  • Flexibility: Design a plan that allows room to adapt to new interests that arise during the year.
  • Incorporate their passions: If your child loves drawing, include art projects tied to other subjects, such as illustrating scenes from history or creating diagrams for science.

Learning Style

• Assess how your child learns best:
  • Observe their natural preferences during activities. For example, do they enjoy reading books, watching videos, or engaging in hands-on tasks?
  • Use online quizzes or tools like the VARK questionnaire to identify their learning style.
  • Consult resources like Home Education QLD for guidance.

Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

• Short-Term Goals (1 year):
  • Focus on measurable outcomes. For example: “Jamie will develop their literacy skills and improve reading out loud.” or “Jamie will complete science experiments using household materials.”
• Long-Term Goals (2-5 years):
  • Broader objectives, such as “Jamie will develop independent learning skills” or “Jamie will gain foundational knowledge in algebra and geometry.”

Teaching Strategies

• Describe specific strategies you’ll use to support your child’s learning, such as:
  • Breaking tasks into smaller steps.
  • Using educational apps or interactive tools.
  • Combining lessons with practical activities, such as baking to teach fractions.
  • Building on their interests: For example, a child who loves dinosaurs could explore fossils (science), timeline events (history), and drawing dinosaurs (art).

Physical Learning Environment

• Detail the resources available, such as:
  • A dedicated study space with minimal distractions.
  • Access to books, art supplies, and online learning platforms.
  • Opportunities for outdoor learning, such as gardening or nature walks.

Learning Areas/Subjects

• While the Queensland guidelines do not mandate a fixed number of subjects, it is advisable to include a broad range of learning areas to demonstrate educational suitability. Common areas include:
  • English: “Daily journalling and weekly spelling practice.”
  • Maths: “Using Mathletics for core skills and practical applications like budgeting.”
  • Science: “Conducting experiments and visiting science centres.”
  • HASS: “Exploring Australian history through documentaries and museum visits.”
  • HPE: “Participating in local sports and weekly nature hikes.”

Socialisation Opportunities

• Explain how your child will engage with peers:
  • Joining co-ops or home education groups.
  • Attending library events or workshops.
  • Enrolling in extracurricular activities like music, art, or sports.

If your child has barriers to socialisation, such as anxiety or a medical condition, explain how their emotional needs will be supported. For example, you might provide virtual peer interactions, therapy support, or individualised activities tailored to their comfort level. The social opportunities can be “when they are ready”, and can also include family, extended family, friends, professional appointments etc.

Assessment and Recording

• Describe how you will track your child’s progress:
  • Keep a portfolio of work samples, photos, and project summaries with dates.
  • Use checklists to monitor progress towards goals.
  • Write brief observation notes after each learning session.

Refer to the Home Education QLD resources for templates and examples to guide you.