For parents who are making this important decision, particularly for the first time, the experience of the decision-making could be likened to driving in an unfamiliar place. The parent may feel lost or confused about which direction to go, resulting in increased stress and anxiety. At the intersection in the image on the right, the driver has various options, to turn left or right or continue straight ahead. This is an easy decision if you know are familiar with the area. However, unless you are genetically blessed with an inbuilt navigation system, various options can cause confusion when you are in an unfamiliar place.
For many parents deciding when their child should commence formal schooling is not an easy decision. Current flexibility in starting school policies in Australia affords some parents the choice to decide to send their child to school at the earliest opportunity or keep them at home for an additional year. As the parent considers each option, they are uncertain what the outcome will be. This uncertainty adds further fuel to the stress and anxiety experienced by many parents.