Passport to Primary: Your family's stress-free start to primary school
Discover Passport to Primary, a six-week summer program that bridges the gap between Preschool and primary school, helping your child build on the skills they’ve learnt throughout the year.
Already at Busy Bees? Confirm your child’s summer place
What is Passport to Primary?
Passport to Primary is a six-week summer program running at Busy Bees centres across Australia. Made for new and existing Busy Bees children starting school in 2027, Passport to Primary runs from 30 November 2026 to 22 January 2027 and breaks for two weeks over Christmas and New Years.
The adventure-style program aims to make the transition to school easier for both children and their parents by helping children retain and strengthen the school readiness skills gained throughout their kindy and preschool years.
With Passport to Primary, children will fill out their very own passport with special stamps as they practice tasks across four key skill categories inspired by Busy Bees’ Bee Curious curriculum; Bee a Friend, Bee Independent, Bee Curious, and Bee Confident.
From practising routines to nailing complex tasks, establishing solid social skills, and having a whole lot of fun in between, Passport to Primary is the ultimate launchpad for your little one’s journey to big school.
- For
- Children starting school in 2027
- Dates
- 30 November 2026 to 22 January 2027
- Break
- 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
- Where
- Participating Busy Bees centres
- Cost
- [TBC: offer for new families]
What is school readiness?
School readiness refers to the overall development of the foundational skills a child needs to thrive in their new school environment. Instead of focusing solely on academic success, school readiness is centered more broadly around a child’s holistic development and being ready and open to learn and to thrive at big school.
School readiness is vital, particularly for young children transitioning to primary school as it provides a practical foundation that allows them to flourish in all aspects of primary school.
Our Passport to Primary program builds on the foundations your child has developed throughout the year, helping them in:
How Passport to Primary works
At the beginning of the program, your child will be given a ‘passport’ which they’ll stamp when they complete tasks within each of the four categories of the Bee Curious curriculum. Collecting four stamps in one area earns them a shiny new certificate to take home.
-
Bee a Friend
I can build friendships and work with others.
Friendships and social confidence
-
Bee Independent
I can do things for myself and manage responsibilities.
Routines, managing belongings, and self-help
-
Bee Curious
I love learning, exploring, and solving problems.
Exploring, asking questions, and problem solving
-
Bee Confident
I can manage challenges, emotions, and new experiences.
Resilience, wellbeing, and emotional regulation
Four stamps in one area earns a certificate. The passport comes home every Friday so you can see your child’s progress.
A six-week learning adventure
Every week of Passport to Primary unlocks a brand new theme, picture book, and set of hands-on activities that are designed to keep little minds busy, smiles wide, and first-day jitters at bay.
December
-
From Monday 30 November
Ready to Thrive
Getting to know ourselves and others
Book: Elmer by David McKee
-
From Monday 7 December
Friendship Forest
Building friendships and social skills
Book: The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister
-
From Monday 14 December
Bee Curious Explorers
Designing, creating, and solving problems
Book: You Choose by Pippa Goodhart
Christmas break: the program pauses from 21 December 2026 to 1 January 2027
January
-
From Monday 4 January
Growing Together
Collaboration and teamwork
Book: This Is Our House by Michael Rosen
-
From Monday 11 January
Bee Brave Academy
Wellbeing, resilience, and kindness
Book: The Colour Monster by Anna Llenas
-
From Monday 18 January
Ready to Fly (TBC)
Celebrating growth and school readiness
Book: Full, Full, Full of Love by Trish Cooke
What families can expect
At Busy Bees, we know that summer is a busy season for families, with holiday plans, changing routines, and little ones to keep entertained. That’s why we’ve made taking part in our summer program as simple and stress-free as can be. With Passport to Primary, your little one enjoys the ultimate summer adventure, meanwhile, you don’t have to lift a finger!
-
An adventure-style learning program
Passport to Primary helps children build on their school readiness skills in a way that is both educational and engaging, because children learn best when they’re having fun.
-
We’ll bring the adventure
No need to go out shopping. We’ll take care of everything, including the passport, stamps and all other materials.
-
Proud moments shared with you
Look out for your child’s passport and a progress email every Friday, highlighting your child’s weekly achievements and what’s coming next.
-
Pack for a regular day
Pack as you would for a day of fun and learning at Busy Bees, with all your child’s usual essentials.
Join in on the fun!
No matter if you’re an existing member of the Hive family, or someone looking to join our growing community over the summer, we’re here to support you child every step of the way.
Already part of our hive?
If your child is starting primary school in 2027 and is already booked for care during the program dates, they’ll automatically participate on their booked days.
If you’re planning to finish care after graduation, speak with your Centre Director by 22 November about extending your child’s bookings. Please note, bookings are subject to availability.
Discover a centre near you
New to Busy Bees or buzzing back to the hive? Getting started is easy! Find your local centre to explore availability, discuss your child’s needs and arrange a tour. Our friendly team will guide you through the enrolment process, helping your little one get ready for their Passport to Primary adventure!
Questions about Passport to Primary
Who is Passport to Primary for?
Passport to Primary is for children who are finishing kinder, kindy, or preschool in 2026 and are beginning primary school in 2027. We welcome both new and existing families to attend the program.
When does the program run, and what happens over Christmas and New Years?
The program runs for six weeks, beginning on Monday 30 November and running until Friday 22 January. There is a two week pause in the program for the Christmas and News Years break From Monday 22 December to Friday 1 January.
My child doesn’t go to Busy Bees. Can they join just for the summer?
Absolutely, we always love welcoming new little bees to our hive, even if it’s just for the summer.
My child already goes to Busy Bees. How do I enrol them in Passport to Primary?
If your child is already enrolled at a participating Busy Bees centre, all you have to do is speak with the Centre Director of your centre to let them know you plan on staying for the summer. They will provide you with all the details you need to know and will answer any questions you may have.
How much does it cost, and can I use the Child Care Subsidy?
In terms of the cost of the Passport to Primary program, regular Child Care Subsidy rates apply, meaning your final out-of-pocket gap fee will depend on your family’s standard subsidy percentage.
Does my child need to come everyday?
No, your child doesn’t have to attend the program everyday – they’ll still benefit from the program even if they only attend a couple days a week. However, it’s worth noting that Passport to Primary is designed as a fully integrated program, so attending all five days of the week will help your child get the most out of the experience.
Do I need to purchase anything?
No. That’s the great thing about it. You don’t have to buy a thing! Just pack your child’s bag as you would for a regular day at childcare.
What will my child bring home?
In addition to a newfound love of learning and a greater sense of confidence, your child will bring back their passport at the end of every week so you can see what they have been up to and what they have achieved. You’ll also receive an email on Fridays noting their progress and what they are getting up to next.
My child is already booked in during the summer period, will they get to participate in Passport to Primary?
Yes! If your child is already enrolled during the summertime, they will automatically participate in the program in their booked days.
