University of Melbourne research finds preschool directly responsible for improvement in later NAPLAN scores A Norwood Primary School class undertaking NAPLAN test. Picture: Tait Schmaal Source: Sunday Mail (SA) CHILDREN who attend preschool are up to five months ahead of their peers in critical disciplines midway through primary school. Those whose teacher had a relevant diploma or degree gain the most according to new research. But it's feared some youngsters won't benefit from new rules requiring such standards because of "loopholes" in the legislation. University of Melbourne researchers found preschool was directly responsible for adding 10 to 20 points to students' Grade 3 NAPLAN scores the equivalent of 15 to 20 weeks of schooling. Reading, spelling and numeracy showed the most significant gains. Report co-author Dr Diana Warren said preschool led to benefits, no matter what a child's ability or background. "Partly it's because they are more ready for school than the kids that haven't attended preschool," Dr Warren said. The type of activities they are doing are play-based learning but they are learning the starting points of literacy and numeracy amongst other things. The research compared NAPLAN results of more than 2200 children aged between four and five in 2004 and in Grade 3 in 2008. But researchers warned some children could miss out on the benefits. This was because the new rules, to apply from January, allow centres to avoid the requirement if they have fewer than 25 children or a "high proportion" of staff working towards a relevant qualification.