LITTLE Chantelle Backer is probably the youngest prep in Ballarat.The four-year-old, who can already read and write, began school yesterday at Ballarat Christian College.While schools generally require children who are starting prep to be five years old by April 30 that year, Chantelle won't turn five until November.But Ballarat Christian College principal Kerry Hutton said he felt confident Chantelle had every chance of success.He said the decision to allow a child to start school at a younger age was not taken lightly."We look at the evidence parents provide and look at children's special needs individually," he said."This little girl is already advanced in her numeracy and literacy and is extremely articulate."Mr Hutton said Chantelle starting school early was the equivalent of a "grade skip". He said the school had accelerated pupils in other years. Chantelle's mother Elisa Backer said her daughter had been ready for school for a long time, and had also been independently assessed by a psychologist to test her IQ and maturity.Mrs Backer said Chantelle had taught herself to write words and described her daughter's memory as "like glue"."Her counting and language skills are very high," Mrs Backer said. "She does puzzles that are set for seven-year-olds and she does them quickly."It became obvious that she needed to be schooled because she was already doing school stuff well in advance."Chantelle said yesterday she loved school and spent time drawing a snail on her first day.