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Room Information Welcome to the Preschool Wallaby Room! In the Wallaby room we cater for 19-20 children aged between 3 and 6 years. The room is staffed by caring and dedicated professionals, trained and experienced in providing quality care and education for your child. The room is currently staffed by Kim (Bachelor of Teaching/Diploma Children’s Services) (M, T, W), Karen (M, T, W, Th,) Donna (Bachelor of Teaching) (Th, F) and Lauren (Trainee currently studying Certificate III Children’s Services) (F). This dynamic team provides a rich nurturing environment that works well for the children. The girl’s wealth of experience and enthusiasm matched with their down to earth engaging approach help the room run smoothly with lots happening all the time. We would love to see you visit us any time. WHAT TO BRING EACH DAY We suggest that each child has a labeled child sized bag to bring each day, with the following included in it: At least one total change of labeled clothes A special cuddle toy for sleep time, (only if needed) We also require you to supply bedding for rest/sleep time. This includes a small bottom sheet (not fitted as too hard for self help) a pillow if needed, and in summer a light sheet or small blanket, in winter a thicker cot sized blanket. This bedding needs to be carried in either a large pillow case or draw string bag. All needs to be labeled clearly and taken home weekly for laundering. Bags and sleep bags can remain at the centre if your child attends consecutive days; otherwise they need to go home each day. THINGS TO LEAVE AT HOME Toys (other than those required for rest/sleep) should remain at home. A good idea is to speak to the children about all the different toys they will have to play with in the Wallabies. It is fine however, for the children to bring in a book or photos to share with their friends. OUR PROGRAMS Within a happy, stimulating and interactive environment, the staff will endeavor to develop in each child the following: Self confidence and a feeling of belonging Strong interpersonal skills Independence An acceptance of group rules and self discipline Self expression through speech, movement, music and art Early literacy skills and concept of number The ability to observe, question, evaluation and organise their ideas Imagination in play, construction and artwork As you can see, each week your child will be involved in many different activities aimed at encouraging their overall development. Increasing your child’s self esteem and independence such that they have confidence in their own abilities is of utmost importance. Please see Parent Handbook – programming for further details of how our programs are designed and implemented. School Readiness Program The transition between preschool and school has been recognized as a very important milestone for children. Sue Dockett, co-editor of a recent publication titled “Beginning School Together; Sharing strengths” has completed a study focused on the transition to school. In her findings, Sue has said that children who experience early school success tend to continue to experience success, not only in school but in other areas of life. Based on research such as this, we have a School Readiness Program that runs each year for the children of the Preschool Wallaby room who will be attending Kindergarten the following year. The program begins in October and runs until the end of the year’s programming schedule (early December). Before this time each child will take home an information sheet about the program to assist parents in preparing for this special time. Our program is based on our own staff’s studies, but also advice sought from teachers of our local primary schools who were kind enough to offer us some ideas of what skills young children in their first year of school most need to have acquired before beginning Kindergarten to aid their transition and ultimate success. A brief description of the program is as follows: a) A set time each day the Wallaby group will separate into 2 groups; “School Goers” and “Preschoolers”. Children attending school the next year will make up the “School Goers” and will be led through the planned school activities. Some of the activities of the program are as follows: Independence and Self Help - The children will be encouraged to carry their own bags and put them in their own locker without mum or dad helping on arrival each day. Mums and Dads need to help us by remembering this one as you leave home. Helpers Duty - helping to set the table for lunch, taking messages to other rooms, simple jobs around the room. Self dressing - putting on own shoes and socks and folding blankets after sleep time. Early Literature and Literacy activities –comprehension activities based on books read etc, Learning to move in a group. Lunch box days - children will need to bring in a lunch box and drink bottle, to practice manipulating lids, unwrapping cling wrap etc during lunch time. The Centre will provide the lunch. A walking visit - to a nearby school later in the year (most likely St John’s which is behind the centre). During this visit the children will be able to see the layout of a school and playground and what their classroom may look like. Whilst this program takes place, the younger Preschoolers will be involved in their normal planned and spontaneous activities and will no doubt begin to look forward to the following year when they become a “school goer”! Our aim is to provide high standards of quality care and education for all children in a safe, healthy and nurturing environment, where staff, parents and children are cooperatively engaged in developing the abilities and skills of the children to their full potential. We truly appreciate all suggestions and feedback on our programs etc and hope that families feel welcome to be as involved in the room as they feel comfortable.
Thank you Preschool Wallaby Staff Kim, Karen, Donna and Lauren
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Index Program and Early Years Learning Framework
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Elder Street
EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTRE