Pre-school Programs
The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia "Belonging, Being and Becoming" is the foundation of our program. We believe in learning through play as the basis of our curriculum. Through this children are able to develop a:
- love of learning
- sense of connectedness with the world
- ability to be effective communicators
- build a strong sense of identity and
- stimulate a sense of wellbeing
Educators observe daily through their reflective journals and by using critical reflective thinking are able to plan the next step to enhance children's learning. Staff regularly discuss each child's progress with parents / families throughout the year and encourage feedback wherever possible.
At Willy Wagtails we provide a program that caters to children's interests and abilities and believe the environment plays a role in children's learning.
All activities are designed to be stimulating, challenging, engaging and fun!
- The Pelicans - 4 to 5 years
Implementing a school readiness program in the Pelican room enables the children to develop their developmental skills in key learning areas such as literacy, numeracy and self help skills. By developing these skills each individual child's short and long term success at school will be enhanced. It is also a crucial stage to build positive relationships with each child as this is essential in developing their self esteem which will assist each child to make effective transitions from a childcare setting to school environments.
Child-Focussed
In early childhood education, the curriculum is not the focus, the children are. We feel that a meaningful, integrated emerging curriculum that incorporates "The Early Years Framework" is the most beneficial environment for children's learning across all developmental domains. Play is the main focus of learning as a basis for life skills.
Evaluation
The staff document the children's learning throughout the day, making observations at these various activities and developing experiences and plans for each child which are then added to the daily program. This is linked to the "Early Years Framework" and Quality Standards principles demonstrating how we achieve these goals. All observations are available for families to read each day in their child's portfolio which is displayed in the classroom. These portfolios go home with the child at the end of each year. A daily reflection sheet is also completed each day on our indoor and outdoor environments with a focus on small group and individuals.
We focus on six key areas to ensure children are ready for school and thrive during their first school year.
Literacy — using Ants in the Apple method which concentrates on the alphabet, the letter-sound collaboration/phonics. Engaging in pre-reading and writing experiences, experimenting with computers including use of the mouse and keyboard.
Numeracy — a strong understanding of basic mathematical concepts through practical hands on experiences.
Fine Motor — strength, control and coordination of the hand muscles for writing, cutting etc.
Language — speaking, listening, vocabulary and comprehension.
Intellectual — concentration, persistence, problem solving, memory, following instructions.
Emotional/Social - using PALS program showing respect, speaking confidently to peers and adults and to care for their belongings.
- The Dolphins - 3 to 4 years
Our School Readiness program starts from the first day your child attends Willy Wagtails Kindergarten, regardless of their age! Babies and toddlers will learn to separate with ease from their parents upon arrival and pre-schoolers will learn social skills in the playground such as problem solving and negotiation. The dolphin room caters for children aged approximately 3-4 years of age, this does vary depending upon the month your child is born in as well as individual needs. The highly qualified teachers and educators are focussed on developing particular skills to assist your child in preparing for starting school. These skills are then consolidated in the pelican room which caters for the 4-5 year olds approximately.
School readiness in the dolphin room is not a separate part of the program. At Willy Wagtails we promote all areas of your child’s growth and development in conjunction with the Early Years learning Framework. By responding to each child’s unique learning style and interests we provide opportunities that encourage the skills and attributes needed for starting school.
Children are encouraged to become confident learners through a variety of planned activities that also have an emphasis on numeracy and literacy development. Being socially competent maximises children’s opportunities to engage in learning and to take on the challenges that school presents. When children struggle to communicate and build relationships with peers and teachers, this detracts from their capacity to learn and participate in the school program.
Willy Wagtails Kindergarten aims for children to confidently and competently take part in the school environment by encouraging the development of core social skills. Taking turns, sharing, being able to make friends and a degree of independence are some of the skills that children are being supported to develop. The dolphin room also prepare children for school by encouraging the development of strong relationships with others. This is essential for children in developing self-confidence and resilience to enable them to cope and thrive other environments that they are unsure of such as school. The use of programs such as Munch and Move also assist in keeping physically active as well as developing healthy eating habits.
Play is the main focus of learning as a basis for life skills.
Early Years Learning Framework
Our Preschool Program (School Readiness) is structured and spontaneous in line with the EYLF (the Early Years Learning Framework). The Framework encompasses the concept of children being active participants in their own learning thus gaining a sense of belonging, being and becoming. The Framework has five learning goals educators will assist in developing in your child. They include:
- A strong sense of identity
- Connections with their world
- A strong sense of wellbeing
- Confidence and involvement in their learning
- Effective communication skills
- The Starfish - 2 to 3 years
The starfish room has 15 children in its room with three educators. All educators provide a high level of experience and training ranging from a Bachelor of Education to certificate III in Children’s Services. The room caters for toddlers and focusses on their emotional development.
Toddlers are going through lots of emotions while also learning about other people’s feelings. Temper tantrums are normal, because children often don’t know how to put words to ‘big’ emotions like frustration and anger.
Educators in the starfish room are there to support toddlers during these big emotions by creating nurturing secure attachments, they are able to provide strategies to help your child be able to express themselves in a positive manner. Talking is another big milestone in this age group through storytelling and songs educators extend on your child’s vocabulary and ability to express themselves with words. Toddler will start learning how to take turns when speaking, and might be able to have short conversations, through play and at meal times educators encourage turn taking during conversations to extend on this skill.
Play is important at any age but particularly at the toddler stage because it’s how children learn. Toddlers enjoy playing with others for short periods of time and may develop friendships or interest in another child. Activities the educators provide such as playing dress-ups, having tea parties, painting with their fingers or a brush allows children to make sense of the world around them. When your toddler plays with other children, they are getting better at taking turns, sharing and understanding their impact of their actions on others. Here in the starfish room educators use all these opportunities as learning opportunities to help toddlers to be able to express themselves and be able to get along with others.
- The Pippis - 6 wks to 2 years
This room caters for 12 children with three educators with all educators having a wealth of knowledge and experience including a strong understanding of ‘attachment of security’. Basically this means that upon first day of enrolment families are encouraged to be participants in their child’s day. This may include coming in to breast feed your child throughout the day or staying for a while to help your child settle before leaving. Educators will work with families to develop a routine that works for the families and the service that provides familiarity and secure attachments with educators. Educators through smiling, cuddling and bonding with your child are able to make your child feel valued.
Play along with building attachment with your child is key in child development. This allows children to express sounds, vocalise and say some words. Storytelling and songs/fingerplays are used regularly in the Pippi room to help further enhance children’s language skills and cognitive development. Routine times of the day such as meal times, changing a child’s nappy and putting a child to sleep are also times educators can build on that bond and extend children’s language and cognitive development. Educators work in conjunction with families to help support them in whatever their child’s needs are at the time this may include help with behaviour concerns, children’s individual temperaments and current interests they may have.
