Often by the time children commence their four year old kinder year they have already experienced some time in formal care such as long day care, occasional / family day care, or a 3 year old kinder program. Even those children with previous experience can sometimes feel anxious about being left in their new kinder environment, getting to know their teacher or making friends.
The program is tailored to support the transition process and individual strategies are put in place for children requiring additional time and support.
As with the 3 year old program, the overall objectives in the four year old groups are in line with the Early Years Learning and Development Framework outcomes (as outlined above) which aims to ensure children have all of these aspects of learning fostered. The focus however shifts to a greater intention of school readiness.
At Dandenong South Pre-School the teachers provide a good mix of:
• structured and unstructured activities
• intentional teaching and open ended play
• active physical play and quiet time / individual play
• small group and large group experiences
• opportunities to listen to others, and opportunities to be heard
• being the leader, and being able to follow another person’s ideas
Each teacher will provide a quality program to reflect and build on the children’s interests and particular learning needs.
Cultural diversity will be celebrated in partnership with families, and children’s identity explored using events that hold special meaning to them.
Through our extended 15 hour per week timetable, we are able to offer children time and opportunity to practice and revisit important skills and build learning in our four year old programs.