PRE-KINDERGARTEN

Welcome to the River School’s Pre-Kindergarten Group, operating 2, 3 & 5 day programs.  We hope this is the beginning of a wonderful experience for your child and yourselves. We feel it a privilege that you have chosen us to be a part of your child’s life this year.

Every year and every group of children are very different. We get to know and love a new bunch of exciting personalities who mature, gaining friends as well as confidence throughout the year.

Neo-Humanist education is not a method, but a philosophy of education and human life.
Therefore we try to use the most progressive methods possible that are in line with our philosophy, adjusting those for the place and children we are teaching.

Play is the natural way that children learn.
With play-based education, children develop a love of learning.
‘Socio-dramatic play’ or imaginative play gives children a chance to imitate and practise what they see all around them. Teachers can gently extend this experience by being involved and carefully observing the childrens’ play.
We encourage creativity and fun through the use of songs, games, stories and art.

We believe there is an innate Oneness that unites all beings - animate and inanimate.
We share with children our respect for all life and the wonder of the amazing natural world that surrounds us.
We like to encourage children to innately feel that connection through developing silence (sacred time), simple meditation and visualisations as well as spending time in nature.

We are all members of one human family.
Humanity is like a beautiful garden with so many different kinds of flowers each one adding to the beauty of the whole.
We can help children appreciate and understand racial, cultural, national and ethnic differences – while still understanding the basic unity that we share.

We believe in the uniqueness of every child; each child has special gifts, their own learning timetable, and their special way to take in knowledge. The teacher’s job is to see, with love, the uniqueness of each child, so that they can freely blossom in their own time, in the best possible environment for them. Each child has many facets to be valued and enhanced.

Our learning community takes into account children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual development.

Our Educational Goals for Pre-Kindy

• To provide a program that carefully balances teacher enriched learning through play and teacher initiated learning experiences.
• To foster self confidence and self worth as we encourage children to learn about themselves, and to respect and live peacefully with others.
• To promote appropriate social behaviours, encouraging children to negotiate and compromise, to be assertive and learn to be good friends.
• To encourage children to be independent, self motivated learners who can wonder, make hypotheses and feel confident to express their ideas, in a range of mediums.
• To challenge children outdoors with a program of physical activities to complement our indoor play, encouraging important whole brain development.

Communication

We believe open and frequent communication goes a long way in promoting a very positive Pre-Kindy environment. We use various means of communication to you, these are:

• The Pre-Kindy noticeboard… notices… on our verandah
• Posters…with information and illustrations of children playing
• Letters home to you detailing current aspects of the program and any other general issues.
• The school newslette that is available via the website..
• Scrapbooks… collections of children’s art work and photos. These come home once midyear and then at the end of the year for you to keep.
• Parent interviews – regular sharing of information regarding your child’s progress will occur informally on a day to day basis, but formal interviews are held at the end of the first term and at the end of term three.

Parent/Teacher Relationship

We do value our relationship with parents, however our main concern during school hours is providing a quality pre-kindergarten program for your children. We need setting up time in the morning and to be fully available to the children during their day. We ask you to save our informal chats untill after Pre-Kindy or by making an appointment to see the teacher.

If any concerns arise concerning your child or the program please arrange a time to talk to the Pre- Kindy educator Marilyn Keylar to discuss these and find prompt resolutions.
Please let us know about any events in your child’s life that may effect their behaviour eg. making them excited (eg, a visit from a relative) or in need of support (the death of a family pet, arrival of a new baby etc.)

Parents are a very valuable part of the Pre-Kindy program. You are your child’s first teacher and because of your intimate relationship, have a lot of valuable insights and knowledge about the many facets of your child that you could share with us. We value and always enjoy parental involvement in the Pre-kindy program. Later, through the year when the children are secure in the group you may be able to help in areas such as:

Sharing an area of expertise e.g. playing a musical instrument, cooking, gardening etc.
Hunting and gathering; interesting materials for children to experiment and create with eg.

• Shells
• Drift Wood (Small pieces)
• Pieces of coral
• Lovely rocks and stones.
• Pinecones especially the tiny ones.
• Gumnuts; especially the BIG ones.
• Banksia men
• Ribbons and lace
• Fabric flowers
• Coloured pieces of plexiglass
• Pine offcuts for carpentry
• Wire for modelling with
• Beads and buttons for sorting

Settling your child into Pre-Kindy

It is not uncommon for young children to experience separation anxiety even if they have attended child care.  Pre-Kindy presents a new situation. The teachers are unfamiliar at the beginning, the routine may differ and there may be different expectations. Parents can also experience anxiety especially if this is a new situation for them.  A home visit is organised to help support your child's first experience at school.

It is wise, therefore to have a plan, should some separation anxiety occur. We recommend preparing your child before hand about how long you will stay and stick to it. For example, “I will read you a story, or do a puzzle with you, but them I am going. I will be back when kindy finishes."

Always say goodbye and tell them that you will be coming back, as this builds trust in your relationship. They may cry and try and get you to stay longer and this can be very hard to bear. But, it is really important to keep your agreement. Always make sure one of us is with them for support when you say goodbye. Nearly every child settles within a few minutes after you’ve gone. If you are concerned please ring us when you get home so you can then relax and enjoy your "day off”.

The First Weeks

It always takes most of first term (‘til Easter) for the children to settle in, feel comfortable in the group and get to know each other’s names.

Attendance

For the continuity of the program and the benefit of your child, please make every effort to be consistent with your child’s attendance at Pre-Kindy. It is unsettling for your child and difficult for them to fit in with the group if attendance is irregular. If your child is ill or if something unavoidable happens, please let us know on the day of absence. Prior notice of holidays is also appreciated. Written or verbal consent needs to be given to staff before children are permitted to go with an adult other than a custodial parent.

Arrival and Departure

Please aim to get your child to Pre-Kindy on time . Arriving late and trying to fit into the group is very difficult for a young child. Whom ever brings the child needs to sign them in, in the mornings and then out in the afternoons. Likewise the prompt pick-up of your child after Pre-Kindy reduces any worrying moments for them.

The Pre-Kindergarten Program

This can change from year to year, and term to term, but a regular routine helps your child settle and feel a sense of control over their day, as they know what comes next and the procedures. This encourages more independent behaviours.

Our summer day usually flows as follows: Times vary depending on the group, their focus, concentration spans and how tired they are. At the beginning of the year the times will be shorter. The heat also effects them in February. 

8.00 Centre Opens 

9.00 Pre-Kindergarten Program begins.

9.05 Outdoor play, before it gets too hot
9.45 pack up time, toilet, wash hands, drinks
10.00 Morning tea time
10.20 Morning Circle
11.00 Indoor Playtime, playbased learning
11.45 packup time, toilet, wash hands, drinks
12.00 story time
12.20 Lunch
12.45 Rest time
1.30 Books, puzzles, manipulative equipment, table games, walks, ball games, playground, gardening, exploring etc.
2.30 Pre-Kindy Program ends

4.00 Centre Closes

 

What to Bring to Pre-Kindy ( please name all belongings)

Children need to know which things belong to them and be able to use them by themselves e.g. open their lunch box. This is very important for encouraging independence and positive self esteem.

• A sunhat that stays at Pre-Kindy (a broad brimmed hat or legionaires style with flap to cover the neck are the only suitable styles, no caps or visors.)
• Enough food for lunch and morning tea in one lunch box (these will be refrigerated). Please monitor the amount of food your child eats and send more or less as needs change. Please make sure this food has minimal packaging, is sentient and no artificial colours, flavours and preservatives.  Uneaten food will come home.
• A named, unbreakable plastic cup with a handle as it has to hang up on a hook and stays at Pre-kindy.
• At least one change of clothes (Old clothes are the best, as the children will be engaged in messy play).
• A small pillow, 2 small sheets and a small quilt/rug for rest time. We provide a bag to keep them in at Kindy.
• A bag/backpack big enough to carry lunch, spare clothes, jumper etc. to and from Pre-Kindy, manageable by the child each day.
• Wear clothes suitable for climbing and messy activities, t-shirt and shorts are the best. These clothes should also encourage independence in changing and toileting.
• Footwear for adventures. (preferably, that children can manage themselves).

Excursions

Pre-Kindergarten children do not swim in the creek. Our excursions are within the school grounds e.g. a run on the oval, a play in the big playground or a visit to the basketball court to play ball games.

Toys or treasures from home.

We discourage children from bringing toys or special items from home as these may get lost or damaged. This can be upsetting for the child and yourself.

Pre-Kindy Educators are:

Marilyn Keylar
Julie Hohn
Vicki White and
Gemma West