GEKA Chelsea
Joining the GEKA Community
The team at GEKA Chelsea Kindergarten welcomed Glen Eira Kindergarten Association with a sense of apprehension and excitement. Though we were facing the unknown, the changes and challenges were well supported by Mel MacMaster and Sam Kolasa. Thanks also to ........
Lalin - "As a new employee at GEKA Chelsea Kindergarten this year, GEKA is giving me the following opportunities available professionally through departmental guidance, role clarification, operations and day to day program and administration support. I look forward to building relationships and being inspired by the GEKA early years management services"
Katie- “I’d like to say I’m looking forward to being part of a strong community of learners and working in partnership with colleagues from other services. We have been welcomed as valued individuals"
Sally- "Looking forward to learning best practices and meaningful engagement"
Susie- “I look forward to the networking opportunities and professional development that being part of the GEKA team provides”
Maree- “direction and stability and becoming united as an early childhood service"
Sam- “responsive and support through industrial matters”
Jess- “I’m grateful for GEKA’s strong leadership, who have been generous and collaborative. I feel valuable and heard"
Lavayna- "Hard to believe it’s nearly the end of term 3! Being part of GEKA feels so recognised, respected and good to see high quality programs provided to the kindergarten. I am looking forward to continue working in collaboration of early childhood learning"
*An overview of the SRF for this year and the benefit for children and families and you as educators.
- Professional development and upskilling
At GEKA Chelsea, part of our School Readiness Funding plan allocated funds to enable educators and teachers to engage with Allied Health professionals. We identified language development and communication an area we could strengthen for our kindergarten friends. We have experienced professional development through face-to-face mentoring and coaching. This has supported kindergarten educators through expert advice and assisted us to embed new ideas, approaches and strategies within the program.
Keyword signs workshops have been provided for educators so we may use it with the children. We have begun by learning and using everyday common vocabulary and incorporated it into the program through music, finger plays and through the use of it it in routines and transitions. The children are demonstrating a firm understanding of using key word signs and it is empowering all children, especially those with challenges in language/speech and those who have English as an additional language.
Other professional opportunities have included; an online Bush Kinder program, the purchasing of resources, and backfill to time release staff to engage in workshops.
- Collaborate with educators to develop resources for use within the kindergarten and/or with families and the GEKA community.
- Communication aids (e.g. visual schedule, choice board, social story)
- Developmental guides and fact sheets
- Handouts
- Videos
- Reference/resource lists)
- Workshops with families and staff to support the children’s learning and development- consistency and links from kindergarten and home environment.
