Waratah Group

To all our new families and families returning in 2021- Welcome

During the first few weeks of Term 1 we spend time getting to know your children and built on your goals from the Child Questionnaires to set new goals for each child and the group as a whole.  We do this based on our observations, the children’s interests, their needs and developmental stages.

We will also be sending home A Family Voice sheet for you to jot down things (when you like or is appropriate) your child has been engaged in outside of kinder so we can talk to your child about this to possibly include in the program. 

The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) has 5 outcomes Identity, Community, Wellbeing, Learning and Communication. This framework underpins all what we do and is reflected in our planning of the program and individual learning plans and when assessing children’s learning 

The experiences we set up and the routine, provide opportunities for learning, for example counting in a numeracy game, or literacy skills in an office role-play area.  They also encourage the use and development of social skills, taking turns, entering existing play, engaging in reciprocal conversations, working collaboratively, listening to, and respecting others and Executive Processing skills- cognitive flexibility (mental flexibility), working memory and inhibitory control (self-control). We intentionally plan for the development of these skills throughout the year and often opportunities arise for learning through spontaneous “teachable moments”. 

Group time happens every day at kinder and it takes many forms! We always start with our acknowledgement to country. We introduce this concept by talking about the first people of Australia, how they have looked after the land for many years and how we need to acknowledge, respect and thank them for this and continue to do so ourselves.

We also have a special helper each session. Their tasks include ringing the 5-minute bell, putting out the place mats, dispersing the group from group time to snack time. We use shape, number, name, colour, matching games and so on to do this- there are always opportunities for learning throughout the session!

During Term 1 discussions and experiences we have had at group time include acceptable behaviour at kinder where we have been formulating  a Red group code of conduct, learning the names of the group members, the importance of belonging and being part of the group, consent and personal space, singing, crossing the midline exercises celebrating birthdays and so much more!

We record some of the learning via photos and on the whiteboard which are sent via school stream and each child has a portfolio that that contains photos, artwork etc in the kinder rooms. We add to these throughout the year.  They are kept on the shelf in the book area and are available for families and the children at all times.

We are always available to have a chat about your child if you need and can make time after the sessions for these.

Thanks - Louise, Kath, Tina