The Pyramid Model - School Readiness Funding
School Readiness Funding – Pyramid Model: Ongoing Professional Development – Improving quality, access and participation
By Liz Washington - Diversity Leader
This term, all 25 Glen Education kindergartens have been actively engaged in our ongoing professional learning with the Pyramid Model Australia, a framework that strengthens educators’ capacity to promote children’s social and emotional development.
Our teams have participated in online coaching sessions with Pyramid Model specialists, followed by face‑to‑face coaching within their kindergarten environments. These coaching sessions have focused on supporting educators to confidently implement the Solutions Kit—a practical set of tools designed to help children learn positive problem‑solving strategies during play and everyday interactions.
Through this training, educators are deepening their understanding of how to create nurturing, predictable, and responsive learning environments where children feel safe, supported, and empowered to manage challenges. The implementation of the Solutions Kit is already enriching classroom practice, helping children build skills in communication, emotional regulation, and collaborative problem‑solving.
This professional learning is an important part of Glen Education’s commitment to high‑quality, evidence‑informed practice across all our kindergartens, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive socially, emotionally, and developmentally.
Please see further information below regarding the solutions kit and how you can be involved at home.
What is the Pyramid Model Solutions Kit?
The Solutions Kit is a set of visual strategy cards that show children different ways they can solve common problems, such as:
- both wanting the same toy
- wanting a turn
- needing space
- feeling frustrated
- not knowing how to join play
Each card has a picture and a simple phrase so even very young children can understand and use it.
How does the solution kit support children?
It helps them to…
- understand what the problem is
- see visual choices instead of feeling overwhelmed
- practise independence and decision‑making
- build confidence in solving social challenges
- learn respectful ways to communicate with peers
It also helps educators stay consistent in how they support children during tricky moments.
How can parents implement this at home?
Parents can use the Solutions Kit at home by introducing simple visual reminders and using consistent language to guide children through small conflicts or moments of frustration. A copy of the kit has been shared on Kinderloop, and families can use these visuals during real‑life situations.
For example, if siblings both want the same toy, a parent might calmly say, “It looks like we have a problem. Let’s find a solution.” They can then show the cards and invite the child to choose a strategy. This approach helps children stay calm, feel empowered, and learn to manage challenges independently.
Using the Solutions Kit at home also strengthens the connection between learning at kindergarten and family life, creating consistency across both environments and supporting children’s social and emotional development.
Educator reflections on Pyramid Model coaching:
This program has been in place since early 2025 and is already creating meaningful, inspiring change across our kindergartens. Below, two of our kindergartens share reflections on how the program has influenced their curriculum, strengthened their practice, and enriched relationships within their learning communities.
“The program has had a significant impact on our practice by guiding a more consistent and intentional approach to supporting children’s social and emotional development. It has strengthened how we embed relationship-based practices and predictable routines within our daily curriculum, while also supporting educators to explicitly teach and scaffold problem-solving and prosocial skills. As a result, we have cultivated a more responsive and supportive environment where children are increasingly confident, independent, and capable of navigating social interactions.” – Glen Bentleigh Kindergarten
“The Pyramid Model has had a significant impact on our daily practice. Educators are now more intentional in supporting children’s emotional literacy, regularly engaging in conversations about feelings and guiding children to express themselves using words and calming strategies.
Our behaviour guidance approach has shifted to be more consistent, responsive, and relationship focused. We prioritise co-regulation, provide clear expectations, and support children to reflect on their behaviour in a supportive way.
The introduction of the Kinder Agreement and Expectation Tree has strengthened children’s sense of belonging and ownership within the environment. Children are more aware of expectations and are beginning to self-regulate and support their peers.
Overall, the program has contributed to a more positive, calm, and inclusive learning environment where children feel heard, respected, and confident in building social connections.” – Glen Sundowner Kindergarten