Glen Education McKinnon
Exploring Community Connections
Written by Deepti Sinha, Diploma / ECT
At Glen McKinnon Kindergarten, our learning environment extends beyond the Service.
One of our key goals this year has been to help children develop meaningful connections with the wider community, through experiences such as visiting Claremont Terrace Aged Care and travelling to Bentleigh Library.
Our Visit to Claremont Terrace
Claremont Terrace is a vital part of our community, and the connections we are building with the residents will have many benefits for the children. Claremont Terrace Aged Care was filled with laughter and excitement as some of our children went on an outing to form strong connections with the residents.
The residents were visibly moved by the enthusiasm and excitement of the children, and many shared stories from their own childhoods and families.
The visit concluded with lovely goodbyes and a promise of more visits from our kindergarten to the wonderful residents of Claremont Terrace. It was a visit filled with love and laughter and reminds us of the connection across generations. This event brought joy to the residents. It strengthens relationships and builds children’s sense of belonging, as well as empathy and respect.
Children’s Voices:
Child T – I would like to go again.
Child I – I like listening to stories.
Child R – Pat make me laugh.
Child T – I like listening to the story and talking to them.
Feedback from Claremont Terrace
Our long-standing partnership with McKinnon Kindergarten has been a truly special part of life at Claremont. Over the years, the kindergarten teachers have shown remarkable dedication and support, fostering a warm and meaningful connection between the children and our residents. Their thoughtful planning and enthusiasm have made each visit engaging and joyful, helping to create lasting memories and a genuine sense of community.
The visits from the McKinnon children have brought immense joy and energy to our residents. Through games, crafts, and shared activities, the children and residents have formed wonderful intergenerational bonds. These visits have helped residents feel more engaged, uplifted, and emotionally fulfilled, promoting a strong sense of purpose, belonging, and happiness within Claremont.
Book Week Excursion – Bentleigh Library
As part of our Book Week celebrations, the children went on an excursion to the Bentleigh Library. It supported their developing sense of belonging and community connection. Families were invited to join the excursion to help connect with their children’s learning. The excursion also helped develop understanding of safety whilst out in the community and awareness of our surroundings.
Throughout the experience, the children strengthened their decision-making skills and extended their literacy learning. They took responsibility as they walked to the train station, listened carefully to instructions, and waited patiently for the train, even though they were very excited! At the library, the children explored a wide range of books and listened to engaging stories. The day was filled with curiosity, joy, and meaningful learning experiences.
Children’s Voices:
Child T: I love the library because it has so many books to read.
Child M: I loved the train ride because I’ve never been on a train before.
Child L: Going on the train was fun!
Child R: I saw a tower from the window on the train.
Child O: The library is near my sister’s school. Child S: I used to go to a different library when I was a baby.
The children created thank you cards for the library, expressing gratitude and how much they appreciated the library hosting a special session for our kindergarten, expressing ideas and making meaning through their drawings.
Continuing Our Community Partnerships
The ongoing partnership with the Aged Care and Library have been powerful ways to achieve our curriculum goal of building community connections. Experiences like these empower children to become active and confident participants in their community - curious, thoughtful, and eager to keep learning about the world around them.
Early Years Learning Framework – Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
This is evident when children identify themselves as being part of a community group and recognise, they have the right to belong and contribute to their community.
The Glen Education Philosophy
We believe that all children are capable and resourceful learners who are active contributors to their own learning. Children are valued as individuals, within the context of their family and the community. We respectfully incorporate and reflect the diversity within our community into our inclusive educational program and will build meaningful links with the local community and the wider world.