Waratah Group

To all our new families and families returning in 2024 Welcome.  We have been spending the past few weeks engaging with the children to get to know them, and them us!  

We build on your goals from the Child questionnaires to set new goals (what next?) for each childand for the group as a whole. We do this based on our observations, the children’s interests, their needs and developmental stages.  We also have a family Voice sheet for you to jot down things (when you like or is appropriate) your child has been engaged in etc outside of kinder so we can talk to your child about this and possibly include it in the program. This is on the trolley as you enter the kinder room. You are also welcome to send a photo or 2 and we are happy to print these so again your child can share the information with the group if they would like.

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.  Identity, Community, Wellbeing, Learning and Communication.  

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- (EYLF community) -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 do have plans for group time but like to keep it flexible to allow for spontaneity – to discuss something someone has brought in or something that happened in the session for example. We also have a helping hand each session. Their tasks include ringing the 5-minute bell, putting out the place cards/photos for lunch, 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 Experiences, discussions and interests include the importance of belonging and being part of the group, the worm farm & composting , floating/sinking, singing number songs/rhymes, buddy time, mask making, maps, pirates, shape bingo, family portraits, obstacle courses and celebrating Birthdays. 

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 always available for families and the children. 

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

Thanks,

Louise, Tina & Liz