Glen Education Serrell Street

Secure Partnerships

Glen Serrell St Kindergarten

Children are often upset when starting Kindergarten, especially if it is their first experience away from the security of home and family.  

Gradually, througgh the reinforcement of safety and security, children begin to settle, and slowly move from being near the door and asking for their parent to joining in small group experiences.   

In the fourth week of kindergarten, we introduced a book called ‘Silly Billy’ by Anthony Brown.  The book is a touching, sensitive story about the resourcefulness of children and using the power of the imagination to combat irrational fears.  After reading the story, the child wanted to make worry dolls and keep them close by. Making the worry dolls helped the child to settle and and transition into kindergarten. 

We noticed from week 5, the confidence of children as they arrived at kindergarten and took ownership of their space.  

This observation documents how the child in this example, has developed a strong sense of belonging and is learning  to express their feelings with confidence. The worry dolls were an effective tool in supporting the child to first verbalise their feelings and then manage their emotions.

Secure attachments are vital for transitions to be successful for children. This is where the Circle of Security plays a key role in ensuring the child’s rights and needs are met. 

"The Circle of Security is a way of thinking about children that enables carers and educators to look beyond the children’s immediate behaviour and think about how to meet their relationship needs. This approach fits well with childcare practice, in which the quality of the relationships you make withchildren, the way you support their relationships with peers and the partnerships you develop with their families, are crucial. The Circle of Security helps you observe the different ways that children approach you to seek support and make use of your help." 

Through the Circle of Security (https://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/RIP0704-sample-chapter.pdf), children are encouraged to form strong attachments with their educators and are more likely to feel secure, confident and included in their space. 

We will continue to create opportunities for the child to continue to build and deepen relationships with educators and peers - skills they will use in the foundations of all relationship building, throughout life.

Link to EYLF 

L/O 1 - Children have a strong sense of identity 

         1.1 Children feel safe, secure and supported 

      1.3 Children develop knowledgeable confident self-identities and a positive sense of self worth 

L/O 3 - Children have strong sense of wellbeing 

       3.1 Children have a strong sense of wellbeing  

Why did I choose this learning story?

Children develop a love for learning and feel comfortable in a stimulating, child-led program that ensures they are socially and emotionally ready for the next step of their learning journey. The first term of the year creates the opportunity for children to build relationships with their peers and foster social inclusion. Developing a sense of belonging from a young age allows children to feel confident in exploring new ideas, engaging in learning and being self-expressive.