GEKA Carnegie

Settling into Kindergarten 

Kavita Khera, Early Childhood Teacher

It has been a great start to the year, with most of the children now settled in and having a wonderful time with their friends and educators. 

Educators have set up learning environments such as the home corner, block area, manipulative toys, etc. These learning environments enable children to connect with each other and make new friends.

We are very proud to be a part of GEKA Carnegie Kindergarten multicultural community. By valuing diversity and showing respect for other cultures, it creates a sense of belonging for everyone. When children develop connections to their culture and community, it inspires a strong sense of personal identity and belonging.

We would like to share one positive example that took place recently where one of the children in the Red group needed assistance with settling in and understanding kindergarten expectations, hence an educator facilitated peer support by introducing him to another boy who spoke the same language. This child was encouraged to help his peer, he translated the expectations and assisted him to complete daily routines, help wash hands and offered toys to settle him down. It has also been a great pleasure to receive some positive feedback from our families on how well their children are settling down.

Our son Din has settled very well within his group at the GEKA Carnegie Kindergarten. We were a little worried with how he will adapt to attending an additional care center, to the one he has been already attending. Nevertheless, our son loves GEKA Carnegie Kindergarten even more than the childcare center that he has been going to since nursery. He always has a big smile when we tell him that today he is going to the “new” kindergarten, and he is so excited to go, he loves the Bush Garden, the turtle, he has made good friendships already, we have immediately noticed that his self-confidence improved immensely; and he really likes his teachers, which is also vital to his experience. We are super happy to see our boy enjoying his time at GEKA Carnegie Kindergarten, looking forward to get to know everyone little better during one of the social events throughout the year. 

Parent, Indzi 

Our family has been pleased with how Magnus is settling in at GEKA. After a few teary goodbyes initially, he has really warmed up to kindergarten, often talking excitedly about his day on our walks home. We have heard all about Upsy Daisy (who eats "dead worms" for food), the glow in the dark flying rockets, the animals and dinosaurs, the water play area, the bush kinder with more water play and "a cupboard full of toys that Maree opened". The kids are being encouraged to do things independently such as unpacking their belongings which is great to see.  

Parent, Michelle

Will seems super happy to attend GEKA and is loving being back into routine (after a crazy 2020!!).He loves being able to go out to bush kinder and play games, last week he was raving about duck, duck Goose. He’s enjoying coming home and telling us about his new friends, although often forgetting their names, and getting to know new people!Will’s loved the start of 4yo kindergarten at GEKA! - 

Parent, Annabelle

We are looking forward to hearing from more families how their children are settling and hoping to have a great year.