FAQ
Deciding on the right kindergarten for your child is an important decision. This is your child’s first experience of formal education and it is imperative they, and you, have a great experience that sets them up for the school years ahead.
A child’s educational journey often begins in the kindergarten years, and these are among the most important in a child’s life. “During the period from birth to eight years, children experience more rapid brain development and acquire more skills and knowledge than in any other period in their lives” (Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, 2009). Accordingly, it is important to choose a high-quality kindergarten program that reflects the values of your family, and supports your child to achieve their full potential and develop a lifelong love of learning.
WHY IS CHOOSING THE RIGHT KINDERGARTEN IMPORTANT?
WHY IS PLAY BASED LEARNING IMPORTANT?
“Play provides opportunities for children to learn as they discover, create, improvise and imagine. When children play with other children, they create social groups, test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings. Play provides a supportive environment where children can ask questions, solve problems and engage in critical thinking. Play can expand children’s thinking and enhance their desire to know and to learn.” (Belonging, Being, Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia, 2009).
At Little St Margaret’s, we value the importance of play in children’s learning and our curriculum reflects this through our play-based approach.
Small class sizes provide the benefits of a secure, intimate, nurturing and stimulating environment. Class sizes at Little St Margaret’s are significantly lower than comparable services, which enables educators to better support each individual child to develop emotionally, physically, intellectually and socially. As a result of the higher than average educator to child ratios at Little St Margaret’s, each child has the ability to choose their own learning path to achieve their educational goals.
WHY ARE CLASS SIZES IMPORTANT?
Educators at Little St Margaret’s work closely with families throughout their kindergarten years, discussing school readiness and how to best support and prepare children for the formal years of schooling. Our 4 year-old kindergarten curriculum includes specifically designed transition-to-school programs, which ensure the smooth and successful move from the kindergarten to school environment. Aspects of these include: school orientation visits, prep teachers visiting kindergarten, parent/teacher interviews, written Transition Learning and Development Statements, and events such as “School Fun Day” at kindergarten where children wear their school uniforms and participate in school orientation activities.
HOW DOES LITTLE ST MARGARET’S PREPARE MY CHILD FOR SCHOOL?
Children can commence 3 year-old kindergarten on the provision that they have turned three years of age by the 30th April in the year they attend however they cannot start before turning three. For example, if your child turns three in February, March or April, they will not be able to start kindergarten at the start of term 1 but they will be able to join the program after their third birthday. It is important to note, however, that it is Government policy that 3 year-old kindergarten cannot be repeated.
Children can commence in 4 year-old kindergarten on the provision that they have turned 4 years of age by the 30th April in the year they attend.
Parents are advised to consider and discuss with the educators which year they intend for their child to commence school. This will assist parents in making the decision of when to start kindergarten.