your child's day

Your child’s day – our program

By the age of 3 when many children begin preschool, they enter with a very wide range of interests, needs and abilities which are changing and developing at very different rates. Obviously, because a significant part of children’s early lives may be spent a preschool, the experiences they have whilst there will continue to play a significant role in their learning development. Because of this, we consider our collaborative relationships with children, families and staff to be pivotal.

At East Lindfield Preschool, we are guided by the principles, practices and learning outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework. We recognise that children’s lives are characterised by “being, becoming and belonging”. These core principles provide many opportunities for children to maximize their potential throughout their life experiences.

Our programs are very child focussed, and all of our experiences are planned for a reason. The educators put a lot of thought into what experiences they are providing to the children in intentional teaching. This is based on the children’s interests, as educators engage in shared thinking and problem solving to extend children’s thinking and learning. Activities are provided to promote challenging experiences and interactions that foster high-level thinking.

We follow a holistic approach to teaching the children as we pay attention to the children’s physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as cognitive aspects of learning. The educators recognise that the children’s learning is interconnected. We want the children to “flourish” so they can become the very best person they can be.

Our play based curriculum provides a support 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. The can promote positive dispositions towards learning, which is one of the key factors required for school readiness.

At preschool, we teach the children many life skills that prepare them to be ready to “learn at school”. You cannot build a building on a foundation that is not solid, so we aim that the children become confident and involved learners. This will help prepare the children for the necessary learning to occur when they go to primary school.

Our aim is that all children view themselves as learners and receive messages about themselves that is about thriving, flourishing, developing confidence and a healthy self esteem. Preschool is meant to be a very fun time in your child’s life, where the essential life skills are learned through play in the rich and stimulating environment of an early childhood program.

What should you child should bring to preschool?

Please clearly label all of your child’s belongings including clothing, bags, shoes, lunch boxes, lids etc.

Bag/backpack

Children should be able to recognise and open their own bag/case. It is a good idea to check if your child can open/close it by themselves when purchasing it. Please ensure it is large enough to hold all their belongings.

Morning tea and Lunch

Morning tea is best sent in either a small container clearly labelled with their name and a drink bottle with water. Any pre-cut fruit and dairy products must be placed into the fridge in your child’s playroom.

Children are asked to bring their lunch in a plastic lunch box with a lid that they can open. As all lunches must be placed into the fridge in each playroom, please do not send it in a cooler bag as these are not effective in the fridges. We ask you put your child’s name on both the bottom and the lid.

We try to encourage the children to bring a healthy lunch at preschool, so it is best practice to provide sandwiches with nutritious fillings. Options such as celery, carrot sticks or a salad are also great choices to add to your child’s lunch. We prefer that sweet biscuits, cakes, chips, lollies and roll ups are not sent as part of your child’s lunch, and that you keep these treats for home. This makes it easy for all families to encourage the children to eat well throughout the day, as all their friends will be doing the same.

Clothing

It is helpful to your child if they come to preschool dressed in non-restrictive, serviceable, easy to wash clothes so that they feel free to join in all the activities and to develop independence. Shoes also need to allow the children freedom to run, climb, hop, jump etc. as well as being easy for the child to take on and off independently. Shoes such as thongs and gumboots are not safe for use at preschool because of these reasons, so we would prefer the children to wear joggers or sandals that will protect their growing feet. Another thing to think about when dressing your child is that they can move around easily and be independent in dressing themselves. We encourage independence in the children, and this is more viable when they can dress themselves, or if they need to go to the toilet in a hurry!!!

Spare clothes

Every now and then little mishaps occur and it may be necessary for your child to get changes into a fresh set of clothes. Please include a complete change of clothes every day which can stay in your child’s bag… just in case.

Sunhat

A sun protective hat must be worn every day when playing outside for protection against the sun. Please make sure it is in your child’s bag every day, regardless of weather conditions.