Handprints Childcare Centre Junior Preschool Program

 

Our Junior Preschool spaces have a focus on children developing very individual dispositions for learning and finding an excitement for learning all things new. Educators in this age group are committed to equity and believe in all children’s ability to experiment, problem solve and use critical thinking to succeed, regardless of their diverse abilities. It is within this space that children learn patience, acceptance, inclusion and participation for all. This is achieved by educators promoting equitable and effective ways for children to achieve learning outcomes, proving that even though we learn differently, we can all achieve greatness in the end.  Killara Preschool

The learning in the Junior Preschool spaces is created through educator’s responsiveness to children. Educators work with families to collaboratively value and build on children’s strengths, skills and knowledge to ensure the children are motivated and engaged in the program. This also includes educators responding to children’s ideas in play, noting their evolving interests and extending on their learning through open ended questions to challenge their thinking. The children then engage in sustained shared conversations as they learn through play. Learning through play is so important in the Junior Preschool space, as our aim is for children to occupy a love for learning, develop the confidence to test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings, as they consider how to be, and which method of learning works best for them.

Handprints Childcare Centre Preschool Program

Our Preschool spaces focus on what learning is most important in transitioning children for the start of school. Our children explore in-depth learning with their educators where they ask questions, build ideas, and work towards specific goals for transitioning to school (see preparation for school page). We work closely with local schools and engage the children by spending time interacting with the community. This is a particularly special place for long term learning.  The educators in our Preschool spaces act as co-learners with children, families and the community. They use reflective practice to gather information that supports, enriches and informs decision making about the children and their programs. A variety of theories, philosophies and practices shape our Preschool programs to ensure that a lively culture of professional inquiry is at the core of the learning in the space.  Killara Childcare

There is also a focus in these spaces on intentional teaching. Educators recognise that learning happens in a social context and that interactions and conversations are vitally important for learning. Educators role model strategies such as open-ended questioning, speculating, explaining, shared thinking and problem solving to extend children’s ideas of how to build meaning in a group. These themes become part of the children’s internal dialogue and give them the skills to continue to build meaning throughout life. Educators in this room plan effectively for children’s current and future learning and reflect on pedagogy that will suit their specific context and the children within it.