"When early childhood educators take a holistic approach they pay attention to children's physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as cognitive aspects of learning," (The Early Years Learning Framework, 2009, Commonwealth of Australia).
In the Preschool Room we aim to;
- Inspire each individual child to be actively engaged in their learning.
- Guide each child to experience success and to move beyond their potential.
- Collaborate with each child's family to ensure the best outcomes for children are met.
This is Implemented by:
- Providing a carefully balanced, sustainable, inclusive program which is individually and developmentally appropriate.
- Immersing children in an environment that nourishes divergent thinking, creative solutions, sustainable interactions, life skills and strong values.
- Ensuring the curriculum integrates all learning areas including Numeracy, Literacy, Nature, Science, Technology, Sport and Physical Activities, Healthy Eating, Australian Culture and Diversity within Australia, Community Involvement and Creative Arts.
"Learning outcomes are most likely to be achieved when early childhood educators work in partnership with families. Educators recognise that families are children's first and most influential teachers," (The Early Years Learning Framework, 2009, Commonwealth of Australia).
Educators
Within the 3-5 preschool room we have up to 30 children attending per day. At Koala we offer above child/staff ratios which ensures staff are able to provide many quality interactions throughout the day. Our preschool room also offers 2 Early Childhood teachers, 3 Diploma Qualified Educators and 1 Trainee. These qualifications exceed the National Quality Standards which attributes to better outcomes for children. Our children at Koala are offered a wealth of experience and knowledge from our combined team of educators.
Let me introduce you to our wonderful educators!
Linda (currently on 1 year leave) has been an Early Childhood Teacher at Koala SINCE 2004 (18 YEARS) and is the team leader in the 3-5's room, working 5 days per week. She has 2 grown up daughters and loves spending time with her family. Linda enjoys being in nature, walking, yoga, travel, singing and anything creative! She has a strong passion for Early Childhood and believes that all children should have the opportunity to experience early childhood education. Linda is keen to share her love of the natural environment, singing and creativity with the children each and every day!
ALEX JOINED OUR 3-5 PRESCHOOL TEAM AS ONE OF OUR TEAM LEADERS IN AUGUST 2022. SHE HOLDS HER BACHALOR OF TEACHING (BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS) AND HAS BEEN EDUCATING AND CARING FOR CHILDREN SINCE 2012. Alex is passionate about music, gardening and sustainablitly, guiding young children’s behaviour and project work. She loves to spend time with family and friends and exploring the outdoors.
MELODIE STARTED AT KOALA IN DECEMBER 2022. MELODIE HAS CARRIED OUT MANY ROLES SINCE SHE BEGAN WORKING IN THE EARLY CHILDHOOD INDUSTRY IN 1994. SHE STARTED HER CAREER AS AN UNTRAINED ASSISTANT WHILE COMPLETING HER ASSOCIATE DIPLOMA IN SOCIAL SCIENCE (CHILD STUDIES) PART TIME, GRADUATING IN 1997. MELODIE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND ALL THAT COMES WITH IT. SHE BELIEVES ALL CHILDREN THRIVE AND DEVELOP BEST IN A NURTURING, THOUGHT PROVOKING ENVIRONMENT THAT INCLUDES THEIR ABILITIES, INTERESTS AND STRENGTHS.
Clair joined Koala in January 2023 and has worked in the early childhood profession since 1987 as an untrained assistant for 4 years, as a Diploma for 10 years, then as a Bachelor qualified early childhood teacher for fifteen years - having had a short hiatus for motherhood: a rude shock as there were no lunch breaks when wrangling her two boys who are now young men! She also juggled trivia hosting and bartending at that time. Clair has worked in a wide variety of early childhood settings and loves music experiences, art, nature, loose parts play, fossicking in op shops for materials, children's literature and the promotion of children's imaginations and individuality. She is passionate about meeting people and hearing their stories, seeing live punk bands, coffee and crosswords with friends, walking the dog and spending time with her family!
ASTRID JOINED OUR KOALA TEAM AT THE START OF 2022 SHE COMPLETED HER CERTIFICATE 111 IN EARLY CHILDHOOD IN 2011 AND HAS A YOUNG CHILD OF HER OWN. ASTRID HAS MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE EDCUATING AND CARING FOR CHIDLREN AND STARTED HER CAREER EDUCATING AND CAREING FOR CHILDRNE AGED FROM BIRTH- 5 YEARS OLD IN 2002. ASTRID IS EXTREEMLY CREAtive AND LOVES TO WORK ON PROJECTS WITH THE CHIDLREN.
lorraine has worked at Koala since 2013 and supports koala with our inclusion support.
Nikki (currently on maternaty leave) has COMPLETED HER DIPLOMA in Early Childhood Education THROUGH A TRAINEESHIP AT KOALA. Nikki has always loved working with people and has 2 young nephews who inspired her to change careers and work with children. SHE HAS RECENTLY HAD A BABY GIRL. She enjoys spending her weekends with close friends having brunch and being out on the water in her boat. NIKKI HAS BEEN PART OF THE KOALA TEAM SINCE 2019 WHERE SHE HAS SPENT MOST OF HER TIME EDUCATING AND CARING FOR CHILDREN IN THE PRESCHOOL ROOM.
"When someone is taught the joy of learning it becomes a lifelong process that never stops, a process that creates a logical individual. That is the challenge and joy of teaching"- Marva Collins- Cited in "Chicken Soup for Teacher's Soul" by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen.
Primary Caregivers – Focus Groups
All of the children are placed in a small focus group which is decided at the beginning of each year. The list of focus groups is displayed in our hallway. The aim of this is to allow educators to get to know each child better and to assist in the documentation and extension of his/her development. Small groups also allow the children to interact more with stories, games or discussion at focus group time. If you have any questions about your child’s development you are most welcome to speak to your child's focus group educator. If this is not possible you could talk to another educator who will pass the information on, or you may make a phone call during the educators working hours. An appointment may be necessary at times to allow us to provide adequate time for discussion. Please arrange this with your child’s focus educator.
The Program
We implement the emergent curriculum program, which is aimed to put the topic and direction in the children’s hands. The educators then document observations and events to create learning stories as per the EYLF (Early Years Learning Framework) curriculum. From these we create follow-ups to extend the children’s learning. The daily program is documented in our Day Story Book which is displayed just outside our main doors. Every day we email our day story to families and welcome feedback.
We are also interested in any events or interests that stem from the children’s home life. Parents are able to fill out a parent input form which is located in our hallway or via email. Please feel free to keep us informed in any way that you feel could contribute to the program.
From June every year the children who will be attending school the following year participate in our School Activities program. This involves the children working in small groups in a more structured environment where there are 5 to 6 different activities each day. These activities which may include letter and number formation, numeracy and literacy skills, science and environment activities, creative experiences, as well as using ipads with educational apps to further develop their technology skills. This part of the day occurs after lunch for a period of 60 to 90 minutes which the children always look forward to.
We are also interested in any events or interests that stem from the children’s home life. Parents are able to fill out a parent input form which is located in our hallway or via email. Please feel free to keep us informed in any way that you feel could contribute to the program.
From June every year the children who will be attending school the following year participate in our School Activities program. This involves the children working in small groups in a more structured environment where there are 5 to 6 different activities each day. These activities which may include letter and number formation, numeracy and literacy skills, science and environment activities, creative experiences, as well as using ipads with educational apps to further develop their technology skills. This part of the day occurs after lunch for a period of 60 to 90 minutes which the children always look forward to.
The Routine
The routine aims to maximise the children’s morning period as it is often during this time that a young child’s concentration is best. We begin our day with morning circle time where we all say our Koala Acknowledgement to Country, discuss our calender and talk about any news.
We offer an indoor/outdoor program where the children can choose where they would like to play. During this time we serve a healthy morning tea. After morning activities the children move into their focus groups where they participate in small group times then lunch. This is followed by rest time or Quiet Activities/School Activities then afternoon tea and outdoor play. Around 4pm the children move back inside to play and have a late snack at 4.45pm.
We offer an indoor/outdoor program where the children can choose where they would like to play. During this time we serve a healthy morning tea. After morning activities the children move into their focus groups where they participate in small group times then lunch. This is followed by rest time or Quiet Activities/School Activities then afternoon tea and outdoor play. Around 4pm the children move back inside to play and have a late snack at 4.45pm.
Sleep/Rest -time
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At rest time the younger children who are not going to school the following year, are encouraged to lie down comfortably to sleep/rest to prepare them for the rest of their day. They can bring one soft toy if they would like to or a small pillow.
We are interested in learning about your child’s current sleep habits and working with you to provide for your child’s needs. Please let us know of any changes in routine. The children need to bring their own sheets, which we encourage (and assist) them to put on the bed and take off when needed. The sheets are placed in the child’s sheet bag for hygiene reasons and stored in the sheet box near our room door. Children are provided with the opportunity for sleep or rest on the beds and educators encourage parents to communicate their individual family’s needs as well as their needs for their child. Throughout sleep time children are able to express their individual sleep needs. |
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Munch and Move Program!
What is Munch and Move?
This is a fun, play based program that supports the healthy development of young children from birth to 5 years. We encourage healthy eating and daily physical activity via learning experiences, resources and interactions.
This is a fun, play based program that supports the healthy development of young children from birth to 5 years. We encourage healthy eating and daily physical activity via learning experiences, resources and interactions.
Special Events and Developing Relationships with the Community
During the year we offer many special activities and educational performances as part of our learning program. We believe that building respectful relationships with the community is important as the children gain knowledge on the world in which they live.
Lat year due to Covid many incursions were put on hold but we hope to slowly include more of our planned experiences as per Health Department Guidelines.
Some of the experience we have provided are;
• Dog safety and when it is okay to approach a strange dog
• The Jeral Puppets
• Magic Craig who talked about the importance of healthy eating and getting plenty of fresh air and exercise
• Tuza the African Drummer who had us all dancing and singing
• Visiting the Seniors at Southcare for art/craft/playdough - this is now ongoing and we visit on a regular basis.
• Ready Steady Go Kids weekly exercise program
• The Firefighters visit
• Rebecca the hospital gardener’s visit with her tractor
• Taronga Zoo visit with many special animal visitors
• Treetop bugs – we got to see some amazingly large stick insects
• Biggest Morning Tea where we helped raise money for cancer research
• The Happy Time Australian Show
• NAIDOC Week
• Animals of the Dreaming
• Police Visit
• Under the Sea Show
• Grandparents Day
• Mini-Maestos Music Program
• The Kaleidoscope Science Show
• Hatch ‘N Grow Chicks
• Around the World Multicultural Show
Lat year due to Covid many incursions were put on hold but we hope to slowly include more of our planned experiences as per Health Department Guidelines.
Some of the experience we have provided are;
• Dog safety and when it is okay to approach a strange dog
• The Jeral Puppets
• Magic Craig who talked about the importance of healthy eating and getting plenty of fresh air and exercise
• Tuza the African Drummer who had us all dancing and singing
• Visiting the Seniors at Southcare for art/craft/playdough - this is now ongoing and we visit on a regular basis.
• Ready Steady Go Kids weekly exercise program
• The Firefighters visit
• Rebecca the hospital gardener’s visit with her tractor
• Taronga Zoo visit with many special animal visitors
• Treetop bugs – we got to see some amazingly large stick insects
• Biggest Morning Tea where we helped raise money for cancer research
• The Happy Time Australian Show
• NAIDOC Week
• Animals of the Dreaming
• Police Visit
• Under the Sea Show
• Grandparents Day
• Mini-Maestos Music Program
• The Kaleidoscope Science Show
• Hatch ‘N Grow Chicks
• Around the World Multicultural Show
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Koala Child Care Centre-Community Based Long Day Care Centre |
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