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School Readiness Program

Here at Play N Learn our preschool educators (along with centre management and our educational leader) have derived a comprehensive school readiness program that encompasses the following:

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  • EYLF play-based learning curriculum

  • Life and self-help skills that set children up for 13+ years of education

  • Parent expectations

  • Local primary school teachers expectations

 

Our school readiness program is implemented every day in our preschool room and has two elements:

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School readiness self-help skills

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We provide a multitude of opportunities throughout the day for children to develop their independence in self-help skills that are imbedded in our room routine and transitions including:

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  • Child sign-in register with name tracing and writing

  • Child involvement in decision making and planning

  • Child input in the program

  • Child's choice activites and opportunities to extend on and re-visit their learning

  • Group projects

  • Families provide their children's lunch in a lunch box for the day. Children are encouraged to open their own food packaging at meal times and make appropriate decisions in regards to their nutrition and dietary requirements

  • Own lockers where children are encouraged to look after their own belongings

  • Managing our feelings, emotions and conflicts with peers appropriately.

  • Recognising our name

  • Adding and removing clothing (and shoes and socks)

  • Expressing our needs and wants verbally

  • making our own beds

 

Educators are always on hand to guide and assist children when needed.

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Intentional teaching

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We provide a scheduled school readiness activity each day for children to develop their cognitive skills. Children are encouraged to engage in one tabletop activity and one mat project activity where we work on the following skills:

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  • Memory 

  • Recognition of letters, numbers, shapes etc

  • Mathematical concepts including counting and measuring

  • story recounts

  • pencil grip and fine motor skills

  • Cutting and pasting

  • Literacy concepts

  • Positional concepts 

  • Patterns

  • Recognisable drawing

  • Science comcepts

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Information for families

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What is school readiness?

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School readiness means children are ready for school, families are ready to support their children's learning, and schools are ready for children. Here at Play N Learn, we view school readiness as children possessing the skills, knowledge, and attitudes necessary for success in school and for later learning and life. Physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development are all essential ingredients of school readiness. 

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How will I know if my child is ready for school?

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This is one of the toughest questions we face as early childhood educators and there is no definitive right or wrong answer. Ultimately it is your own personal decision on whether you choose to send your child to school early or hold them back and we are here to offer our sound advice and support you in your decision making preocess.

Kathy Walker, Melbourne education consultant and early childhood expert at Early Life Foundations has the following advice;

 "School readiness is not about being able to read or write, know colours or count. These skills will be taught at school so they are not a priority for starting school,” she says. “To enter school ready to thrive, flourish and enjoy the challenges – rather than merely just coping – we are taking the issue of school readiness more seriously and carefully. Readiness is really mostly about emotional and social maturity - aspects of development that we cannot fast-track. We cannot make a child who lacks the necessary maturity become mature.”

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School readniess checklist

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While we are reluctant to have parents tick off a checklist, here are some of the key areas of maturity and development we look for when assessing school readiness:

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  • Can they make an independent decision and follow through on this?

  • Do they have ideas of their own?

  • Can they follow two or three instructions at the same time?

  • Can they move on to new activities easily?

  • Do they separate well from their carer?

  • Do they show interest in other kids?

  • Do they interact with other children?

  • Can they recognise and express their feelings and needs?

  • Can they concentrate on a task?

  • How do they deal with frustration?

  • Do they ask and answer meaningful questions

  • Do they recognise their name and own belongings

  • Can they manage conflict without involving an adult

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How can parents/families help with school readiness?

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There are many activities that parents undertake with young children that have a positive effect on their development and promote school readiness. These include:

  • reading with your child

  • teaching them songs and nursery rhymes

  • playing with letters and numbers

  • taking children on excursions

  • creating regular opportunities for them to play with their friends and other children.

  • Allowing independence and encouraging them to 'try on their own first'

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What is the school entry cut-off date for NSW?

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Kindergarten – can start in first term if turning five by July 31 that year.

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Where can I get more information on school readiness?

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https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/bibliography/school-readiness

  • We also host a School Readniess inormation night here at Play N Learn every year in July. Our educators are on hand to answer any questions you may have along with guest speakers from local primary schools to do a presentation.

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Information on this page has been derived from Kidspot. For more information please visit www.kidspot.com.au

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