Educational program

Belrose Kindergarten aims to provide children with a high quality educational program. Each child’s individual learning and development is supported through the provision of an inclusive, safe and secure environment.

Preparation for school
Preparation for school commences from the time children enrol at the service. A preschool program is designed and implemented by qualified educators in a semi-structured learning environment for 3-5 year olds that attend the service.
Educators build on the range of experiences with language, literacy and numeracy that children have within their families and communities. Planned and spontaneous experiences contribute to building confidence, problem solving skills and critical thinking to successfully communicate their ideas. This also includes providing our children with social emotional competency in preparation for school.

Group experiences
Planned and spontaneous, small and large group experiences are conducted by educators on a daily basis to support the children’s critical thinking, extend upon identified interests, facilitate emerging language and literacy development and offer music and movement experiences.

Routines
We provide flexible routines that allow children the time and opportunity to explore and develop life skills. Routine times are not seen as separate to the program, but an important opportunity for education and development. Individual routines are discussed with families both on enrolment and on an ongoing basis as the need arises.
There are opportunities throughout the day for mixed-age grouping within our services where siblings and other children of different ages are given the opportunity to interact, engage and co-construct with each other through play.

Munch and Move
Munch and Move is a joint initiative between the New South Wales Department of Health and the New South Wales Department of Family and Community Services.
The Munch and Move initiative is implemented as part of the program within Family, Education and Community Services and promotes healthy eating and healthy lifestyles within the education and care services sector. The program focuses on the support and development of children’s fundamental movement skills (FMS) through play based games.
The five key points for Munch and Move are:
1. Choose water as a drink.
2. Eat fewer snacks and select healthier alternatives.
3. Eat more fruit and vegetables.
4. Get active each day.
5. Turn off the television and computer and get active.

Importance of play
Purposeful play based learning supports children to make sense of their world, support positive learning attitude, and set children up for success by teaching them relevant skills. These positive attitudes to learning (imagination, openness, curiosity, enthusiasm, concentration, resilience and persistence) cannot be replicated through rote learning.
The great rule is: Play on the surface and the work takes place beneath. For the child, the time is always now; the place, here; the action, me.