Curriculum
“Every moment of play provides an opportunity to learn”
At the Betty Elaine Kindergarten, our educators are qualified with many years of experience to be able to provide your children curriculum that ensures that learning and development take place on a daily basis.
The educators take an active role in establishing caring and respectful relationships with children and families in order to create the perfect learning and teaching experiences that are relevant for the children they care for. The Betty Elaine Kindergarten Embrace Play-based learning. Play-based learning enables educators to create opportunities for children to play on their own and play with one another. Children will develop a positive attitude towards the things they are learning and will continue to stimulate their interests and engage their curiosity. The Educators provide a supportive environment where children are free to ask questions, solve problems and engage in critical thinking. We aim to be responsive to all children’s varying strengths, abilities, and interests so we can further develop all aspects of the child’s learning including physical, social, emotional, and cognitive. We have the Curriculum displayed in each classroom where families are able to view the teaching and learning experiences planned for their children.
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
The EYLF‘s aim is to lay a firm foundation for future learning through learning and development that is planned around each individual child’s specific needs and interests. The framework is designed to accomplish this goal while at the same time providing a universal set of standards to help improve the quality and consistency in the early years sector.
This is not a program to be followed rigorously but, rather a set of principles that are used to help ensure and stimulate every child’s ability to learn.
The EYLF is Based on the Concept of Being, Belonging, and Becoming:
Being – simply means letting each child be who they are and letting children be children giving them the sense that they are free to explore the world around them.
Belonging – Children learn best when they feel as though they belong to their families, to their communities and to the world at large. By helping a child increase his sense of belonging you can help provide a safe and comfortable environment in which a child can learn.
Becoming – Simply means that a child continues to grow by experiencing new things. It is simply the acceptance that as a child learns and grows he is constantly changing.
The Early Years Learning framework is designed to include everyone in each child’s community to join in providing every child with the type of environment that gives them the security to feel free to explore, try new things and learn how to become a well-adjusted productive member of society.
At the Betty Elaine Kindergarten we have two mixed aged environments, enabling us to deliver age-appropriate experiences for children at each different age and stage.
Koalas Room – Toddlers
The Koalas are amongst the youngest members of the Betty Elaine Family. They are full of energy and fun. Our main focus is to concentrate on learning through the interests and play of the children. We assist in teaching the children self-help skills, independence, following instruction/directions, forming relationships with others, and working together as a group. Children’s interests are the motivating force for our learning foundation whilst also building on maths, science, creativity, and literacy.
Waratahs Room – Pre-schoolers
As the future graduating class, we focus on preparing the children for school throughout the entire year. In partnership with families, we identify the individual learning goals for each child and will teach according to varying levels of development. The Educators in the Waratah Class will complete a Transition to School Statement to take and will assist in collaborating with your child’s school of choice to ensure a happy, confident first year into BIG SCHOOL!!!
Celebrations, Excursions / Incursions
At the Betty Elaine Kindergarten, we value family involvement and feedback. We plan family events which are respectful to the culture and diversity of our families while taking into consideration the child’s strengths and interests.
Excursions and incursions are also planned based on the families and children’s interests. This can include walks around our local neighbourhood, parks, performances at the centre like the fire department, police, farm animal and reptile show, nutrition shows, recycle and plant tidy, dental visits, etc. we have an open-door policy and encourage families to join us and be involved in any way the can.