Kindergarten is a pivotal year, shaping young minds and preparing them for future success. Experienced kindergarten teacher, Lisa Gravestein from City Stars Caloundra, shares insights on how to make this year smooth and enjoyable and what the key components of a successful kindergarten program are.
The kindergarten year marks a significant beginning in a child’s educational journey. It is a time when young learners cultivate essential skills, foster self-confidence, and forge meaningful relationships, all of which lay a strong foundation for future success in primary school.
After many years of guiding little learners through their kindergarten year, Lisa Gravestein, a kindergarten teacher from City Stars Kindergarten, knows too well the many tiny steps that go into a successful kindy year and how each can impact the start of Prep.
“Children arrive in Kindy quite timid and shy, and you just see them quickly become so independent as they grow through our kindy year,” says Lisa.
“From the start, you ensure they feel safe and have that freedom to explore and run around. And by the time they leave, they are confident, resilient, empathetic, and nice human beings, confident to tackle whatever happens,” Lisa adds.
Look for a kindergarten program with Prep transition and school readiness
Rated as ‘Exceeding’ in the National Quality Standard, the City Stars kindergarten year is designed to seamlessly prepare students for the big learning adventures ahead.
“City Stars at Caloundra City Private School is a five-day per week program, and it’s unique because it’s part of Caloundra City Private School. We’re on campus and very involved with the school and its everyday activities. However, we are separate and don’t run to bell times because we have a play-based program,” says Lisa.
This play-based curriculum is designed to foster creativity, curiosity, and life skills. The program emphasises individual care, quality education, and a strong partnership with families. Children learn through engaging activities and meaningful experiences, building a solid foundation for future learning.
“We take a genuinely holistic approach when we look at kindergarten, so we like to focus on the children’s physical development, social development, and overall wellbeing,” says Lisa.
The popular kindergarten has several integrated programs to enhance that.
“Our Perceptual Motor Program (PMP) helps the children develop their fine motor skills, gross motor skills, and strength in the morning. Socially and emotionally, we have a great program that explicitly teaches the children how to be resilient through stories, conversations and games,” adds Lisa.
“And we include a fabulous learning rotation focused on school readiness. It’s a little bit more intentionally taught; they’re the sort of activities that we set in a play-based way that helps them get those skills, such as using playdough to model letters and numbers,” says Lisa.
Being situated in Pelican Waters on Caloundra City Private School grounds offers children the unique ability to access school facilities to experience:
- bushwalks in the beautiful surrounding Pelican Waters Reserve;
- borrowing books from the school library;
- permaculture education utilising the school permaculture garden;
- sport and Physical Education lessons in the school hall;
- a smooth transition from Kindy to Prep, visiting the school grounds and utilising its facilities.
“I think that’s what really helps that transition to Prep—everything’s familiar, so it takes away that anxiety of not knowing what they’re doing. Children are fully prepared—they visit the library, go to assemblies, and already feel connected to the school,” says Lisa.
But most of all, the kindergarten program has to be fun!
“We’re smiling all day!” Lisa says. “The minute you step through the doors, the children are so curious and joyful!”
Lisa’s ultimate aim is for kindy students to be confident, capable and happy when they leave kindy.
“I see students from previous years walk past, and they always happily wave and say hello. I have high expectations and believe four-year olds are incredibly capable. When you nurture their hearts and ensure they feel safe and heard, they won’t stress about the little things and will flourish,” says Lisa.
Preparing for the first day of Kindergarten
- Here are some tips on how to help your child feel comfortable and confident starting kindergarten
- Help your child feel comfortable about starting Kindy by talking positively about Kindy in everyday conversations.
- Get to know the kindergarten community by attending open days, transition sessions, and social events to familiarise your child with the environment and teachers.
- Practice self-care activities such as getting dressed, opening a lunchbox, and tidying up after play.
- Encourage your child to interact with others, share and take turns.
- Practise easy ways of asking for help, such as ‘I don’t know where to put my bag’ or, ‘Can you please help me with…’
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