Transition to the Kinder Room

Transition Time

Your Magpie is ready to take the plunge into the Funded Kinder Room. We have a Government Funded Kinder Program located on the first floor.

The main differences from the Magpie Room

When children move into the Kinder Room it is often the smoothest of transitions. They are proud and very ready to become 'a Kinder'. Children would have experienced many routines and activities with the Kinder's prior to transitioning such as meal times, activity times, group and outdoor times and so they are familiar with the expectations that lie ahead.

Like the Magpies, the kinder children enjoy morning tea however it is a progressive morning tea which children come to as they are hungry. This allows for a continue in the flow of play. In the afternoons, they have a bigger snack- fruit, sandwiches and milk- when they are more ravenous from their little brains and bodies working overtime. The Kinder's have a rest period where for approximately 45 minutes, children enjoy story tapes, books and a relaxing environment where they can rest and re-group for the afternoon's activities.

For children who still enjoy an afternoon sleep (or parents who request it) a bed can be prepared for children in the Magpie room or alternatively, they can have a small sleep in the Kinder room at a time you may request. Also, if children are tired and them selves request a sleep on any one-day, staff appropriately accommodate this.

General Daily Routine

From the open of the centre to approximately 8.30am the children are involved in the family grouping process. After this they are taken down to the kinder house, put their bags away and have some group time together with the kinder house children (usually stories and songs).

Weather dependent we may start the day outside but whether it be inside or out, the children engage in an array of activities and busyness including individual, small group, spontaneous and planned activities. At approximately 11.30am the children prepare for lunch. After lunch the kinder children typically engage in their rest period, after which they have exclusive use of the outdoor area, having ample time to explore their environment and pursue their current interests.

At approximately 1.30 the children come inside for continuance of the indoor program. The children have the opportunity to explore new and familiar activities. Large group time (songs, discussions, children show'n'tell or often just tell! drama, stories, dance) may also occur during this time frame. At 3.15pm afternoon tea is served and children then have a play in the main garden. The day concludes with family grouping until close.

The kinder program is by no means a ?formal? way of learning whereby children are 'taught'. Children are at the perfect age for physically exploring their environment and are facilitated by adults who help to answer their questions as they make sense of their world. Our aim is to provide a balanced kinder program where exposure to music, physical activity, the use of computers and other technologies is incorporated into the program to provide a richer, fuller array of daily experiences for children.

Off-Site Explore & Learn Program

Since 2017, Gum Nut is offering 3 days per week where our kindergarten program is off site in natural wetlands/parklands area. Children at our kindergarten will receive a combination of kinder hours in our upstairs dedicated kinder room and rooftop playground, as well as the natural outdoor setting; combined with the larger outdoor experience of the local Wetlands/Parklands.

It is our deep understanding and belief that children learn best in spaces where they have time and space to explore. Children thrive in environments that are consistent, familiar yet still change to provide intrigue, inspiration and challenge for learning. Children are happier, freer and more willing to take risks and explore new situations when they play outdoors. That is why we at Gum Nut give our Kindergarten children the opportunity to participate in the Explore & learn Program.

Group Goals and Expectations

Kindergarten is the gateway to future education. The kinder program has goals in the following areas:
Health, emotional well-being, safety, understanding the wider world and children feeling they have a place, limits and boundaries of acceptable behaviour, attitudes of equal opportunity for all, who they are as individuals and in the group, language and creative arts, independent learning, physical development and the natural world. 
(a full list of goals can be obtained by talking to your kinder teacher)

Things to note

• Communication is mostly via emails or in person.
• Artwork is kept alphabetically in a box and each child has their own file. The box is located under sign in desk. Please collect work often.
• Donations of boxes, containers, wrapping paper, cards, ribbons, off cuts of materials, corks, bottle tops (basically anything you can think of except toilet rolls and sharps) are greatly appreciated for children's art work.

Life after the Kinder Room

The Kinder room is the last of our great rooms for your child to experience. We aim to prepare your child to the best of our combined ability for school the following year. If there are any ways we can assist with preparing your child for school such as speaking to your child's future teacher, please ask. We also welcome back our graduates to come and show us how grown up they are-we love to see them in the uniforms enjoying the next phase in their life.

School holiday care can also sometimes be arranged for parents requiring this for children in their prep year.  Should you have any further questions or concerns, you are welcome to address these to Maxine.