Curriculum

The Yorkeys Knob Community Kindergarten Program features the C & K “Building Waterfalls” Educational Framework in conjunction with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) “Belonging, Being and Becoming”.

“Building Waterfalls” has been created around four currents of thought – connecting, enlarging, listening, exploring. The currents are interconnected with and interdependent upon the other and carry human qualities of:

Respect
Trust
Honesty
Integrity
Compassion
Courage
Resilience

We have a specific emphasis on “Play Based Learning” whereby we recognise the importance of Communication & Language and Social & Emotional development.

When you visit Yorkeys Knob Community Kindergarten you will see many activities occurring throughout the session, though not necessarily at the same time each day. We hope to see an increase in confidence and independence where children are not afraid to try out their own ideas or have their own thoughts. They learn to ask questions and see their own answers and finally to become responsible for their own learning. Children are allowed to learn at their own pace with freedom to choose a task and complete it to their own satisfaction. We provide the opportunity for the children to experience limits and interact with concerned adults who constantly extend on children’s learning respecting them as developing individuals.

Program Information

Kindy - What to Expect

A play based environment, led by children’s initiatives, ideas and creativity. Teacher’s serve as facilitators to your child’s play and activities.
Arts and Crafts, Sciences and Technologies, immersion in Literacy and Numeracy.
Developing skills in problem solving, confidence and independence.
Friendships to develop.
Stories shared.
Songs and music played.
Construction building (blocks)
Physical activity, climbing, running, balancing.
A quiet relaxation period.
Mat sessions with intentional teaching.
Messy play (sandpit, digging patch, water-play, other sensory tactile activities)
Social mealtimes (where you provide your child’s food for the day)
An individual Portfolio for your child.
An opportunity for parents to connect and socialise with each other.
Parent involvement in the Kindy program, fundraising and the committee.
Children’s Social and Emotional development to flourish

A Day at Kindy....

… through the eyes of a 4 year old

When I arrive at kindy I will see Lisa and Jody, and maybe give them a hug or “high 5” to say “Good morning”. Outdoor activities will already have been prepared, ready to start our day outside. What will we do today? I will set about doing my morning jobs– lunchbox away, bag in my locker, cup on the hook, hand towel in the bathroom, sunscreen and mozzie repellent applied, hat on my head… And I’m ready to play! Oh don’t forget to kiss Mum/Dad/Nan goodbye!

Our outside program allows for many different forms of play. Maybe I want to sit under a tree and read a book or make some craft quietly or even build with some sort of block constructions. Maybe I want to climb the tree! I could build cities of sandcastles, move trucks and cars or dinosaurs around in the big sand pit. If I add water, I could make a river, or make cakes. I’m sure my friends will join in too. I could ride around on the bike track on the tricycles or balance bikes. I know there are rules to be safe and fair so everyone can have a turn. The vege patch might need tending, and fruits or vegies need to be picked. We could cook something with those. The chickens will need to be cared for too. They may need food scarps, their water changed, or maybe just to sit on my lap while I stroke their smooth feathers. If I don’t want to run around and climb on the obstacle course, or swing on the swings, there are some activities on the tables in the undercover area that I can choose.

Getting hungry for morning tea. I sit to the table with my friends or maybe have a picnic out on the grass and chat while we eat our food. I need to make sure that I save enough in my lunchbox for lunch and afternoon tea later.

Mat time is a time for coming together with all of my friends as Lisa will share a story book, sing songs or play games. She may show us something new to learn. We are learning to be respectful of others, and share and value each others ideas.

Our indoor program has just as many activities as outside! In the home corner I can role play, dress up and pretend to be anyone I want to. The “Creation Station” is where I can make whatever I want to with recycled boxes, cardboard, paints and collage materials, or draw and write. There is plenty of time to try lots of different activities, or maybe just focus my time on one thing that I’m really interested in –like on the block mat, at the puzzle table, exploring science activities, or sitting in the book corner with lots of books and looking at the fish in the tank. When its pack up time, I work together with my friends to care for our activities and property so we can play with them another time.

We have time together again on the mat before we have our lunch. I’ve also got to get my mattress prepared for rest time. My friends can help me, and I can help my friends to put my sheet over the mattress. During rest time, Lisa tells us stories and guided relaxation as the gentle music helps me to be calm and quiet. Then I will be all ready for the afternoon activities. We have “Rotation Activities” where in small groups, we move to 3 different activities for short periods of time to work on projects, learn new concepts, practice new skills or play games lead by Lisa and Jody. All the while, Lisa and Jody are observing how I approach new tasks, interact with others, and grow, learn and develop.

We may all come together again for a yoga session, story book or game. When we’ve had our afternoon tea, we pack up our belongings, putting our lunchbox in our bag and ready to play outside again. It’s good to be inside for the hottest part of the day.

As the afternoon goes by, we need to pack up the outside play area. Like inside, we all work together to get the job done. We even sing a song to help us on our way. For the last time of the day, we gather inside on the mat for another story or discussion about what we would like to plan for tomorrow.

“The golden sun is shining,
up in the sky so blue.
Farewell my friends
Farewell…
To you and you and you”

Portfolios

Each child has a portfolio of their time at kindergarten. These are a continuing working document as children are encouraged to add their own pieces of work with contributions and input from parents and staff throughout the year. They are on display for parents and children to share and will be sent home at the end of each year.

Groups and Days

We run two separate groups, the Kookaburras and the Geckos. All children must turn 4 by June 30th of the year they attend. (Please refer to our age & attendance table under the next tab, if you are unsure of when your child will be eligible to attend).