Head of Junior School
I
Celebrating Pre K at Oxley College.
This year we have our first students enrolled in our Pre-K class. The program runs with 2 x 3-day programs and a 5-day program, 22 students in total.
Research shows that the many benefits received from an early childhood education program are long-lasting, and they prepare children for academic success for years to come.
The long-term benefits of Pre K include:
- Learning academic skills that carry over to Kindergarten and indeed, beyond
- Building social and emotional skills in a safe, nurturing environment
- Developing communication, oral language, and numeracy skills
- Developing and supporting children’s creativity and their ability to problem solve in everyday situations.
- Becoming a life-long learner
- Building self-confidence and independence
Pre K is all about learning through open ended play and structured play activities that allow children to develop at their own pace. Our play-based experiences are a balance of child-led, child-initiated, and Educators’ intentional teaching. As a result, children have the opportunity for engaging play experiences that support them in their transition to school and promote life-long learning.
Whether a child is finger painting, building a block castle, or singing with other children, Pre K helps children to expand their experiences and develop their abilities and knowledge.
We offer both indoor and outdoor learning experiences, as well as opportunities for solo and group play.
Indoor learning experiences often include:
- painting and drawing, scribbling and early writing, clay or playdough play, puzzles and games, construction with blocks or Lego, books, sensory activities and imaginative play, where the Pre K children love pretend cooking, being vets and doctors, construction workers etc
Outdoor learning experiences often include:
- sand play, play in the natural environment, riding the bikes, water play, dramatic play, art activities, the trampoline and climbing equipment, enjoying cooking in the outdoor kitchen and sitting under a tree and looking at a book or chatting with friends.
Group learning experiences with the teacher often include:
- Literacy (Pre-Lit program) and Numeracy activities through hands on games, stories and poetry, dancing, singing, finger plays and rhymes.
- drama and acting, show and tell and using the interactive whiteboard.
- Weekly lessons in French, Music, PE and Library.
For the first time this year our Pre-K children will spend time with our friends from Harbison in our ‘Wisdom of Wombats Program’ – the uniquely special sharing of knowledge between the experienced and the not so experienced. I don’t know who has more fun during these sessions which are a highlight for us and for those who come from Harbison!
Our Pre K Burrow is where the magic happens each day through the eyes of our youngest students. We are thrilled to be able to offer such a wonderful play-based program that nurtures and supports our students to grow and thrive, at their own pace. Kelly is an amazing educator who inspires learning each and every day, she has lots of patience, is able to both challenge and support each child and she absolutely loves what she does.
Early childhood is a short time in a long life, and it is the foundation of who we are and what we will become. It is a very special time of childhood, where children have so much more freedom and time is not a factor in their day – imagine that!
The Pre-K Burrow is indeed at the centre of our College, and we are very proud of the wonderful start to the year our Pre-K Joeys have made!
Warm regards
Miss Jane Campion
Head of Junior School