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What is PreSchool?

 

4 year old preschool is the year prior to school entry where children are enrolled in an education based program focused on developing their skills, understanding and knowledge. Children are eligible for 4 year old preschool if they are four by 30 April in the year that they will attend 4 year old preschool.


The preschools in Whitehorse are purpose built and most are managed by volunteer parent Committees of Management. Volunteer parent committees are actively involved in decision making about the operations of preschool.

In this website the terms 'preschool' and 'kindergarten' are interchangeable.

 

 

Do I Have To Pay For PreSchool?

Preschool is partially government funding, however, all preschools will charge fees for their service as government funding does not cover the full operating cost. Fees will vary depending on many different factors such as hours of attendance and the size of groups and other additional costs. Each preschool will have a fees policy that states the parent responsibilities in relation to the payment of fees.
Give your child the best start | Victorian Government (www.vic.gov.au)

Holders of health care cards or pension cards are entitled to a government rebate. This rebate is paid to the preschool and passed onto the family through a reduction in fees.
 

 

Why Should I Send My Child To PreSchool?

During the first five years, children develop and learn much faster than at any other age and preschool provides them with an environment in which this development can be encouraged and stimulated. Preschool helps children become more aware of the world around them, and promotes language development, as well as intellectual, physical and emotional skills.
 
Activities at preschool are based on play, which is the most important way children learn. The preschool program caters to individual needs and offers equipment which is appropriate to the children's stage of development.
 

 

Is My Child Ready For PreSchool?

Some developmental considerations in relation to preschool readiness are social, emotional, physical, language and cognitive.
As children begin preschool, they are usually beginning to:
  • Interact in different social situations.
  • Play/work cooperatively with others.
  • Show awareness of waiting, sharing and taking turns.
  • Respond appropriately to rules, routines and limit setting.
  • Separate comfortably from parents.
  • Learn about developing self control.
  • Show comfort with the support of an understanding adult.
  • Increase their confidence to move between play spaces.
  • Show evidence of making own choices and decisions.
  • Develop independence with toileting and dressing.
  • Take some responsibility for own belongings.
  • Develop physical skills such as jumping, hopping, throwing and catching a ball, running, climbing, balance, beginning to use scissors and drawing implements and block building. 

 

What Type Of PreSchool Is Available In Whitehorse?

Whitehorse preschools offer a variety of programs to cater for the needs of the community. All programs are planned and implemented by an Early Childhood Teacher with the help of the Co-Educator.
 

Sessional PreSchool

3 year old preschool is for a minimum of 5 hours per week and 4 year old preschool is a minimum of 15 hours per week.  Sessional Community Kindergartens have a set timetable for when children attend the service.
 
Preschool is not compulsory and not all children who apply will be successful in receiving a placement.  3 year old preschool has less places available.  Preschools provide more 4 year old places to ensure as many children as possible can access one year of preschool in the year prior to commencing school.
 

Playgroups

Some preschools in Whitehorse offer a playgroup. Playgroups are run by parents who remain with their children. These groups encourage children to explore a broad environment, socialise with children their own age, and to communicate through play, songs and stories.
 

What Happens In PreSchool?

When your child goes to preschool there will be lots of activities, experiences and time to play. Play in the young child's way of learning. All preschool programs will be different, as they are planned around the individual needs of each child, as well as the group as a whole.
 
The Early Childhood Educator understands child development and knows how to assess each child's level of development. You may like to discuss with the educator how she or he does this.
 

What Does A PreSchool Program Include?

In most preschools, programs offer a variety of open-ended activities with carefully planned goals that encourage children to develop skills, as they are ready. The programs are planned to enhance physical, social, intellectual, language and emotional development.
 

Indoor Activities

These may include: painting and pasting, clay or dough, puzzles, games, blocks and construction, books and sensory activities. Most preschools also have a dramatic play area, which encourages social contact and role-playing. Children are generally invited to select their own activity and work at their own pace and will be helped by staff as necessary.
 

Outdoor Activities

A successful outdoor playground is often quite simple - a natural landscape, which is full of sensory experiences offering a wide variety of responses and uses. In an outdoor play area you can expect to find a sand pit, a digging patch, a variety of climbing equipment, water play in various forms, swings, carpentry, or aids for dramatic play. Almost any activity offered indoors can also be offered outdoors-weather permitting.
 

Group Times

The program will include group times, both indoors and outdoors. The groups may include all the children or just a few children and may involve a parent who is participating in the program. The group will include things like: stories and poetry, playing with musical instruments, dancing and singing, dramatisation and acting, and sharing important happenings with others.
 

Parent Participation

Parents are a very important part of any preschool program and should feel welcome to participate and contribute at all times. Parent participation is more than preparing the morning tea; it is about sharing in the education of all the children. The Early Childhood Teacher will help the parents to become actively involved in the day to day program of the preschool.
Active parent involvement in your child's preschool years will have a positive benefit for both your child and your family.

 

Parenting information on preschoolers, including learning, child care, kindergarten and nutrition. Preschoolers (education.vic.gov.au)