Learning & Care

At our centre we offer the following services:

Preschool

Throughout South Australia all preschools and child care centres use the National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), Preschool Literacy and Numeracy Indicators & the Child Protection Curriculum. This ensures consistency in service delivery. The Framework’s vision is for all children to experience play-based learning that is engaging and builds success for life.

Positive learning outcomes for children are achieved through our program of planned ‘hands-on’ play activities which consider each child’s family background, skills, abilities, needs and interests. The preschool program provides a balance of structured activities and play.

The preschool day incorporates group times for literacy experiences like stories and discussion groups and numeracy experiences like problem solving and spatial recognition. There are also games, songs and music and dance experiences for children throughout the day. Children also help to set up and pack away activities during the day. They may also choose when to stop for a snack during play.

You can read and see what the children have done each day by looking at a book at the double door entrance called `The Woodend News’. This book has a daily commentary and is illustrated by photographs. Photographs and art work with explanations of children’s learning outcomes are also displayed around the centre. Also, look on our centre face book page https://www.facebook.com/woodendchildrenscentre/

For further information read our Information Booklet and Annual Report in Information and Resources.

School Transition

Woodend Children’s Centre is in Sheidow Park with most children and families accessing Preschool services from the Sheidow Park and Trott Park areas. The Occasional Care service has families accessing services from a broader catchment including Reynella and Hallett Cove.

Most children from this site continue their education at Woodend Primary School with the others attending Sheidow Park Primary School, Hallett Cove R_12 School and  St Martin de Porres Catholic School. The centre continues to work with Woodend Primary School and our other feeder schools to make the transition to school process better for children and families

Several children also attend the local child care centres, both government and private.

Our centre has regular contact with Woodend Primary School with our children attending special events such as Book Week parade and some assemblies. Children from reception classes visit the preschool throughout the year as do our children visit  reception classes.

Woodend Children’s Centre teachers work together with all feeder schools so each child is given individual attention when they have orientation and transitioning to school

For further information read our Information Booklet and Annual Report in Information and Resources.

Occasional Care

The occasional care program offers children 1 year old – 5 years one session of care per week and runs conjointly with the preschool program.  These children have a separate activity, story and song time and mix with the preschool children during play time. The wide range of ages of children at play gives the centre a family outlook. Older children are encouraged to include and help care for younger ones. The curriculum focus is on children’s self-regulation through sensory activities and music.

For further information read our Occasional Care leaflet and Annual Report in Information and Resources.

Our teaching and learning program

Woodend Children’s Centre is located on the lands of the Kaurna people.  We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land each day in our program and connect children’s learning through Kaurna language, song and stories.

Children play an active role in the design and care of our learning environment,  we focus on sustainability and exploring how we can reduce, reuse and recycle materials within the preschool.

Positive learning outcomes for children are achieved through rich learning experiences which extend upon children’s knowledge, skills, interests and abilities.  We draw upon the Early Years Learning Framework,  Belonging Being and Becoming:

Outcome 1 – Children have a strong sense of identity.
Outcome 2 – Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
Outcome 3 – Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
Outcome 4 – Children are confident and involved learners.
Outcome 5 – Children are effective communicators

Educators are also guided by the DfE Preschool Literacy and Numeracy Indicators and implement the DfE Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum 3-5 years

Our Numeracy and Literacy focus has children learning about learning processes for Numeracy such as generalizing, noticing, wondering, comparison, reasoning, visualising patterning and using mathematical language and for Literacy the learning processes of communication, creating and making meaning, encoding, and decoding and reflecting critically.

Our music focus supports literacy learning as children to explore rhythm, rhyme and beat using a variety of instruments music & movement throughout the year

Sensory experiences support children’s understanding of science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics

Physical experiences such as ball games, climbing, balancing and co-ordination support children’s physical development and wellbeing

The teaching team builds upon children’s knowledge, skills, interests and abilities to extend and challenge children’s learning and works together with families to develop and progress individual learning plans across the preschool year

 

Parent Involvement Strategies include:

  • transition support
  • learning conversations
  • volunteer opportunities
  • Family night each term

For further information read our Information Booklet, Quality Improvement Plan and Annual Report in Information and Resources