School Readiness
Arwons Little Angels employ a degree qualified primary school teacher to teach our school readiness program to all the children who will be attending “Big School” the following year.
The classroom is in a designated area in the Butterflies’ Room and lessons commence at 10.00am and conclude at 3pm.
Our teacher offers many experiences on a daily basis which develop particular skills and competencies that make the transition to school an exciting and happy experience. These include the following:
- Pre reading and writing,
- Puzzles, construction , perceptual & cognitive experiences.
- Fine & gross motor activities
- Numbers and shapes
- Colours, days of week, months, Seasons.
- Basic measurement concepts
- Songs, poems & rhymes
- Art, craft & cooking
Any children who would usually sleep or rest do this no longer unless by parent request. We set up school uniforms from local schools, lunchboxes, pencil cases, pencils, rulers, exercise books etc for the children to role play going to school. Words such as Principal, playground and associated words are modelled by the teacher so that the children become familiar with the language used at school.
We hold parent information nights, individual parent interviews and later in the year we have a short excursion to the local school to look at the playground and toilets and to see the children in their school uniforms. This gives them the chance to see what school looks like. (Even though it may not be the school that they will be attending.)
Every week parents are provided with a hard copy of the weeks’ program to facilitate follow up at home.
Every child receives a portfolio each term throughout the year to demonstrate their individual development through work samples. This portfolio contains examples of songs, poems, numbers, prewriting as well as craft activities.
A developmental report is also included for parents to monitor their child’s development and progress.
At the end of the year, all children receive a written report showing their social, emotional & cognitive development as well as gross & fine motor skills. They will also receive a CD of photos to keep as a memento of the year.
A graduation ceremony is held at the very end of the year when all the school leavers, dressed in their gowns & caps, receive their certificates in front of the Mums, Dads & relatives!
