When it comes to choosing a Kindergarten for your little one, there are often two choices that come to mind – Long Day Care (LDC) with an integrated Kindergarten program like the one that we offer families and a Standalone Kindergarten.
Both programs are taught by qualified early childhood teachers and both follow the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, however Long Day Care centres like us at Sorella Early Learning offer additional benefits such as incursion and excursion programs, more flexible hours (we are open from 06:30-6:30pm) and we are open during the school holidays.
Each option offers unique features and benefits, catering to different needs and preference, we know it can be quite daunting when trying to decide which is best for your family so we’ve put together our tips for making the right choice:
Visit Multiple centres: Schedule visits to various long day care centres and standalone kindergartens in your area to experience their atmosphere, observe interactions between educators and children, and gather first hand impressions.
Engage in Open Conversations with Educators and Staff: Talk to educators and staff about their philosophy, curriculum, and approach to early childhood education. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or ask about their strategies for fostering social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Observe Children in Action: Pay attention to how children interact with each other, engage with the learning environment, and respond to the educators’ guidance. This will provide insights into the center’s overall culture and atmosphere.
Consider Your Child’s Personality and Learning Style: Reflect on your child’s temperament, interests, and learning preferences. If they thrive on routine and structure, a standalone kindergarten might be a better fit. If they enjoy exploration and hands-on activities, long day care could be a more suitable option.
Seek Recommendations from Other Parents: Talk to friends, family, and neighbours who have chosen early childhood education options for their children. Their experiences and insights can provide valuable perspectives and help you make a more informed decision.
Prioritise Your Child’s Comfort and Happiness: Ultimately, the best early childhood education setting is one where your child feels safe, loved, and stimulated. Trust your instincts and choose a place where your child develops joy and enthusiasm for learning.
We would love to invite you to come and see our beautiful environments and meet our team of wonderful educators! If you would like to book a tour please complete our enquiry form and one of our team will be in touch.
Free Kindy is coming to Queensland in 2024. This program marks a huge step forward in early education, and as we look ahead to 2024 the Free Kindy initiative promises to bring quality early education within reach for all Queensland children, setting the stage for a brighter future filled with educational possibilities.
Free Kindy is not just a program; it’s a gateway to opportunities. By providing 15 hours of free early education each week, 40 weeks a year, children have the chance to engage in a well-structured curriculum that combines play and exploration. This approach sets the stage for a lifelong love of learning.
What do you need to know about Free Kindy:
Kindy is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year.
It’s available for children aged at least 4 years of age by 30 June in the year before they attend Prep.
Children must be attending a kindergarten program is delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Families will benefit from free kindy whether they attend a sessional or long day care service, but it must be a government approved service.
The Types Kindergarten Services:
When it comes to Free Kindergarten you’ll find that it’s not limited to one type of service. Kindergarten programs are available in different settings, including sessional kindergartens and long day care services. Knowing “where” to find these services and what suits your family’s needs can make all the difference in your child’s early education journey. Learn more about the different types of Kindergarten here.
Led by a university-qualified Early Childhood Teacher, our dedicated Kindergarten Program guarantees a fantastic beginning to your child’s school life. Collaborating closely with the children, our Kindy Teacher focuses on preparing them for school while building a solid groundwork for their future learning adventure.
Our approach blends activities initiated by the child with teacher-led engagements, all centered around your child’s interests and the marvels of the natural world. Our primary focus is on creating a fun and educational environment that fosters emotional regulation, individuality, and the growth of interests, ideas, and creativity as your child flourishes under our care.
Messy play stands as a crucial avenue for children to learn and enjoy themselves. This involves using a variety of materials such as water, sand, paint, and clay to create a bit of a mess and dive into exploration. Although some parents may have concerns about the potential chaos, messy play offers an abundance of cognitive, emotional, and social benefits for kids.
One notable advantage of messy play is its role in stimulating sensory exploration and development. When children engage in messy play, they get the chance to experience different textures and sensations, which is vital for enhancing their sensory processing skills. Additionally, engaging in sensory play can also help children manage their emotions and reduce stress since the tactile experiences during messy play tend to have a calming and soothing effect.
In addition, messy play nurtures creativity and imagination in children. By letting them play around with various materials, they have the freedom to unleash their imagination, crafting new ideas and experimenting to understand how things work. It’s a bit like putting together the pieces of a puzzle, where they get to be the puzzle solvers.
Another remarkable aspect of messy play is its role in boosting children’s social skills. When children engage in messy play activities together, they learn important social lessons like sharing, taking turns, effective communication, negotiation, and compromise. This type of play also fosters teamwork and collaboration, as children cooperate to build and create together.
Above all, messy play is all about having fun and enjoying the experience. It’s a time for children to express themselves freely, be creative, and explore without the constraints of rules and expectations. It often doubles as an opportunity for children and their caregivers to bond, engaging in activities together, sharing in the joy, and creating something new. So, next time you find yourself uncertain about allowing your child to indulge in messy play, remember that it’s more than just fun – it’s an invaluable learning experience that can be enjoyed to the fullest!
Toilet training or potty training marks a significant milestone for both parents and toddlers. It can be a trying and occasionally exhausting journey, but it’s a crucial step towards independence and self-care for young children. Here are some tips for a successful toilet training experience:
Timing
There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the “right” age to commence toilet training because each child is unique. Nevertheless, most kids are ready somewhere between the ages of 2 and 3. Watch for signs of readiness like an interest in the bathroom, longer periods of staying dry, and expressions of discomfort when dealing with a soiled diaper.
Preparation
Before embarking on toilet training, prepare your child by reading books about using the toilet, discussing what to expect, and allowing them to choose their own toilet seat or step stool.
Consistency
Consistency plays a pivotal role in toilet training. Establish a routine and stick to it, regularly taking your child to the toilet throughout the day. Encourage your child to sit on the toilet even when they don’t feel the urge, as it helps establish the habit.
Positive Reinforcement
Celebrate and reward your child for successful toilet trips. This can be as simple as clapping and saying “well done!” or offering a small treat or a sticker. Avoid punishing or shaming your child for accidents, as this can create negative associations with toilet use.
Patience
Toilet training is a journey that demands both time and patience, and there may be occasional setbacks. Maintain a positive and supportive attitude, and keep in mind that every child progresses at their own pace.
It’s essential to recognise that every child is distinct, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to toilet training. Some children may take a bit longer to become fully independent in using the toilet, and that’s perfectly fine. If you encounter challenges or have concerns about your child’s progress, don’t hesitate to consult with your child’s GP or a child development specialist.
Welcome to a brand new chapter, where the excitement of new beginnings and the uncertainties of unfamiliar territory mix with a lot of emotions—for both you and your little one. Starting at a new center is a remarkable milestone, but it comes with its fair share of challenges: new friends to make, new spaces to explore, and new routines to adapt to. It’s a lot to take in!
As your child begins to settle into this new environment, don’t be surprised if tears and tantrums become part of the equation. It’s natural to find yourself questioning whether you’re making the right decisions – but let us assure you, nobody knows them better than you do so trust your instincts. These challenges are part of your child’s normal growth, even if they aren’t always comfortable for either of you.
If you are looking for ways to best support your little one during the drop-off process, here’s our advice.
Leave enough time at drop off, so it isn’t rushed (if you can) Asking your child to show you something they enjoy doing can help ease the transition into care. They become distracted or engaged and they don’t have to say goodbye straight away. But be careful not to hang around too long, as this can have the opposite effect.
Always say goodbye This one is a hard one. The temptation is to sneak out while they are happy, and it makes sense. However, more often than not this can cause them to take longer to settle over time. Next time they are dropped off they may be more hesitant to leave your side as they think you will disappear. So as hard as it is, always say goodbye. And then leave quickly, don’t linger once you’ve said you’re leaving.
Talk with your child Talk to your child about their day, what they like to play with, who they like to play with, and what they are looking forward to. You can then use this to help reassure them when they need it.
Communicate with your child’s Educator Let them know what your child likes to do at home. Let them know how you help settle your child at home. Ask your Educator what your child likes to play with. At pick-up time, ask what activities will be happening the next day so that you can talk to your child about what to expect.
Provide a child with your timeline Your child feeling uncertain at drop off can sometimes be because they don’t understand that it is not forever. Or it can feel like a long time to them. Giving them a timeline they can understand and let their Educator know so they can help with this. For example… “After you have had afternoon tea and a play, I will be back to collect you, then we can go to the park.”
Call the Centre if you are going to be late This one is a good one, especially for older children. Ask the Educators to pass on the message to your child so they know you will be a little late and why, or if someone else is going to be collecting them instead.
Not every tantrum or meltdown means there is something wrong Another important thing to remember is that often tears and tantrums can be attributed to other things. They don’t always mean that something is wrong. When a child is going through a developmental leap or growth spurt, hasn’t slept enough, or is hungry; these can all come out as big emotions. So it is important to talk with your Educators to understand; Whether this is new? Has something happened? More often than not your child will be fine. Once you are out of sight and they are busy, your child will generally settle pretty quickly. Working with your child’s Educator and being consistent in how you handle transitions will go a long way to helping your child regulate their emotions and handle separation.
Children can attend a Kindy program either in the Kindy Room of an Early Learning Centre or at a stand-alone Kindergarten. There are many benefits to each type of program and your choice will depend on the needs of your child and family. We highly recommend attending Kindy information sessions or open days and try to meet the Kindergarten teacher as part of the decision process.
Kindergarten is an important year in your child’s development and as it sets the foundation for future learning. It is a time when children learn through play and develop the skills they will need to thrive at school and become lifelong learners.
Kindy at Sorella
Our specialised Kindergarten Program, led by a university-qualified Early Childhood Teacher, ensures an excellent start to each child’s school years. Working closely with the children, our Kindy Teacher supports their school readiness and establishes a strong foundation for their future learning journey.
Our approach combines child-initiated and teacher-led activities, centered around your child’s interests and the wonders of nature. We prioritise creating an enjoyable and educational experience, nurturing emotional regulation, individuality, interests, ideas, and creativity as they develop in our care.
As an Early Learning Centre we offer care for children from babies through to school age. This means that your child can attend a Kindergarten program in a centre in which they are already settled and have good relationships with friends and educators – and if siblings are able to attend the same centre, it makes drop off and pick up a lot more convenient for families.
Our Kindy room receives State Government Kindy funding and families are also eligible for their Child Care Subsidy payments which reduce their fees.
We hope that you will choose Sorella Early Learning Centre for your child’s Kindergarten year and welcome any further questions that you have!
