Discover a typical day in St Andrews Beach Kindergarten
08:30
Soft start
In response to survery and family needs we now offer 15 hours of funded kindergarten over 2 long days (7.5 hours). Our first half hour is a settling time for free play indoors or outdoors.
09:00
yarning circle/online assembly
Daily Bunurong Acknowledgment. “We are proud to know that the Bunurong are the first peoples of this land in which we live love and play” Each child has a turn to yarn about their life or special item from home. This valuable activity fosters listening skills, talking confidence, turn taking and also binds our group. Weekly assembly is recorded with the children and sent to parents. We sing the National Anthem and discuss any important dates or weekly notes.
9:30
group fruit platter
“Thank you friends, family and teachers. Thank you, thank you for our food. Thank you to the Kulin Nations people . Thank you to Mother Earth too". (Our daily group eating blessing. We further embed a sense of belonging by eating fruit together. The value of nutrition is highlighted and a variety of fruits are offered.
9:45
Inside activities
We carefully program our activities to excite, engage and educate our children. There is a mix of quiet, active, fine motor, free and structured learning play. We aim to help children thrive and develop independence.
11:00
group mat time & first snack
Singing, dancing and listening to music is a big part of mat time. We also use this for intentional teaching about our learning focus.. We eat from our individual lunch boxes twice across the day. Sometimes we have picnics or we eat at the tables inside. We value healthy foods with no packaging.
11:30
OUTDOORS
Free time to run, hide, play, climb, garden or join in with a game. Our outdoor area is big and safely fenced with grass, gardens, playground, sandpit and a shed full of toys.
1:00
YOGA
We listen to indigenous sounds when we do daily Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness.
1:15
LUNCH
Eating together is celebrated - always.
1:30
silent reading
Children select books of interest and learn to ‘read’ silently by looking at the pictures.. We inspire a love of reading!
1:45
kinesiology & italian
Lisa (practicing Kinesiologist) guides half the group through brain training while Gabrielle takes half the group for Italian language and cultural learning. We then swap over.
2:15
Story and rest time
“"What did you love doing today? We talk about our day then light the candle for our story. We then prepare our sleep mats for a rest or quiet solitary play.
3:00
Bush Kinder reflection & HOME TIME
St Andrews Beach Recreation Club grounds are vast. We take advantage of our coastal space with a bush walk to be at one with nature and use sustainable practices to nurture respect for our environment. We end our day with a Fairy Tale story to read, then act out.