Preschool and Kindergarten - Foundations
The foundations for every child’s development (social, physical, emotional, and cognitive) are formed in the period from birth through to eight years of age.
Preschool and kindergarten children learn best through play! As play is essential for early childhood development - children need to move, run, jump, climb and balance to develop motor skills, physical play with others also helps to build social and emotional skills as children practice taking turns, leading, following, and sharing. Parents and caregivers also benefit from the social value of shared community play spaces, which can serve as hubs for informal social connections and for services such as playgroups. Children at play are developing their senses, and responses to sensory input, through complex neurological processes. They are creating the template for their future learning.
Parents, carers, and families are a child’s first teachers and important advocates for their children. Quality early childhood education is founded on quality partnerships with families. Fostering collaboration amongst parents, educators, and support professionals, based on mutual trust and respect, is a cornerstone of high-quality programs for children.
Qualified educators help children develop foundation skills they’ll use their whole lives. They partner with families to plan experiences and play that help children develop skills in social and emotional learning; language and literacy; science, technology, engineering and math; dramatic play; creative arts; and physical activity.