Building collaborative partnerships with the primary school and the kindergarten provides an effective transition from early childhood setting to formal school.

Every year some of our Kindergarten children begin their primary education at St. Simon’s the Apostle Primary School.

We invited some Foundation children from St Simon’s who attended Aurora (formerly Kool Kidz on Taylors) last year to visit our Kindergarten.

On Tuesday 12th September five Foundation students visited us with the Student Services Leader and the Teacher Aide. As it was a rainy day, the Foundation children enjoyed their little walk from school to the kindergarten with their umbrellas and rain coats on.

We sat on the mat together and introduced ourselves to each other. Then Willow Walkers sang ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ in English and in Mandarin to welcome the Foundation students. Afterwards in pairs, the Foundation and Kindergarten children worked collaboratively to create a structure – joining clay and straws together. The kindergarten children then presented the creation to their partners as a gift. Then,  in small groups the children and the educators engaged in learning experiences in the kindergarten room. The Foundation students shared their school experiences with the kindergarten children.

The visit by the Foundation students has provided opportunities for the kindergarten children to get to know them, build relationships with them and hear about their experiences at school. Foundation students have acted as role models for the kindergarten children. The kindergarten children have been able to develop a positive attitude to starting school when they hear realistic information about school experiences and expectations.

During the next term we will visit St Simon’s, to assist in their transition and enable them to experience first-hand what it will be like to be a student in a school.

  • EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity
  • EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world
  • EYLF Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators

Have a trip to Aurora Early Education Centre: