The phase between toddlerhood and preschool is a remarkable time of growth and development.

 

Our lovely Pre-Kinder room features an adult-to-child ratio of 1:4, allowing for a maximum of 11 children aged roughly 12 months.

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During this window, children make significant progress in language and social skills. It is also when they begin to understand their place in the world and learn how to navigate the elements of life. We recognise that children at this age are just beginning to explore the world around them and are developing important social and language skills. It's a no longer a toddler, yet not quite Kindergarten age stage. We aim to focus on providing a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn to navigate social situations and develop emotional capacity, whilst allowing our Padua community to welcome younger ages into our magic program.

 

Our curriculum has a strong emphasis on imaginative and exploratory learning, which is essential for building cognitive capacity and creativity. We encourage children to engage in the flow of play, providing opportunities for collaborative play and building a sense of community. Our goal is to provide a solid foundation for learning, which will help children transition smoothly into our 3-year-old program. We understand that children at this age are still learning to become independent, we encourage the development of self-help skills and building resilience. We also provide opportunities for children to interact with older children, helping them build positive and respectful relationships. At mealtimes, children eat together with the Kinder 3 group at times and are encouraged to sit up on small children's chairs or picnic rugs. Restful moments are provided in a quiet space, with designated beds for naps and rest located away from the older Kinder 3 children. Padua uses only the best quality, low-tox nappies and wipes ( provided) , changing them in a designated area within the Kinder 3 bathroom space. Whilst keeping our Pre-Kindergarten group small, we believe in fostering a sense of community and building positive relationships, which is the cornerstone of our approach to learning, playing, and growing together. We will weave our well known and loved

 

Padua ethos and day into a developmentally appropriate day, whilst nurturing small group connections in a nurturing wholesome space.