School Immersion Excursions
Our 2023 partnership with St Joseph’s Primary located in the heart of Black Rock (544 Balcombe Rd) provided our kindergarten with the wonderful opportunity to offer an extension to our kindergarten program by enabling a small cohort of children to be immersed in the school environment, which will eventually lead to smoother transition into school. Unfortunately, due to the school’s closure we are no longer able to integrate the school immersion excursions into our program.
Our kindergarten has access to a beautiful light filled room at the school and the advantage of this location for a small group of children is the openness that the school has provided in sharing their resources. The opportunities for interaction with older children to watch, learn and develop appropriate social behaviours is endless.
We plan these kindergarten sessions, so that our children have outdoor play while the school children are in their classes. There are many areas to explore in the school environment, with outdoor play equipment for the children to explore, climb and develop their gross motor skills, a sandpit for digging and getting their hands dirty, a vegetable garden to cultivate the children’s interest in sustainability and growth, not to mention the chickens! For indoor play, we have access to the fully stocked art room to enable the kids to express themselves. And then back to the Well-being Room for some quality small group activities, quiet time and reading together.
In 2023, one group of 3 year olds benefit from this program. In 2024, we hope to expand the program to enable one group of 3 years olds and one group of 4 year olds to participate in this weekly program.