Is is also important to provide opportunities for children to experience writing and reading skills, mathematical and science concepts in their daily program.

Examples from our program include:

• The development of the concept that written words are actual thoughts set down on paper.
• Early exercises to practice reading and to gain the concept of a noun, by labeling objects.
• Reading specially selected or prepared books on topics that really interest the child, such as in science, geography, nature or history.
• Learning to sound out and spell simple phonic words using movable alphabets.
• Learning to write by using special tilted upright blackboards.
• Learning concepts such as addition/subtraction & learning to count to 25.

Mixing ages provides our kindergarten children with opportunities to develop self-esteem, leadership skills and responsibility, giving the children greater social diversity. This is the ‘leadership year’ where they have friends of all ages.

Our staff will provide written information about school readiness and will hold a parent information session at the beginning of the year to discuss and outline the long-term goals for the year. Each of our centres has partnerships with local schools in the community, whereby excursions are held to help familiarise children with the concept of ‘Primary School’.

As part of our school readiness program, children are introduced to the concept of STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Our STEM activities promote problem-solving thinking, encourages analytical responses and creates interest in this topic. Our Kindy program incorporates STEM through science experiments, computing studies, and mathematical concepts through Montessori resources.