Mt Warrigal Public School preschoolers are being supported by the older kids with their transition into primary school. Photos: Keeli Dyson.
The comfort and confidence of Mt Warrigal preschoolers during their kindergarten orientation has proven the benefits of having an on-site early learning facility connected to a public primary school, making a big transition a little easier.
At only four- and five-years-old, the incoming kindergarteners at Mt Warrigal Public School embraced the classroom like they owned the place.
The young students are just months away from a major educational milestone but ongoing connection between the public preschool and primary school, which share a site, ensures a smooth transition.
“This integration is important so they can gain confidence in being able to come to school, they can feel safe and secure in coming to school and take away the anxiety that’s related to coming to school where everything’s new,” Mt Warrigal Public School lead preschool teacher Shauna Stephens said.
“If we can take away that anxiety by having a buddy with them that shows them where to sit, helps them with their lunch, that’s one more thing school can do to help them be ready.”
Keely Brown hoped the program had the same benefits for her son Aubyn, after seeing how it supported her older daughter when starting school.
“My kids can be very anxious, very nervous of new things; they don’t like much of a change so this helped,” Keely said.
“She already had friends, he already has friends, they go to class together, the teachers are already familiar with them and it’s much easier on the children which is the main thing; I don’t want to overwhelm them, so it’s helped massively.”
With some help from the school, Keely felt positive Aubyn had the tools he needed to succeed in the new environment.
“I’m very excited for him and a little bit nervous obviously, it’s a big step, it’s a big change, but what I see from him is he’s very confident and ready to go,” she said.
Keely and her son Aubyn, who is ready to take the leap into big school.
Kirra Ford witnessed how the preschool supported her daughter Navana in learning skills such as writing and counting.
Through her connection with older buddies she also learnt other important lessons.
“She’s a real people person,” Kirra said.
“She’s learnt a lot of kindness, sharing, caring – she’s got a big heart. ”
“They’re learning social skills, they’re learning academic skills, emotional skills, language skills,” Ms Stephens said.
“They’re learning so much every day that they’re here.”
Mt Warrigal is one of only a few schools in the region that have the unique inclusion of a public preschool, with the service also offered at Kemblawarra and Fairy Meadow.
But as part of the NSW Government’s pledge to create 100 new facilities, announced early last year, the experience could become a lot more common, with facilities set to be built in Barrack Heights, Lake Illawarra, Lake Heights, Berkeley West and Cringila.
A public preschool is also included in the designs of Calderwood’s new primary school.
With hundreds of preschool places to become available in the upcoming years, a whole generation of young people and their families will be able to experience the benefits of the system.
“It’s just easy, there’s no real hiccups, there’s no massive drastic changes,” Keely said. “It’s much simpler for the kids and the parents.”
To find out more about NSW public preschools visit the Department of Education website.
