A partnership between a local early learning centre and a school is easing the transition into primary education.
St Patrick’s Primary School and Casey Childcare and Kindergarten have established a mentoring program aimed at supporting children in taking the big leap from kindergarten to primary school.
As part of the program, students at St Patrick’s pay a visit to the kindergarten on a weekly basis and mentor the kinder kids in areas such as literacy and numeracy.
Then, twice a term, the kinder kids venture over to the school to participate in Prep music, art and physical education classes.
Casey Childcare and Kindergarten centre manager Debbie Porter said the mentoring program provided an opportunity for those at kindergarten to experience “big school” and interact with school-aged children.
“We know through research that social and emotional readiness is key to children successfully transitioning to school, so this program provides wonderful opportunities for the kinder children to develop confidence,” Ms Porter said.
Not limiting parent options, the kindergarten also works with other schools in the area.
A recent “successful” kinder information night on 2 August saw representatives from Pakenham Consolidated School speak to 30-plus families on successful transitions to school.
“Our speakers spoke on how the program and partnerships Casey Childcare provides within our service and in partnership with the local schools creates firm foundations for children transitioning from kinder to school,” Ms Porter said.
