The transition to kindergarten from a childcare setting or from home can be daunting. Although daunting, it’s something a large majority of Australian children go through. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 85% of all 4-year-old and 22% of all 5-year-old children were enrolled in preschool programs such as kindergarten in 2021.
It’s that time of year again. Excited – but often nervous – children are coming in to see what their new environment for the next year will look like. They may be toddlers or entering pre-kindy or kindy. This may be some children’s first experience in an early learning centre, which will mean some big adjustments for families.
The end of the year brings much excitement – especially in early learning centres. Talk of Santa, Christmas and holidays brings a wave of anticipation and excitement for what’s the come.
While this is a happy time of year, it can also be met with apprehension as many children will transition out of their current areas in their early learning centres.
Sensory play has become a big part of a child’s theory classes, to DIY activities at home, there is a greater awareness these days about the benefits of sensory play for children.
“Christmas trees and food are already in the shops! It’s too early!” These are the words often uttered around this time of year, every year.
While many of us think it’s too early, life does get busy around this time of year. Before we know it, it’s two weeks until Christmas and we realise maybe starting our shopping and festivity planning early may not have been a terrible idea after all.
When you look at early learning centres that have been built in the last 10 years, you’ll more than likely see neutral colour tones across the furniture and storage solutions.
In addition to aesthetics and evolving trends over time, the rationale behind more neutral tones is to provide more ‘blank canvas’ areas for play and learning. The resources, rather than the furniture, become the focus.
Often associated with being better quality, more aesthetically appealing and aligning with pedagogies such as Montessori, the popularity of quality wooden toys has soared in recent years. Bright colours, plastic and battery-operated gadgets have taken a backseat, and wooden toys are now – more often than not – taking pride of place in homes and early learning centres.
Diversity comes in many shapes and forms, and it’s up to us as adults – whether parents, educators, or both – to encourage children to truly understand, embrace and accept the diversity of their peers and the world around them.
Nicky has worked in the Early Learning industry for more than 25 years in a variety of roles from Educator through to Centre Director, Area Manager, Advisory & Development Coordinator, Program Manager and Quality Advisor. Currently, Nicky is the Managing Director of a group of community-based Preschools in NSW. In this role, she has recently project managed the construction, fitout and opening of a new community Preschool for her organisation and it is through this process that she partnered with Step4 for the fitout of the new Preschool.
After spending part of her teenage years living in a remote part of the Kimberley in Western Australia, Nicky’s appreciation for the indigenous history of Australia began. Through her career, she has worked with and assisted Educators and Directors in their journey of understanding this important aspect of learning and history and how to ensure that their approach is collaborative, respectful and appropriate.
Nicky has recently completed a Graduate Certificate in Indigenous Education as a specialisation subject for an ongoing Masters of Education. The extension of her own understanding of Indigenous perspectives was something that she wanted to support and this has assisted her in identifying ways that she can further support Educators across all levels and experience in reflecting on and extending their own knowledge.
Prue commenced her career as an early childhood educator before progressing to a centre Directors role. She later became an Area Manager supporting children, services and families throughout Sydney..
Prue has been working with STEP4 for almost 4 years now supporting services with their ongoing needs and requirements for resources, furniture and equipment as well as contributing her industry knowledge and design concepts to new centre startups. She loves the creative process of working with service owners, managers and educators to enable their vision come to life and create engaging and bespoke learning environments where children’s curiosity and engagement can be fostered. She loves sharing her passion and ideas and working collaboratively with industry leaders, educators and owners.
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