Our Kindergarten program, staff and the facilities have been rated as ‘Exceeding’ the National Quality Standard and we are proud to have achieved such a high standard. Our staff are always looking for ways to improve and build on the already dynamic program and opportunities which are offered to the children and families of Waverley Meadows.

A comprehensive program is prepared by the staff, according to the children’s ideas and needs at the time. Provocations are set up for a ‘hands on’ experience to provide the opportunity for the children to further develop their social, emotional, physical and cognitive abilities. Developmental goals and individual planning cycles will be set for the group as a whole as well as for the individual child. Some goals may be worked towards throughout the whole year; while others may be in place for a term or only a couple of weeks before they are achieved. Observations of the children at play and their interactions with others will also be taken; these form the basis of the Program Planning Cycle.

We believe that children learn through active participation in a stimulating and challenging environment, which fosters self-organisation and conflict resolution. Consequently, children need direct experiences and direct manipulation of objects. The learning program at Waverley Meadows Preschool is structured within the parameters of the Victorian Government prescribed ‘Early Years Learning and Development’ Framework (VEYLDF).
         
As each child experiences more ways of dealing with their world, there needs to be ample opportunity to learn through play. Children need time to explore and manipulate the environment at their own rate and time to be themselves.
         
We place an emphasis on the process the child uses and goes through while engaging with provocations rather than the production of a product. Each child needs to be pleased with what they have achieved for themselves, not what an adult has made for them.
         
​Don’t be alarmed if your child does not come home with lots of “work” each day. It doesn’t mean that he/she has done nothing at Kinder, rather that he/she has been learning and developing skills at provocations which have no visible products to take home.

Important skills your child learns while at preschool:

• An understanding and respect for themselves and others

• Confidence in self-expression of their feelings and ideas

• Independence and responsibility for themselves and their actions as individuals and as part of the group

• Self-motivation and problem solving skills

• Creativity and imagination in thought and expression

• Understanding and use of verbal and non-verbal language as a means of communication

• Sensory awareness, and progression in physical skills and manipulation

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Possums Three Year Old Program 

Our exciting three year old Possums program is specifically designed for young learners. Attending for ten hours per week from 2022 (five hours on a Wednesday and five hours on a Friday), children are eligible to register if they have turned or are due to turn 3 by the 30th of April in the year of attendance. Please note, Government regulations state that a child turning three after the Kinder year has started, will be unable to commence until on or after their third birthday. This may mean, in some cases they won’t be eligible to start until Term 2. If your child falls into this category, please contact us to discuss your child’s readiness for starting Kinder. 

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The Possums program has an additional optional three hours per week as a part of our M.A.G.I.C. Group. M.A.G.I.C. Group is a mixed age group made up of both Possums group children and Tawny Frogmouth (4YO) children.

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Tawny Frogmouth Four Year Old Program

 The four year old Tawny Frogmouth group consists of a group of 30 children who attend three sessions per week for a total of 15 hours. Having one group consisting of the same children allows continuity for the children and for them to get to know each other better.

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