3-5 years

Transition to School Program

At Young Academics we pride ourselves on our signature approach to early education programs that meet the needs of every child, while actively engaging in play-based experiences that challenge and extend thinking and learning. Our Transition to School Program is designed to develop foundational skills, providing a fluid transition into Early Stage One of the Australian School Curriculum.

Our program is strongly aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework and the National Quality Framework. The principles that underpin the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guide and inform our practices.

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7 KEY AREAS OF FOCUS

At Young Academics, we are committed to providing your child with the best possible start to their future education and fostering a lifelong love of learning. Our Transition to School Program focuses on seven key areas which promote the holistic learning and development required as children prepare for kindergarten and is supported by our well-resourced environments and sector leading educators.

1
Core
2
Scholar
3
Creative
4
Wellness
5
Wellbeing
6
Our World
7
Discovery
Transition to School Program
3-5 YEARS
PRESCHOOLERS

As your child is getting ready to start ‘big school’, our Transition to School Program recognises the importance of the formative preschool years in terms of building their emotional, cognitive and physical development.

Some examples of how our Transition to School Program supports your child’s learning and development include:

Natural Environments

– Our centres allow children to learn through exploration with access to outdoor learning environments with features such as bike tracks, sandpits, and quiet zones for yoga, stimulating their curiosity with bold colours, interactive equipment, and more.

Nutrition

Created by a dietician and implemented by an in-house cook, our approach to Nutrition promotes health and nourishment through every meal. With a healthy mind and body, children can concentrate and learn, helping them make healthier decisions when they transition into school and beyond.

Getting Ready for School

Our program implements a play based learning approach, with every activity ensuring your child is ready for real-life situations. Vital to preschoolers, we ensure your child is well supported to learn at their own pace, giving them the confidence to take on kindergarten.

PLAY-BASED LEARNING

Our Transition to School Program is underpinned by play-based learning. Play-based learning is how children under the age of five learn while having fun at the same time, and this program promotes a combination of outcomes and skills that will set your child up for a successful transition to their new school setting.

With an equal focus on fostering physical, cognitive and emotional development, children are guided by our expert educators through play to give them an understanding of the skills required for school readiness.

Transition to School Program
HOW THE PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED

At Young Academics we understand the importance of the formative preschool years in preparing children for school readiness, and our program will help them prepare emotionally, cognitively and physically for this significant transition. These are some examples of how our Transition to School Program is implemented for preschoolers:

  • Core
  • Scholar
  • Creative
  • Wellness
  • Wellbeing
  • Our World
  • Discovery

1Core

1
Core
Independence and confidence are two important skills we aim to build in children to ensure they are school ready. This is achieved in centres by allowing preschoolers leadership opportunities such as ‘buddying’ with younger children and encouraging autonomy in personal care tasks like tying their own shoelaces.

2Scholar

2
Scholar
This is where we cover the foundational literacy and numeracy skills and concepts required for your child’s first year of school. Verbal and written literacy is achieved by children reading, writing, practicing sounds and telling stories. Numeracy covers not only numbers, but also patterns, shapes, size, time, and measurement, and how these key concepts relate to their everyday lives.

3Creative

3
Creative
The creative arts, which includes drawing, painting, crafting, building and music give young children an outlet for self-expression and a way to communicate emotions they may not yet be able to verbalise. This is achieved through activities such as collaging, clay or play dough, dancing and singing.

4Wellness

4
Wellness
A big focus of this key area is on the physical development of children, which includes fine and gross motor skills. We assist preschoolers to develop more complex fine motor control by encouraging play with a range of tools (such as pencils, scissors, brushes) to support emergent writing. Gross motor skills are developed through more complex movements and sporting actions such as skipping and ball play.

5Wellbeing

5
Wellbeing
Promoting a child’s holistic health and wellbeing by learning about emotions and friendships is vital in these foundational years. We teach children to identify and recognise emotions in themselves and others. Emotions such as empathy assist children in developing the social skills required to make and sustain friendships which is key to successful school transition.

6Our World

6
Our World
Our World helps children to understand the world around them and their place in it. Key subjects explored include an appreciation of different cultures, including Australia’s own indigenous cultures, as well as the environment and our relationship with it. Children interact with the natural world in our purpose-built outdoor learning environments that feature spaces such as herb gardens and worm farms.

7Discovery

7
Discovery
Focusing on the important subjects of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), children learn through fun play-based activities and collaborating with their peers and educators. Science experiments such as making volcanoes are explored in a fun and safe environment and technology is introduced through age-appropriate online resources and videos.
ASSESSMENT OF LEARNING

As outlined in the National Quality Framework and the Early Years Learning Framework, regular assessments are essential when it comes to your child’s overall development. At Young Academics, we fulfil these requirements by setting goals within our Transition to School Program that are tailored to each individual child and developed in conjunction with families.

Each month, our expert educators plan specific learning experiences to help your child reach these goals that will align with key milestones within the Transition to School Program. Parents are kept up to date on their child’s progress through regular updates via our Family communication platform and information evenings where they can speak one-on-one with their child’s educators. Every six months, our educators assess your child’s progress and provide feedback in a formal developmental summary against their individual goals.

FAQ

What is Play based learning?

Play-based learning is a nationally recognised approach based on child-led and open-ended play. Play-based learning allows children to learn through exploration, developing and practicing language and physical skills and experimenting with new ideas. Children build confidence, express themselves creatively, and develop their sense of self and identity.

What is the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)?

The Early Years Learning Framework is part of the Australian National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care, and describes the principles, practices and outcomes essential to your child’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school.

The framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning, recognising the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development. There are five learning outcomes defined by the EYLF:

  • Children have a strong sense of identity
  •  Children are connected with and contribute to their world
  • Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
  • Children are confident and involved learners
  • Children are effective communicators

What is the National Quality Framework (NQF)?

The National Quality Standards is part of the National Quality Framework which provides for increased quality in education and care services. The Standards focus on seven quality areas that underpin quality and provide for better outcomes for children.

There are:

  • Educational program and practice
  • Children’s health and safety
  • Physical environment
  • Staffing and arrangements
  • Relationships with children
  • Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
  • Governance and leadership

How do you monitor my child’s development?

At the start of the year, our educators work in partnership with families to set goals for your child. Then, each month we plan different learning experiences to help your child reach these goals that will align with their developmental milestones. Families are kept up to date on their child’s progress through regular updates on Kinderloop, our family communication platform, and annual parent/teacher evenings allowing you to speak one-on-one with your child’s educator and a formal developmental summary of milestones and engagement.

How does the Transition to School Program prepare my child for school?

Our Transition to School program is designed to support children to develop foundational skills, providing a fluid transition into Early Stage One of the NSW School Curriculum.

How are families involved in their children’s learning?

Young Academics believes in inviting families to be partners in their child’s learning through enriching communication and providing experiences to extend learning at home.

STAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR CHILD

Our Parent App is a safe, secure and private way for you to stay in touch with Young Academics while your child is in our care. We use our parent app to share news, events, photos and videos about your child – all in real-time. We also share insights and updates into your child’s progress and developmental milestones. Through the parent app, you can ask questions or comment on your child’s learning, creating a meaningful relationship with our educators.

Programs at
young academics
Young Academics promises stimulating, quality instruction and
child care programs which spark curiosity in your child.
0-3
Evolution Program
Our signature approach to early learning education programs promotes the development of learning dispositions such as wonder, curiosity and imagination.
Music & Movement

Designed to complement our existing programs, the Young Academics Workshops bring a new level of excitement to learning.