Transitioning to ‘Big School’
Going to “Big School” is a milestone for your child and yourself. It is the beginning of their formal education and it is important that your child is aware of the positives of going to “Big School”. Below are some tips that we at Footscray Early Learning Centre can offer. However, do not hesitate to call or speak to a team member as we are always willing to assist where we can.
Preparing your child for school
- Establish a morning and bedtime routine in the weeks or months leading up to start date.
- Encourage your child to self-help, dress, clean and feed themselves.
- Speak with your child about “big school” and how grown up they are.
- When talking about “big School” speak positively so your child will adapt to your attitude.
- When driving or walking past the school make it known and exciting that that is where your child will be going soon.
- Ensure you and your child know which school they will be going to; this helps them settle and become familiar.
- If possible make friendships with other children of the same age, so your child recognises a familiar face on their first day.
Going to primary school is an exciting time for your child’s life. Together with you we can make the transition from preschool to “big school” easy and exciting.
Lunchbox Ideas
- Freeze a juice box then put it into the lunchbox, this will keep all the food fresh and cool
- Label everything of your child’s
- Pack food your child is used to and enjoys
- Pack morning tea and lunch separate to avoid confusion
- Pre-cut fruit and veggies if needed
- Do not over pack the lunch box, your child might feel pressured into eating all of it
- Don’t forget to pack a spoon if you put yogurt in
Nutritious Foods to pack
- Small pieces or cut up fruits rice crackers
- Sandwiches cut in half
- Small yogurts
- Vegetable sticks
- Cheese sticks
- Muesli bars
- Wholemeal muffins
- Unsalted Popcorn
Try to avoid
- Chips
- Lollies
- Chocolate
- Cake
- Chocolate biscuit
- High sugar content foods
School Readiness Program
Footscray Early Learning Centre School Readiness Program is aimed at supporting the development of, confidence and independence skills that your child will need prior to starting school, helping to build a solid foundation for later learning. The School Readiness Program promotes interests and assists your child in becoming an active learner and provides opportunities for your child to develop to their full potential whilst having fun at the same time. Our educators will also talk with you about your child’s readiness to start school, and provide you with support to help them to develop their school readiness skills at home. We work in partnership with your family and with local schools in our communities to assist you and your child with the transition and orientation process.
Is all about your child becoming acquainted with themselves as an individual, learning how to express themselves and share their feelings and emotions. It is important that your child feels welcome and has a strong sense of belonging to the centre, to their friend and educators. Having world awareness is an area of our program that ties closely to our program. It is a way for your child to become in touch with the environment and to explore nature and what it has to offer. We encourage your child to have a positive impact on their environment by making environmentally friendly choices and changes.
Self-awareness is a part of the curriculum that your child will always be involved in. At Footscray Early Learning Centre we assist your child in becoming independent and an autonomous learner.
Self-Awareness Skills include:
- Having care, empathy and respect
- Becoming autonomous and independent
- Being confident and communicative
- Understanding oneself and a sense of security
Other key features of the program include:
- lunchboxes in term 4
- Excursions and Incursions
- Physical activity
This links to the EYLF Outcome 1 – Children Have a Strong Sense of Identity.
- Children feel safe, secure and supported.
- Children develop their emerging autonomy, inter-dependence, resilience and sense of agency.
- Children develop knowledgeable and confident self-identities.
- Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect.