8 hours a week – (2 x 4hr days) OR 15 hours a week – (1 x 6.5 hr day, 1 x 4 hr day, 1 x 4.5 hr day)
Multi-age classes - Warren
Upto 15 Hours of Multi-age Education
In 2023, SMPS Echidna (now Warren) and Kookaburra (now Darnum) groups were introduced to multi-age classes that provided three year old students access to 11.5 hours of quality education each week. The practice of multi-age classrooms promotes a “family” learning environment where a greater emphasis is placed on caring, cooperation and peer collaboration. These values support a curriculum that enables children to grow at their own pace. Teachers and students focus on each others individuality, therefore children feel less competitive towards their peers because of the wide range of abilities and knowledge within the classroom. This uniquely relaxed learning environment aids improved learning opportunities and enhances self-esteem from increased inter-dependence and peer tutoring.
In 2025, the hours accessible will be increased to 15 hours of multi-age education. This now includes a 4 hour session of Bush Kinder at the Briars in terms 2, 3 and 4.
When planning the class curriculum, our multi-age classes enable teachers and educators a greater ability to focus on children being the learner and the teacher. The older or more capable children are encouraged to guide and be positive role models for younger children, this practice builds upon each learners sense of identity fostering greater confidence and enhanced learning opportunities.
Multi-age classrooms provide children an opportunity to remain with the same teacher, educator, and peers for two years, this provides better continuity of learning for the child and enables deeper relationships to develop between the teacher, student and family.
Reference – Aina, O.E. Maximizing Learning in Early Childhood Multiage Classrooms: Child, Teacher, and Parent Perceptions. Early Childhood Education Journal 28, 219–224 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:100959072498
3 Year Old Only class - Bamu
The Bamu group provides a 8 hour program that is offered in 2 sessions each week. This gives children continuity and the greatest ability to thrive and enjoy what are often their first experiences in a group learning environment.
Goals of the 3 Year Old Program:
- For the children to feel comfortable separating from their parents
- For the children to learn and follow rules and routines
- For the children to become familiar with the Pre School environment and being a member of a group
- For the children to HAVE FUN, and while having fun they can learn and develop skills that will enable them to take on bigger steps in life.
Repeating Three-Year-Old Kindergarten
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is funded as the
first year of a two-year kindergarten program in Victoria. As such, children
are generally expected to progress from Three-Year-Old Kindergarten to
Four-Year-Old Kindergarten the following year.
Repeating Three-Year-Old Kindergarten is not
routinely available and will only be considered in exceptional circumstances
where there are identified and significant developmental delays. Any request to
repeat must be supported by appropriate professional documentation and is
subject to Department of Education funding eligibility requirements.
It is important for families to understand that
once a child has accessed funded Three-Year-Old Kindergarten, they are
considered to have commenced their two-year kindergarten pathway. This may
impact eligibility for repeating a year and for future funding.
For children born in April (close to the school
cut-off), families may wish to carefully consider whether commencing
Three-Year-Old Kindergarten in the following year may better support their
child’s long-term learning pathway. We encourage families to discuss their
child’s readiness and individual circumstances with us so that an informed
decision can be made.
Please speak with our team if you would like to
discuss your child’s enrolment timing further.
