(Photo: Terri Gusthart)
September 17, 2014
by Terri Gusthart
Where have all the children gone?
We know that quality experiences in early childhood education and care help give children a great start in life, so why at some schools does only 50 per cent of the Prep Class have any experience of a kindergarten program prior to starting school?
The State Government is strengthening its focus on the importance of the early years, with an emphasis on supporting families and services to improve each child’s transitions from early childhood programs and services into school.
Currently in the South Burnett Area there are 19 kindergarten programs on offer between Long Day Care Centres and Kindergartens.
In Kingaroy alone, there are currently 71 vacancies within kindergarten programs that are looking for children born between July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010.
“In testing completed earlier this year in Kingaroy State School, data showed that students who attended kindy programs performed better in both numeracy and literacy components of this testing,” Jason Wyeth from Kingaroy State school said.
“Furthermore, when we tested the students with oral language development, children who attended a kindy program outscored the children who didn’t attend kindy in almost every aspect.
“This data showed us the importance of these programs and why schools in Kingaroy are looking to promote and develop links with the kindy providers.”
Kindergarten providers in the South Burnett will be having a kindergarten display at Kingaroy Shoppingworld over the school holidays where parents can view the learning outcomes that are achieved through play in a kindy environment.
Parents can leave their contact information if they are looking for a Kindergarten Program in 2014 or 2015 and that service will contact them.
As of 2014, all child care centres have been required under law to employ a teacher which has given families many options in finding a Kindergarten program suited to each families need’s and financial situation.
Child care centres and kindergartens are linking with all schools to build stronger partnerships to better support each child’s transition from a play-based learning environment to a teacher-based learning environment.
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