Our Preschool Approach
Transition to School
Families play a central role in the success of children’s transition to school. Early in the year, our educators meet with families to establish clear goals and expectations for each child’s education. Developmental assessments will be provided quarterly to inform families of their child’s development and to give them the opportunity to engage in their child’s learning and growth. In collaboration with families, we will also focus on the social, emotional, and physical skills needed to successfully transition to kindergarten. At the end of the program, we will celebrate the milestones they’ve achieved and memories they’ve made through a graduation.
The preschool classroom
The indoor classroom is designed and arranged by educators to support a strong educational curriculum. This entails managing the many spaces of the preschool rooms with resources in different areas to cater to their different learning needs. Families will see areas for construction, literacy, numeracy, STEM, reading, dramatic play, art and projects, all arranged to ensure the children are challenged to engage in learning experiences throughout the day.
Our outdoor spaces
Children love to play. They thrive in the outdoors where they are free to run, climb, create, experiment, and take risks. The confidence and sense of achievement that comes with physical competence relates directly to childrens’ sense of who they are and what they can successfully do. They find joy exploring amongst the plants, insects and animals. As advocates for the protection and respect of our environment children are guided to reflect on the beauty of our outdoor world, how they interact with nature and how they can make it a more beautiful place for everyone. Engaging in sustainable practices such as recycling and gardening activities, they learn to develop good habits that are transferrable to home, big school and the broader community. The environment is resourced to expose them to the art and history of our First Nations People so they feel connected at an early age to the heritage of our country.
Your second set of eyes
We understand our parents’ need to feel reassured about their child’s health and wellbeing, which is why our educators will keep you informed of menus and meals consumed throughout the day, play and learning with a range of photos through our Blume app. Educators will call and consult families regarding any question that requires parent input. They will supply and record all daily activities about your child and maintain constant and ongoing supervision and care.
Technology
We understand that exposure to screen time in children under 5 should be limited, but we also understand that our children need to have familiarity and a sense of comfort with technology. Under the supervision of their educators, children will be using ipads and computers as tools for research, project work and general knowledge acquisition.
Home style nutrition
In acknowledging the needs of children as they play and engage in experiences, we allow for progressive eating in the preschool years. At each meal, children are given a window of time to choose to come to the table with their friends to eat. At Blume Academy, preschoolers assist educators in preparing for meal times, follow the basic rules around table etiquette and learn to see mealtimes as an opportunity to socialise and share stories with friends and educators. All our foods are made with fresh quality local produce and prepared by our in-house chefs who bring homemade meals to the classroom. Our menus are based on the National Nutritional guidelines.
Art portfolio
Blume Academy places much significance on a child’s creative development. We provide opportunities for our children to express themselves across a range of artistic forms appropriate to their age. Part of this process is building confidence, pride and acknowledgement through sharing their works with their parents. Each child will receive an art portfolio of the masterpieces they create so parents can file them away and have a record of the memories made at Blume Academy.
Incursions and excursions
Our educational curriculum provides for limited excursions during this stage. Where possible children can be taken to a local park with the assistance of parents. During the Preschool year Blume provides for a range of educational incursions to support children’s learning and connection with the broader community.
