Preschool News: Term 2 Week 2
Hello everyone,
Another busy and action-packed week in preschool, with lots of varied and interesting things taking place.
On Wednesday we began talking with the children about our upcoming library visits. These will take place every alternate Wednesday, with our first visit planned for Wednesday 13 May. As we need to get to the library by 10:00 am, we ask that children arrive as close as possible to 9:00 am to allow time to get ready. Thank you to everyone who is already doing this, as it enables children to settle into preschool and gives us time to prepare for heading out into the wider Lane Cove community when we need to.
Families with children in their second year of preschool were recently sent an updated permission form for routine excursions. We know there have been a lot of emails and extra bits of information coming home lately, but it would be really helpful if these forms could be completed and returned as soon as possible. We need these returned so our routine excursions, including library visits, can go ahead on time.
We’ve also continued our focus on the paramount importance of children’s safety, rights and wellbeing. In preschool, this means children’s safety comes first in our planning, decision making and daily practice. We have continued discussions with children about what safety looks like at preschool, on excursions, in the playground, during transitions, and when we are playing with others. This is a continuation of our work from Term 1. Embedding safety, ensuring children have agency and feel safe and respected, as well as supporting children to respect others, are important aspects of the preschool day.
We are also looking at ways to include children’s voices more clearly in our risk assessments and safety processes. This includes asking children what they notice, what helps them feel safe, what they think we need to remember, and what agreements we need before we head somewhere together. These conversations help children understand that safety is something we all take part in, not just something adults decide for them.
We also really value feedback from families. Please remember we are always available for parent teacher meetings, and mornings usually work best for me.
The children have also been talking about a Mother’s Day celebration. This idea has come from their discussions, and we warmly welcome families into preschool on Monday 11 May, from 8:30 to 9:00 am, to celebrate Mother’s Day with us.
As a preschool community, we’ve begun spreading our wings as we explore the wider Currambena community. Our end-of-day routine now includes play at the top playground. We’ve also had a few picnics at the bottom playground, as well as spending time with the Axolotls, the first primary class at Currambena.
That’s a wrap for the week.
Warmly,
Katrina, Lisa, Meeta and Lida