Early Learning Centre

preschool-exceeding

The Early Learning Centre at Lindisfarne Grammar prepares our youngest students for a smooth transition into Year 1. Our comprehensive two-year program includes Preschool (Pre-Prep in Queensland) and Kindergarten (Prep in Queensland).

Kindergarten is the first year of formal schooling for children in NSW.

Preschool

Our aim at Lindisfarne Preschool is to provide an environment that is warm, friendly, safe, secure and nurturing, combined with learning experiences which stimulate and challenge each child’s strengths, needs and interests. We provide a caring, supportive environment with programs that cater for individual needs and most importantly, fostering each child’s unique ability in a positive way and encouraging children to work at their own pace.

Our Program is guided by the Early Years Learning Framework ‘ Belonging, Being & Becoming,’ and the `National Quality Framework’. At Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School our model of learning is based on the philosophy that quality teaching achieves outstanding results when it is delivered in a community environment that values human relationships and pastoral care. This is documented in the Lindisfarne Learning Framework which states:

“The Lindisfarne learning Community - an Anglican Community committed to contemporary learner engagement, empowerment and excellence in an environment underpinned by the gospel values of respect, wisdom and compassion practiced with intention.”

A working, respectful partnership between the centre and the home is vital for the benefit of the child. We recognise that families are children’s first and most influential educators, and strive to work with them collaboratively in the development of our children.

 “Great teachers empathise with children, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon.”
- Ann Lieberman

At Lindisfarne we believe:

  • Children are capable and resourceful learners who are active contributors to their own learning
  • Children need to be valued as individuals, within the context of their family and their community
  • Children can develop confidence and positive self-esteem through a supportive and secure environment

Therefore we:

  • Implement a child-centred program based upon the principles outlined in the NSW curriculum framework and the National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) - ‘Belonging, Being & Becoming’
  • Strive to empower children, by using their thoughts and ideas to develop the program
  • Promote each child’s confidence and positive self image through a range of provisions, experiences and opportunities that build upon their understandings, skills, values and sensitivities and promote success
  • Implement an inclusive approach to positively support children’s growth of identity, self-esteem and critical thinking
  • Encourage each child to reach their full potential in accordance with their individual ability
  • There are two options available for enrolment into the Preschool Program:
    • Option one - Children who turn 4 by April 30 are eligible to enrol into the one-year preschool program
    • Option two - Children aged between 3 1⁄2 and 4 years (who fall just short of the intake birth date) will be considered for our specialised two-year Joey Preschool Program. This program provides younger students the opportunity to transition into formal schooling across a longer period of time
  • In line with our individual approach, all preschool children undertake school readiness screening in Term 3 to determine suitability for advancement into kindergarten the following year
  • The preschool has its own secure area within our fully air-conditioned Sunshine Avenue campus in Tweed Heads

Please also note that Preschool is the preferred year of entry into the Early Learning Centre. Enrolment in the Preschool program will guarantee a position in Kindergarten the following year.

Kindergarten

Children move to kindergarten after successfully completing our school readiness screening. This ensures every child has the knowledge and skills to succeed in this year level.

Kindergarten maintains aspects of a play based program as the children begin to journey towards more formal literacy and numeracy learning experiences.

Kindergarten children are introduced to a Values Program in Term 1, which provides them with information and strategies related to developing positive relationships with others. The Kindergarten Early Literacy Program, which was developed in consultation with a Speech Language Pathologist, is internationally recognised and developmentally appropriate.

The kindergarten program is based on the same key learning areas as preschool using the following teaching strategies:

  • Speech, language and fine motor skills
  • Hands-on learning experiences literacy and numeracy
  • Brain-based and enquiry-based learning
  • Visual-based teaching strategies
  • Phonemic awareness-based literacy
  • Introduction to technology using Apple computers and electronic SMART Boards in the computer lab and classrooms

Due to the strong reputation of the Early Learning Centre program future enrolment places can fill very quickly often resulting in waiting lists. To avoid disappointment it is strongly recommended that parents lodge their enrolment application form well in advance. For more information on how to enrol, please click here.

Playgroup @ Lindisfarne

Lindisfarne currently offers playgroup on Monday and Friday mornings. Playgroup is an informal session where mums, dads, grandparents, caregivers, children and babies meet together in a relaxed environment. 

For more information visit our Playgroup @ Lindisfarne page.