Smoothing the Pathway to School
November 2011

Being on the doorstep of Parkland School has some distinct advantages for children as they take their next steps towards a lifetime of learning. The Kindergarten has worked closely with the school to make the transition as seamless as possible.

The transition to school has been a recent area of focus both for the Education Review Òffice and the professional service managers at the Association. Parkland Kindergarten has introduced a number of initiatives aimed at reducing the worry that children often experience on their first day.

The key to the success of their ‘Transition to School' plan is the excellent relationship that has been built between the school and the Kindergarten. Junior children from the school are often involved with the kindergarten children in activities such as buddy reading, gardening, library visits, shared projects and sports days, making the younger children feel part of the school before they leave the Kindergarten.

In addition to the normal ten-week school afternoon inductions, the Kindergarten arranges morning visits, where children spend time in their new entrant class several weeks before starting school. It's not just a handover. It's a team effort in which ideas, knowledge, viewpoints and resources are exchanged between, school, kindergarten and parents.

The teaching team at Parkland Kindergarten attended a specialist ‘Transition to School' course at Massey University. Within hours, they had implemented a new practice whereby the teacher taking the children on their school visits now takes a camera, with the children deciding what pictures to take. This process recognises that everyone has funds of knowledge based on their experience, knowledge and skills. By documenting the visit from a child's own viewpoint as a learning story, it gives teachers, children and parents the chance to share their experiences and perhaps discover concerns that they can help to overcome. During one such visit, for example, children didn't know what the signs on the toilet doors in the school meant. By discussing the images, this was easily addressed.

Head teacher, Heidi is pleased with the ‘Transition to School' process, saying, "Children already feel part of the school when they're still at kindergarten. They know their new teachers, they've interacted with other children and they find the transition extremely smooth."
 

Above: Children from Parkland School often act as reading buddies for the younger kindergarten children. 

iMove Sparks Kindergarten Activity
March 2010

Parkland Kindergarten is working closely with Sport Manawatu to promote physical activity by piloting the iMove programme for children under five.

The iMove Schools and iMove Workplace initiatives currently in place encourage people to get active by walking, cycling or skateboarding instead of taking the car.

Jo Ellery, a teacher at Parkland Kindergarten, said, "we're introducing the programme to get children and their families moving".

Each child will have his or her own iMove card, which will be stamped every time that child makes an active trip to kindergarten.

Children have been participating in small group outings to practice safe walking accompanied by Sport Manwatu's Felicity Masters and Marion Moore.

They also boarded a bus to Ashhurst Domain recently, where they took part in a fun day of active movement with teachers, parents and Manawatu Stu.

Children enjoyed playing on the Ashhurst Domain playground and Ms Moore organised games, encouraging both children and parents to get involved.

Active movement is fundamental for the healthy development of a child's brain and body. It's so important to keep active and the iMove programme is proving a great way to promote this at Parkland Kindergarten.

Above: The boys take on the girls in a game of tug of war at Ashhurst Domain.

Above: Children, parents and teachers enjoy active movement at Ashhurst Domain. 

Kindergartens adapt to changing hours
February 2011

Change is proving positive at Parkland and Somerset Kindergartens where children, parents and teachers are settling into new routines following changes to session times.

The two kindergartens now operate six-hour sessions on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, allowing four-year-olds to attend for longer.

Most Ruahine Kindergartens now follow this schedule, with Wednesday and Friday afternoons kept free for planning and professional development.

Teachers from across the Association recently discussed the impact of these changes at a meeting at Parkland Kindergarten.

Head teacher, Anne, from Somerset Kindergarten said the change in hours has led to increased attendance. "We're noticing our three-years olds are much more settled as well", she said.

Head teacher, Heidi, from Parkland Kindergarten said her teaching team is also finding the change beneficial.

"Enrolment enquiries have increased and it seems to work in well for parents, with school starting at 9am", she said.

Other teachers commented on the upside of change and offered advice on dealing with challenges.

Hours aren't the only thing to change at Ruahine Kindergartens this term.

Hunterville Mobile Kindergarten has also added a new venue in Rewa on Tuesday afternoons and changed their Rangiwahia venue to the Community Centre.

For more information on session times or locations please visit individual kindergarten pages at www.ruakind.org.nz