Auslan
Auslan (Australian Sign Language) is used throughout our Centre to support inclusion and encourage language development
Partnerships with Aged Care
In partnership with local Aged Care Centres, our children have enjoyed regular excursions to the Centres, where they have established relationships with the Aged Care Residents and enjoyed weekly planned experiences.
Kindergarten Lending Library
We have created an extensive library of high quality books that each child will be able to choose from each week. They will select a book, bring it home and share it with their family. The books are carefully selected and have a social conscience around inclusion, diversity, and cultural awareness. This is an integral component of our oral language and literacy program.
Micro-Library & Bilingual Library
In conjunction with West Gippsland Regional Library, a Micro library was established in our centre. It consists of children’s books, a parent library, and our popular bilingual library.
Our bilingual library has books in 18 different languages to support children to maintain their first language. The library also has digital devices that show stories being read by bilingual staff and families.
Early Learning Languages (Japanese) – PreSchool
Our 4 year old kindergarten groups implement the Early Learning Languages initiative developed by the Australian Government. This program has been designed and developed specifically for early childhood educational services. Each participating service has selected a language based on their own criteria. Each child has access to the program once a week through a play-based educational app that has Educators involvement.
Through consultation with local Primary schools, Japanese is a chosen language. Therefore continuity of learning is embraced.
Literacy and Learning Bags (Pre-school)
PIELC has a strong literacy focus which acknowledges that parents are the first teachers in their child’s lives. We offer take home literacy bags – each bag contains an age-appropriate book and matching activity or toy for families to take home, share and return for community sharing and turn-taking. The bags are carefully constructed by Foundation teachers and our Early Childhood educators. The program celebrates the connection between home and the kindergarten. Each theme-based bag has a collection of high quality books and education activities for the children to enjoy and share with the family. The focus is on oral language and literacy with fine motor activities to support school readiness.
Under 3’s Toy Library
Borrowing Boxes, which contain books and toys, are available for children under 3 years to take home and share with their family. The items are carefully chosen by Educators to enhance oral language, literacy and fine motor development. The boxes are regularly changed throughout the year to encourage learning through play-based experiences.
Bush and Beach Kinder
Our Bush and Beach Kinder program is intended to support young children through play and to develop responsibility for themselves and others. The children have the opportunity to visit and learn in our onsite Bush Sanctuary. The planned and spontaneous activities encourage the development and evaluation of early risk self-assessment strategies that will ensure that young children start to consider the impact of their actions on themselves and on others. In doing so, children learn to take on challenges and accept responsibility for the environment.