The Berry Patch Preschool Information

We are focused on providing a high quality preschool program which is guided by our philosophy and the Early Years Learning Framework. The aim of the program is to provide opportunities for your child to develop the necessary skills and attributes to assist them when they begin their first year of school. We have a very successful transition to school program, developed in conjunction with the local primary schools. The preschool program includes both structured and unstructured experiences, including group times and opportunities throughout the day for free choice in both the indoor and outdoor play areas. Indoor programs are displayed in each of the rooms and the outdoor program is displayed in the outdoor area. The group times cover the areas of literacy, mathematics and music and movement group time. Older children may participate in 'news' experiences. Children are encouraged to participate in art and craft experiences and other school readiness activities such as name writing and patterning using threading and peg boards. The centre also has computers which older children have the opportunity to use and special experiences are regularly provided including cooking and science experiments. Our preschool program operates during school terms. During the school holidays a program will operate which will include special occasion days such as 'colour' days and 'dress-up days'. You will be given notice of these days in advance of the school holidays. Every year we aim to have several incursions where each child is invited to participate in a special activity at The Berry Patch. eg. Kindi Farm , Fire Engine visit or Storyteller. These incursions are usually an introduction to or a culmination of what we are learning about at preschool.