Four Year Old Kinder

Staff –

Kangaroos Teacher: Natalie Bezzina – Bachelor Early Childhood Education

Co Educator: Kacey Battenally

Wombats Teacher: Asli Mert – Bachelor of Arts – Early Childhood Education

Co Educator: Paola Feullet

Ferguson Park offers two groups for the Four Year Old Kinder program. Children attend 15 hours each week.

Our four-year old Kangaroo and Wombat groups operate out of our Wattle Building which is the original Ferguson Park Preschool site.

Program

Under the Universal Access Program (a partnership between the State and Federal governments) all children receive (a minimum of) 15 hours of Early Childhood Education per week, 40 weeks per year in the year prior to commencing school.
In 2016, the new Ratio structure came into place, which allows for a maximum number of 22 children in each of our 4 year old groups.

The 4 year old kindergarten program provides developmentally appropriate, play based activities designed to facilitate children’s learning towards the five learning outcomes identified in the Early Years Learning and Development Framework (National and Victorian):

· Children have a strong sense of identity

· Children are connected with and contribute to their world

· Children have a strong sense of wellbeing

· Children are confident and involved learners

· Children are effective communicators

It is designed to meet the needs of the group as a whole as well as building on the unique strengths, capabilities, interests and experiences of each individual child. The program is developed in collaboration with families and children.

In our program we aim to create an environment where children can:

· Feel safe, secure and valued

· Know that their rights are respected, individuality and creativity is encouraged

· Gain confidence in themselves and their abilities

· Build concentration and persistence

· Learn to express their feelings and ideas

· Develop skills for engaging in shared learning experiences; interacting with care, empathy and respect, negotiating, turn taking, problem solving, and recognising the achievements of others

· Work independently on tasks of their own choosing, in small groups and as part of a larger group

· Develop their physical skills in order to interact with the environment, develop strength and control, assist eye-hand co-ordination and contribute to motor development.

· Gain a desire for learning, to ask questions, explore possibilities and plan outcomes.

2025 Timetable

Wombat Group: Monday 8:30am – 4:00 pm (7.5 hours)

Tuesday 8:30am – 4:00 pm (7.5 hours)

Kangaroo Group: Wednesday 8:30am – 1:30 pm (5 hours)

Thursday 8:30am – 1:30 pm (5 hours)

Friday 8:30am – 1:30 pm (5 hours)