30 Years of Excellence in Accomplishing School Readiness
Queensland Approved Kindy Program
We have been leading the way and dedicated to school readiness for 30 years and the QLD government finally came to the table in 2010 with the Kindergarten trial and subsequently the launch of Qld Kindy Program. Kidz Rock was already built and We are proud to boast that we were one of very few centres approved to trial the Kindy program throughout 2010 and we have been leading the way in Kindergarten provision since.
We are an approved Kindergarten program with all of the benefits for children and families that this program brings.
“An approved kindergarten program is:
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provided for children in the year before Prep (i.e. children who are 4 by 30 June in the year they start—see kindy age requirements
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provided for 15 hours a week for 40 weeks, or 1 school year
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play based
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delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher
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non-compulsory.”
Kindy Uplift Program
We are proud to boast that we are one of only 6 services in our area chosen to receive the Kindy Uplift funding. The Qld Govt website explains Kindy Uplift as :
“The Kindy uplift program enables selected kindergarten services to respond to the educational and developmental needs of kindergarten children.
Currently, more than 930 kindergarten program providers take part in the Kindy uplift program to improve early learning outcomes.
The Kindy uplift program targets kindergarten services, including community kindergartens and long day care services, to improve early learning outcomes for up to 13,500 children each year.
Kindy uplift funding will be used to respond to children’s learning and development needs through evidence-based initiatives that lift outcomes for kindy children.
Kindy uplift funds programs, resources, supports and professional development to build educator capability, support inclusion and improve children’s learning and development.
The department will work closely with sector partners, approved kindergarten service providers and suppliers with expertise and experience in the early years to deliver the program.”
We have a plan in place and we can now announce that we have utlitized our funding to partner with a Speech Pathologist to work with children and team. Speech pathologists are currently experiencing long delays for appointments and some have closed their books for now.
Transitioning from Long Day Care to School:
A strategised Journey
Bridging the Gap: From Long Day Care Comforts to School-Ready Successes
Navigating the transition from Long Day Care (LDC) to school can be a big challenge for your child. At Kidz Cubby, we’ve been developing the concept of true school readiness for 30 years . This is why we built Kidz Rock . We know that the beautiful environments we provide at Kidz Cubby need to be evolved to include challenges and boundaries. We believe in creating an environment that supports their growing independence, promotes critical thinking, and fosters a sense of responsibility. Lets have a look at some of the ways we have done this.
From Fenced Playgrounds to Open Boundaries
We understand that while younger children require the security of a fenced playground, older children benefit from the gradual transition to open boundaries in readiness for the big school playgrounds. Our approach allows kindergarten children to develop a sense of responsibility, independence, and awareness of their surroundings, which are essential skills for navigating a school playground. Our focus on creating a playground space that simulates the school environment helps prepare our kindergarten children for the challenges they may encounter when transitioning to a school playground. By gradually introducing open boundaries, we empower them to understand and respect personal space, learn in a safe environment about unfenced boundaries and navigate larger play areas independently.
Bathroom Breaks: A Shift in Privacy
In LDC, toilets are open for supervision, ensuring child safety at all times. In contrast, school bathrooms have cubicles and doors, promoting a sense of independence. We fought hard to get approvals to install cubicles and doors into our toilet facilities. This shift encourages personal responsibility and honours a childs growing sense of self, a key skill for growing children.
Lunch Time: A New Order
The LDC environment often provides food for children, while at school, children bring their own lunch. There’s more to it than just opening the packaging – it’s about learning what to eat first and managing their meal times.
Classroom Ratios: A Bigger Pond
In LDC, we operate with a 1-11 ratio for children over 3 years old, providing personalized attention. In school, children will be part of larger groups, with class sizes often reaching 1-25 or 1-30, assisted by a teacher’s aide. With our rooms being larger than required, our educators coach children to be independent and confident to navigate learning and seek assistance in appropriate ways.
Supervision: Increasing Independence
In LDC, supervision is paramount, and no child is left unsupervised. In school, however, teachers may not always be immediately nearby. Our Program encourages children to seek help when needed, be independent and promotes self-confidence. You will often hear our educators encouraging and coaching children to do it for themselves .
Skills: Diverse Interactions
In LDC, kindergarten-aged children often interact mostly with younger children. However, once at school, they become the youngest, interacting with older children. We are committed to broaden childrens social skills, enabling them to adapt to diverse social environments and thrive in a big school environment.
Dynamics: Lining Up and Learning Rules
While LDC programs minimize lining up, rules of a classroom, and set work times, schools operate differently. Children are expected to line up for transitions, follow classroom rules, and complete work in sessions. Our program helps children understand structure and crucial skills for their academic journey.
At Kidz Cubby, we believe in making this transition a positive experience, nurturing children to be school-ready while still cherishing the joys of their early years.
Strong Partnerships with Local Schools.
We understand the importance of seamless transitions and continuity in a child’s educational journey. That’s why we have fostered long-standing partnerships with many of our local schools, creating a strong bridge between our centre and the broader community. These established relationships with local schools allow us to collaborate closely with educators and administrators, ensuring a smooth and successful transition for our children from Kidz Cubby to their next educational milestone. We work hand in hand with our partner schools to align our school readiness goals, providing a cohesive and consistent experience for our children. Our relationships with local schools extend beyond transitions. We actively participate in joint activities, events, and projects that promote a sense of community and shared learning. Through these partnerships, our students benefit from enhanced opportunities for enrichment, exposure to diverse learning environments, and the chance to engage with a broader network of educators and peers.
At Kidz Cubby , we believe that building strong connections between our centre and local schools enriches the educational experience for our children and strengthens the overall learning community. Our commitment to fostering these partnerships is a testament to our dedication to providing a holistic and comprehensive education for our students. Our longstanding relationships with local schools ensure a seamless educational journey and a strong foundation for success.
