Eden Academy introduced bi-monthly meetings for all Early Childhood Teachers running the Kindergarten program. This is will be driven by an Mentor ECT and will be an opportunity for all teachers to discuss and exchange ideas about the Kindergarten program and everything that it entitles. Our ECT is the Mentor ECT at the meetings. 

Evidence: ECT Meeting Minutes

First parent information night was held for Kangaroos families, in collaboration with representatives from Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise State Schools. The meeting was surrounding the transition process, each individual's role in preparing their child for school and how this can be achieved.

A transition to school information area was created at the entrance of the Kindergarten room and updated information is added for families throughout the year. E.g. Prep playdates calendar, brochures from schools, catchment area map, terms calendar, etc. 

Kindergarten ECT's Sarah Morgan and Kate Gibbs attended a prep-intake meeting with local ECEs at Broadbeach State School. 

As part of supporting our Kindergarten children, we offered dentist visits, eye testing and hearing testing during school hours (depending on the family's consent) before children go to Prep. 

A transition to school display was created within the Kindergarten room, displaying children's photos linked to which schools they will be attending. School uniforms were also added to the room's home corner. 

Our Kindergarten ECT's attended a Phoenix Support for Educators conference, focusing on supporting children's social and emotional wellbeing.

Evidence: Phoenix Support for Educators Conference

We started our "Lunchbox Program" in term 4. We have been running this program for many years on the back information and feedback gathered during our collaborative talks with our local schools and ECEs. This part of developing school readiness and developing an easiness to transition into school and our local schools have always praised how well our children have been prepared for this once they arrive in Prep.

Evidence: Lunchbox Program

Our Early Childhood Teacher attended a professional development session focused on Universal and Tailored Transitions to Prep. 

The Kindergarten children had a Graduation night to celebrate the completion of the Kindergarten Program and moving to a big school.

We began working alongside Basilia, who is the Advisory Visiting Teacher Deaf /Hard of Hearing from Education Queensland. Basilia will work alongside our team to support one of our Kindergarten children who has hearing loss. Basilia will be visiting our centre monthly to observe the child and meet the educators to discuss strategies of how to better support the child. 

Our Centre Manager and our ECT attended a Queensland kindergarten learning guideline (QKLG) consultation by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority. During the meeting they explored and discussed about the Draft QKLG (version March 2024) and the changes that will be happening. 

Our ECT attended an information night at Surfers Paradise State School on the topic “How to help your child learn to read”, which explored how prep teachers are teaching reading, alphabet, sounds, etc once children start school. 

The Kindergarten class attended the Under 8's Day at Surfers Paradise
State School, which was a great opportunity for the children to get to see the school environment, meet some teachers and spend time with older children. 

A parent information night was held for Kangaroos families, in collaboration with representatives from Surfers Paradise State Schools. The meeting was surrounding the transition process, enrolment process, school routines, what to expect, each individual's role in preparing their child for school and how this can be achieved.