St John's Lutheran Kindergarten
St John’s Lutheran School operates two kindergarten age groups
4/5 year old kindergarten (two groups): |
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Red Group: |
Thursday & Friday Mornings from 8.45-11.45 am |
Yellow Group: |
Tuesday & Wednesday Mornings from 8.45-11.45 am |
3/4 year old kindergarten (two groups): |
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Blue Group: |
Monday morning 9-11.30am |
Green Group: |
Monday afternoons 1-3.30pm |
AIMS
- To aid parents in the development of their children, through a close home/kindergarten relationship
- To promote learning through play in a Christian environment
- To provide an opportunity for early Christian training and to help the child to cope with life situations at his/her level of maturity and in the light of God’s Word
- To assist in the gradual adjustment from home to school life
- To develop creative abilities through materials and experience
to broaden the child’s interest
- To encourage good attitudes (caring for others and for equipment; sharing equipment; taking turns; listening while others speak; good toilet habits; packing up toys etc.)
- To encourage an awareness of God’s love through: simple telling of Bible stories; songs and finger plays; prayers and table grace.
PREPARATION FOR LIFE
Kindergarten is the first stage in a continuing education process. The program is planned to help the child adjust to a less sheltered life than that provided in the family. In most cases, kindergarten is the child’s first experience of being away from the family for a length of time. We aim to promote activities which are important in the development of a stable and happy child.
CREATIVE PLAY
Creative play is vital to the normal development of a young child. The child learns more through play than through any other means, because he/she is personally involved. Play is a means of self expression. A child learns to be creative, constructive and independent. Through play, the child explores, experiments and tests ideas. The child finds out things from others and learns to live with others. It is very satisfying to the staff, too, to see the satisfaction a child gains from having achieved something. Creative play involves experimenting with substances like clay mud, play dough, sand, water, paint and crayons.
EDUCATIONAL PLAY
Some of a young child’s play in kindergarten is designed specifically to prepare them for skills they will need throughout their school years. Some of the things they learn are:
sorting, matching and cutting; number games, songs and finger plays; physical skills such as hopping, skipping, balancing, throwing and climbing.
DRAMATIC & IMAGINATIVE PLAY
Children thoroughly enjoy drama activities and make believe games and these help to develop a child’s expression, vocabulary, imagination, creative ability and confidence. Much of a child’s imaginative play is concerned with every day situations in the community; ie parents at work, parents in the home or others (doctors, nurses, firemen, shopkeepers etc.) Dressing for the roles they play helps the child to really feel the roles.
DISCIPLINE
One of the teacher’s goals is that children will develop self discipline and responsibility for their actions. This is a slow process, requiring many years before it is mastered. The kindergarten will provide a learning atmosphere in which your child will be able to practise self-control rather than just be obedient to the teacher. The teacher will be very much in control, but your child will be able to make choices and learn about the responsibility and consequences of doing so. A few simple group rules will help your child learn to respect property and rights of others.
KINDERGARTEN PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION
The Parents’ Association plays a vital role in the life of our kindergarten. Its aims are as follows:
- To assist in promoting fellowship between the parents;
- To help in providing the kindergarten with equipment and amenities
ENROLMENT PROCEDURES
Applications for enrolment can be collected from the School Office. Application must be made by 31st July of the year prior to the year of intended enrolment. Completed enrolment forms should be sent to the School Office.
ENROLMENT PRIORITIES
Enrolments are accepted for the places available using the following priorities:
- Children of Lutheran families
- Children of families with past or present association with the Kindergarten & School
- According to date of application.
- Children accepted into the Kindergarten are given first priority in the School