Education | Yawarra ORIGINAL

Yawarra Children's Services educational programs are designed to support children's wellbeing, learning and development from birth to school age. Our programs are based on the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and are designed to promote children's physical, emotional, social, intellectual, language and wellbeing skills.

Preschool programs onsite

We offer long day care hours for preschool children, allowing them to progress to preschool in familiar surroundings, creating a supportive educational and care environment for children' who's families need longer care hours that traditional preschool sites.

Our preschool program is integrated within our Kindy Rooms and run by a Teacher with a Bachelor of Early Childhood degree, our Preschool programs operate from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with your child able to access longer care hours needed by families.

Flying Start for Kids - Preschool

From 2026, our Pooraka site will be able to give families access to a teacher-led 3-year-old preschool program. The program is supported by the Government of South Australia and designed to help every child build confidence, curiosity and the skills they need to thrive in learning and in life. The government’s investment in 3-year-old preschool will lift the quality of early childhood education across the state through investment in staff with higher qualifications, professional development, and extra supports for families and children through a Preschool Boost program.

3-year-old preschool is a play-based early learning program, led by a qualified early childhood teacher, working alongside early childhood educators, to create a nurturing and engaging learning environment.

A typical day might include:

fun, purposeful activities that encourage social skills, exploration, and curiosity
opportunities for child-led discovery that helps children become confident communicators and involved learners
a safe and supportive environment for developing self-identity and emotional resilience
outdoor play to support health, wellbeing and exploration
celebrating Aboriginal and other cultures.

DIRECT SOURCE: https://www.earlychildhood.sa.gov.au/

FIND OUT WHEN YOUR CHILD WILL BE ELIGBLE FOR 3 YEAR OLD PRESCHOOL

Children are entitled to access 4 terms (1 year) of government preschool in the year before they start school.

Children who turn 4 years old:

before 1 May are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of the year.
on 1 May to 31 October can commence preschool through the mid-year intake at the start of term 3 of that year
after 31 October will be eligible to commence preschool at the start of the following year
New Early entry into preschool initiatives can be found at When your child can start preschool (education.sa.gov.au)

Aboriginal children and children in care can start after they turn 3. If your child identifies as Aboriginal or if your child is or has been in care they’re eligible for 15 hours of preschool a week, after they turn 3, continuing until they start school.

Find out more about preschool starting ages for Aboriginal children, children in care and children with disability or additional needs.

Regardless of whether your child starts at the beginning of the year, or through a mid-year intake they will undertake 4 terms of preschool. If you’re unsure about the best time for your child to start preschool, talk to your preschool director or school principal about your options.

Source When your child can start preschool (education.sa.gov.au)

Early Years Learning Framework

The EYLF is a framework for early childhood education that focuses on the importance of belonging, becoming, and being.

It emphasizes the importance of relationships, partnerships, and high expectations in supporting children's learning and development.

Learning Outcomes, the EYLF outlines five learning outcomes that children should achieve by the time they start school:

Children have a strong sense of identity
Children are connected with and contribute to their world
Children have a strong sense of well-being
Children are confident and involved learners
Children are effective communicators

This framework is applied in all Government, Private and Community services for children's education.

Educational and Care rooms

Kesters Community Early Education and Care

Baby Room: 6 weeks – 2 years

Toddler Room: 2 – 3 .5 years

Kindy and Preschool Room: 3.5 – School Age

Pooraka Community Early Education and Care

Nursery Room: 6 weeks – 2 years

Toddler Room: 2 – 3.5 years

Kindy and Preschool Room: 3.5 – School Age

We see children's development and learning as a holistic integrated, interconnected approach and review children's placement in rooms based on their developmental needs, learning and wellbeing for success.

These ages are a guideline only and may vary child by child, room by room and service.

Pedagogy

We believe that play is a powerful tool in supporting children's learning and development. We have adapted the Reggio Emilia approach, which emphasises the importance of self-expression, communication, logical thinking, and problem-solving.

We provide opportunities for children to engage in play-based learning activities that promote their physical, emotional, social, intellectual, and language skills.

Reggio Influences

The Reggio Emilia approach emphasises the importance of children taking the lead in their own learning. We provide opportunities for children to explore and investigate their interests, and we encourage them to ask questions and seek answers. We believe that children are capable of constructing their own knowledge and understanding.

Educators Role in Education

Our educators play a crucial role in supporting children's learning and development. We believe that educators should be responsive to children's needs, provide intentional teaching, and create learning environments that promote cultural competence and diversity. Educator use the cycle of planning for each child and group of children to observe, analyse, plan and implement educational programs that support thier learnng, development and overal wellbeing.

Documentation

We keep all information on children's development and learning in their portfolio folder, which moves with them to each room. We use digital platforms to document childrens health and safety. Our educators chose a variety of meaningful and authentic ways to capture childrens learning based on the recommendations of the National Quality Standards - this include, formative and summative.

We also use documentational processes to record children's art and other creative work.

This information is confidential and is only accessible by familie enrolled and educators

Documentation styles are continually under review by our educational leaders who value the safety and wellbeing of childrens education, development in our care. This is done through critical reflection, research and influence of current practice and industry standards changing.