Our Preschool
Mount Colah Alphabet Academy provides a stimulating and natural context for indoor investigation and outdoor explorations which inspire a child’s desire to learn and grow skills needed for life.
With just 24 children we have a clear preschool focus: providing an effective collaborative framework for preparing children for school, while giving you the flexibility of our extended operating hours: 7am-6pm, 50 weeks a year.
Every family and child is known by all of our educators, an important consideration for consistency in partnering with you in guiding their development through this important stage of life.
We look forward to supporting you in your child’s development, sharing in loads of memorable moments along the way and forming a warm and collaborative partnership in their development.
Why Choose Us?
- Open from 7am to 6pm 50 weeks a year
- Delivering a targeted preschool program with the convenience of longer operating hours than a typical preschool; better supporting your family’s individual journey.
- As a small preschool, a sense of belonging supports you and your child to be known by all; creating a unique and tailored learning environment and community to be a part.
- We prioritise learning for life! This is reflected in our school readiness program as children develop academic knowledge and skills, as well as social and emotional resilience to become effective learners.
- Our safe and homely setting provides a warmth and familiarity, bringing confidence in your child’s transitioning between the informal and more structured environment of school.
- Freedom to be creative, imagine, wonder, and explore in our huge leafy garden, or space to simply burn off excess energy on the lawn
As one of just two preschools owned by Bonnie and Andrew Junor for over a decade, you can be assured that the owners are experienced, accessible and hands on in guiding and supporting the operation of the preschool and in making these preschool days the most wonderful time for you and your child.
Real people, real community, real grass - as preschool should be.
Inclusions
- All meals and snacks.
- Sun safe “Mount Colah Alphabet Academy” hat
- School Readiness, STEM, numeracy and literacy programs
- Child interest lead learning program based on the Early Years Learning Framework and informed by Reggio Emilio
- Self confidence through great days doing things that excite
All you need to bring is a water bottle, bed sheets, something to cuddle, a spare pare of clothes, and (if relevant) nappies
Our Learning Environments
The Preschool is arranged in two developmental groups; Our Bees – for those in the year before school - and Ladybugs - a younger pre-prep group This allows us to structure activities most effectively around their interests and different needs for rest, play and those more structured activities.
Bees
Our prep class has a specific focus on extending our little learners in their preparations for going to school.
Our biggest little people are beginning to understand something of their world and their place in it. This makes for some really interesting activities as we meet lots of everyday concepts. As a more structured program, the Bees engage with activities that will best prepare them for school, including concentration and reasoning. Rest periods are always available for those that need it, but as the year progresses emphasis increases on more specific school readiness activities.
Our aim is to encourage independent and critical thinking, while we build on each child’s capacity for concentration and focus as we explore ideas together.
Ladybugs
In our pre-prep class, our Ladybugs, focus on building confidence and self awareness through encouraging self help skills, craft, art and music in a nurturing environment. Structure and routine are progressively established, while recognising the value of the children’s inherent spontaneity and curiosity.
Relationships between the children are also beginning to take shape and positive interactions are being developed through lots of play. So building confidence in the child’s relationships with their key educator is an important step in introducing relationships that are outside or their immediate family.
Our Team
Diana Galloway - Director and Nominated Supervisor
It’s great to be leading such a lovely service and great team, delivering wonderful experiences to the children and families of our preschool community.
We are a small centre and proud of it for the closeness of community that it brings. I love the boutique and cosy feel that we have here, making every relationship individual.
Our experienced team are passionate about making every day a delight for your child, taking the time to understand how they tick so that we can find the best way to engage them. We have a wide range of experience in our team to draw upon and the collaboration that comes with this is a real strength in how we approach our programme.
Relationally, each educator has a small number of key children for whom they seek to establish a particular rapport and support. For you, by having one person charged with a focus on your child, understanding your expectations for them, their interests and promoting their development will give you assurance that your child is not “just another fish in the tank” – they are each special and individual and it is their key educators privilege to support you as part of your child’s village.
As a teaching director, I maintain a hands-on involvement with each of the classes by directly taking either of the classes when the opportunity arises. You are more than welcome to drop by anytime to discuss anything regarding your child or just to say hi. I am always available to hear from you and share ideas so that we can effectively work in partnership in encouraging your child’s confidence, resilience and above all happiness.
How we go about all of this is what contributes to being among the most sought after preschools in our local area. I look forward to meeting you soon.
If you are interested in becoming part of our team as a casual, part or full time, please email your cover letter and CV to preschool@kinderacademy.com.au
