There are a variety of different types of kindergartens in Australia. The most common are Reception, Froebelian, and Pre-primary. These different types of kindergartens offer different experiences and approaches to education. We interviewed Kaye Colmer, CEO of Gowrie, SA, and Beverley Morwood, retired director of a kindergarten in Geelong.
Pre-primary
In Australia, pre-primary education covers an important period in a child’s life. It begins at an early age and focuses on building essential skills, including literacy, numeracy, and personal and social development. It also emphasizes critical thinking and physical well-being. In addition, the curriculum includes the development of technology, humanities, and social studies. The curriculum is varied and focuses on the various needs of children in pre-primary school.
While children are capable of handling the rigours of compulsory pre-primary education, their capacities vary from child to child. Children who struggle to cope will experience stress and anxiety. Recent research has highlighted that pushing children to school too early can be detrimental to their overall development. In addition, the early-primary education model in most pre-primary settings in Western Australia is overly rigid and imposes a rigid schedule for young children.
Reception
Reception is the first year of school for children in Australia. In some states, it is known as the Preparatory Year, while in others it is called Kindergarten. Children in the ACT, NSW, and Victoria start school at five years old. In South Australia and Western Australia, it is called Pre-primary. In the Northern Territory, it is called the Transition Year. However, five-year-olds don’t need to attend kindergarten. In Australia, children are usually enrolled in Reception during the first term of the calendar year they turn five.
The first year of school can be a challenging time for parents. Children are often very tired during the first few weeks. This is because they are embarking on a steep learning curve. To ease the transition, parents may want to take their child home earlier from school.
Transition
Transitioning from kindergarten to transition in Australia is a challenge faced by children and their families. Children must be well prepared to take advantage of the opportunities and challenges that school brings. Recent research has explored factors that contribute to enabling practice and policy change to ensure positive school transitions for all children.
The NSW Department of Education provides practical tips and resources to parents. The Illawarra Transition to School Project offers a range of resources for parents, including information about the first year of school. Parents can also seek support from Kids Matter, an initiative by the Australian government to promote positive mental health.
Froebelian
A Froebelian kindergarten is a type of school that focuses on early childhood education. The concept was pioneered by Friedrich Frobel, a German philosopher and educator who emphasized the importance of learning through play. He aimed to develop a child that was sensitive, inquisitive, and respectful. He also stressed the importance of a strong relationship between the child and their parents.
A Froebelian kindergarten teaches children that the best education begins in infancy. It also promotes the role of women as the first educators. While a typical Kindergarten classroom may look like free play, the activities and materials are carefully prepared to promote optimal development. Playtime is also an opportunity for children to express themselves and participate in social activities.
Montessori
The Montessori method of education began in 1907 when Dr Maria Montessori developed her methods based on observation and experiments. She wanted to engage young people in their education and found that students who participated in her experiments developed superior social skills. This method has a proven track record of success that is longer than any other educational approach in the world.
The Montessori method emphasizes the development of a child’s social, emotional, spiritual, and practical life skills. It is not overly academic or demanding, and children learn at their own pace. However, the Montessori method still includes external assessments, which focus on the Australian curriculum outcomes.