Parent Information

Session Times

Kindergarten (Preschool)
Children can attend up to 15 hours of kindergarten/preschool, in the year before they start school.
At our site we offer this as 2 full days – 9am to 3pm and one 3-hour session.
• Group A—Monday and Wednesday 9am to 3pm and a 3 hour session on a Tuesday OR Thursday (9am to 12pm).
• Group B—Tuesday and Thursday 9am to 3pm and a 3 hour session on a Monday or Wednesday morning (9am to 12pm).

DfE Speech and Language Program
Children enrolled in the SLP participate in the mainstream kindergarten program and receive targeted support from a teacher and speech pathologist.
• SLP children attend Monday and Wednesday – 9am to 3pm and a 3-hour session on Tuesday morning 9am to 12pm.

Programs

Kindergarten/Preschool
Each child can attend up to 15 hours of preschool per week in the year before they start school.
The kindergarten follows the same term dates as DfE primary and high schools.

DfE Speech and Language Program
The DfE Speech and Language Programs provide a high level of specialised support for children with severe specific speech and/or language impairments.
Eligible children with severe specific speech and/or language impairments can be referred to the SLP. A panel considers all applications and offers are made dependent upon available places.

Support Programs
Support for children with additional needs is available by referral to DfE Support Services, through the kindergarten. Please speak with the Director prior to enrolment.

Early Entry
Early entry for children with additional needs may be possible if the site has capacity. Please discuss with the Director.

Stay and Play
An Orientation Visit – Stay and Play session for children and their parents is offered for children beginning in Term 1 and Term 3.

Parent Information Booklet, 2MB PDF

Social Story for Children Beginning Preschool, 2MB PDF

Played-based Learning

“Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning “

Kindergarten is a great opportunity for children to have the time to play, learn, make friends and enjoy developing and learning, in a wide range of areas including:

  • Social and emotional skills
  • Physical abilities and general wellbeing
  • Literacy, language and communication skills
  • Numeracy and scientific skills
  • General knowledge and a love of learning
  • Environmental awareness and responsibility

“Children learn as they play. Most importantly in play children learn how to learn”, O Fred Donaldson.

Children’s Learning

At West Lakes Kindergarten and Early Childhood Centre we use the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia – Belonging, Being and Becoming to guide our teaching, learning and our curriculum.
Working in partnership with families and our educators, we foster children’s learning and development through providing a wide range of activities and experiences that include the following 5 learning outcomes:

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

National Quality Standards

To ensure a high quality centre, with continuous improvement and consistency, our centre abides with the National Quality Framework that incorporates the legislative framework and the National Quality Standards including the 7 areas:

  • Educational program and practice
  • Children’s health and safety
  • Physical environment
  • Staffing arrangements
  • Relationships with children
  • Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
  • Leadership and service management

Learning in STEM

At our centre we have a STEM learning focus. This is where we develop knowledge, skills and understanding in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and apply that learning in the children’s world.

We support children to experience and learn about STEM-related knowledge, problem-solving, critical and creative thinking skills, and the ability to work together and think about their world.

Growth Mindset

Children (and adults!) with a growth mindset believe that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort, persistence, trying different strategies and learning from mistakes.

This is when you believe you learn anything; grow in areas of challenge, and work hard to solve any problem. A positive tendency to believe that you can grow. We support the children to build their confidence, resilience, persistence, to be organised and develop their getting along skills.

Skilful Learners

At West Lakes Kindergarten we support and encourage children to feel proud of their achievements and the effort they put into trying an activity or developing a skill. Children are skilled learners when they think about their own learning. They know that they are “learning how to learn”.

The educators at West Lakes Kindergarten use the language of learning with the children and show, support, encourage and provide the time and the opportunities for children to practice and develop their new skills.

Find Your Local Preschool/Kindergarten Catchment Area

Our Kindergarten location is shown by the yellow icon at the bottom of the image.

westlakeskindy

Alternatively, you can use the department’s app to find adjacent preschool/kindergarten catchment areas, please click on Department for Education interactive app then select preschool and enter your address to find your local catchment area.

To see details about registration, enrolments and placement for West Lakes Kindergarten and Early, please click Priority of Access and Catchment. For more information about registration, enrolments and placement please see the link below – WLK Priority of Access & Local Catchment Information.

Department for Education
SA Gov
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