What will your child do in Prep?

The Prep teachers at Western Cape College, like other state schools, use the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines developed by the Queensland Studies Authority.  The guidelines are based on the play and inquiry based approach to learning that has been a feature of Queensland�s successful Preschool program, which will cease at the end of 2006.

Currently the two identified Prep teachers at Western Cape College are Early Childhood trained, one of which is the Prep Facilitator for the Western Cape.  With their combined professional knowledge and expertise, our teachers are ideally qualified to teach Prep.

A key feature of Prep is that it makes connections between children�s prior experiences at home, kindy or childcare and what they do at school.   In Prep your child will be actively involved in learning and will have opportunities to learn in many different ways � for example through investigation and play.

Children are encouraged to develop independence and personal organizational skills.  Working with other children and adults is also an important life skill that is part of the Prep program.

In Prep, children will be:

• Using blocks and manipulative equipment and creating collages to develop early mathematical concepts and skills
• Drawing and painting to encourage oral language, reading and writing
• Initiating and participating in dramatic play to build an understanding of the world around them
• Writing stories and copying signs as part of their play
• Playing and investigating independently, in pairs, small groups and as a whole class
• Participating in outdoor activities
• Actively making choices about what and how they learn
• Investigating and learning how to find out about their interests
• Planning with the teacher using a plan-do-reflect model
• Participating in music and language experiences

 These learning experiences will help children to:

• Understand and use language to group, sort and describe objects and to communicate ideas, feelings and needs
• Develop early literacy and numeracy skills
• Develop independence and problem-solving skills
• Learn how to cooperate with others
• Develop physical coordination skills
• Listen, respond to and give directions
• Increase self-confidence