Kindergarten in the community

Exploring the school grounds is a weekly highlight for the kindergarten children at Good Samaritan Kindergarten + Outside School Hours Care.

Their recent visit to the school during Under Eights Week was a great opportunity for immersion in the school community as they joined in the festivities with their older peers.

With the kindergarten located at Good Samaritan College, the children enjoy regular walks through the school, visiting the library and play spaces as part of a prep readiness program.

Under Eights Day was one of the many opportunities for the children to engage and make friends with older students. Teacher Kathryn Morriss said the children had been excited about making new friends who they look up to for guidance.

“The children thoroughly enjoyed Under Eights Day and at the end of the day shared that their favourite part was the obstacle course, as despite the challenges to their balance and coordination they were able to keep up with the school children,” she said.

“They also shared that they loved getting support and guidance from the school children to make their Chinese paper lanterns and dot paintings.

“Under Eights Day is just one of the fun, play-based ways we look to introduce the children to the school environment throughout the year.”

Later this year, the kindergarten will also participate in a buddy program with children from Good Samaritan College.

“The buddy program and our other visits introduce the children to the school environment and routines,” Kathryn said.

“These excursions are practical lessons in confidence building as the children learn how to use the water bubblers, what signs around the school mean, what a classroom looks like and lots of other information that builds their understanding and confidence in the larger, school environment.”

Good Samaritan Kindergarten + Outside School Hours Care runs a sessional kindergarten and is operated by Catholic Early EdCare. Applications for kindergarten are now open.