Additional Programs

Bush Kinder

Bush kinder is based on the forest school concept which originated in Europe. Its aim is to get children outside and immersed in the natural environment regardless of the weather. The children utilise what nature has provided to develop their physical, emotional, social and cognitive abilities with educators taking a back-seat role and allowing the children to take the lead in their learning.

Our bush kinder sessions are held around the local community providing a variety of interesting elements to stimulate the children’s interest. No toys are brought to bush kinder. The children use only what they find in nature.

Planet ARK research shows only 35 percent of Australian children play outside every day, and one in 10 only plays outside once a week.

This is in stark contrast to their parents' generation, with double that many saying they played outside every day as children. 

We provide a bush kinder program to our kinder children to extend on their outdoor play environment, creativity, social and problem solving, confidence and cognitive development.

Kids Roar - Personal Safety Education

The Kids ROAR Programs use Protective Behaviours Themes to educate children on the skills they need to enhance their own personal safety.  Each year the KidsROAR Program visits our centre and delivers a program for 3- to 5-year-olds. 

This program sets the foundation for understanding:

  • Feelings
  • Early warning signs
  • Safe and unsafe behaviours
  • The difference between public and private
  • Their private body parts.
  • The difference between safe and unsafe secrets
  • How to implement the NO, GO, TELL strategy
  • Who their trusted adults are.

Educators embed the messages delivered by the ROAR program into their own programs and use the language to discuss personal safety with children on a regular basis.  “Commencing the KidsROAR personal safety message as early as possible is vital to reducing a child’s vulnerability to abuse. Our programs include fun activities, songs and stories to engage the children throughout the session, whilst instilling key messages through repetition”.


Responsible Pet program

The Responsible Pet Program visit our centre each year with a suitability tested dog and demonstrate how to safely meet and greet a real dog. Each child is then given the opportunity to participate in the meet and greet with the pet educators dog.

For many children this can be their first interaction with a dog and provides a positive and educational experience for each child.

The interactive program focuses on teaching students: when dogs should be left alone, things we should not do to dogs, how can you tell if a dog is happy, scared or angry, a safe way to approach and greet a dog. and what to do if approached by an unknown or aggressive dog.

 

Holiday Program

Kindergarten at Island Kids ELC follows the Victorian school terms, therefore, over school holidays kinder does not operate.  Many children choose to take holidays over this time so as not to interfere with their kinder term.  For our remaining kinder children, we run a holiday program packed with exciting activities, themed days, incursions and excursions.  All children of kinder age are invited to participate.  Bookings must be made through the office.

 

Dental Health Checks

Each year our centre participates in the Monash Health Dental Screenings carried out at the centre. All children over 2 years of age are eligible for a free dental health check by a qualified dentist. Educators embed the messages delivered by the dentist into their own health and wellbeing programs with children.

...and a whole lot more!