Kindy Transition Program | 2024 Program Guide

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TRANSITION

A O

WELCOME

Summer's back again, and so is the Kindy Transition Program! Get ready for one of our most exciting times of the year at Active OOSH, and join the team of Kindy Educators that play a huge role in guiding the little ones through their first experien ces going to "big kid school."

W H YT H EK I N D YT R A N S I T I O NP R O G R A MM A T T E R S : The transition from the cozy comfort of home to the structured environment of a kindergarten or formal school is a significant milestone in every child's life. It's a journey filled with a mix of excitement, curiosity and perhaps some jitters. Our

Kindy Transition Program plays a pivotal role ni making this transition as smooth, fun and e n g a g i n g a s possible.

W H E NI SK I N D YT R A N S I T I O N ?

The program takes place during Summer Vacation Care throughout the month of January 2024, and extends into Term .1

( C 9:00am - 3:00pm .

Kindy kids may attend all d a y during Vacation Care if needed.

MATSH THE KINDY

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KINDYTRANSITIONPROGRAMGUIDE| 2024

A C T I V EO O S H

KINDY EDUCATORS RESPONSIBILITIES: As a Kindy Educator, you're the s u p e r h e r o who guides the way for these new kindy kiddos, helping to give them the best

c h i l d r e n a r e still i n c l u d e d in

p o s s i b l e s t a r t in their e d u c a t i o n a l journey.

daily ratios.

Yo u will p r o v i d e a s u p p o r t i v e t r a n s i t i o n f r o m d a v c a r e to f o r m a l

They a r e N O T s e p a r a t e to the p r o g r a m o r activities.

school and OOSH, helping to embed the life skills they'll need prior to starting school such as: •

a n s w e r i n g their n a m e at roll call

•

getting on and off transport safely for excursions

• opening lunch b o x e s and packaging

•

learning how to identify single-gender b a t h r o o m s

T H EK I N D YE D U C ATO R :

role m o d e l s t h e Active O O S H v a l u e s a n d h a s a

stellar personality; happy, energetic, patient, available and approachable

18%

is 18 or older

is a core member available throughout the

month of January School Holiday Period, a s well a s B e f o r e & A f t e r S c h o o l c a r e

sessions throughout Term 1

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K I N D YT R A N S I T I O NP R O G R A MG U I D E| 2 0 2 4

K i n d Educators a n d

The goal is to incorporate kindy kids into the program and service a s m u c h a s possible!

BREAKDOWN P R E PA R AT I O N I S K E Y When preparing for Vacation Care and throughout Term 1, it will be the responsibility of the Kindy Educator to check the following areas:

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S e t u p s may n e e d to include more retreat s p a c e s / rest a r e a s for children who are still adapting to the long days and busy programs.

Program provides opportunities for social interactions - group games, d r a m a play, etc.

This h e l p s e d u c a t o r s to s u p p o r t k i n d c h i l d r e n

in making friends and role modelling appropriate interactions

Age a p p r o p r i a t e activities/equipment to cater to the younger child dynamics: • sma ller skip ping • smaller s c i s s o r s •

lower c h a i r s

r o p e s a n d balls

or t a b l e s

P l a n for k i n d k i d s with a d d i t i o n a l n e e d s : •

risk m i n i m i s a t i o n p l a n s

•

parent communication prior to having t h e child a t t e n d

Kindy kids n e e d to be thought of w h e n planning excursions and incursions. Remember to i n c l u d e t h e m in risk a s s e s s m e n t s a n d prep l a n n i n g daily b r e a k d o w n s .

P r e p a r e t h e k i n d k i d s in a d v a n c e for e v a c u a t i o n drills. M a k e s u r e t h e y u n d e r s t a n d

that it's not a real fire and that they are safe.

K I N D Y T R A N S I T I O N E D U C AT O R S G R O U P

2024

ACTION ITEM

Make sure you and the service Coordinator have joined this g r o u p on Workplace that will be dedicated to K i n d Educators. You will also need to

download the Workplace Chats app and turn on notifications.

KINDYTRANSITIONP R O G R A MGUIDE| 2 0 2 4

ACTIVEO O S H

C H I L DP R O T E C T I O N

M E A LT I M E S

Ensure you are aware of any parenting

Encourage a bathroom break and hand

a g r e e m e n t s a n d c u s t o d y orders.

w a s h i n g prior t o c o l l e c t i n g l u n c h b o x e s

• Y o uc a nv i e wt h i si nc h i l ds u m m a r y .

Prior to mealtimes, check to make sure that

All authorised families will need to sign their own child into and out of care.

t h e y h a v e p a c k e d a l u n c h a n d drink bottle

When children transition from one play area to

another, it's important to communicate with other e d u c a t o r s so they are a w a r e of the incoming kindy child. This allows them to provide the n e c e s s a r y support in learning g a m e rules, setting b o u n d a r i e s a n d other important aspects.

Know which kindy kids cannot have photos t a k e n or p o s t e d

G e t to k n o w t h e k i n d y k i d s d u r i n g m e a l t i m e s : W tah are t h e i rl i k e sa n d dislikes?

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abilities t h a tc a n help y o u

future programs?

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trust?

Check that the kindy kids are eating and drinking during mealtimes. Have conversations about what to eat and when.

Children may n e e d help with opening p a c k a g e s , o r refilling t h e i r w a t e r bottles.

• Y o uc a nv i e wt h i si nc h i l ds u m m a r y .

Be mindful of who is in the

After, remind kids to:

b a c k g r o u n d of p h o t o s prior to

• B i nr u b b i s h

posting anything on Facebook

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B AT H R O O M S It's i m p o r t a n t to

understand that transitioning to b a t h r o o m s in kindy c a n b e a big m o m e n t for

young children. In childcare or at home, restrooms may be open, without doors and educators are permitted to accompany them. Additionally, b a t h r o o m s may not be s e p a r a t e d by gender.

Ensure that kindy children are aware of which bathroom is designated for boys and which is for girls.

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fI a child has an accident, please follow bathroom procedures.

These include: •1 e d u c a t o r

female) (preferablv

t ob eni t h e bathroom w i t h door u n l o c k e d

assisting 2 n d and

educator outside o f thed o o r c h i l dk n o ww h a ti s • L e t the

permissio

a s kf o r occurring,

w h e na s s i s t i n ga n d always them t od ot h eb u l k encourage o fi t themselves.

Let t h e c h i l d r e n k n o w t h a t e d u c a t o r s a n d o t h e r

Show location of all bathrooms available,

a d u l t s w o n ' t b e in t h e b a t h r o o m w i t h t h e m u n l e s s

including o u t s i d e play s p a c e s a n d e x c u r s i o n s

they are needing help.

• I f they den

help,

what

llw i this look l i k ef o r

You will need t o speak v o u r sevcrei? a n d your team asevery Coordinator different.

hw ti the i s service

Establish s a f e u s e of b a t h r o o m s (appropriate u s e of s o a p s , paper towels, water on the floor) and what to do fi they see other children doing the

wrong things in the bathrooms . These are not play spaces.

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H a v e a b a t h r o o m b o x r e a d y to g r a b a n d g o

including cleaning items, spare clothes, plastic bags and gloves.

Inform the parent fi an accident d o e s occur, a n d if a s s i s t a n c e w a s n e e d e d o r not.

This c a n

e v e n b e a text s o t h a t t h e p a r e n t is a w a r e u p o n c o l l e c t i o n of their child.

I n d u c t r e g u l a r b a t h r o o m c h e c k s for k i n d children .

5

Before the big day arrives, some families m a y wish to f a m i l i a r i s e t h e m s e l v e s with t h e servIce.

ACTION ITEM

fI you haven't already, we encourage you to r e a c h out to t h e s e families u p o n c o m p l e t i n g

their enrolment a n d a r r a n g e a time for them t o visit.

First impressions are essential, s o when they arrive, warmly welcome the family into the service, introduce yourself and your role and help the child get comfortable.

Consider setting up various s p a c e s and activities to e a s e the transition, including activities run by educators or older children for t h o s e w h o m a y n e e d e x t r a s u p p o r t .

FIRST DAY

F I R S TD A YP R E P& S U P P O R T

Orientation P a s s p o r t s

E v e r y k i n d child will r e c e i v e a n Orientation P a s s p o r t on

their first day. You will fil this o u t WITH t h e child

PA S S P O R

T

throughout the day, and ti c a n b e t a k e n h o m e to s h a r e with t h e i r p a r e n t s .

Yo u m a y like to c o m p l e t e t h i s a s a n a c t i v i t y

with the children in a small group or as they e n t e r t h e s e r v i c e a s p a r t of their initial t r a n s i t i o n into c a r e .

E a c h s e r v i c e will n e e d t o d e c i d e h o w t h e y will m a r k t h e

passports. You can do stamps,

T N E I R O

stickers, etc. Make sure to s o u r c e t h e s e e a r l y o n to

prepare.

KINDYTRANSITIONP R O G R A MGUIDE| 2 0 2 4

ACTIVEOOSH

G U I D E DT O U R S We believe that a comfortable, familiar environment is essential for a smooth transition. Throughout the session, guide the kindy kids through tours of the school.

These tours will highlight essential areas: •

bathrooms

•

bag storage

•

k i n d rooms

• out-of-bounds s p a c e s

• safe play areas

H E L P I N GF A M I L I E S

W I T HO U RP L AT F O R M S SigningI n& O u t I t ' sc r u c i a lt h a tp a r e n t su n d e r s t a n dh o wt

o

s i g nt h e i rc h i l di na n do u to fc a r e ,a n dt h a t t h e yh a v ec o m p l e t e da l ln e c e s s a r y authorisationso nO S H C + .W h i l ei tm a yb e n e c e s s a r yt od e m o n s t r a t et h i sp r o c e s st o familiesi nt h eb e g i n n i n g, i t ' si m p o r t a n tt o e n c o u r a g et h e mt ol e a r na n dd oi t

t h e m s e l v e si nt h ef u t u r e .

H E L P I N GK I N D YK I D SD U R I N G

R O L LC A L L& ACTIVITIES A sa K i n dE d u c a t o r.i t ' si m p o r t a n tt or e m e m b e r

EstablishingRoleswithP a r e n t s E s t a b l i s hr o l e sf r o mt h es t a r tw i t hp a r e n t s a v o i da n s w e r i n gq u e s t i o n sn o ti ny o u r w h e e lh o u s e .P l e a s ee n s u r ey o ua r e r e f e r r i n af a m i l i e st ot h ec o r r e c t department.

E . g .F o ra c c o u n t srelatedquestions,r e f e r t h e mt oo u rw e b s i t ea n dh o wt os u b m i ta n

a c c o u n te n q u i r yo rg i v et h e mt h eh e a d o f fi c ec o n t a c tn u m b e r .

t h a tyoungchildrenmayfindi tchallengingt o f o l l o wm u l t i p l es t e p sa to n c e .

H e r ea r es o m et i p st oh e l pv o uc o m m u n i c a t e effectivelv:

• B ep r e s e n tw h e nt h ec h i l d r e na r ec a l l e df o r r o l lm a r k i n ga n da c t i v i t yu p d a t e s • B r e a kd o w nt h ei n f o r m a t i o ni n t os i m p l es t e p s

©" W e ' r et a k i n gr o l lc a l l .L e t ' sm a k es u r et o a n s w e ro u rn a m ew h e ni t ' sc a l l e d . " ©" G r e a ti o b !N o ww eh a v et ol i s t e nt oh e a r

w h a tw e ' r eg o i n gt od onext."

• R e p e a twhatw a ss a i dt oe n s u r eunderstanding • " O k ,w e ' r eg o i n gt ow a s ho u rh a n d sa n d g r a bl u n c hf r o myourb a g . "

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KINDYTRANSITIONPROGRAMGUIDEI 2024

EXCURSIONS P R E P A R I N GC H I L D R E NF O RA NU P C O M I N GE X C U R S I O N Whether the kindy child is excited or anxious about an upcoming excursion, there are a few steps you can t a k e to m a k e t h e p r o c e s s s m o o t h e r for t h e m :

•

G r a d u a l l y i n t r o d u c e t h e m to t h e i d e a of t h e e x c u r s i o n a n d w h a t to e x p e c t .

• Break down the steps involved in leaving, such as recess and gathering items.

•

Discuss what they should take and leave behind.

• Explain the activities that will take place during the excursion, whether they will be indoors or outdoors.

•

Allow children to be with their older siblings or friends for emotional support, instead of keeping the kindy kids in just one group. Just be sure to inform the Educator or Coordinator in charge of that group that they n o w h a v e a k i n d y child with them.

B U ST R A N S P O R T

& PREPARINGKINDYK I D SF O RTHEIRF I R S TB U SRIDE It's c o m m o n for young children to h a v e never ridden a bus before, so it's important to prepare them accordingly. Here are some tips to get you started: •

E x p l a i n to t h e c h i l d r e n w h a t t h e b u s l o o k s like

and how you'll assist them with getting on and

off, including where they should sit.

•

It's b e s t to h a v e v o u n g e r or s m a l l e r

children sit towards the front of the bus, o n a w i n d o w s e a t , with a n e d u c a t o r or o l d e r child in t h e a i s l e seat.

• Some kindy children may need help with s e a t b e l t s or b o o s t e r s e a t s , especially w h e n t r a v e l i n g in s e r v i c e vehicles.

/ •

Children under 7v e a r s old must be in a booster seat.

B e s u r e t o h a v e a p l a n in p l a c e f o r t r a v e l s i c k n e s s

a n d pack e n o u g h sick bags, buckets, bin bags,

gloves, wipes and spare clothes.

KINDYTRANSITIONPROGRAMGUIDEI 2024

ACTIVEOOSH

INCURSIONS K I N D YI N C L U S I O ND U R I N GI N C U R S I O N S Kindy kids m a y require additional a s s i s t a n c e to p a r t i c i p a t e in incursions. It is i m p o r t a n t

to seat them at the front of shows, so they can view the performance comfortably.

Consider the following suggestions to cater to their specific needs: •

fI the activity is too loud or overstimulating, p r o v i d e t h e m with a l t e r n a t i v e r e t r e a t s p a c e s or h e a d p h o n e s to use.

•

Allow t h e m to p a r t i c i p a t e in a l t e r n a t i v e a c t i v i t i e s in

different locations fi they are unable to participate in the primary activity.

Although incursions are eniovable experiences for most children, younger ones may find them overwhelming, particularly activities like J u n g l e Beats. Please keep this in mind and take necessary m e a s u r e s t o e n s u r e t h a t t h e a c t i v i t y is a p o s i t i v e

experience for all ages.

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A C T I V EO O S H

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PA R E N T

S U P P O RT D R O PO F F& C O L L E C T I O N Parent drop off and collection times are very important. Please a c k n o w l e d g e p a r e n t s a s they enter the service and b e sure to welcome both them and the child. During pickup, help the child gather their items and transition out of care to the parent.

/

fI the Kindy Educator is leaving the service prior to children going home, they will need to forward any

information that h a p p e n e d during the day onto the closing educator.

T i p ! Use a communication book that c a n b e kept near staff sign in areas.

C L O S E DF A C E B O O KG R O U PC O M M U N I C AT I O N school can be overwhelming for some families, and they may require receiving f Starting additional communication throughout the day. Consider referring these parents to the Kindy F a c e b o o k Group, a private group exclusively for the Kindy Transition children.

By posting a few pictures of children enjoying activities throughout the day, you can reduce their anxiety and the number of calls and texts your service may receive.

Here are some tips to keep in mind when using the Kindy Facebook Group:

• Avoid posting about lost property or reminders about hats and lunch boxes.

These are c o n v e r s a t i o n s best had during drop off or collection.

•

Make an effort to share positive feedback with parents. " Av al o v e da l lt h ec r a f tactivitiest o d a ya n dw o r k e dh a r do nm a k i n gx y z .I ' v e

p u ti ti nh e rb a gf o ry o ut os e ew h e ny o ug e thome."

Use service phones instead of personal phones for taking

REMEMBER P H O N EP O L I C Y

084:5

p h o t o s d u r i n g p l a y p e r i o d s a n d limit p a r e n t c o m m u n i c a t i o n

and F a c e b o o k g r o u p posting to meal breaks.

Posting during low-risk activities is best and can include

asking children what they enjoyed that day, creating a bond and insight for future programming

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A C T I V EO O S H

READY CHECKLIST CHECKLIST: Are you added to the Kindy Transition Educator's Group | 2 0 2 4 on Wo r k p l a c e ?

•

Have you also downloaded Workplace Chats to keep up with u p d a t e s a n d n o t i fi c a t i o n s ?

Have you a d d e d yourself t o your service's c l o s e d F a c e b o o k Kindy Parent Group?

•

Do you know which kindy kids d o / d o not have c o n s e n t

to be photographed for parent updates?

Have you s a t d o w n with your Coordinator to look through e n r o l m e n t s a n d v i e w w h o t h i s v e a r ' s k i n d k i d s will b e ?

•

Have you reached out to these families upon completing their e n r o l m e n t s a n d a r r a n g e d a time for t h e m to visit?

•

Do you have e n o u g h Orientation P a s s p o r t s , and extra kindy wristbands? Have you ordered stamps or stickers in order to m a r k t h e p a s s p o r t s e v e r y d a y ?

•

Do you know which kindy kids have additional needs?

•

Have vou included them into your service's risk minimisation p l a n s ? H a v e v o u b e e n i n v o l v e d with p a r e n t c o m m u n i c a t i o n

prior to having the child attend?

•

Are you aware of any parenting agreements or custody orders?

Do you have a bathroom box ready to grab a n dgo including cleaning items, spare clothes, plastic bags, gloves, etc. in c a s e a kindy child h a s a n a c c i d e n t ?

Has your service prepared age-appropriate equipment such a s

smaller scissors, lower chairs or tables, smaller balls, etc?

In addition to this guide, have you and your service also read o v e r t h e T e r m 1 G u i d e i n c l u d e d in t h i s l a u n c h k i t ?

Have you a r r a n g e d with t h e school the K i n d Collection Zone where you will pick up t h e kindy k i d s throughout t e r m 1?

ACTIVE

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