Can't visit just yet? Here is a 3-minute look around our Castle Hill preschool, inside and out, with our Director, Bitu Tamang.
Each chapter opens that point in the video on YouTube.
0:21 Where the day happens: play-based learning
1:22 Getting school-ready: the Kangaroo group
Most of the day happens in one open indoor and outdoor space shared by our two groups. The Wallaby group is for children with another year before school. The Kangaroo group is for children starting school next year. It can look like play, but every space is set up with a purpose, based on the Early Years Learning Framework. When children build something or work out a puzzle with a friend, they are solving a problem, taking turns and trying again.
The day has a familiar rhythm. Families arrive from 8am, and children have time to settle in and play. Then come group time and morning tea, more learning indoors and outdoors, lunch, rest and quiet time, and finally afternoon tea and more play.
The Kangaroo group is our school readiness year. Early reading is taught through Ants in the Apple, a structured, research-based phonics approach that comes into the day in lots of ways, not just as a sit-down lesson. Being school ready also means asking an adult for help, looking after your own bag and hat, joining in a game and having another go.
Outside, children climb, dig and explore, building confidence and learning to take turns and make friends. Lunch, morning tea and afternoon tea are included and made in our own kitchen: fresh sandwiches three days a week and a hot meal twice a week. Allergies and dietary needs are catered for, so there is no lunch to pack.
A maximum of 30 children · Open 8am to 5pm, 48 weeks a year · Since 1989 · Meeting NQS
Tours run at 9:30am and 11:30am on weekdays. Every child here is known by name, and we'd love to meet yours.
Book A TourOr call us on 02 9634 6555
