Piccolo Preschool - Welbourn

Programme

The staff at Piccolo Preschool recognise the importance of fun and creating a love of learning through play. We provide children the opportunities for daily problem solving through provocations and creative thinking within the learning environment. We promote imaginative play as well as provide chances to integrate home life experiences and community connections within the learning. We provide opportunities for research and investigation and help nurture children's emotional and social development.

Our youngest children, the Kea Group (2 – 3 year olds) have a safe and nurturing environment. We allow this age group to have time to themselves in the mornings, before becoming part of the larger group in the afternoon. The area for this age group It is richly resourced with age appropriate play equipment and activities. The inside area flows nicely to an attractive outdoor area with sandpit and water play.

There are structured sharing times and the opportunity to enjoy music times or yoga for wider group interaction throughout each day. Piccolo Preschool, regardless of the group, is child-centred and allows the children to explore and learn through all areas of the curriculum.

Our Piwakawaka group (3 - 4 year olds) area is spacious and designed specifically for children to learn through play and structured activities while preparing them enquiry. It features access to the richly resourced and naturally enhanced large outdoor area where children are able to develop their physical motor skills through active movement.

Throughout the day, children are encouraged to learn through collaboration with adults and peers. Children at Piccolo Preschool learn through participation and observation, as well as through individual investigation and reflection.

Our daily sharing times promote group collaboration, respect of others and learning, as well as transition to school readiness.

Our older children, the Kiwi group (4 – 5years) develop a readiness for school in literacy and numeracy knowledge as well as the promotion of social skills. We aim to work with these children to transition children and foster their love of learning, while developing their independence, concentration, co-operation and communication skills in preparation for a classroom environment.

Our ongoing relationship with the community and local schools also supports a positive smooth transition.