Welcome
Please take time to look through this site for information regarding our centre and the services we provide.
We are committed to empowering children and families to pursue their life journey with confidence through the implementation of our values in all activities associated with the Kindergarten.
Our core business is the provision of a planned, high quality, challenging, experiential, child-centred education in an environment that is welcoming, positive, relaxed, flexible and responsive to children's needs and interests and the needs of their families.
The daily program allows for uninterrupted periods of play, organised learning experiences as well as planned group sessions e.g. music, literacy. Play is an essential aspect of learning for young children and planning for play is central to the development of a curriculum that integrates all areas of a child's development.
At Akuna Kindergarten we:
- have a commitment to the local community and prioritise access to the kindergarten with families from the surrounding area or for whom this is the closest kindergarten being given the first priority
- focus on the development of each individual child, encouraging the growth of skills and feelings of independence, interdependence and competence. Experiences are provided that cater for the intellectual, physical, social, emotional and creative development of the child
- coach and support the development of important social skills as the children learn how to interact within a group of children their own age. We believe that children need to know skills such as respecting each other, co-operation, problem solving, sharing, turn-taking, conflict resolution and laughing and having fun together. All of these become an important part of our daily experiences
- welcome parents and their involvement in management and/or on a daily basis helping with the program
- provide opportunities for the children to be part of large group experiences, small group activities and allow time for following children's own interests, experimentation and acting out their own stories and ideas
- program regularly for experiences that will support interests and skills we have observed and plan for the development of other areas that need support
- have a commitment to the acceptance of the individual child and their family by staff and kindergarten community
- are involved in professional development to continue to extend our ideas and knowledge about young children and their education.
We believe learning develops from the many experiences that an individual had in their life, it is a life long process and each child learns at their own rate and style. We support parents in the care and education of their children throughout many services, support services, community agencies and access to resources.
A positive and happy relationship between home and kindergarten is vital for your child to develop to his/her full potential. When working together for the benefit of your child, we need to communicate with and support each other.
We look forward to initiating and establishing this essential rapport with you and hope that your association with us will be a happy and fulfilling one.
Contact Information
We welcome you and your child to our Kindergarten
Our staff team comprises of a full time Director, a full time Teacher with qualifications in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Workers and Preschool Support Workers. We have a strong commitment to social justice and equal opportunity principles.
| Director: | Brooke Ashby |
|---|---|
| Phone: | (08) 8725 9146 |
| Fax: | (08) 8723 9681 |
| Address: | 10 Ramsey Avenue MOUNT GAMBIER SA 5290 |
| Region: | Limestone Coast |
| E-mail: | info@akunakgn.sa.edu.au |
Session Times
Pre-entry
Pre-entry sessions are available for one session per week on a Friday morning in the term immediately before children begin sessional preschool. Pre-entry provides the opportunity for children to gradually become familiar with the kindergarten staff, environment and routines.
During the pre-entry session your child will be offered a wide variety of play, social and routine experiences. This is a time for all of us to get to know each other. Emphasis is placed on the social and emotional development of children. Often pre-entry is your child's first experience away from you. Please feel free to stay with your child if you think it is necessary. Alternatively, if you wish to leave we will support you and your child.
Sessional Preschool
Children begin sessional preschool twelve months before they begin school and whilst it helps us if you have already decided upon which school your child will attend, it is not essential
Generally children will begin preschool around four years of age however children with identified special needs, children from indigenous backgrounds and children who are under the Guardianship of the Minister may commence preschool earlier. Please contact the Director for further information.
A limited number of full day sessions are available in consultation with staff.
At Akuna Kindergarten, sessional preschool is provided in morning and afternoon sessions from Monday to Thursday.
| Morning Sessions | 8.45am – 11.30am, Monday to Thursday |
|---|---|
| Afternoon Sessions: | 12.30pm – 3.15pm, Monday to Thursday |
| Full Day Sessions: | 8.45am – 3.15pm, Monday to Thursday |
Full day and/or alternative session schedules (to a maximum of four sessions per week) can when possible be arranged. Every effort will be made to establish attendance schedules to suit individual family needs, however preferred choices may not always be possible since group sizes need to remain inside the recommended maximum limits.
Included in full day sessions is a one hour lunch care period. There is an additional charge for lunchtime care which is payable "up front" each term with the Kindergarten fees. Families who nominate full day sessions are liable for this charge regardless of actual attendance, as a lunch place is reserved for their child.
Parent Information
The main emphasis of the Kindergarten program is to promote learning and teaching in a safe, caring and supportive environment. The curriculum at Akuna Kindergarten is play based, child-centred and emergent, based on children's individual needs and interests. It is guided by the Department of Education & Children's Services curriculum framework `The South Australian Curriculum Standards and Accountability Framework' (SACSA).
| Download | File Size | File Type |
|---|---|---|
| NOTE: All downloads open in a new browser window | ||
| Parent Information | 124 KB | Adobe PDF |
| Pre Enrolment Form | 251 KB | Microsoft Word |
| General Information | 44 KB | Adobe PDF |
| Curriculum | 70 KB | Adobe PDF |
| Communication and Parent Participation | 41 KB | Adobe PDF |
| Policies | 18 KB | Adobe PDF |
Playgroup Information
A parent run playgroup for children from birth to five years of age and parents/carers to participate in a range of social and learning activities operates on Friday mornings from 10.30am to 12.00noon. Please contact the centre for further information.
Context Statement
The Context Statement provides detailed information about our preschool.
| Download | File Size | File Type |
|---|---|---|
| NOTE: The Context Statement will open in a new browser window | ||
| Akuna Kindergarten Context Statement | 38 KB | Adobe PDF |
| Annual Report | 331 KB | Adobe PDF |
