Early Childhood at NEMLDC: A Foundation for Lifelong Learning
At NEMLDC, we focus on building a strong foundation for your child’s learning in a supportive and engaging environment. Kindergarten is often a child’s first experience away from home, and we help them take the first steps toward independence, discovery, and learning. Our student focused approach offers a fun and stimulating environment where children develop language, social skills, and a love for learning.
Children attend Kindergarten five days every fortnight, typically Monday/Tuesday or Thursday/Friday, with alternating Wednesdays.
A Collaborative Learning Approach
Our Kindergarten team, consisting of educators, speech pathologist, OT and coach (associate principal), work together to set personalised goals and ensure each child receives the support they need. With small class sizes and a focus on oral language, we create an environment where every child can fulfil their potential. At NEMLDC, we believe that a strong partnership between parents and educators is key to ensuring that each student is supported, nurtured and guided to promote development and well-being.
Language and Early Literacy Development
Oral language is the foundation of literacy development, as it helps children build essential skills in listening, speaking, and understanding. In Kindergarten, the NEMLDC narrative program encourages children to engage with stories, fostering a love for storytelling and books.
Additionally, the NEMLDC Pre-handwriting Program supports literacy development by teaching children the motor skills necessary for writing. Through activities that promote fine motor control, children strengthen their ability to form letters and begin early writing skills.
Early Maths Skills
The Kindergarten maths curriculum builds foundational skills through hands-on, engaging activities with a strong focus on the language of maths. One of the key tools used is Bond Blocks, a resource designed to help young learners develop a strong understanding of numbers, shapes, and basic operations. Children explore mathematical concepts in a playful and tactile way, supporting their ability to count, measure, and recognise patterns, all while developing problem-solving skills.
Creativity, Play, and Movement
Children express their creativity through art and music, while also developing fine and gross motor skills through play and movement activities. Play is a key part of learning in Kindergarten, helping children build social skills and explore their environment. Through purposeful play, children work on specific language goals, such as expanding vocabulary, forming sentences, and improving communication with peers and adults. This supports their overall language development and ability to express themselves clearly.
Real-World Learning
We believe in the power of real-world experiences to enhance education. Children have the opportunity to participate in enriching excursions and incursions that deepen their understanding and connect classroom learning to the world around them. We also recognise that parents play a crucial role in fostering the partnership between school and home, working together to support and develop real-world learning opportunities.
A Nurturing Environment
At NEMLDC, each child is seen as an individual and valued for their unique strengths. Our warm, supportive environment provides the perfect foundation for your child’s early education.