Junior Preschool

Handprints Childcare Centre Junior Preschool Program

Our Junior Preschool spaces have a focus on children developing very individual dispositions for learning and finding an excitement for learning all things new. Educators in this age group are committed to equity and believe in all children’s ability to experiment, problem solve and use critical thinking to succeed, regardless of their diverse abilities. It is within this space that children learn patience, acceptance, inclusion and participation for all. This is achieved by educators promoting equitable and effective ways for children to achieve learning outcomes, proving that even though we learn differently, we can all achieve greatness in the end.

The learning in the Junior Preschool spaces is created through educator’s responsiveness to children. Educators work with families to collaboratively value and build on children’s strengths, skills and knowledge to ensure the children are motivated and engaged in the program. This also includes educators responding to children’s ideas in play, noting their evolving interests and extending on their learning through open ended questions to challenge their thinking. The children then engage in sustained shared conversations as they learn through play. Learning through play is so important in the Junior Preschool space, as our aim is for children to occupy a love for learning, develop the confidence to test out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings, as they consider how to be, and which method of learning works best for them.