Gum Leaves
Our Gum Leaves Room is for children in their final year before they go to school. The room is regularly staffed with a lower child to educator ratio (1:9).
Our 4-year-old program is a play-based early learning program led by two qualified early childhood teachers and supported by experienced educators, offering a rich, nurturing and developmentally appropriate curriculum for children from age 4 (approximately) until they leave to attend Primary School.
In line with 4 year old Preschool (Kindergarten) , children in the Gum Leaves room will build skills that develop problem solving, independence, curiosity, confidence and a strong foundation for lifelong learning. There will be opportunities for child-led inquiry, encouraging children to become confident communicators and involved learners. We provide a safe and supportive environment that nurtures self-identity and emotional resilience, and we prioritise outdoor play to promote health, wellbeing and exploration. Children will continue to develop their numeracy and literacy skills that align with the numeracy and literacy implementation guide. We value, acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as well as the diverse cultures represented within our community.
Our outdoor space is expansive and offers opportunities for children to dig in the sandpit, enjoy water play, climb on various structures, ride bikes, or spend time tending to the veggie garden. Children can also choose between indoor and outdoor play, with creative and quiet experiences available at times that align with the room’s routine and meet the needs of all learners.
The interconnecting room with the Gum Nuts (3–4 years) allows Gum Leaves children to interact with a wider range of peers, continue friendships and engage in ways that are developmentally appropriate for each individual. Both the Gum Nut and Gum Leaves rooms share a spacious, natural outdoor learning environment, eating area and vegetable garden.
Be prepared for your child at this stage to be working towards the skills needed for a successful transition to school—such as growing independence and resilience, strong fine motor skills to support handwriting, core body strength to assist with attention and posture in the classroom, and overall social and academic readiness. Friendships become more consolidated, language skills grow more sophisticated, and physical abilities continue to develop, with children beginning to take more considered risks in their play and learning. Educators are there every step of the way, offering guidance, support and encouragement as children become increasingly independent and competent.
As children become developmentally ready, we offer opportunities and experiences that encourage and develop the skills needed to prepare them for a successful transition to school.
Early Childhood Teachers deliver the Keeping Safe: Child Protection Curriculum; a child safety and respectful relationships curriculum providing age and developmentally appropriate activities for children and young people from birth to year 12. All children and young people, in developmentally appropriate ways, can:
- Understand they have the right to be safe
- Recognise abuse and unsafe situations
- Apply knowledge, skills and understanding to be safe
- Seek support for themselves or others
Families whose children are unable to access a Government Preschool are able to attend their preschool year at CSCCC through the Preschool Reform Agreement. Please contact us for further information.