Preschool
Preschool is a place of magic. There is space, there is adventure and there is permission to be a child. We believe all children are competent learners who need space and opportunity to explore, experiment and take risks. Everything children experience during their day is an opportunity for valuable learning. This includes everyday routines like morning tea, the physical environment, our materials and equipment.
Our Preschool gives your child space and opportunity to learn and explore – through free play, directed activities and during interactions with other children and adults. You will see the Early Years Learning Framework in practice – each day, teachers set up the environment to reflect children’s interests and needs. A cornerstone of our Preschool is providing lots of uninterrupted free play – we believe this is how most children learn best. We also provide direction and support for those times when children need it.
Our Preschool has a large, well-lit and open indoor space. Outdoors, children enjoy the shaded playground, sandpit, picnic table and green space. Preschoolers also use the School facilities during the year including the Libraries, sports facilities, Chapel Hall and Cultural Centre.
3-4 year-old Program: Friday • 8.15am – 3.15pm
4-6 year-old Program: Monday & Wednesday OR Tuesday & Thursday • 8.00am – 4.00pm
Pre-Kindergarten Program*: Monday - Thursday • 8.00am - 4.00pm
*Please note: Pre-Kindergarten is for children who have completed their enrolment application for Kindergarten at Scots the following year.
Outside of School Hours Care is also available until 6.00pm each day of school term for children enrolled at Preschool. This is organised through TheirCare and takes place on The Scots School Albury Junior Campus.
Seamless Kindergarten Transition
As a community-based Preschool, everyone is welcome to apply for Preschool at Scots.
As part of The Scots School Albury, those who choose to go on to Kindergarten at Scots have a natural progression and are already familiar with the school grounds and facilities.
We offer a great transition into Kindergarten at Scots because we know, for some children, the transition from Preschool to Kindergarten can be traumatic. Rarely is that the case at Scots. When a child moves from our Preschool to our Junior School, we already know the child and have an understanding of their development. Our children are usually eager to take the step to 'Big School' because they already feel a part of the Scots community. They are familiar and comfortable with the environment, they know where the water bubblers and the toilets are, which room is their classroom and where they can eat their lunch. Our transition really does take the stress out of starting school.
The Early Years Learning Framework
Scots Preschool Educators use The Early Years Learning Framework, in consultation with families, to develop a responsive and authentic program for each child. The Early Years Learning Framework describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming:
- Belonging is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationships they have with their family, community, culture and place.
- Being is about living here and now. Childhood is a special time in life and children need time to just ‘be’ – time to play, try new things and have fun.
- Becoming is about learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.