Exceeding all 7 National Quality Standards
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Community Owned and Managed since 1979
Individualised learning programs Transition to School Programs University and Diploma Qualified staff Staff ratios 1:5 (above the minimum required) Preschool hours: 8am - 3.30 pm (extended care available until 3.45pm) Closed NSW school holidays and public holidays Age Group: 3 years to school age Licensed for: 16 Children per day |
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Why choose The Little School?
Most of the families who join us have come through word of mouth. With only 16 children attending each day, we have a reputation for our warm, family like environment. We are also known for welcoming natural spaces where children are invited to explore, create, question and make meaning of the world. We provide a unique learning experience that promotes feelings of security and harmony for our children and their families.
The Little School is nestled at the base of the escarpment. There is farmland across the road and the children eat their lunch on a deck beneath an enormous old fig tree. The children have lots of room to run. Our Secret Garden has herbs and fruit trees to tend to and spaces to explore.
We are very proud to rate as “Exceeding” across all 7 areas of the National Quality Standard (NQS), which sets the high quality benchmark for children’s services.
Our educational program is play based. It celebrates individuality and diversity and acknowledges children as competent and capable citizens and co-researchers in their own learning.
Children are given the freedom to choose their activities throughout the day. They have ample time to explore and discover and their play is directed by their own interests. They can choose from a wide variety of learning experiences, from dramatic play, music, physical play and block building to sand, water and mud play. They can choose to spend time creating something at the craft table, or painting at the easel, or building something with construction toys.
We have an indoor/outdoor program so the children can spend time outdoors in nature whenever they choose, rain or shine. We have a mud pit where the children can get their hands dirty and jump in puddles. We supply gumboots and weatherproof overalls to keep children clean and dry while they have fun. Back inside they can choose to tackle a puzzle or engage in some dramatic play in the home corner. They may choose to curl up with a book or share a story with a friend or an educator.
Children are also encouraged to engage in small group experiences that build on their interests, extend their capabilities and foster their sense of competence.
We take a holistic approach to wellbeing. At Morning Yarn we do some gentle exercise and yoga followed by a calming mindfulness session. We teach children to use affirmations, using messages of kindness and love towards themselves that build self-esteem and self-belief. These support children’s emotional wellbeing now and give them powerful tools to help ensure their future mental wellbeing.
The children learn about nature and what we can all do to care for our environment. They help to compost lunch scraps into compost tubes to enrich our garden soil. Our cuddly guinea pigs get some lunch scraps too! Our frog bog has some happy residents.
At Little School we are proud to offer a high staff ratio of 1:5, twice that of the NQS requirement of 1:10. This gives our educators more time to spend with your child and to ensure they are happy, relaxed and engaged in their learning.
We also exceed the NQS requirements with regard to staff training. Our team of educators are highly qualified and experienced and all have a natural affinity with children.
We take the time to get to really know your child and use warm, meaningful interactions to develop a sense of security, well-being and belonging. We support children in learning how to show respect, kindness and empathy toward others and how to be appropriately assertive.
The Little School is a community based, not for profit preschool. Our Governance board is made up of volunteers from our families and the greater community and any profits go straight back into the preschool.
Parent Reviews
Exceptional! My son would sleep there if he could! - Nym Burrow
The little school preschool has been absolutely amazing for my ASD child - Cindy Barnes
Source: Facebook Dapto district discussion group, 2020
Click here for more parent reviews.
The Little School is nestled at the base of the escarpment. There is farmland across the road and the children eat their lunch on a deck beneath an enormous old fig tree. The children have lots of room to run. Our Secret Garden has herbs and fruit trees to tend to and spaces to explore.
We are very proud to rate as “Exceeding” across all 7 areas of the National Quality Standard (NQS), which sets the high quality benchmark for children’s services.
Our educational program is play based. It celebrates individuality and diversity and acknowledges children as competent and capable citizens and co-researchers in their own learning.
Children are given the freedom to choose their activities throughout the day. They have ample time to explore and discover and their play is directed by their own interests. They can choose from a wide variety of learning experiences, from dramatic play, music, physical play and block building to sand, water and mud play. They can choose to spend time creating something at the craft table, or painting at the easel, or building something with construction toys.
We have an indoor/outdoor program so the children can spend time outdoors in nature whenever they choose, rain or shine. We have a mud pit where the children can get their hands dirty and jump in puddles. We supply gumboots and weatherproof overalls to keep children clean and dry while they have fun. Back inside they can choose to tackle a puzzle or engage in some dramatic play in the home corner. They may choose to curl up with a book or share a story with a friend or an educator.
Children are also encouraged to engage in small group experiences that build on their interests, extend their capabilities and foster their sense of competence.
We take a holistic approach to wellbeing. At Morning Yarn we do some gentle exercise and yoga followed by a calming mindfulness session. We teach children to use affirmations, using messages of kindness and love towards themselves that build self-esteem and self-belief. These support children’s emotional wellbeing now and give them powerful tools to help ensure their future mental wellbeing.
The children learn about nature and what we can all do to care for our environment. They help to compost lunch scraps into compost tubes to enrich our garden soil. Our cuddly guinea pigs get some lunch scraps too! Our frog bog has some happy residents.
At Little School we are proud to offer a high staff ratio of 1:5, twice that of the NQS requirement of 1:10. This gives our educators more time to spend with your child and to ensure they are happy, relaxed and engaged in their learning.
We also exceed the NQS requirements with regard to staff training. Our team of educators are highly qualified and experienced and all have a natural affinity with children.
We take the time to get to really know your child and use warm, meaningful interactions to develop a sense of security, well-being and belonging. We support children in learning how to show respect, kindness and empathy toward others and how to be appropriately assertive.
The Little School is a community based, not for profit preschool. Our Governance board is made up of volunteers from our families and the greater community and any profits go straight back into the preschool.
Parent Reviews
Exceptional! My son would sleep there if he could! - Nym Burrow
The little school preschool has been absolutely amazing for my ASD child - Cindy Barnes
Source: Facebook Dapto district discussion group, 2020
Click here for more parent reviews.
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