Leading the early learning sector
Ballymore Kindy Director, Desley Jones, is in demand to present her research related to the importance of play-based learning and social and emotional wellbeing.
Desley has a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood), a Bachelor of Education and an Honours Degree in Psychology. Further to this, Desley is currently undertaking research with this year's children (of which participation is optional) partnering with other researchers and educators, both here in Australia with Gowrie (Qld) and QUT, and in conjunction with the University of Iceland. This research is looking at children’s perception of play and the adult’s role in play.
Desley will be presenting workshops for Gowrie's annual professional development program for their teachers/educators on social and emotional wellbeing in Gladstone , Brisbane and Mackay in August and October.
She will also participate in training with Bart DeClercq, colleague of Professor Ferre Laevers (University of Leuvens, Belgium) on experiential education (children's wellbeing and involvement) in September.
To stay ahead of international best practice in early learning, Desley will be travelling to Estonia in September to attend the European Early Childhood Education and Research Association (EECERA) Conference in Estonia. While there she will also travel to the UK where she is visiting preschools that have participated in projects with Professor Laevers to foster the wellbeing and involvement of their students.
At the end of October, Desley has been invited to present at the Infant and Early Childhood Social and Emotional Wellbeing conference in Canberra.
We are so proud of Desley, enhancing and sharing her ideas and research with local early learning educators, as well as taking them to national and international platforms. Ballymore Kindy children are so very privileged to have the benefit of this knowledge on a day-to-day basis.
Ballymore Kindy exceeds National Quality Standards
14 May 2013
Ballymore Kindy is delighted to have received the results of the new national assessment.
We have been assessed as “Exceeding National Quality Standards” in early education, which is a wonderful result for our Kindy.
The National Quality Standards aims to raise quality and drive continuous improvement in early childhood education and care. It assesses seven key areas:
Educational program and practice
Children’s health and safety
Physical environment
Staffing arrangements, including staff-to-child ratios and qualifications
Relationships with children
Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
Leadership and service management
All 56 elements under these key areas were met. We are now eligible to apply for a rating of “Centre of Excellence”, which will be our next adventure!
International Research Project
1 May 2013
Ballymore Kindy is one of four Gowrie affiliated kindergartens to be involved in a research project looking at children's perspectives on play. The project is a collaboration between Queensland Univeristy of Technology, the University of Iceland and Gowrie Qld.
Ballymore Kindy Director, Desley Jones (centre) meets with Jane Bourne, CEO of Gowrie Qld (left) and Professor Johannes Einarsdottir, from the University of Iceland (right).
Making ANZAC Biscuits
24/26 April 2013
In the days before and after ANZAC Day Mrs Matthews and the children made ANZAC biscuits at Kindy. It was special for the children to be able to make the same biscuits that were made so many years ago.
It was a good experience to reflect on connectedness. The children made connections with members of our community by discussing the jobs that soldiers do, connections with the past using an old recipe and connections with each other by working together to produce the biscuits and of course, enjoying eating them together!
Beats Bus comes to Kindy
18 March 2013
A visit from Brendan of the Beats Bus had the children playing shakers and drums to all sorts of beats.
Everyone had a turn to play the djembe, an African drum and Brendan showed easy ways to make instruments at home.