What happens in a day at Ballymore Kindy?
Our day is made up of many parts, and while we aim for a familiar, predictable flow, we highly value flexibility and aren’t bound by set times. A flexible approach to our day means we reflect on and respond to the needs of the children, the weather, and the emotional climate of each day.
Each day, staff will reflect, plan and adapt the day to meet the needs of the children and teaching team.
01. Arrival and departure
As we support the children to begin and end their days at Kindy, they grow in independence and develop new skills, by learning to care for and organise their belongings in preparation for the next part of their day. These are important times for children to strengthen their connections with peers, teachers and families as we practice saying hellos and goodbyes at each end of our day.
02. Gathering together
We gather at multiple times throughout the day to yarn, share, problem-solve, reflect, sing, play games, listen to stories, dance, and move our bodies. Sometimes we gather as a whole group, and other times we may gather in smaller groups. Our gathering times help us get to know one another and learn how to work together in caring ways.
03. Playing environments
Play is the vehicle through which we learn at Kindy. Throughout the day, children will have the opportunity to play in both the indoor and outdoor environments. These spaces are carefully designed to support children’s learning and extend their thinking through play. Play allows children to connect with the natural environment, move their bodies in big ways, explore with all their senses, create, construct, design games, engage in creative pursuits, build small play worlds, and much more!
04. Meal times
Meal times are valued as opportunities for social connections, learning about our bodies’ needs, learning about a variety of foods, and growing in independence. Staff join the children for all meal times and scaffold positive connections and healthy and hygienic approaches to meals.
05. Relaxation times
Within a busy kindy day, we highly value moments of relaxation. These moments are offered across the day in multiple ways, including breathing exercises, yoga/movement, reading and resting our bodies. Each day, the group will collectively pause for a period of relaxation, which is responsive to the needs of the group.
06. Transitions
We have many transitions throughout the day and value them as learning opportunities to explore working together, connecting, and planning for the next part of our day in playful ways that support the children in building resilience.