EXCURSIONS AND INCURSIONS
Excursions, incursions, and special events are planned to enhance and extend our educational programs. Engagement with our local and wider communities supports the children’s learning about the world in which they live and provides them with a breadth of experiences.
Below examples are some of the activities that your child may experience while attending the preschool . These are based on the interests and developmental stages of the group.
INDIGENOUS HERITAGE
Celebrating events such as NAIDOC week and Harmony Day provides opportunity to share and build on the knowledge and awareness gained throughout embedding Aboriginal and Torres Straight Island perspectives in our education programs.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
Engagement with emergency services such as CFA, police and ambulance provide the children with practical skills to help them respond to emergencies in the home and in their communities.
SPECIAL FAMILY EVENTS
Celebrating and including families with special family days, for example new family welcome picnics, mother day morning tea, father day night.
EXPLORING OUR COMMUNITY
Throughout the year children have regular opportunities to visit local parks and playgrounds during sessions, to fully explore their local area, experience nature, observe seasonal change, share picnics, and join in sports activities.
END OF YEAR EXCURSIONS
To celebrate end of year the children are invited to attend an end of year class excursions, for example Puffing Billy ride or a visit to Myuna Farm.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Exploring the local community with visits to the Post Office, CFA, local businesses, and community groups. This experience gives the children the opportunity to learn about their local area and the role of community workers.
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES
Enjoying the arts with visits to local theatres, such as the West Gippsland Arts Centre or Bunjil place, to see performances based on classic children’s stories.
CULTIVATING LITERACY
Cultivating children’s interest in reading with visits to the local library and mobile library. This engages the children by learning about libraries and books, with storytelling and activities.
Program extensions
Throughout the year special events days are carefully planned to explore the children’s interests and scaffold their current learning. Examples include Bring Your Bike to Kindergarten, Space Dress Up Day, Pancake and PJ Day.
WILD LIFE ENCOUNTERS
At the kinder we have a resident turtle and insects, and we also have visits from various wildlife education groups, for example reptile encounters or interactive Australian Animal show.
END OF YEAR CELEBRATIONS
At the end of every school year we celebrate our shared group experience with a family twilight gathering, where the children perform their favorite songs and dances.
INTERACTIVE DRAMA AND MOVEMENT TOOLBOX SESSION
Music and movement experiences support the children’s language and listening skills, spatial awareness, and co-ordinated movement. Topics include Space, Under The Sea, Body Investigators and more.
CRANBOURNE GARDENS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM
Children have the opportunity to experience a of wide variety of nature based play activities, engaging their senses with sight, sounds and stories.
Road Traffic School
Children can bring their own bikes and explore the mini village, while learning about road safety in a safe, fun and engaging way.
DENTAL HEALTH WEEK
Dental Health Week aims to educate the children about the importance of good oral health in every aspect of their life.
A DAY WITH CLAY POTTERY PROGRAM
Playing with clay provides the children multiple creative outlets, while exploring their own individual feelings, ideas and developmental skills.
MELBOURNE MUSEUM OUTREACH PROGRAM
The Dinosaur and Fossils outreach program brings rich learning experiences to the Kindergarten, with interactive stories, activities, games and replicas.
AFL FOOTBALL SKILLS PROGRAM AND FOOTY PARADE
AFL Outer East Football Skills Program introduces the children to basic skills and aspects of the game. This is supported by a Footy Parade at the Gembrook primary.
BOOK-A-CHOOK HOSTING CHICKENS
Book-A-Chook supplies chickens onsite at kindergarten for one a month period. Supporting the children’s learning about sustainable living practices, animal care, the natural environment, and taking responsibility.
Veggie Garden
The children get the opportunity to learn how to grow their own vegetables in our very own vegetable garden. This experience helps to encourage healthy eating as the children enjoy tasting their harvest.
MURRUNDINDI WELCOME TO COUNTRY CEREMONY
The children are invited to attend the Murrundindi Welcome to Country ceremony at the Gembrook Primary School, respecting and embracing indigenous culture.
HEALESVILLE SANCTUARY
Healesville Sanctuary provides the children with unique, real life learning experiences, exploring Australia natural world and wildlife.
CARDINIA LIBRARY STORY TELLING SESSIONS
Cardinia Library Service Outreach Program helps foster children’s interest in literacy with story telling sessions at kindergarten.
LOCAL VET VISITS
Our local vet, Tom from Gembrook Veterinary Clinic, regularly visits to check up on Bobby our turtle and engage with the children.