Pre-school/Nursery

[Riponian]

Hi

I know that they don't have pre-school like we know in the UK more just nurseries etc.

I want to get my son into a nursery a couple of mornings a week to prepare him for school but not sure where. I know a lot will depend on where we end up living. Is there a really good place the lists them all etc and what they are like?

Also can I put his name down now even thought we are not there yet. We will be in about 4 weeks but I assume they will want an Aus address etc.

Thanks in advance
Michelle

[andy and lindsey]

Hi children start Kindy here at 4 years old the term befor their 4th birthday they are offered one session a week to ease them in gently to the kindy system and then the term after their 4th birthday they start full time which in most places is 4 seesions - mornings, afternoons or a mixture of both. For example my little man (is now 5 but turned 4 last August) he started pre entry July 2008 and started full time kindy in October. (2008) He will start reception in October the term after his 5th birthday. Its quite scary as he would have been starting Year 1 in the UK after already doing a full reception year!!!
The sessions at my sons kindy run from 8.45 until 11.30 and 12.15 until 3. I wouldn't worry too much about putting his name down, when you get here have a look round the area where you settle. I think paid childcare (ie what you would use if you went to work is slightly different with places more sparse but again have a look around the area where you settle). Costs for this vary greatly dependant which visa subclass you are on - ie PR or Temp.

Hope this helps
Lindsey

[ben&sharon]

Hiya,

My son is the same age as yours and we've got him into the community childcare centre in Hallett Cove - and he absolutely loves it.

I tried to put his name down prior to our departure, but many of the nurseries have very long waiting lists, and none of them ever answer their e-mails!!

We were looking for full time, but have managed to start with one day confirmed and have picked up extra days as they have come up - we've been assured that when the new term starts in Oct that there will be a full time place for him.

You may as well wait until you get here and then have a look around the area that you wind up in, but I'd recommend the Community Childcare centres - they are non-profit making, unlike a lot of the childcare chains in SA, and so everything they make they put back into the centre - they are over-staffed as a matter of policy, and ours has just spent a lot of money developing their outside space, rather than making some owner rich.......

They are popular, though - so start looking as soon as you get here. Since you're only looking for a couple of days, you might get lucky.

Good luck - and keep us posted! :)

Sharon.

[ben&sharon]

Hiya,

My son is the same age as yours and we've got him into the community childcare centre in Hallett Cove - and he absolutely loves it.

I tried to put his name down prior to our departure, but many of the nurseries have very long waiting lists, and none of them ever answer their e-mails!!

We were looking for full time, but have managed to start with one day confirmed and have picked up extra days as they have come up - we've been assured that when the new term starts in Oct that there will be a full time place for him.

You may as well wait until you get here and then have a look around the area that you wind up in, but I'd recommend the Community Childcare centres - they are non-profit making, unlike a lot of the childcare chains in SA, and so everything they make they put back into the centre - they are over-staffed as a matter of policy, and ours has just spent a lot of money developing their outside space, rather than making some owner rich.......

They are popular, though - so start looking as soon as you get here. Since you're only looking for a couple of days, you might get lucky.

Good luck - and keep us posted! :)

Sharon.

Should also have mentioned that many of these centres are affiliated with Kindys - ours is next door to nursery, so they'll all move up together. The nursery then also offers pre- and post- Kindy care (great if you're working).

[Rachiegarlo]

Kindergartens here prepare kids for school, the curriculum is based on a mix of methodology including a large dose of montessori. By the end of the year at kindy, your child should be able to read and write their name, the letters of the alphabet(or copy) , use scissors, glue etc, recognise numbers up to 20 at least, sit on a mat and listen. There is also a large social component involved for school readiness in the curriculum.

If you choose to put your child into a childcare centre then the kindy room (usually 3-4 yr olds) should follow the same programme as most directors of child care centres are teachers with an early childhood background.

In SA early childhood education is taken very seriously and seen as the foundation for future years at school. Over 95% of all SA children will attend kindy in some form. Early childhood teachers take a specialised degree which is now a 4 year course.

So in short don't be worried about whether kindies are just play centres.

[Riponian]

Hi

Sorry I know I wasked this question a while a go but no I am here I am not sure what to do.
Just took the kids round to the nearest ABC centre and was supprised that the ratio of adult to child was 1:8 for Nathans age group. Is this normal? Or is there a better places to look for childcare?

For example would a local childcare centre cater for him better? Should he be at a Kindy? For example the local Childrens Centre offer occasional care before pre-school.

Can anyone recommend a centre for him and his sister age 15mth? in the Sheidow park area?
Sorry I am a bit lost.

Michelle

I really am a bit lost as there seems to be such a choice.

[Pam777]

I live in Woodcroft and my daughter went to Reynella Community Children's Centre. The staff are great there. Reynella Primary School is right next door. They use Mary Bywaters Kindy and can transport them there too if that is what you need.
Pam

[lorluc]

Happy Valley Child Care Centre....also has kindy next door...not far at all from you in Woodcroft or Sheidow park...

Highly recommend them...my son spend 2.5 happy years there.....

[familygood]

Hi Michelle,

I found this when we were looking which also gives links to inspection results which i found useful:
http://www.echildcare.com.au/adelaide-city/
I fond a good couple of places but they are a bit south in Port Noarlumga and Christies Downs which we are visiting when we arrive. I can give you their details if you want but obviously dont have first hand experience yet!
Emma x

[Riponian]

Hi

Thanks everyone, think I just got a bit of a shock as the ratio was better in the UK. Looks like it is just standard over here although like you say they are trying to change the legislation.

Will have a look round.

Thanks
Michelle