dinosaur routine
Please note that we encourage “free play” in our program. “Free play” at ABHPS is child-initiated play and learning. During free play at ABHPS our teachers are constantly monitoring and supervising the children’s experiences, interacting with the children, and looking for opportunities to explore a concept in more depth or extend on an idea in order to further the children’s learning.
8:00am: Doors open and another day at ABHPS has started. We begin our day with some free play both indoors and outdoors, exploring a variety of experiences and activities.
9:30am: As team, children and teachers pack up the free play equipment that was used, and transition onto the mat for roll call.
9:35am: Roll call takes place. We discover which of our friends are at Preschool today before enjoying some group discussions, stories, songs, and dancing
9:50am: We break into our age groups for some teacher-led literacy exploration. Activities we might enjoy during this time are stories, discussions, singing and drama. We incorporate the Ants in The Apple literacy program, The PreLit and MultiLit programs, and also utilise the Reading Eggs program.
10:30am: We wash our hands and move outside for our Morning Tea. The Dinosaur children are encouraged to locate their own food and open the food containers or wrappings themselves. Afterwards, the children are encouraged to put their rubbish in the appropriate bins, and their dishes in the wash-up tub. They then have free play in our outdoor area with their friends.
11:00am: The Dinosaurs join their teacher for group time. During this group time, the Dinosaurs engage in teacher-initiated activities that have been selected based upon the continual observation of each child’s interests and needs. This can include but is not limited to the exploration of literacy, numeracy, science, and technology; physical activity such as yoga, dancing, aerobics, etc; cooking and food preparation, or art and craft activities. These group times take place both indoors and outdoors.
12:00pm: The Dinosaur group has News. The children have a roster and on their news day they are encouraged to tell an interesting story or show us a photo/ item that has special meaning to them. The children will then have an open discussion through question time about each child’s news presentation.
12:30pm: The Dinosaurs wash their hands and sit down for lunch. As with Morning Tea, the Dinosaur children are encouraged to locate their own food and open the food containers or wrappings themselves. Afterwards, the children are encouraged to put their rubbish in the appropriate bins, and their dishes in the wash-up tub. They then have free play in our outdoor area with their Dinosaur peers.
1:00pm: The Dinosaurs do not have a mandatory nap or rest time; they are encouraged to regulate their own physical needs and respond accordingly.
2:00pm: The Dinosaurs put on their shoes and sit down for some stories with the rest of the children, any Dinosaurs who were resting inside re-join their friends.
2:30pm: The Dinosaur children re-join their teacher for another group time. During this group time, the Dinosaurs engage in child-initiated group activities.
3:30pm: The Dinosaur children wash their hands and sit down to enjoy their Afternoon Tea. As with Morning Tea and Lunch, the Dinosaur children are encouraged to locate their own food and open the food containers or wrappings themselves. Afterwards, the children are encouraged to put their rubbish in the appropriate bins, and their dishes in the wash-up tub. They then have free play in our outdoor area with their friends.
4:30pm: As a team, the children and teachers help pack away the equipment in the yard before transitioning inside to enjoy the activities on offer.
5:00pm: Our day starts to wind down with some free play indoors, exploring the quiet experiences and activities around the room.
6:00pm: Another fun day closes at Avalon Beach House Preschool. Teachers carry out security checks and ensure all children have been collected before the centre closes.