KINDERGARTEN 3.5 - 6 YEARS

In Steiner schools, we call all the school years prior to primary school “kindergarten” which literally means “the children’s garden” and the garden is where so much learning takes place for young children!

Helena River offers a mixed-aged Kindergarten class for children aged between 3 and 6 years. Within the class there are programs for children turning 4, 5 and 6 within the year.

Kindy 4 is Monday & Tuesday 8:45am - 3:10pm
Kindy 5 is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday* & Thursday 8.45am – 3.10pm
Kindy 6 is Monday – Friday 8.45am – 3.10pm*.

Note: *Early finish on Wednesday 2.10pm

In the Steiner philosophy of child development, children need above all to play, be active and develop foundational skills until they are six/seven, when formal academic learning starts. They learn through doing, imitating, and absorbing all around them.

“If a child has been able in his play to give up his whole loving being to the world around him, he will be able, in the serious tasks of later life, to devote himself with confidence and power to the service of the world.” - Rudolf Steiner

Children at Helena River Steiner Kindergarten learn through creative playtime; circle song time; arts and crafts; cooking; organic gardening, and story time with puppets. They gain listening and recall skills and build vocabulary and imagination from daily storytelling and puppet shows of traditional tales from many countries and cultures, full of rich imagery and language.

Rhythm and routine provide essential nourishment for our Kindergarten children. In their activities they explore the changing seasons, and celebrate the festivals of the year with their family and friends. Our teachers show care for their environment by weeding, cleaning, making and fixing things, providing meaningful activity for our children to emulate. At Helena River Steiner School we encourage the traditional values of gratitude, giving, respect, kindness and manners.

Our curriculum honours nature, beauty and arts. In our warm and inviting Kindergarten room children are surrounded by beautiful colours, natural fabrics and hand-crafted toys and equipment.

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