‘Little Schools’ launches for three and four-year-olds

The newest transition to the school programme was launched in Hamilton recently. The programme, dubbed ‘Little School’, provides parents with a new alternative for the education of three and four-year-olds before they start primary school.

Dubbed a ‘mini-school’ for three and four-year-olds, ‘Little School’ allows children to learn skills in preparation for primary school.

The hour-long session is designed specifically for three and four-year-olds and provides this age group with space away from the differing needs of two-year-old children and under.

Easy Mind Homebased Childcare is the only homebased service in NZ to offer such an opportunity as ‘Little Schools’ for three and four-year-olds as part of their curriculum.

Because the programme doesn’t run for an entire morning or afternoon session, children are still engaging in play-based learning during playgroup, in the community, and in the home as per Easy Mind’s Homebased childcare philosophy.

Founder of Easy Mind Homebased Childcare, Clare Grace is very excited about the offering to young children through the new transition to school based programme.

“Similar to a new entrant classroom but within an early childhood environment, we believe the transition to school programme is a much more natural learning environment for young children.”

The programme offers  learning experiences and opportunities that will extend and build on young children’s existing knowledge as well as offering new experiences.

The children learn some of the most basic skills needed for school during this hour including colour recognition, how to spell their own name, focused learning via mat time and different arts and crafts.

“Our focus is to provide three and four-year-old children with structured learning at mat time, followed by a range of activities that are based on children’s interests and flow on effectively from the focus at mat time”, says Ms Grace.

“Parents are most welcome to come for a visit and check out their children’s ‘transition to school programme’. We also welcome educators and parents suggestions and comments”.