Playgroup and Preschool
DIS early learning programs use a progressive play-based experiential interactive learning model. Curriculum in the early years programs is based on The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia that aligns with the Australian Curriculum
The importance of play in early childhood
Experiential learning researchers are in universal agreement that there is a strong link between play and learning for young children. As children learn through purposeful, high quality play experiences, they are building critical foundational skills for cognitive development and academic achievement. These include verbalisation, language comprehension, increased vocabulary, imagination, questioning, problem solving, observation, empathy, co-operation skills, and learning another’s perspective. Play is a vital part of a child’s life for optimal development, socially, cognitively, physically, and emotionally.
Playgroup
Playgroup at DIS is suitable for children from 12 months to 3 years old. Playgroup operates Monday to Friday on a ‘drop in’ basis. Session times are 9.00am-12.00pm. Children may attend from one to five sessions each week. There is no requirement to pre-book and children pay as they attend. The cost is $10.00 per session. Invoices are not issued.
Playgroup activity is based on the principles of The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.
Children at DIS learn through play, which is central to all DIS early learning programs. We encourage active creative play and provide a range of activities to encourage your child’s physical, social and creative development.
Playgroup is not a ‘child-care’ center.
Our playgroup coordinators and their assistants facilitate activities, but children must be accompanied and cared for by an adult. There are a few positions available each day for older more independent children to attend unaccompanied, but prior agreement must be made with playgroup coordinators.
At the end of the session, children will be collected from the playgroup room and children will only be handed over to persons known to staff.
Children are required to bring a healthy snack, a water bottle, a hat, change of clothes and have sunscreen and mosquito repellent applied at home. This can be reapplied throughout the session upon parental request. We encourage you and or your nanny to comply with our nappy change policy that is displayed on the change room wall. Please let staff know if your child is in the process of ‘toilet training’.
For more information please look over our Playgroup Information Booklet
Preschool
Preschool at DIS is suitable for children who turn 3 by May 31st of the current school year. Preschool takes on a more formal structure than Playgroup, in order to prepare children for school. Preschool continues to be ‘learning through play’ but capitalises on the child’s growing need for more formal instruction and desire for routine. Hence there is a balance between child led and teacher led activity.
The Preschool programme is based on The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia that is delivered alongside the PYP pedagogical framework. Students in preschool will study four units of inquiry over the course of the year.
General information for Preschool
Children are required to bring a healthy snack, a hat, change of clothes, shoes that are easy to take on and off, and have sunscreen and mosquito repellent applied at home. This can be reapplied at school upon parental request.
Preschool class starts at 9:00 am and finishes at 12:00 pm for half day and 15:00 pm for full day.
Supervision is provided from 8:15 am. Children arriving early must be handed directly to a staff member and at the end of class children will be collected directly from the classroom, only by persons known to staff.
Parents or nannies of new children are welcome to stay in class with their child until he/she feels more comfortable. But essentially Preschool children are not to be accompanied by an adult. Naturally different children take different amounts of time to settle, so we will work on a child-by-child basis to facilitate
Fee Payments are made in advance each term. Please see Fees section below for information about fees as well as the A – Z section of this Preschool Information Booklet for other necessary day-to-day information.
The Primary Years Programme
DIS Preschool uses the Australian Curriculum - The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia which is delivered alongside the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). IB World Schools share a common philosophy—a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education—that we believe is important for our students. We align our practice in the preschool and primary school to meet the requirements of the IB as spelled out in the IB Programme Standards and Practices.