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Fifteen Hours Of Preschool Improves Structured Learning

As part of a pilot program, preschools in Latrobe City are offering 15 hours of preschool for four year olds per week this term and for the remainder of the 2012 preschool year, almost a year earlier than most other areas

By Latrobe City - 16th May 2012 - Back to News

of Victoria and the benefits are already being seen.

All preschools in Victoria will be required to offer the 15 hours of early education per week from next year as part of the Commonwealth of Australian Governments, Universal Access agreement.

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Ed Vermeulen, said that preschools in the municipality offered 12 hours of early education per week last year as part of the organisations commitment to education within the municipality and saw positive results for children and their families from the increased hours.

"With the move to 15 hours for this year we expect that the benefits of attending the preschool program for longer will be even more noticeable. Children will be able to engage in a more focused program of learning, become much more socially aware during their time at preschool and be more than ready for the transition to primary school when it comes," Cr Vermeulen said.

Lisa Williams, a parent at of a preschool child attending the Traralgon Early Learning Centre, said she felt the extra hours were of great benefit to her daughter.

"I think it's great. School is 30 hours a week, so doing half as much in the pre-school year seems appropriate. I feel the 15 hours has improved my daughter’s stamina to cope with structured learning time. There is more time to build the necessary social skills as well as a greater opportunity to take on good learning behaviours like listening or working with others. These things will help my daughter be better prepared for the demands of school.

"The extra hours have started this term and whilst it has only been three weeks my daughter seems to be enjoying it. She has a different teacher on the extra three-hour day, so it is good that she gets the opportunity to adjust to a new face. Building stamina and resilience in this nurturing learning environment is important for her future years of education," Ms Williams said.

Early education teacher, Jessie Bayley, said that the 15 hours access to preschool the year before starting formal school would contribute to a positive transition to formal schooling the following year.

"Longer days at preschool contribute to increased resilience and attentiveness that the children will need to get them though 30 hours of schooling.

"Universal access also provides early education teachers a similar teaching program to primary schools where we work together with other teachers. The children see two teachers and both teachers bring their own philosophy and teaching style to the one program - a great benefit for the children," Ms Bayley concluded.

Media Enquiries:

Media Relations Team

Telephone: 5128 5458 or 0409 797 498

Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations

Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195

For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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