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Prekinder sessions offer early learning for life

Latrobe City Council prekinder enrolments are currently open, and for those parents thinking of enrolling their three-year-old, there is still time to complete the application and return it to Council before the deadline of Friday 24 October.

By Latrobe City Council - 2nd October 2003 - Back to News

Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Graeme Middlemiss said that Council offered the two-hour a week prekinder sessions where there is sufficient demand for the service.

"Latrobe City is one of only a few councils to operate a preschool program for both three and four-year-olds. This enables each child in the municipality access to a well-resourced, quality early education program," Cr Middlemiss said.

Latrobe City Council’s Manager, Family and Child Services, Kay Jellis said that the benefits of sending three-year-olds to prekinder were numerous.

"As well as being educated and cared for by professional staff, your child will get to know and socialise with children of their own age, often in a larger group environment than they may have previously encountered," Ms Jellis explained.

"The interaction with other adults allows the child to develop confidence in dealing with older people other than their own family members. The child also has the opportunity to participate in a wide range of experiences inside and out. Often these are experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise get the opportunity to have a go at, for example fingerpainting, painting or working with clay," Ms Jellis said.

Ms Jellis also acknowledged the benefits of prekinder for the children’s parents including getting to know other parents who have children of a similar age.

"Having young children can often be isolating, and by enrolling your child you will get to know other parents more easily. Parents are encouraged to be a part of the session experiences when they can, which helps to break down the barriers of getting to know the other mums and dads," Ms Jellis explained.

"It is also reassuring to know that trained staff are available for guidance and advice on your child’s development," Ms Jellis added.

"A major advantage, which cannot be overlooked in terms of being a parent of a prekinder pupil, is the value of having some time out, perhaps to do the shopping or to catch up with a friend or a job that needs doing. The value of prekinder is beneficial for both child and parents," Ms Jellis said.

"The prekinder sessions are designed to be effective by using the learning through play technique, with qualified staff to help and guide the children. It’s fun stuff for the children, but a good grounding for their future preschool and school experience," Ms Jellis concluded.

Prekinder enrolment packs are available from Council’s Citizen Service Centres in Traralgon, Morwell and Moe. Applications close on Friday 24 October 2003.

For further information on prekinder and preschools call 1300 367 700.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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