A positive start to school can help children to become lifelong learners
Starting preschool is an exciting time for your child and your family.
Each child’s journey to preschool is different. Your child might transition from home or an early childhood education and care, they might attend a public preschool or continue into their early childhood education and care preschool program.
As part of Set up for Success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT (845kb) the ACT Education Directorate has launched the Preschool Pathways program, designed to assist you to support your child in their transition to preschool. You know your child best – you are their first teacher – and you play an important role in helping them on their education journey.
The program acknowledges parents and carers as their child’s first teacher and recognises that a successful transition will look different for every child. When parents and carers, schools, early childhood education and care settings and the broader community work together to support children through transitions, we help them to feel secure, confident and connected as they take the next step on their learning journey.
The Preschool Pathways Map and supporting resources have been developed to guide parents and carers through the transition to preschool. Click the links below to download the resources.
Preschool Pathways Map (700kb)
- Supporting Resource 1: Transition to Preschool and COVID-19 (202kb)
- Supporting Resource 2: What is the EYLF (205kb)
- Supporting Resource 3: Great books to read with your child (1.1Mb)
- Supporting Resource 4: Talking to your child about their day (190kb)
For more information about the program please email preschoolpathwayspartners@act.gov.au.
Other useful links about preschool
- Enrolling in a preschool
- Koori Preschool
- Early entry to preschool
- Early Childhood Schools (Preschool to Year 2)
Resources for early childhood professionals
A suite of modules is available to support ECECs, early childhood service providers, preschools and community groups to enhance transition practices and work with parents and carers to build their knowledge and confidence to support their child in their transition to preschool.
The modules include:
- Module 1 : Supporting your child in their transition to preschool (for parents/carers)
- Module 2 : Learn to play, play to learn (for parents/carers)
- Module 3 : Best practice transitions (for ECECs/Preschools)
- Module 4 : Train-the-trainer (for facilitators)
Each module provides online and face-to-face delivery options and includes a powerpoint presentation, supporting resources and a facilitator guide. The modules can be delivered as stand-alone sessions or connected sessions and are designed to be adapted to meet the needs of your context and community. A train-the-trainer module is also available which provides tips and guidance on facilitating the modules.
To access the modules, click here .
If you would like support to deliver the modules please email the Preschool Pathways Partners preschoolpathwayspartners@act.gov.au
Preschool Pathways Partners
The Preschool Pathways Partners are a team of four who work with educators in ACT public preschools and in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) services that are partners in the ACT Government’s 3 year old initiative, to build their knowledge, confidence and capacity to implement inclusive practices, enhance transitions and provide continuity for children and families.
All educators and educational leaders in partnered ECEC services and ACT public preschools can access the capacity building the Preschool Pathways Partners provide through their coaching in universal practices for inclusive education and transitions.
Coaching support is triaged based on the circumstances of a setting and the level of support required.
Preschool Pathways Partners provide:
- Targeted coaching on evidence-based inclusive practices and transition practices
- Capacity building beyond coaching experiences through the modelling of different approaches to coaching for educational leaders and educators
- Professional learning for educators in contemporary early childhood pedagogies
- Facilitation of connections between ECECs, ACT public preschools and families with the aim of increasing knowledge and understanding of children and families prior to their transition
- Responses to enquiries from families about inclusive practices and transition supports.
The partners commence in Term 2, 2022. For more information please contact preschoolpathways@act.gov.au.