Norman Park Community Kindergarten, Norman Park, QLD
Maggie says – Daniel is currently in Brisbane on an Adventure Playground, Loose Parts and Playwork study tour! He’s been hanging out with Angus Gorrie from Outsiders: Play Advocates and …
Maggie says – Daniel is currently in Brisbane on an Adventure Playground, Loose Parts and Playwork study tour! He’s been hanging out with Angus Gorrie from Outsiders: Play Advocates and visiting some incredible spaces.
Stop number four on the tour was a side step from the adventure playground and OSHC services to Norman Park Community Kindergarten, a place that, despite the children being offsite for our visit, had a deep understanding of child development, connection and play. The evidence of play was strong in this setting – beautiful, flowing, connected indoor outdoor space with so much space and opportunity for play.
The children knew we were coming so left a ‘tour’ that we had to follow that included a meal, a space to chill and relax, stories of their play and celebration of natural spaces.
While visiting, Hannah (Educational Leader) shared her hopes for childhood and the children in her care. We discussed that the skills that these children were developing at this pre school environment were the most important ‘school readiness’ skills – cooperation, social cohesion, proprioception, balance, coordination, self awareness, autonomy and creativity!
Their commitment to flexible routines was exemplary. The children had tags on their mattresses, bag cubbies, wash cloths etc that helped them be self sufficient in using these tools. They could eat when they were hungry and had access to their food and associated eating tools, they could nap when they wanted and had access to their mattresses.
So much child centred care!!! What a revolutionary space.
