Preschool Program
Our Inspiring Learning Environment
We offer three classrooms designed to meet the developmental needs of different age groups: We use the local Biripi language, Gathang, for our room names.
Welcome to our preschool program, a vibrant world where play isn’t just encouraged; it’s the foundation of learning! We believe children are born explorers, bursting with curiosity and a natural drive to understand the world around them. That’s why we’ve crafted a play-based program that ignites imaginations, celebrates discovery, and nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Carefully Crafted learning Environment
Our learning environment has been carefully planned and landscaped to spark children's imaginations and invite them into spaces that encourage exploration, engagement, and self-directed play.
Outdoor Safe Spaces for learning
Our indoor spaces are open-plan and furnished to feel like home, creating a comfortable and familiar atmosphere for children to thrive. These play spaces empower children to be creative and innovative and continually expand their knowledge and skills.
Crafted Vegetation Outdoor spaces
Stepping outdoors, children are immersed in the wonders of nature. Our outdoor environment has been designed to bring the beauty of the surrounding landscape and vegetation into children's daily play.
The Environment as the Third Educator
Where Walls Whisper Wonder and Nature Nurtures
Step inside, and you’ll sense it immediately—this isn’t just a space; it’s a living, breathing entity in conversation with young minds. Our learning environment embodies the philosophy of “environment as the third teacher,” thoughtfully designed to inspire, engage, and empower children on their unique journeys of discovery.
Imagine sunlight streaming through expansive windows, bathing the room in a warm glow. Here, smooth river stones collected on a nature walk nestle beside polished wood slices, inviting small hands to explore their textures and sparking conversations about the world around us. This seamless flow between indoors and outdoors is intentional, blurring the lines between where learning begins and ends.
In the art areas, vibrant with colour and possibility, open shelves brim with treasures: clay begging to be moulded, recycled materials whispering tales of transformation, and natural pigments waiting to be brushed onto canvases. A child carefully arranges colourful glass beads on a light table, captivated by the dance of light and shadow, their curiosity ignited by the simple beauty of exploration.
Sliding glass doors open wide, connecting the classroom to a sprawling outdoor classroom where nature reigns supreme. Towering trees become majestic forts, whispering encouragement as children weave tales of bravery and adventure. A mud kitchen hums with activity, transforming simple dirt and water into culinary masterpieces, fostering collaboration and igniting imagination.
play-based approach
Empowering children
Empowering children to learn at their own pace, driven by their own interests.
Social-emotional intelligence
Nurturing social-emotional intelligence through collaborative play, problem-solving, and communication.
Strong Foundation for Literacy
Building a strong foundation for literacy, maths, science, and creative expression through hands-on exploration and discovery.
Curious Learners
Creating confident, curious learners who approach the world with a sense of wonder and a thirst for knowledge.
Every corner of our environment, both inside and out, is a carefully curated invitation to explore, experiment, and grow. Movable furniture transforms to accommodate a symphony of activities, from cosy reading nooks where imaginations take flight to collaborative workspaces buzzing with shared ideas.
This is a space where children are not just learners but active architects of their own understanding, where the environment whispers possibilities and nature nurtures a lifelong love of learning.
Join us and witness the magic of learning through play!
School Readiness Through the Power of Play
At Taree and District Preschool, we believe that a love of learning starts with a sprinkle of joy and a whole lot of play! That’s why our school readiness program is rooted in a play-based approach, designed to ignite your child’s curiosity and set them up for success in kindergarten and beyond.
Social & Emotional Development
Little Collaborators
Through collaborative play in our bustling classrooms, children learn to share ideas, negotiate roles, and work together to build towering block structures, concoct mud-pie masterpieces, and create imaginative worlds together.
Confident Communicators
Dramatic play areas transform into bustling shops and restaurants, where children practice their language skills, build vocabulary, and develop the confidence to express their needs and ideas.
Emotional Intelligence in Action
Circle time provides a safe space for sharing feelings, learning about empathy, and developing self-regulation skills - all essential for navigating the social landscape of school.
Academic Foundations
Maths Through Play
Counting blocks, sorting by colour and shape, and measuring ingredients for pretend play naturally weave maths concepts into everyday activities.
Literacy Adventures
Our cosy reading nooks are filled with engaging books, while storytelling props and writing centres inspire a love of language, storytelling, and early literacy skills. Each room has “Group time” each day where the children’s interests are further explored and developed.
Science Explorers
From observing insects in our gardens to experimenting with water and sand, children engage in hands-on scientific inquiry, asking questions and making discoveries about the world around them.
Beyond the ABCs
Independence & Self-Reliance: Our play-based program encourages children to take initiative, solve problems independently, and develop self-help skills – essential for a smooth transition to a more structured school environment.
Focus & Attention: Engaging in extended play periods naturally cultivate focus, concentration, and attention skills – all essential for success in kindergarten and beyond.
With Taree and District Preschool’s play-based approach to school readiness, your child will be ready for kindergarten and excited about it!
The Early Years Framework (EYLF) is embedded in Taree and District Preschool curriculum and practices. The principles of the EYLF underpin our practice.
Critical Reflection and Ongoing Professional Development
Collaborative leadership and teamwork
Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships
Partnerships
Respect for Diversity
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
Sustainability
Equity, Inclusion, high expectations
Incorporating elements of "Bush Preschool”
Program Philosophy: During Terms 2 and 3, we run a Bush Preschool (Bushy) Program.
Nature as Teacher
Embraces the outdoors as a primary learning environment, fostering a deep connection with nature and promoting holistic child development.
Child-Led Exploration: This approach encourages children to direct their own learning through open-ended play, exploration, and discovery in a natural setting.
Risk-Taking & Resilience: This activity provides opportunities for safe, manageable risk-taking in nature (e.g., climbing trees, navigating uneven terrain), building confidence, resilience, and problem-solving skills.
Environmental Awareness
Cultivates a sense of wonder and respect for the natural world, encouraging environmental stewardship practices from a young age.Child-led exploration of the natural environment. Activities might include:
– Building shelters with sticks and leaves.
– Creating art with natural materials.
– Observing insects and animals.
– Climbing trees (with supervision and appropriate safety measures).
– Engaging in imaginative play inspired by nature.
Taree and District Preschool
ESTD 1949 / Moved to current location 1986.
Location Address
Biripi Country: 31 Barton Street, Taree, NSW, 2430
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm