Lorne Kindergarten has had a busy year delivering their wonderful early childhood program to the attending children. This little kindergarten by the sea provides early childhood education to children from a large catchment area which includes Aireys Inlet, Fairhaven, Lorne, Deans Marsh, Separation Creek, Wye River and Kennett River. It has a 4 year old and a 3 year old program which is taught by dedicated educators Michelle Danks and Crissy Hurley.
The classes offered by Lorne Kindergarten are either delivered in their beautiful classroom and play area, or in their ‘Wild Space’ area which is based on the bush kindergarten philosophy. The child’s interests are the foundation blocks of how the early childhood education program is developed, and the educators engage with children and their experiences to support, extend and deepen their learning experiences.
In the Wild Space area which has been recently improved by the Lorne Kindergarten community and wonderful Lorne community members, the children have celebrated many events. The kindergarten marked World Environment Day by planting a lemon myrtle tree in the Indigenous food orchard and enjoyed making lemon myrtle tea for morning tea. Reconciliation Week was also celebrated with Acknowledgement to Country around the yarning circle followed by an education session about the local Gadubanud clan and ochre painting. The seasonal food and gardening for early years program has also been delivered in the Wild Space area with children growing lots of delicious fruits and vegetables which have been eaten during meal times at kinder but also offered to take home for the whole family to enjoy.
The children have also been able to participate in a wide variety of excursions and internal activities such as rock pool rambles with Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, visits from the Melbourne Museum, animal zoo and a fantastic puppet show ‘Dreamer in Space’ in Anglesea with the Anglesea Kindergarten. Lorne kindergarten children are also connected with and contribute to their local community by visiting the Lorne Residential Care facility to spend the morning reading, talking and playing games with the residents. They have also raised money through fundraising stalls and dress up days to support community days and organisations as such as National Pyjama Day and Red Nose Day.
Enrolments are still open for children entering 2018 programs. Consider Lorne Kindergarten for your child as it offers small class sizes, an exciting wonderful program delivered in aesthetic play areas and a supportive community. If you are interested in viewing the kindergarten’s program and facilities please contact early childhood educators Michelle Dank or Crissy Hurley on 5289 1734.
