Ceara School

Class One - Preschool

Welcome to Class 1 (Preschool)! This class caters for the youngest children in Ceara School who attend either a morning or afternoon session. The class teacher is Mandy Cunningham and the assistants are Joanne, Jacqueline, Louise and Lisa.

Our classroom is a bright and colourful mobile, full of fun toys and high quality resources to encourage play and enhance the children’s learning experiences.  Through structured play and sensory activities the children develop essential skills such as communication, listening, turn taking and problem solving.  It is these fundamental skills which lay the foundation for future learning experiences.

We are in a bright and inviting mobile where children can develop key learning skills, including listening, speaking/using signs to communicate, concentration, perseverance, learning to share, take turns and cooperate with other children through high quality play and sensory experiences. These are solid foundations on which they can build so that the children in the preschool continue to flourish throughout their school years and beyond.

Effective partnerships with parents are at the heart of ensuring children settle easily and that learning is catered to individual children. Input from other professionals, including physiotherapists, occupational therapists or speech and language therapists is also crucial in ensuring the children reach their full potential.

Outdoor play areas, the sensory room and soft play are regularly used by Preschool in helping the children relax and in catering for their physical development. Hymn practice and assemblies are also thoroughly enjoyed by the children.

Just Playing

When I am building in the block room, please don’t say I’m “just playing”. For you see, I’m learning as I play, about balance and shapes. Who knows, I may be an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up, setting the table, caring for the babies, don’t get the idea I’m “just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play; I may be a mother or a father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint or standing at an easel, or moulding and shaping clay, please don’t let me hear you say, “He is just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m expressing myself and being creative. I may be an artist or an inventor someday.

When you see me sitting in a chair “reading” to an imaginary audience, please don’t laugh and think I’m “just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I may be a teacher someday.

When you see me combing the bushes for bugs, or packing my pockets with choice things I find, don’t pass it off as “just play”. For you see, I’m learning as I play. I may be a scientist someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle or some “plaything” at my school, please don’t feel the time is wasted in “play”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate. I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods, please don’t think that because I enjoy it, it is “just play”. I’m learning to follow direction and see differences. I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run and move my body, please don’t say I’m “just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say, “I just played”, please don’t misunderstand me. For you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I’m preparing for tomorrow.

Today, I am a child and my work is play.