Pre-School Work
Pre-school work begins as soon as a child enters our kindergarten. We aim to prepare the children for the challenges at school as best as possible through individual and specific support. The materials used in pre-school lessons is chosen to best cater for each child’s individual needs. Therefore the whole group is divided into three groups based on the children’s age or developmental level. This allows us to support each child individually to develop their competencies. Pre-school lessons are allotted specific times in our daily and weekly plan. This means that the children receive specific instruction to introduce them to basic numeracy and literacy. Furthermore, the children learn about routines and rules such as visiting the toilet before their ‘Pre-School’, putting up their hand, remaining in their seats, concentrating, and keeping their folder in order. We encourage the children to take responsibility by giving the children homework for which the children are responsible. We aim to prepare the children for school in a playful manner. The children shall learn to enjoy learning and become motivated through their own achievements.
The transition from being a Kindergarten child to being a School child
Considering the demands that society puts on children, one of the most important aspects of a kindergarten is the transition from kindergarten to school. This means that priority is given to supporting and enabling children to become resilient. In all areas children shall be encouraged supported to consolidate areas of strength and work on and reduce their weaknesses. In their pre-school years we support the children so that they can meet the challenges in primary school. To conclude the pre-school work with the children, we visit a primary school class. This allows the children to overcome any fears they associate with school and see a school through their own eyes.
School-Readiness of Children and a Child-Oriented School
The new version of the Berlin School Law does not include an evaluation of a child’s ‘School-Readiness’. Primary schools are required to cater for all children. Through observation, documentation, and the behavior of the child during their pre-school work, we can provide information about your child’s ‘School-Readiness’ and a suitable child-oriented school. Once a year, we organize an information evening for the parents of the children who will attend school the following year to exchange information about the start of school and the individual development of your own child.
A Successful Transition to School
- The children who will attend school the following year visit our cooperating first grade class together with their educators. The do crafts with the big children and spend a break time together on the school yard.
- Once a year, we plan a 3 to 5 day kindergarten trip in spring/summer.
- At the end, we have a summer-good bye-party. The ‘school children’ receive a report card folder with a kindergarten report card, a certificate from the traffic school and a cd with an assortment of pictures from their time in kindergarten.
- Twice a year we offer an over-night stay at the kindergarten. The first over-night stay takes place in autumn for all children aged 1 to 6. The children return to kindergarten at 6pm and eat dinner together. After a program, the children choose a place to sleep. The next morning, the children share a breakfast together, after which they are picked up.
- Pre-school lessons take place twice a week. We work towards number and letter recognition. The children also learn not to interrupt, but to give a hand signal.