::: ellie v pullin preschool revisited
Last time we visited the Ellie VPullin Preschool in North Ringwood the children were outside and having so much fun that we didn’t see them in action inside.
This time we arrived nice and early, as the fog was just lifting but it was still pretty damp out so we felt that the children would most likely still be inside enjoying the warmth – we were right!
The first group of children we encountered were having a lovely time on the computer, laughing, chatting and helping each other. Their teacher, Betty, told us that this is a really social activity where the children not only have fun together, but show heaps of cooperation with each other.
The room reflected the gorgeous colours of our Autumn weather with reds, yellows, oranges and browns being an integral part of their art.
We loved seeing the transformation of their stick tree from the summer brights of our first visit, to todays rich autumn hues!
The bubbles corner was in full swing and the children’s creations were bright and varied. This is best to do with the children as they get a bit older as the littlies tend to suck instead of blow!
We saw numerous imaginative play areas. We love how teachers are taking advantage of using easily available, natural materials!
Look at this great little bamboo fence.
We loved the idea of using an old drawer as a sand box.
The light box highlighted the block play even though the blocks were not translucent.
The kinder recently had offices and an extra room built onto the existing playroom.
This big room has become a wonderful open space for block play. While we were there some children started playing in that huge space with the beautiful Block Play blocks.
The children took time out to enjoy a quiet read in the library …
while others played doctors and patients in the hospital corner.
There was pattern making in the playdough …
children enjoying a memory game …
and painting at the easel.
The children were all engaged in what they were doing …
and we could hear that quiet and happy hub bub …
that is so joyful to our ears.
Ellie V. Pullin is a City of Maroondah preschool.
You will find more information about it on our Education Directory page.
I absolutely loved these pictures! I am trying to have the space and resources to have this kind of room for my three year olds. :0)
::: < strong>Sue we’re loving the opportunity to get out there and see what other early childhood educators are doing with and in their rooms. We love that you and others can draw inspiration from our visits!
I am so impressed by the space your kindergartens have. Can I ask how many children would be in space this size? What an inspiring learning space
::: Kierna their would be around 27 kingergarten (4 -5 year old) children in a room this size. Their Pre-kinder groups who share the same space, with 3-4 year old children, would be around 22 … These are the numbers that Sherry and I taught in a room and yard of similar size:)
A drawer for sand play – that’s genius
::: We KNOW Scott!!! Isn’t it ALWAYS the way – the simplest things are the best!
I love the ideas and use of space, however, in Queensland we wouldn’t get away with those electrical cords being accessible to the children, DEEWR would be onto us like a shot!!! Also, I would be interested to know if some of those experiences were child-led? (i.e. bubble painting, patterns in playdough using tools)
::: Tracey from what we saw while we were visiting, some children were printing their bubble blowing while others were simply enjoying the experience of blowing the bubbles a big as they could. As for the playdough the children had a selection of different implements, like cooky cutters, knives and the rolling pins. Some children however where choosing to use just their hands. How either of these activities came about however we don’t know.
Now that ICT is a part of our learning framework, I am interested to know what types of computer programs pre-school teachers are using with their children.
::: Andrea our children never had access to computers in our kindergarten so we’re unsure of the programs going around although we have had some discussions on our Facebook page which you might like to take a look at.
