Providing an enriching environment at PLC Sydney Preschools

28 PROVIDING AN ENRICHING ENVIRONMENT AT PLC SYDNEY PRESCHOOLS

Watching the children grow from being a little apprehensive and shy on their first day of preschool, to confidently waving goodbye to you and walking independently into the classroom to unpack their bag and begin their day, is perhaps one of the biggest milestones we achieve as parents.

And it’s the same for the PLC Sydney Preschool teachers.

Making sure each and every boy and girl feels safe and supported, and providing an enriching environment for them to develop into involved learners, is our highest priority.

“The literacy program focuses on phonological awareness and unpacking story books as a means to extend children’s oral language and vocabulary.”

PLC Sydney Preschool is renowned for their structured learning, which is set to grow even further with the introduction of a Macquarie University based, MultiLit program PreLit. The literacy program focuses on phonological awareness and unpacking story books as a means to extend children’s oral language and vocabulary. While this prescribed approach to learning garners a lot of praise from parents, equally important is the preschool’s focus on making learning fun. The Reggio Emilia philosophy encourages children to play and explore based on their own interests, and is supported by a robust curriculum that offers the perfect balance between play, nature and technology. One thing that we have learnt this year is just how unpredictable life can be. If we can nurture a resilient child, then they’re ready to take on anything. Regardless of their ability, background, circumstances, if they can get up and try again, we’re helping them to shape their future in a positive way. One of our pedagogical practices has been introducing the Zones of Regulation. The zone is a concept used to support children in learning how to self-regulate. The Zones of Regulation creates a system to categorise how the body feels and emotions into four coloured Zones with which the child can easily identify. We then provide the children with a toolbox of strategies to help them recognise and deal with their big emotions.

Mrs Mary-Ann Rizzo

PLC Sydney Preschool Director

“If we can nurture a resilient child, then they’re ready to take on anything.”