Preschoolers at Windsor South Public School, known as the “Southie Sprouts,” have been attending a playgroup and special transition sessions throughout 2024 to prepare for Kindergarten in 2025. These activities are part of a statewide effort, with over 60,000 four- and five-year-olds preparing to start Kindergarten in public schools across New South Wales next year.
At Windsor South, the Southie Sprouts program offers weekly sessions where children become familiar with the school environment, meet their future Kindergarten teachers, and make new friends. These transition sessions help ease the shift from preschool to school.
Principal Belinda Bristol described the transition as an exciting but challenging time for children, families, and teachers, as it involves adjusting to new routines and expectations. “Through this program, the kids come to school ready for learning,” Mrs. Bristol said.
She noted that in the past, children used to spend much of Term 1 simply learning basic skills like how to sit, hold a pencil, or listen properly. But thanks to the Southie Sprouts program, children now enter Kindergarten ready to begin learning immediately. “By the end of Kindergarten, they are reading, writing, and prepared for Year 1,” she added.
Next year, Windsor South is expecting a record 60 children to enroll in Kindergarten. Of these, 45 have participated in the Southie Sprouts sessions this term. These three-hour sessions are led by the assistant principal, early intervention teacher, and four learning support officers. The children engage in activities that help develop fine and gross motor skills—crucial for school readiness.
The program also includes morning tea and lunch, with children spending time in classrooms, playgrounds, libraries, and the canteen. “They are so excited to come,” said Mrs. Bristol. “They wake up every day asking, ‘Is it Sprouts day?'”
The children wear Southie Sprouts T-shirts but often come in their school uniforms, eager to start their school journey. Mrs. Bristol observed that there are no tears, and the children are forming friendships, gaining social skills, and developing a sense of belonging.
The sessions not only support the children’s development but also help teachers identify their interests, strengths, and potential learning needs. This early insight allows the school to provide targeted interventions and support.
The number of children in the Southie Sprouts program has increased this term, with 45 participants compared to 35 in the previous term. The program follows a playgroup initiative from Term 2, where parents attended information sessions on topics like behaviour management, early reading, and phonics. Parents also had the opportunity to meet specialists, such as speech therapists and dietitians, and tour the school.
The NSW Department of Education is dedicated to improving transitions between early education and primary school, aiming to give children the best start in their learning journey. Studies show that a successful transition to primary school leads to better long-term academic, social, and emotional outcomes. It also strengthens relationships between families and schools, supporting ongoing engagement in the child’s education.
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