Kindy confirmed for Rainbow for 2022!

Fantastic news for some of our youngest residents, with enrolments now open for State Delivered Kindergarten at Rainbow Beach State School in 2022.

The plan has been in the works for quite some time, with a community meeting to discuss the possibility of a formal kindy in Rainbow Beach being held all the way back in June.

At the time, the P&C stated:

“The Queensland Government is committed to giving all our children a great start. This includes supporting all kindergarten aged children to have access to an approved quality early childhood education program in the year before full-time school.

“Currently, many children in our community do not attend a kindergarten program.

“Access to high quality kindergarten program is one of the few proven strategies for lifting outcomes for children in their education, health and life. Kindergarten programs not only provide children with a solid foundation for their future social, emotional and academic development, but play a key role in supporting children’s successful transition to school.

“Children participating in a State Delivered Kindergarten program will enjoy learning in an active, play-based way.

“Kindergarten programs help children to:

• develop confidence as a learner;
• learn alongside others;
• be comfortable with the routines of school;
• use their imagination and play with ideas; and
• develop skills that provide a solid foundation for their future.”

While the amazing KindyLinQ program helped fulfil a lot of these roles, having a formal kindergarten program will only further benefit our little ones in the long term by giving them the opportunity to attend kindy in their local community at their local school.

Approved kindergarten programs such as what will now be offered at Rainbow help to prepare children for the Prep year. Children must be at least 4 by 30 June in the year they attend the program.

This only relates to enrolment in approved kindergarten programs—those meeting strict guidelines around teacher qualifications, the number of hours offered, and the actual learning program itself. Note that kindergarten programs are not compulsory.

Principal Steve Bennett held a meeting in December with some of the local parents to discuss the new program and to give information on eligibility and age requirements. The school plans to hold another meeting for any caregivers who were unable to attend – keep an eye out for notifications or contact the school directly for details.

Children born between 1/7/17 and 30/6/18 should be eligible for enrolment for 2022 – call 5486 9333 when the school office opens to discuss requirements.