ROOM
WARATAH ROOM
(APPROXIMATELY 4-5 YEARS)
The Waratah Room is the final step before primary school, designed for children aged 4-5 years. This room prepares children for a smooth transition into formal schooling by focusing on school readiness, fostering independence, and supporting the development of both academic and social-emotional skills. In the Waratah Room, children are encouraged to embrace new challenges, develop a love for learning, and build the confidence they need to succeed in school.
We understand that transitioning into school is a big step for both children and families, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Through seminars, information nights, and ongoing guidance, we help families navigate this exciting journey, ensuring both children and parents feel confident and prepared for the next chapter.
WARATAH ROOM
(APPROXIMATELY 4-5 YEARS)
The Waratah Room is the final step before primary school, designed for children aged 4-5 years. This room prepares children for a smooth transition into formal schooling by focusing on school readiness, fostering independence, and supporting the development of both academic and social-emotional skills. In the Waratah Room, children are encouraged to embrace new challenges, develop a love for learning, and build the confidence they need to succeed in school.
We understand that transitioning into school is a big step for both children and families, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Through seminars, information nights, and ongoing guidance, we help families navigate this exciting journey, ensuring both children and parents feel confident and prepared for the next chapter.
Program and Benefits
The Waratah Room program is centred around developing the skills that children need to thrive in school and in life. Key benefits include:
Cognitive Development
Through hands-on learning, problem-solving activities, and project-based work, children develop critical thinking skills and the ability to make connections across different areas of learning.
Social and Emotional Development
The program focuses on encouraging empathy, collaboration, and self-regulation. Children learn to navigate relationships, manage emotions, and communicate effectively with others.
Language and Literacy
Children engage in a variety of activities to expand their vocabulary, improve reading and writing skills, and develop early literacy through planned learning experiences and ongoing learning projects.
Numeracy Skills
The Waratah Room introduces early numeracy concepts such as counting, number recognition, and simple addition and subtraction through engaging, hands-on experiences.
Creativity and Self-Expression
Art, music, drama, and imaginative play encourage self-expression and creativity, supporting emotional development and building confidence.
School Readiness Program
The School Readiness Program in the Waratah Room is designed to ensure that each child is fully prepared for the challenges of primary school. We focus on all developmental areas, with some of the key ones being:
Early Literacy Skills
Children begin to recognise letters and sounds, and might start writing their names and basic words. They also start to understand the connection between letters and their sounds (phonics) and are experimenting with early reading concepts such as rhyming and syllables.
Numeracy Skills
The program expands on foundational math concepts such as counting, pattern recognition, basic addition and subtraction, and number sequences. The children explore these through hands-on activities like games, puzzles, and interactive group experiences.
Self-Help Skills and Independence
Children are encouraged to take responsibility for their belongings, complete tasks independently (like dressing, toileting, and managing their personal space), and engage with routines and directions. This fosters a sense of responsibility and self-confidence.
Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
The program challenges children to think critically by providing opportunities to solve problems, explore new ideas, and make decisions. Activities like building, experimenting, and storytelling enhance their ability to think independently and creatively.
Social Skills and Emotional Regulation
Emotional intelligence is a key focus, as children learn how to manage their feelings, resolve conflicts, and work cooperatively with peers. Social skills such as sharing, turn-taking, and respecting others’ ideas are nurtured through collaborative experiences.
Transition Preparation
The School Readiness Program helps to familiarise children with the structure of school life, such as routines, time management, and the expectations of school through fun events like school uniform week, lunchbox week, excursions to schools and more.
Excursions
Excursions are an exciting part of the Waratah Room experience, giving children the opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom. These excursions are designed to deepen learning by providing real-world connections to topics covered in the program. Whether visiting local museums, farms, or parks, children participate in guided activities that support their development while giving them a chance to explore, observe, and engage with their community.
ELLA (Early Learning Languages Australia)
We are thrilled to introduce ELLA (Early Learning Languages Australia) into the Waratah Room’s curriculum, offering our young learners an exciting journey into the world of language and cultural discovery. ELLA is a digital language programme designed specifically for pre-schoolers, allowing them to explore new languages in an engaging, interactive way. Aligned with the Australian Curriculum, ELLA supports early language development, setting the stage for future language learning adventures.
What is ELLA?
ELLA is an innovative, play-based language learning programme that introduces children to one of thirteen languages through interactive apps called The Polyglots. A polyglot is someone who speaks multiple languages, and in these fun apps, a vibrant cast of characters guides children through playful activities that make learning both enjoyable and meaningful. Developed with the expertise of language specialists, early childhood educators, and technology experts, the apps are designed for use on tablets in preschool settings.
Children will have the opportunity to explore languages such as Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), French, German, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Modern Greek, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese—languages that many may continue to study in school.
Benefits of ELLA
A New Language
ELLA provides an enjoyable introduction to language learning, fostering curiosity and excitement. It encourages children to continue learning a language as they progress through school.
Cultural Competency
By exposing children to different languages, ELLA promotes respect for diversity and an appreciation of global cultures. Families are encouraged to participate by sharing their home languages, creating a more inclusive learning environment.
Cognitive and Social Skills
ELLA supports children’s overall development by enhancing their social interactions, thinking skills, and digital literacy. It can also improve memory, concentration, and early literacy skills.
Confident Educators
ELLA is not just beneficial for children—it also empowers educators. Many teachers who have used ELLA report increased confidence in incorporating languages and technology into their programmes.
Find a Location
Contact us to learn more about the Waratah Room and how we can support your child’s transition to primary school. If you’d like to schedule a tour, please visit our Find a Centre page to discover a centre near you and explore our facilities.
