School Readiness Kinder Preparatory Program
At Montessori Academy, we take a progressive approach to school readiness that begins on each child’s first day. Our education programs are designed to build strong academic and wellbeing foundations over time in a way that’s engaging, fun, and linked to children’s needs and interests at each stage of their development.
During their final year of preschool, children participate in a comprehensive School Readiness Kinder Preparation Program that targets core academic competencies and school readiness skills. This ensures children are well prepared to make a successful transition to any type of primary school environment.
The School Readiness Kinder Preparation Program incorporates a series of workbooks that introduce children to primary school subjects in a traditional learning format. This is complemented by a hands-on approach to teaching school readiness skills such as proper pencil grip, cutting skills, letter and number formation, emotional regulation, following instructions, problem solving, and concentration.
The primary aims of the School Readiness Program is to provide children with enriching learning experiences that nurture strong academic foundations and a confident approach to life-long learning.
School Readiness Skills
Demonstrates fundamental movement skills
Shows respect for the classroom and packs away
Ability to choose and respond to challenging activities
Demonstrates problem-solving skills
Ability to organise work
Asks and responds to questions
Capable of listening attentively and concentrating
Ability to communicate and express thoughts and feelings
Demonstrates independence and self-help skills
Responds to challenges and demonstrates problem-solving skills
Demonstrates fundamental movement skills
The Montessori approach to demonstrating fundamental movement skills within a school readiness program integrates structured outdoor play with natural materials, individualized learning, and indoor music and movement activities to foster physical, cognitive, and social-emotional development in a holistic manner.
Shows respect for the classroom and packs away
In preparing for school readiness, Montessori incorporates grace and courtesy presentations within the classroom, where expectations and guidelines are established through structured Montessori presentations, fostering respect for the classroom environment and promoting the habit of packing away materials after use.
Ability to choose and respond to challenging activities
In fostering school readiness, Montessori prioritizes the ability of children to choose and respond to challenging activities by providing a framework of freedom to choose activities throughout the day, supported by individualised programs and child-centered care, ensuring that each child progresses at their own pace and is presented with activities tailored to their developmental needs.
Demonstrates problem-solving skills
In preparing for school readiness, Montessori fosters the demonstration of problem-solving skills through independent activities, granting freedom to work, express, and repeat tasks, thereby empowering children to explore challenges autonomously and develop effective problem-solving abilities.
Ability to organise work
In preparation for school readiness, the ability to organise work is cultivated through Montessori presentations, which provide children with visual demonstrations of order and organisation, empowering them to develop skills in arranging tasks systematically and independently.
Asks and responds to questions
In fostering school readiness, Montessori encourages the asking and responding to questions through group work and projects based on children’s interests, providing opportunities for collaborative exploration where inquiry is nurtured, and meaningful dialogue supports the development of communication and critical thinking skills.
Capable of listening attentively and concentrating
In preparing for school readiness, Montessori promotes the capability of listening attentively and concentrating through activities centred around the child’s interests, granting the freedom to work on tasks for as long as they desire, thereby fostering sustained engagement and developing the skills of focus and attention.
Ability to communicate and express thoughts and feelings
In readiness for school, Montessori cultivates the ability to communicate and express thoughts and feelings through a shared respect and freedom within the environment, fostering an atmosphere where all individuals are encouraged to communicate openly and express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas freely.
Demonstrates independence and self-help skills
In preparing for school readiness, Montessori promotes the demonstration of independence and self-help skills through various opportunities throughout the day, such as participating in routines independently, serving food, blowing their noses, caring for the environment, cleaning the classroom, washing hands, and washing dishes after food preparation, thereby fostering a sense of autonomy and self-sufficiency in children.
Responds to challenges and demonstrates problem-solving skills
In preschool learning, children respond to challenges and demonstrate problem-solving skills through independent activities, facilitated by the freedom to work, express themselves, and repeat tasks as needed, fostering a sense of autonomy and resilience as they navigate various challenges and find creative solutions.
School Readiness Curriculum
Through the EYLF, children develop a strong sense of being, belonging, and becoming.
Core school readiness skills:
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of well-being
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators
The Culture Curriculum introduces children to the arts, geography, science, environment, national culture, music, and history. They discover similarities and differences, and develop an understanding and respect for diversity.
Core school readiness skills:
- Awareness of Geography, Botany, Zoology, Science and History
- Demonstrates an interest in culture and responds to diversity with respect
- Responds with appreciation to music & art
- Demonstrates creative interests
- Demonstrates awareness of social responsibility and sustainability
Through language activities, children learn letter recognition, letter formation, phonics, vowels and consonants, and the early stages of writing and reading.
Core school readiness skills:
- Can follow directions and answer questions
- Can express thoughts and feelings
- Speaks in sentences
- Reads simple sentences
- Constructs phonetic and non-phonetic words
- Can write and recognise their own name
The mathematics materials teach children how to count, sequence, add, subtract, identify patterns, and learn about number systems.
Core school readiness skills:
- Recognises and names numerals
- Counts by rote
- Relates quantities to numerals
- Relates decimal system to quantities to symbols
- Awareness of the function of addition
- Awareness of the function of subtraction
Through sensorial materials, children refine their senses, and develop the necessary foundations for language and mathematics.
Core school readiness skills:
- Understands dimensions
- Recognises and names colours and shapes
- Distinguishes between textures, weights and temperatures
- Distinguishes between smells, taste and sound
- Understands and identifies difference
- Can classify and group objects
Through practical life activities, children develop fine motor skills, independence, and self-help skills.
Core school readiness skills:
- Fundamental movement skills
- Distinguishes left from right
- Independent with self-help skills
- Ability to cut using scissors
- Ability to spoon, pour and transfer
- Ability to zip, button, lace, hook and snap
Many Montessori Academy childcare centres have established school partnership programs that connect children and families with local primary schools. They also provide opportunities for excursions and buddy programs that develop positive associations with transitioning to school.
Supporting School Readiness Skills:
- School excursions provide children with opportunities to experiences different primary school settings and developing feelings of familiarity
- Buddy programs help children learn how to socialise with older children and develop positive associations with school
- School Information Nights provide families with opportunities to connect with other families in the area and learn more about each local school’s offering
Daily routines prepare children for the structure of the primary school environment. Throughout the day, students practice self-help skills, such as independent toileting, unwrapping their lunch, and putting on a hat and sunscreen.
Supporting School Readiness Skills:
- The Montessori Work Cycle develops children’s independence, concentration, problem-solving, and decision making skills
- Group times encourage collaboration, communication skills, and teamwork
- Show and Tell prepares children to communicate with confidence
- Self-serving meals and unwrapping lunches prepares children for independent mealtimes
- Scheduled school readiness time prepares children for the routine of primary school
School Readiness and Kinder Preparation Workbooks cover a broad range of primary school subjects. They provide extensive opportunities for writing practice, reading, problem solving, counting and classification.
Supporting School Readiness Skills:
- Introduces children to primary school learning formats
- Extensive opportunities to practice literacy and numeracy skills
- Pencil-grip, hand-writing, and cutting skills practice
- Introduces children to language-based problem solving and comprehension
- Develops children’s understanding of subjects and topics introduced in Primary School
The Montessori classroom encourages children to take an active role in their learning. They explore, collaborate, and direct their own learning. This structure encourages children to develop confidence, independence, and a positive approach towards school and life-long learning.
Supporting School Readiness Skills:
- Freedom of movement and choice
- Independence
- Decision making and problem-solving
- Collaboration and social skills
- Belonging to a community
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Montessori is a method of education that is personalised to each child’s learning style, stage of development, and interests. Children develop complete academic and wellbeing foundations through hands-on experience, real-world application, and problem-solving using the Montessori Method of education.
Other Programs
Montessori Academy is Australia’s leading Montessori Childcare and Early Learning Group. We deliver a Montessori Education Programs for ages 0-6 that nurtures confident, courageous, and independent learners. Join our Montessori learning community today.
0-2
Infant Program
The Infant Program is designed to meet the developmental needs and interests of children aged 0-2. Children learn through movement and exploration.
2-3
Toddler Program
The Montessori Toddler Program is active, self-paced, and involves learning using all five senses. Children are introduced to the five areas of the Montessori Curriculum.
3-6
Preschool Program
The Montessori Preschool Program is a structured academics and wellbeing program that prepares children for their transition to school.
4-6
School Readiness
Our School Readiness and Kinder Preparation Program combines school-styled workbooks with practical school readiness skills.
0-2
Infant Program
The Infant Program is designed to meet the developmental needs and interests of children aged 0-2. Children learn through movement and exploration.
2-3
Toddler Program
The Montessori Toddler Program is active, self-paced, and involves learning using all five senses. Children are introduced to the five areas of the Montessori Curriculum.
3-6
Preschool Program
The Montessori Preschool Program is a structured academics and wellbeing program that prepares children for their transition to school.
4-6
School Readiness
Our School Readiness and Kinder Preparation Program combines school-styled workbooks with practical school readiness skills.