by on 06/01/2020 11114
Growing up at Little Oak Tree is a very special experience for little ones. No matter what age children join the school, they will be provided with an education that is personalised to prepare them to make the very best of the opportunities and challenges that come along in their future lives. Often described as a family, Little Oak Tree takes great pride in the quality of relationships that exist between children, teachers and parents. It is a small and warm community powered by a professional, dynamic team. There is no doubt that it is the quality of teaching and learning that underpins the children’s success at school.
Teachers are the lifeblood of the school. The management team carries out a rigorous recruitment process to hire teachers that bring unique specialisations to the classroom. They view childcare and education as a serious and responsible profession and invest in continuous learning. With a low student-teacher ratio, each child gets individualised attention that serves every distinct child. As children grow and evolve, responsive teachers draw from a variety of teaching strategies to enrich the whole child – socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically. Teachers here possess a genuine passion to help children navigate their own challenges in the learning journey. They lovingly assist children to discover areas of interests and develop a wide range of skills. They also gently guide children to express themselves and self-regulate emotions. Every child will flourish given the careful attention that is geared towards cultivating joyful and collaborative learners.
Every detail of this preschool is designed to meet children in a way that is appropriate for their specific age and stage: from the layout of each space, to class materials, pace of the day and curriculum. Each day, children learn within a stable schedule and follow a simple routine. This consistency brings a sense of comfort and security to children’s lives, which in turn strengthens their confidence and creativity.
Teachers engage children in learning through sensory play and active exploration of their environment. They scaffold development that adheres to the guidelines of our national preschool education framework. They also introduce higher-order thinking skills to children throughout the day, adding intellectual rigour to the curriculum. As children are naturally curious and love learning new things, many activities that correspond to their interests are incorporated into the programmes. Diverse materials and a variety of learning opportunities and experiences, both indoors and outdoors, allow children to gain knowledge through their interactions with the world around them. The focus lies on promoting analyzing, reasoning, comprehending, application and evaluation in the learning process. As a result, children become more independent, better decision makers and more creative problem-solvers, which are key attributes needed to do well in school and life.
Just as developing higher-order thinking skills sets the foundation for a more productive life, children are nurtured in an environment that places equal emphasis on good nutrition and hygiene for a healthier life. They develop age-appropriate self-care skills and enhance their communications with respect, manners and compassion. Parents will find that children really benefit from these experiences for a more seamless transition to primary school. Little Oak Tree devotes themselves to early childhood education, professional development, and family support to bring up young children who will grow into valuable members of our society, in open-minded and open-hearted ways.