About
Being,
Belonging
& Becoming
Our preschool program is based on current best practice and is supported by the Australian Federal Government Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). The principles, practice and outcomes of EYLF guide our reflective planning and practice.
Jamberoo Community Preschool is such a special place for our family. It is a wonderful, nurturing environment where our children have felt safe, loved, and supported every day. The dedicated teachers go above and beyond for all children Their passion for teaching and commitment to each child's development is evident in the way they create a warm, encouraging space. My children have loved going there for the past six years, and the positive impact it has had on them is immeasurable. It's a place where they've thrived, grown, and built lasting memories.
- Sarah Lafrance - Parent
Our Program
Our program runs across the day through an indoor and outdoor program that we believe works best to support the children to learn through a play-based program which incorporates both child-initiated and intentional, planned teaching experiences. Our natural play space is an engaging and inspiring play space that allows for long uninterrupted bouts of play, and allows for both smaller group experiences as well as larger group learning.
Cultural, Inclusive, Participation & Progress
Our program is culturally appropriate, inclusive and supports the participation and progress of all children. Our higher than required ratio of educators to children allows for endless opportunities to support children who need that extra bit of support to engage in the program.
Our educators work collaboratively across the day and week to observe and engage with children in meaningful interactions that builds relationships and creates an environment that is safe and caring. The educators work in collaboration with both children and families to develop and implement goals that support progress towards the early years framework learning outcomes, making sure we support children to develop skills across all developmental areas..
Engaging Discovery Spaces
Our educators work together to design environments that promote engaging discovery spaces, these change depending on the children interest over the term . They allow for investigation, thinking and collaboration as well as independent learning. There are spaces that allow for research based projects where children work with their educators to further their learning and interests.
Priority of Access
Jamberoo Community preschool, caters for children 3 to 6 years of age. We are licensed for 30 children per day. We are funded through the state governments Start Strong funding. Due to these funding guidelines priority is given to children who turn 4 before the 31st July of the that particular year and children from families of Aboriginal or Torres Straight Island backgrounds as well as families who hold a low income health care card. All children are more than welcome and encouraged to go on our waitlist as early as possible to give the best possible chance of enrolment.
Relationships, family, community
We recognise the important role family plays in the life of a child, we aim to meet the individual needs of families and promote shared decision making while maintaining respect for the culture, beliefs and customs of all families.
Our History
Our Preschool Incorporation has a long history within the Jamberoo Township.
Originally, a mobile preschool was established for Jamberoo (and the surrounding areas of Albion Park, Gerringong and Kiama), as no other services were available to meet preschool demand. Kiama Pre-School was at full capacity, and its Management Committee recognised a need for the service.
The Mobile Preschool was established in 1989, via an Area Assistance Scheme Grant. As the years progress and each of the catchment communities developed new services for children, the need for the mobile service diminished. As a result, thirteen years ago Jamberoo remained the only community in need of the mobile service.
Unable to continue operating as a mobile service due to regulatory requirements, the Kiama Management Committee sought funding to assist the preschool in becoming a centre-based facility. Recognising the growth in the area, and, with a timely grant from Department of Community Services, the committee set about the lengthy task of choosing and assessing suitable (and unsuitable) sites; accessing additional funding; consulting with community members as to the type of service delivery; forming a partnership with Kiama Council; the design process and finally the building process.
What you see before you is a beautiful example of collaboration, with local and wider community involved in all aspects of the process.
We will continue to maintain our strong relationship with our sisters at Kiama Pre-School, and will operate under the incorporate body of Kiama Pre-School Incorporation.
The preschool is licensed by the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) and supervised by advisors from this department in the children’s services directorate.
We are a non-profit, community based service and rely on you, the parent for our management.
Read Our PhilosophyThe Learning Environment
Our educators work together to design environments that promote engaging discovery spaces, these change depending on the children interest over the term . They allow for investigation, thinking and collaboration as well as independent learning. There are spaces that allow for research based projects where children work with their educators to further their learning and interests.
Read Our Philosophy