Jade has a lot to say about ‘play-based school readiness’. As the Educational Leader at Meerilinga, a huge part of Jade’s role is making sure that our curriculum helps children to learn at their own pace through play.
“When children are deep in play,” says Jade, “they are building worlds, solving problems and creating stories. They are learning to navigate friendships and shared spaces, finding their voices and developing the focus and flexibility that will support them as they move into school.”
“Through unstructured and active outdoor play they are building the muscles, core strength and fine motor control that they will later need for writing and sitting at a desk. Play is just SO powerful, and yet so often overlooked. At Meerilinga, we get to really celebrate play!”
Our Early Learning Programs also help this transition to school through a relaxed daily routine that provides children structure they can adjust to, whether they’re enjoying their lunch alongside other children at midday or being welcomed by our Educators at their regular morning drop off.
Jade’s role includes supporting these Educators, both by providing them with the tools to implement the curriculum at their Centres and through new strategies, such as the Hand in Hand project. This ongoing program has helped our Educators and Curriculum Leaders to build stronger, more inclusive and responsive relationships with children, and is one of the achievements that Jade is most proud of.
She’s even more thrilled with the new Play Communication Boards that we have created for our Centres this year. “Watching them being used and making a real impact for so many children means a lot to me personally, especially as my own son relied on AAC and visuals to communicate when he was little.” These new boards, which we have made available for other Early Childhood and Care centres, allow children who may not be confident in speaking up to express their wants and needs with others while building English language skills.
The Boards are part of our mission to create an Early Learning experience which, as Jade puts it, “feels like an extension of home, where your child can grow, explore and completely be themselves.”
It’s thanks to the passion of people like Jade that we are succeeding in this aim. As she admits herself:
“I’m passionate about play, not just as something children do, but as the way they learn, explore, connect and make sense of the world. I love supporting educators to feel confident, curious and inspired in what they do. It’s so rewarding to see child-led practice grow and to watch educators really tune in to children’s voices. I care deeply about children’s rights and making sure every child feels that their voice is heard and that they have real agency in their learning and environment.”
Find out more about the Early Learning Programs at Meerilinga by reading our Family Handbook or by contacting us.
