Waiouru kindergarten changes

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 9, Issue 406, 1 October 1991, Page 7

Waiouru kindergarten changes

BY

JO

HOWIE

This term the Weir Terrace and Kenningston Street kindergartens will change the structure of each class on a trial basis. The change in structure is from keeping the four -year olds together . at five moming sessions and the three-year olds together at three afternoon sessions each week to a new vertical grouping system. This is whcn both age groups are mixed and every child will have two morning sessions and two afternoon sessions each. Wednesday will be a full day of administration for the teaching staff. Questionnaires were distributed to all parents last term, and the result indicated affirmation that the new programme should start. A meeting was held last term for parents to vote by a show of hands to indicate confidence in the staff of the kindergartens to trial the new system for one term. At the meeting advantages and disadvantages

were discussed. The four main reasons for change were: Vertical grouping greatly enhances childrens development. It will provide stability for children because of the exceptionally high turnover in both rolls at the kindergarten. It will allow for the same programme to operate during both morning and afternoon sessions and will provide a better opportunity tcr operate a transition to school programme. With two morning and two afternoon sessions for each child this will enable optimum learning time for all kindergarten children, as the optimum learning time for all children is in the morning. Some other advantages parents suggested were; provides a family environment, allows children to work at their own level so there will be less competitiveness and the new system pro.vides role models for the younger children which will help to produce a settled environment.

Disadvantages discussed were; sibling rivalry may occur in family groups and the four - year old children may miss out on preparation for school by the fewer hours spent at kindergarten.

Teachers from both kindergartens are pleased to trial this new system. The head teacher at Weir Terrace, Sue Kumeroa, had had the experience of successfully instituting the change in the Ohakune

kindergarten. "I feel very confident it will suit Waiouru's children. Vertical grouping provides stability for children who are posted fresquently, and therefore lead relatively unstable lives," Sue said.