New curriculum guidelines for kindy teachers

• New guidelines promote five areas of learning and development

• Programs can be tailored for children in a variety of social contexts

The release of Western Australia's first Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines was a milestone in early childhood education, Education Minister Peter Collier said today.

Mr Collier said the guidelines provided a clear set of directions and support to kindergarten teachers.

"This is an exciting initiative because the guidelines will directly help students transition into the compulsory years of schooling, and they will support teachers planning lessons that are relevant to kindergarten students," he said.

"The guidelines recognise kindergarten children are connected to family, community, culture and place and their learning primarily takes place through these relationships."

The Minister said the School Curriculum and Standards Authority sought input from schools and teachers in the development of the guidelines.

"Teachers can adjust the guidelines, as appropriate, to meet the needs of their students.  All children develop at different rates and come to kindergarten with vastly different experiences," he said.

The guidelines focus on promoting five areas of learning and development:

• Identity - children have a strong sense of identity

• Connecting and contributing - children are connected with and contribute to their world

• Wellbeing - children have a strong sense of wellbeing

• Learning and thinking - children are confident and involved learners

• Communicating - children are effective communicators.

"Kindergarten aims to produce confident, creative problem solvers who feel comfortable exploring different perspectives and ways of working," Mr Collier said.

     Fact File

• The Kindergarten Curriculum Guidelines are available on the School Curriculum and Standards Authority website at http://www.scsa.wa.edu.au

Minister's office - 6552 6300