Tenison Woods College bringing teachers into Early Years program

Tenison Woods College’s Early Learning & Community Centre is leading the region, giving children an early start to quality education with the introduction of teachers to lead their Early Years program for three year-olds.

The move is in-line with a recommendation from the South Australian Royal Commission into Early Childhood Care and Education, as well as being an election promise from the current South Australian Government, to ensure three year-olds receive the same level of education as four-year-olds.

In a first for the region, the centre will adopt the innovative teaching approach, in a dedicated move to extend children’s learning prior to commencing school, introducing the strengthened teaching approach from Term 1 next year.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has said the evidence was clear that the decisions made in the first 1000 days of a child’s life helped set the course for the rest of their life – with up to 90 per cent of brain development happening during this time.

Tenison Woods College principal David Mezinec said the new approach was a huge step forward in early childhood education for the region.

“This decision will advance the learning of the children in our centre by giving them two years of preschool before they commence Reception,” he said.

“It is part of our school’s ongoing commitment to offer a whole family approach from early childhood to Year 12 and beyond.

“Our aim is to set children up for success from the very beginning of their education.”

The addition of teachers in the two three year-old rooms, will complement the centre’s existing educational philosophy and demonstrates the continued dedication to providing quality education.

The Early Learning & Community Centre opened on site at Tenison Woods College in 2014 and celebrates its 10th anniversary next year.

The centre caters for children aged three years-old to school age and is built on Reggio Emilia and Montessori philosophies with child agency at its heart.

Early Learning & Community Centre director Fran Scanlon said is was an exciting time to be part of the centre.

“To be part of this new direction in early years education and knowing we are continuing to improve and provide the best possible education for all the children in our centre is extremely rewarding,” she said.