Transition to the Koala Room

Transition Time

Welcome to the Koala Room. Children in this room are aged from approximately 2.4 - 3 years old. The Koala room is lead by a team of 4 - 5 educators. Together, this dynamic group provide a nurturing environment, rich in language, literacy, artistic expression, dance, music, art, craft and follow the children's interests to enhance their physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.

This Transition Time Fact Sheet will let you know what goes on in the Koala Room and how it may differ from the Wombat Room.

The main differences from the Wombat Room

When children move into the Koala room they take up residence in the Kinder House. Instantly they don't go to crèche anymore but you hear their little voices echo, I'm not a baby. I'm a kinder now. As well as having morning tea and lunch, children in the Kinder house enjoy a slightly larger afternoon tea, when they are more ravenous from their little brains and bodies working overtime.

As per the Wombat room, the Koala's do have a sleep after lunch, on floor mats with each child having their own bed bag. Many 3+ year olds are weaning out of this routine so non-sleeping Koala's have a rest period where they can enjoy music books and a relaxing environment, and then they join the Magpie group for some activities while their peers still sleep. Both toilet and nappy change facilities are available in the Koala room. Parents are welcome to leave nappies/pull-ups in bags or give them to staff to be placed in the nappy change room. Regarding toilet training, staff are supportive and happy to engage with parents in the toilet training process.

General room routine

From the open of the centre to approximately 8.30am the children are involved in the family grouping process. After this they are taken down to the kinder house, put their bags away and have some group time together with the older kinder children (usually stories and songs).

Weather dependent we may start the day outside. Whether it be inside or out, the children engage in an array of activities and busyness including individual, small group, spontaneous and planned activities are all a part of this. At approximately 11.15am the children prepare for lunch. After lunch is rest time. After rest time an indoor afternoon program is set up and children have the opportunity to explore in new and familiar activities.

Large group time (songs, drama, stories, dance) may also occur during this time frame. At 3.00pm afternoon tea is served and children then have a play in the main garden. The day concludes with family grouping until close.

Things to note

• Communication Pockets are located on door in middle room - main entrance.
• Artwork is kept alphabetically in a box and each child has their own file. The box is clearly labelled and beside the lockers.
• Donations of boxes, containers, wrapping paper, cards, ribbons, off cuts of materials, corks, bottle tops (basically anything you can think of - except toilet rolls, egg or nut containers and sharps) are greatly appreciated for children's art work.

Life after the Koala Room

As children approach 3 years of age (or at the discretion of parents and teachers), they prepare for the transition to the Magpie Room. Children begin with small visits to the new environment, (if necessary aided by a familiar caregiver) and as the child feels more confident and comfortable, the length of their stay is increased until eventually they move on to be a Magpie.

Should you have any further questions or concerns, you are welcome to address these to Maxine, Tiffany.