Lakeview Pre-School

Inspired by the 2026 theme, “Seeds of Science,” our children became researchers, investigators and teachers as they explored how the world works through play.

Science Week demonstrated how meaningful learning grows when children, families, educators and the community learn together. Every question planted a seed, and every investigation created an opportunity for curiosity, creativity and care for our planet to flourish. 🌿🔬🌋🫧

READY FOR WHAT COMES NEXT!

At Lakeview, school readiness is about much more than recognising letters and numbers. It is about helping children become confident, capable, resilient and independent learners who feel secure in themselves and excited about what comes next.

Children in the year before school participate in dedicated school readiness curriculum time throughout the week. Our curriculum is informed by the EYLF V2.0, children's interests, educator observations, developmental summaries, family goals and information shared by local schools and community professionals.

Learning remains intentional, meaningful and play-based—not worksheet-driven. Through projects, games, discussions, small-group experiences and everyday routines, children strengthen:

-Communication, early literacy and numeracy
-Confidence, resilience and self-regulation
-Problem-solving, persistence and collaboration
-Independence and responsibility for belongings
-Friendship skills and participation in groups
-Healthy eating, physical wellbeing and fundamental movement skills

Dedicated curriculum time allows educators to recognise each child's strengths, identify areas requiring further support and intentionally extend learning. These skills are then reinforced throughout the day through play, relationships, routines and both indoor and outdoor learning environments.

Our experienced Early Childhood Teacher also holds Primary Teaching qualifications, strengthening the connection between early childhood pedagogy and the expectations children may experience when they begin Kindergarten.

Partnerships with Primbee Public School, the NSW Department of Education's Inclusion Support Teacher—Early Intervention, Munch & Move, Big Fat Smile, RECA and other community professionals further strengthen our program. School visits, excursions, family information sessions and individual transition planning help children and families feel informed, connected and supported.

We listen closely to children's ideas, questions and feelings about school through conversations, drawings, role-play and group discussions. Families are also invited to contribute their knowledge, discuss developmental summaries and work with educators to develop shared goals.

At Lakeview, school readiness is not a one-size-fits-all program or a push towards early formal academics. It is a responsive partnership that supports every child to approach school feeling capable, connected and confident.

🌱🐝 Tiny Forest planting is happening this week!

This week, our students will roll up their sleeves and help create Primbee Public School’s very own Tiny Forest, in partnership with Wollongong Botanic Garden and Wollongong City Council.

It’s a wonderful opportunity for our students to take action for the environment and help create a greener, cooler space for our school and community. 🌿💚

We can’t wait to see our Tiny Forest come to life!

A home away from home! 🏡💕
At Lakeview Preschool, we are inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, where children are viewed as capable, curious and full of ideas. 🌿

Through open-ended experiences, natural materials and thoughtfully designed environments, children are encouraged to investigate, create, collaborate and express their thinking in many different ways. Educators listen closely, observe and learn alongside children—allowing their interests, questions and discoveries to guide the learning journey.

Here, the environment becomes the “third teacher,” and every child’s voice is valued. ✨

Jubilant July ⭐️

From welcoming the students and Principal from Primbee Public School, to our Teddy Bears’ Picnic and raising money during Pyjama Week, July has been full of memorable moments. 🧸📚

Every day, our children explored, created, questioned and discovered through play, following their own interests and curiosities. Watching their confidence, creativity and love of learning continue to grow is what makes every month so special.

Here’s to another month of learning, laughter and making memories together! 💛🌿

Our educators intentionally adapt the learning environment to ensure every child remains engaged, challenged and inspired—because at Lakeview, learning doesn't stop when it rains. 🌧️💙

At Lakeview Preschool, our commitment to reconciliation begins with acknowledging the Dharawal people as the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, play and grow. We recognise that the escarpment, coastline and Five Islands are more than landmarks; they are living places of cultural significance, connection and history that have been cared for by Aboriginal peoples for more than 60,000 years. We believe that fostering children's sense of belonging begins with developing a respectful relationship with Country and an understanding that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest continuing living cultures in the world.

We are proud that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives are authentically embedded into our curriculum, learning environments and everyday practices throughout the year, rather than being recognised only during significant events such as NAIDOC Week or National Reconciliation Week. Through intentional teaching, meaningful experiences, children's literature, yarning circles, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, art, bush tucker experiences, learning on Country and ongoing critical reflection, children engage with First Nations perspectives as a valued and integral part of daily learning. We believe this consistent approach nurtures children's respect, belonging and appreciation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and ways of knowing, being and doing.

The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, "50 Years of Deadly: Local Voices. Legacy.", has encouraged our team to critically reflect on how we continue to strengthen authentic Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives across all aspects of our service. While we celebrate the learning already embedded within our program, we recognise that genuine cultural responsiveness requires continual learning, listening, reflection and meaningful partnerships with community.

As educators, we have reflected on the importance of moving beyond teaching about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures to learning with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We acknowledge that authentic cultural learning is strengthened through reciprocal relationships with local Dharawal Elders, Knowledge Holders, families, Aboriginal organisations and community members. These voices are essential in guiding respectful curriculum decisions that reflect local histories, language, stories and contemporary perspectives. This reflection has challenged us to consider how we can continue to strengthen our practice. We are committed to deepening our understanding of the history of Dharawal Country, including the impacts of colonisation and the ongoing strength, resilience and contributions of Aboriginal communities. We aim to confidently and respectfully support children's developing sense of fairness, inclusion, respect and social responsibility through meaningful, age-appropriate learning experiences.

We are committed to amplifying local Dharawal voices by creating opportunities for children and educators to engage with local Elders, Aboriginal educators, artists, cultural practitioners and community organisations. We also acknowledge that establishing genuine community partnerships can sometimes be challenging, and that building trust, reciprocity and authentic relationships takes time. Rather than seeing this as a barrier, we view it as an opportunity to continue listening, learning and growing alongside our community.

At Lakeview Preschool, we value the knowledge, experiences and diversity that our families bring to our service and recognise families as our most important partners. We warmly invite families to join us in strengthening our connections with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. If you have relationships with local Elders, community members, artists, cultural educators, organisations or Indigenous-owned businesses, or if you have knowledge, experiences or resources you would be willing to share, we would greatly appreciate your support. These connections can help us create authentic learning opportunities for children, strengthen our relationships within the Illawarra community and ensure our curriculum continues to reflect the voices, knowledge and culture of Dharawal Country.

We are also committed to supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, authors, artists and cultural initiatives throughout the Illawarra all year round. By purchasing authentic resources, promoting local community events and embedding local Aboriginal perspectives into everyday learning, we demonstrate to children the importance of reciprocity, respect and community connection.

To ensure this work continues to grow, we remain committed to building educator confidence and cultural capability through ongoing professional learning, critical reflection, collaboration with families and guidance from our local Aboriginal community. We recognise that cultural responsiveness is an ongoing journey of listening, learning and taking meaningful action.

At Lakeview Preschool, we believe reconciliation is demonstrated through everyday actions, meaningful relationships and intentional practice. As we honour 50 Years of Deadly: Local Voices. Legacy., we celebrate the strength, resilience and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples while recognising our responsibility to ensure local voices continue to shape our practice and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. Through this commitment, we strive to create a culturally responsive learning environment where every child develops a deep respect for Country, values diverse ways of knowing, being and doing, and grows as an empathetic, inclusive and active member of our community

Families Week; Helping our Mums and Mother figures feel special 🩷💕💖