21 AugAdapting for growth: Vasey Park Preschool’s transition to mixed age group learning
By Leanne Rodriguez
Vasey Park Preschool is a single unit, standalone sessional kindergarten located in metro Melbourne. Managed by a Committee of Management, the kindergarten is licensed for 30 children per day and employs a team of six educators, including additional educators funded through the School Readiness Funding (SRF) initiative. To enhance enrolments and maximise their current capacity, the service introduced mixed-age groups in 2023.
One challenge they encountered was the time required for nappy changes, which diverted an educator’s attention away from the program. Despite this challenge, the team managed to find effective solutions and make the necessary adjustments. The team utilised SRF to employ an additional educator, which supports daily routine practices, including nappy change times. To further assist all children’s transition, the team introduced staggered orientations for three-year-olds in 2024, making the transition into mixed-age groups smoother.
Understand that children’s development rate varies and adjust teaching practice accordingly
Understanding that children develop at different rates, the educational team adjusted their teaching methods accordingly. They discovered that dividing children into smaller groups throughout the day allowed for more personalised learning. To their surprise, the mixed-age model worked well. Three-year-olds showed notable improvement in their social and emotional skills. Currently, the enrolments include 38 four-year-olds and 22 three-year-olds.
The team now emphasises the unique needs of each child and the group, rather than adhering strictly to age-based approaches. The addition of two SRF educators has made a big difference in supporting this personalised approach.
The transition to this new model took some time, but once the team settled into the new routine, things started to click. Teachers across different groups began collaborating more closely on their planning. While some tweaks were needed, the overall approach has been effective, with a continued focus on individual children’s needs.
Looking back, the team also highlighted valuable lessons they have learned during COVID-19. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, they used this experience to improve their communication strategies, emphasising team meetings, open discussions, and regular check-ins. These practices have become integral to their routines post-COVID, guiding their planning, allowing them to make adjustments through trial and error as they introduced mixed age groups.
Looking ahead, the team is considering rotational models for pre-prep planning and continuing conversations with families to better meet each child’s needs. These ongoing efforts show their dedication to adapting their educational practices for the best experience for every child in their care.
ELAA Advice: When implementing any operational changes, it is important to ensure open ongoing communication and engagement between employer and employees occurs sooner than later.
If you would like to share your journey or need any support planning for and implementing change, contact Leanne Rodriguez, Best Start Best Life Reform and Engagement Advisor membersolutions@elaa.org.au
