At Little Zak’s Academy, we want to give children a safe, nurturing space to discover their potential and develop skills they can carry throughout their educational journey.
That’s why we developed the Little Zak’s Prep School program. It serves as a foundation between early childhood education and the first formal year of school, kindergarten. Using an innovative and inspiring approach to learning, our program can provide children aged 4 to 6 years with the skills and exposure they need to excel in their new school.
When children engage in our program, they actively participate in their own learning through experiences underpinned by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) — ‘Being, Belonging and Becoming’ — and the National Quality Framework (NQF).
Our education program integrates skill-based learning activities to improve children’s literacy and numeracy skills. These activities expose children to spatial awareness, shapes, colours, clock reading, and simple addition. Our literacy activities build children’s penmanship, concentration, and fine motor skills. Our numeracy challenges further develop their counting skills, number and symbol recognition, grouping, and sequencing abilities.
Our program’s heavy focus on phonics ensures our children can recognise the letters of the alphabet, are familiar with their sounds, and know where they are in words. Early exposure to phonics can accelerate their reading skills and word recognition.
We recognise that children learn best through experiences of touching, moving, listening, seeing, and hearing. Our Prep School program complements these physical experiences using communications technologies, such as interactive smart boards and iPads, to enhance learning.
Our preparation for primary school is designed so that children develop key talking and listening skills in a stimulating learning environment. Our educators ensure that all children, including those for whom English is a second language, benefit from being immersed in this environment, build relationships with their peers, and feel confident in navigating new social situations. Social exposure from a young age helps children resolve conflict and solve problems.
Musical activities allow children to play instruments and extend their listening and singing skills.
Children’s investigative and problem-solving skills are developed through arts and crafts, technology, engineering, science and building tasks.
Engaging with the natural environment through programs like Zak’s Enviro, where the children care for their centre’s gardens, extends their environmental responsibility and awareness.
Regular physical activity is integral for healthy childhood development. It helps them grow strong bones and muscles, enhances coordination, and boosts cardiovascular health.
Children at Little Zak’s can serve their own meals and learn about the importance of personal hygiene management. Our educators give each child the confidence to express themselves and ask for help when needed.
To help enhance the learning experience, we take educational excursions to points of interest within a 30-minute drive of our centres. These include visits to:
Little Zak’s Academy is committed to engaging families in our programs so they can understand and support their child’s growth, learning and development.
Families are regularly invited to our centres to experience a day in their child’s life. Parents can get hands-on in the classroom as our educators explain what underlying learning occurs when their children engage in the range of experiences on offer.
We regularly update families on their child’s progress in the program and discuss their learning focuses and interests as they progress through the year.
Feedback is a core part of all our programs, and we love hearing the thoughts and ideas of parents and caregivers. You can also continue our lessons at home, as educators can share their lesson plans for you to discuss, share, and reflect on your child’s day.
Ready to help your child become a lifelong learner? Contact us today to enrol your child in Little Zak’s Prep School.
