SCHOOL READINESS
At I STEAM Ahead Brookvale, our school readiness program goes beyond tick-box checklists. We nurture the whole child, their curiosity, confidence, friendships, and growing independence, preparing them not just to start school, but to thrive there.
Every child's journey to school readiness looks different, and that's exactly how it should be. Our educators work alongside families to support each child's unique developmental path, celebrating their strengths while gently scaffolding new skills through play, exploration, and meaningful relationships.
Building Strong Foundations Across All Areas of Development
Cognitive Growth & Learning Dispositions
Through our signature STEAM experiences and play-based inquiry, children develop the skills that matter most: curiosity, problem-solving, persistence, and a love of learning. We encourage them to ask "why?", test their theories, and discover that making mistakes is part of learning—skills that will serve them throughout their educational journey.
Language & Communication
Rich conversations happen naturally throughout our day. Children learn to express their ideas, ask thoughtful questions, retell experiences, follow multi-step instructions, and engage in back-and-forth dialogue. Whether they're negotiating roles in dramatic play, explaining their block construction, or listening to stories, language development is woven into every interaction.
Social & Emotional Competence
School readiness isn't just about what children know—it's about who they're becoming. We support children to build meaningful friendships, understand and regulate their emotions, advocate for their needs, navigate conflicts with growing independence, and develop resilience when things don't go to plan. These capabilities form the foundation for positive school experiences
Physical Development & Self-Care
From mastering zippers and learning to open lunch boxes, to developing pencil grip and building physical stamina for a full school day, we support the practical skills that foster independence. Children practice gross motor coordination in outdoor play, refine fine motor control through creative experiences, and build confidence in managing their personal care routines.
Our Approach: Intentional, Play-Based & Child-Centered
Naturally Embedded, Never Forced
School readiness isn't a separate program we "do"—it's thoughtfully woven into our everyday rhythms. Morning routines build independence. Group times develop listening skills. Project work fosters collaboration. Literacy and numeracy emerge organically through storytelling, cooking experiences, construction play, and real-world problem-solving.
EYLF-Aligned & Evidence-Informed
Our programs reflect the five Learning Outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework, ensuring children develop as confident and involved learners, effective communicators, strong in their wellbeing, connected contributors, and capable of engaging with their world.
Following Children's Lead
We build on what ignites each child's imagination—whether that's dinosaurs, construction, art, or nature exploration. Learning is most powerful when it's meaningful, and we honor children's interests as the springboard for developing school-ready skills.
In Partnership With Families
Your Voice Matters
You know your child best. We actively seek your insights, involve you in goal-setting, and adapt our approach to support your family's goals and values. Regular communication ensures we're working together toward a smooth, confident transition.
Seamless School Transitions
We collaborate with local Brookvale and Northern Beaches schools, sharing strengths-based transition statements and familiarizing children with school routines, expectations, and environments. Many children participate in school orientation visits, and we're here to answer questions and ease any anxieties—yours and theirs!
Inclusive, Responsive & Culturally Safe
Every Child Belongs
Our programs embrace children with additional needs, ESL/NESB backgrounds, and diverse family structures and cultural identities. We provide tailored support, differentiated learning experiences, and ensure every child sees themselves reflected and valued in our community.
Authentic Connections
Children thrive when they feel safe, respected, and genuinely known. We create nurturing environments where children can express themselves authentically, take risks in their learning, and develop a strong sense of belonging.
The I STEAM Ahead Advantage
Technology as a Learning Tool
Just as schools use digital technologies, we thoughtfully integrate iPads and other tools to build digital literacy, support research and creativity, and mirror the learning environments children will encounter.
Visual Supports for Confident Transitions
Visual schedules, social stories, and consistent routines help children understand what's coming next, manage transitions independently, and feel secure in their daily experiences—skills that translate beautifully to school settings.
Expert, Nurturing Educators
Our qualified early childhood teachers bring deep pedagogical knowledge, warm relationships, and intentional teaching strategies. They model language, scaffold learning at just-right challenge levels, observe closely, and adapt their approach to meet each child where they are.
The result?
Children who walk through the school gates with confidence in their abilities, excitement about learning, strong relationships with peers and adults, and the emotional and practical skills to navigate their new adventure.
We'd love to show you how school readiness unfolds naturally at I STEAM Ahead Brookvale. Book a tour to see our program in action.
ELSA is a play-based digital learning program for children in preschool to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
ELSA allows children to play, experiment and make sense of the world around them – which is part of STEM, and also part of being a child.
ELSA’s STEM Practices encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, experiment, and reflect on what happened and why.
The ELSA program is a key early childhood initiative of the Australian Government.
ELSA has been developed by the STEM Education Research Centre (SERC) at the University of Canberra through funding provided by the Australian Government Department of Education under the National Innovation and Science Agenda.
It supports the ‘Inspiring all Australians in digital literacy and STEM’ measure, which seeks to increase the participation of Australian children in STEM and improve their digital literacy.
In our preschool room, we bring the Early Learning STEM Australia (ELSA) program to life, offering children a blend of digital and hands-on STEM experiences!
Using interactive apps such as Patterns and Relationships, Investigation, Location and Arrangement, and Representation, children engage with core concepts like pattern recognition, problem-solving, and spatial awareness. These digital explorations are enhanced by hands-on activities, including science experiments, discovering patterns in nature during outdoor play, building with blocks and loose parts to explore engineering, creating maps for treasure hunts, and cooking activities that introduce measurement and sequencing.
By combining technology with playful exploration, the ELSA program nurtures essential STEM skills, making learning both meaningful and fun!
