Our Classrooms
HEY has 9 Classrooms catering for ages 4 months to 5 years old. This array of classrooms allows us to take into account age, group dynamics and learning needs when placing children.
The 9 Classrooms at HEY are all named after native Australian flowers; Royal Bluebell, Cooktown Orchid, Kangaroo Paw, Waratah, Wattle, Banksia, Rock Lily, Pink Heath and Desert Rose.
Children within our Service are placed within their peer groups, those of a similar age and who are typically eligible for school at same time. This encourages the formation of friendship groups between children, with whom they may share their learning journey throughout their time at HEY and possibly into school.
We are proud of the consistency provided to children at HEY through their teaching teams, who are allocated to a classroom on a permanent basis for the year and changes to teaching staff are avoided where possible to assist children in forming valuable attachments, so they feel confident to explore and engage in meaningful learning opportunities.
Another unique point of difference is that HEY engages an Educational Leader for each area of the service, Junior and Senior. Our Educational Leaders help guide the program and practice at HEY, ensuring both the programs and educational teams continue to meet best practice and high expectations.
HEY also recognises the important roll both indoor and outdoor environments have in a child’s learning and we incorporate a flowing indoor/outdoor program to enable children to engage meaningfully in both environments. Several classrooms also have the opportunity to share in the various beautiful outside environments together. This provides the children opportunities to form friendships outside their classroom, but also assists with roll modelling and social skills development amung varying ages. Our spaces also incorporate real tools, equipment and good quality resources, as well as natural materials to enhance the learning opportunities for children.
Room Gallery
Our Junior Early Learners consist of our youngest children, incorporating ages 4 months to 3 years. As of 2021 it includes Royal Bluebell, Cooktown Orchid, Kangaroo Paw, Waratah and Wattle classrooms who are supported by a designated Educational Leader who has a teaching qualification.
The programs for the junior learners are based on the Circle of Security and Pikler/RIE approach. These models are based on respectful relationships , promoting secure attachments through a key teacher model allowing educators to be attuned to a child’s needs, follow their cues and work in partnerships with families. We also encourage free movement and naturally paced motor development as well as uninterrupted engaged play to provide each child with an experience that is consistent and positive.
Royal Bluebell Classroom is the first of our under 2 year old classrooms and typically hosts children aged 4 months to 2 years old when starting. The maximum capacity is 10 children per day supported by 4 Educators. The room consists of the indoor learning environment, a separated cot space (with enough cots for each child) and access to the large shared outside environment and the shared bathroom. The routine in this room supports the individual needs of each child, copying as much as practicable the sleep, feed and changing routine of home to ensure consistency and smooth transitions.
Royal Bluebell - 4mths to 2yrs
Cooktown Orchid classroom is the second of our under 2’s rooms, typically hosting children aged 12 months to 2 years old when starting. The maximum capacity is 10 children per day supported by 4 Educators. The room consists of the indoor learning environment, a separated cot space (with a combination of Cots, low-set beds and sleeping mats – depending on each childs age and stage) and access to the large shared outside environment and the shared bathroom. The routine in this room supports the individual needs of each child, copying as much as practicable the sleep, feed and changing routine of home to ensure consistency and smooth transitions.
Cooktown Orchid - 12mths to 2yrs
Kangaroo Paw classroom is one of three classrooms that host our 2 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 3 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 12 children per day supported by 4 Educators. The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to the large shared outside environment and the shared bathroom. The daily program in this room consists of play based learning opportunities as well as intentional teaching moments and small group experiences.
Kangaroo Paw - 2 to 3yrs
Waratah classroom is the second of three classrooms that host our 2 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 3 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 12 children per day supported by 4 Educators. The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to the large shared outside environment and the shared bathroom. The daily program in this room consists of play based learning opportunities as well as intentional teaching moments and small group experiences.
Waratah - 2 to 3yrs
Wattle classroom is the third of three classrooms that host our 2 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 3 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 12 children per day supported by 4 Educators. The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to its own outside environment and its own bathroom. The daily program in this room consists of play based learning opportunities as well as intentional teaching moments and small group experiences.
Wattle - 2 to 3yrs
Our Senior Early Learners consist of our eldest learners incorporating children eligible for 3 and 4 year old Kindergarten. As of 2021 it includes Banksia, Rock Lily, Pink Heath and Desert Rose Classrooms who are supported by a designated Educational Leader who has a teaching qualification.
Each of these programs contain a recognised Kindergarten program led by qualified Kindergarten Teacher, in conjunction with a range of qualified and capable educators.
These programs are based on providing challenging learning, thinking and development opportunities. A school readiness program is incorporated in our 4 year old Kindergarten programs in partnership with local Schools.
Banksia classroom is the first of two classrooms that host our 3 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 2 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 22 children per day supported by 3 Educators and a qualified Kindergarten Teacher (5 hours of each day). The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to both its own outside environment and a larger shared one and a shared bathroom.
The daily program in this room contains 5 hours of 3 year old Kindergarten Program where an allocated Kindergarten Teacher will be in the room delivering the program and lending their expertise to the educational program. This provides opportunities for play based learning as well as intentional teaching moments and group experiences throughout the day.
Banksia - 3 to 4yrs (3 Year Old Kindergarten)
Rock Lily classroom is the second of two classrooms that host our 3-4 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 2 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 22 children per day supported by 3 Educators and a qualified Kindergarten Teacher (5 hours of each day). The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to both its own outside environment and a larger shared one and a shared bathroom.
The daily program in this room contains 5 hours of 3 year old Kindergarten Program where an allocated Kindergarten Teacher will be in the room delivering the program and lending their expertise to the educational program. This provides opportunities for play based learning as well as intentional teaching moments and group experiences throughout the day.
Rock Lily - 3 to 4yrs (3 Year Old Kindergarten)
Pink Heath classroom is the first of two classrooms that host our 4-5 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 2 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 22 children per day supported by 3 Educators and a qualified Kindergarten Teacher (5 hours of each day). The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to the large shared outside environment and a shared bathroom.
The daily program in this room contains 5 hours of funded 4 year old Kindergarten Program where an allocated Kindergarten Teacher will be in the room delivering the program and lending their expertise to the educational program. This provides opportunities for play based learning as well as intentional teaching moments and group experiences throughout the day aimed to teach the skills necessary for school readiness and encourage a lifelong love of learning.
Pink Heath - 4 to 5yrs (4 Year Old Kindergarten)
Desert Rose classroom is the second of two classrooms that host our 4-5 year old children, typically those eligible for school in 2 years’ time. The maximum capacity is 22 children per day supported by 3 Educators and a qualified Kindergarten Teacher (5 hours of each day). The room consists of the indoor learning environment, access to the large shared outside environment and a shared bathroom.
The daily program in this room contains 5 hours of funded 4 year old Kindergarten Program where an allocated Kindergarten Teacher will be in the room delivering the program and lending their expertise to the educational program. This provides opportunities for play based learning as well as intentional teaching moments and group experiences throughout the day aimed to teach the skills necessary for school readiness and encourage a lifelong love of learning.
