The Inner North Playschool began life as the Reid Playschool in 2000. The Reid Playschool was operated by the Reid Preschool Parent Association and used the Reid Preschool facilities.
The Inner North Playschool was established as an independent incorporate body in 2007 and moved to its current location on Limestone Avenue in Ainslie at the beginning of 2009. It was officially opened by the then Minister for Children and Young People, Andrew Barr on 21 August 2009.
Our playschool is operated by the Inner North Playschool Inc. Committee that is made up of parents and carers each year. Our aim is to provide early childhood education for three and four year-olds. While we’re not trying to emulate preschool education, our playschool provides more for children than a playgroup. Parents and carers can leave their child knowing that they are in the care of trained and experienced staff who will keep children engaged through a mixture of free and directed activities.
Our program is designed to introduce children to an environment where a simple daily routine is in place to provide children with a sense of reassurance and security to assist their transition to preschool.
Our aim at Inner North Playschool is to enrich each child’s development in a safe and nurturing environment while having fun. The children are expected to be able to do as they are asked and to participate in all activities. Participation is rarely an issue, but as all children are different there are times when some children choose not to participate. This is accepted, but at the same time they are encouraged by our staff to join in the fun. This is all part of the learning journey and we take time to work with each child to ensure that their experience at playschool is a positive one.
As part of our licensing requirements parents and carers of children attending the Inner North Playschool are required to attend two playschool sessions per term to support our teaching staff. Two helpers are rostered on for each session and it’s a great chance to see their child’s learning experience at our playschool first hand.
Health and Safety
We closely monitor public health advice and have implemented COVID safety procedures to keep our children safe. During lockdown, we have worked to keep children engaged, entertained and learning.
Our aim at Inner North Playschool is to enrich each child’s development in a safe and nurturing environment while having fun.
Example of a daily routine
Inner North Playschool runs sessions on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9.30am and 1.30pm and this is what a day at playschool might look like.
| 9.20am | Arrival Gather in the playground. Parents or carers sign their child in. Children play on climbing equipment. |
| 9.30am | Children put their back-pack on their back and stand on a star, ready to go inside. As the children move inside, parents/carers say goodbye and leave. Children wash hands before entering the room. Unpack bag and sit on mat for group time. Group time ‘Hello & Welcome’ (Attendance Check). |
| 9.45am | Inside free play Activities include… Puzzles, books, small and large blocks Home corner: Dress-ups, cooking, shops, office Tactile activities: Playdough, finger painting, sand play etc Construction with duplo, mobilo, gears, magnets etc Craft activities: Painting, drawing, threading, gluing etc |
| 10.40am | Fruit break |
| 11.00am | Music time |
| 11.20am | Craft activity |
| 11.40am | Outside play time |
| 12.40pm | Pack up outside equipment |
| 12.50pm | Lunch |
| 1.10pm | Inside for quiet moment Rest, relaxation, and story time |
| 1.30pm | Sticker and home time! |
Want to know more? Visit our Testimonials page to hear what past families had to say about the Inner North Playschool, or go to the Documents page where more detailed information about the playschool is available in our Information Booklet.
Interstate and overseas equivalents
Different terminology is used to describe the different stages of early childhood education around Australia and the world. In Canberra, Early Childhood Education providers for three year-olds are generally known as playschools, while four year-olds attend preschool and five year-olds start kindergarten.
Playschools are licensed by the Children’s Education & Care Assurance (CECA).