St Joseph's Playgroups

PRE-PREP PLAYGROUP

Both of our playgroups are led by Stacey Farrell, an Early Childhood Teacher (Bachelor) with a Master of Education in Student Wellbeing. Stacey has many years of teaching experience in early childhood settings and is qualified to teach 0 to 8 years.

Our 0-5 years Junior Joeys playgroup will run from Monday 18th March until Monday, 16th September, from 9am to 10.30am during term time. Our Pre-Prep program for enrolled Prep 2025 children will commence on Friday, 11th October and run until Friday, 6th December from 9am to 10.30am. 

The Pre-Prep Playgroup is a hugely successful offering for our community and provides the children with an opportunity to become familiar with the school environment, Mrs Moore and other teachers who come into the Playgroup to read or work with the children, to begin building connections with the other children in the Prep cohort so that faces and names became familiar.  Regular routines of primary school are also explored; learning to walk in the hallway, ask to go to the bathroom, play kindly with others and include them in our play, we take care of ourselves and each other on the play equipment.

The Pre-Prep Playgroup is an excellent way for relationships to flourish, not just for the children but also for our parents.  The longer lead-in to school, incorporated with the 4 orientation sessions, will provide pre-preps a chance to become comfortable in their new school space and with each other.  It is a privilege to watch friendships blossom and confidence levels grow across the duration of the Playgroup.

The 2024 Prep children have started school positively and are happy to be here, which means that they have a greater capacity and confidence to delve straight into their learning and are able to build on the relationships forged in the Pre-Prep Playgroup.  Our new parents, particularly those new to the school, have also begun to build connections, which also helps with growing our strong St Joseph’s spirit and community.

JUNIOR JOEY’S PLAYGROUP (Birth to 5)

For the youngest members of our school community, and the broader Stonnington community, we are delighted to offer a Playgroup on a Monday morning at St Joseph’s commencing on 18th March. This Playgroup will incorporate stories, songs, and movement and be an age-appropriate play-based environment. Importantly, it will provide parents with an opportunity to come together and build connections.

All enquiries regarding either the 2024 Pre-Prep Playgroup or the Junior Joey’s Playgroup can be directed to Stacey Farrell, Transitions Coordinator – stacey.farrell@sjmalvern.catholic.edu.au.