Our MissionAlma Street Pre-Prep is the first encounter, for many children, in their educational journey.
Our program focuses on the innate nature of young children and the deeply embedded sense of belonging and quality relationships between the child, the family and the Educators at Alma Street Pre-Prep. These relationships are the foundation for child-led, play based programs.
“Because children grow up, we think a child’s purpose is to grow up. But a child’s purpose is to be a child”
TOM STOPPARDOur Vision
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Our Vision •
As a long-standing team, we intentionally and consistently uphold the highest standards to surpass the benchmark set in early childhood education for our children, their families and the community.
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“Preparation for the future shouldn’t be our only aim. But it is part of our role. By balancing the chance to ‘be’ with our sense of becoming, we help children to become confident, successful learners.”
– Quality Area 5, National Quality Framework.
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What you’ll find at the Centre.
Firstly – you will find a great sense of belonging!
Both indoor and outdoor environments allow children to be the masters of their play.
All our play spaces are designed to be the “third teacher”. The spaces are fluid and are free to change on the whim of the childrens’ plans.
What’s outside:
Shaded grounds, iconic boat, self-select sheds, felled gum tree for climbing, large sandpit, bush kitchen, wooden climbing fort (currently under extension/refurbishment), rainforest walk, mud patch, extensive natural grass play areas, established gardens, opportunities for quiet choice, risk-taking/physically challenging obstacle course, bush tucker garden, boat pool, dry riverbed (currently undergoing refurbishment), worm farms, children’s gardens.
What’s inside:
Explorative, hands-on science areas, spacious rooms, flexible and ever-changing play spaces, covered outdoor decks that adjoin each room, fully air-conditioned, large, well-equipped prep and storerooms, an extensive array of resources, quiet and calm spaces, building and construction zone, dining, collage, painting, games, fine motor construction, dramatic play areas.
Alma Street Pre-Prep values the environment and has taken the following steps towards sustainability:
Respecting nature and play equipment
Water recycling from play for garden
Renewable energy with solar power
Conserving water with tanks
Gardens for herbs, flowers, vegetables and bush tucker
Reducing waste with the worm farm
Fruit scraps to our resident possum
Food scraps to our family’s chooks
Our History.
Throughout the years, the Pre-Prep has grown, prospered and fulfilled the important needs of the families and children of Gympie and surrounding communities.
The instigator of the Gympie Kindergarten was a Mrs Marshall from Tasmania, who was Joan Lawrence’s mother. She was staying with Joan and said it really was time Gympie had a Kindergarten, so Joan arranged to have an afternoon tea and invite those friends who she thought might be interested. It was decided there and then to form a committee.
Since 1950 our centre has been affiliated with and governed by C & K Limited (formerly the C & K Association of Queensland) (now celebrating over 100 years of service to Qld families).
Early Education Consultants from The Office of Early Childhood complete the licensing procedure as required by the Child Care (Child Care Centres) Regulations Act, under the Department of Education & Training. This, along with C & K Affiliation procedures, ensure that our programs and equipment are maintained to a continually high standard.
1948
On September 2, 1948, Gympie's citizens convened at City Hall. Office bearers were elected, setting the Kindergarten's foundation.
1949
The Kindergarten happily opened its doors to ten young pupils at the Presbyterian Hall.
1950
By 1950, a new home was for the centre on Alma Street.
1963
The present building was completed in 1963 and the Kindergarten began operating as a double unit in 1969.
1988
We saw the completion of the second room extension to the main building.
1995
The wheelchair access ramp was installed.
2007
Gympie Community Kindergarten & Preschool Inc became Alma Street Pre-Prep with the implementation of Prep in formal schooling.
2013
A grant was received to complete an extension to the building, relocate the kitchen and install a wheelchair accessible bathroom. We began to see up to 100 children attending across a week.
Our PhilosophyAlma Street Pre-Prep has been affiliated with C&K, providing exceeding levels of quality education and care to children for 73 years with some enrolments being of third-generation families.
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The Pre-Prep program recognises and values the richness and importance of play in children’s learning. We believe children are active makers of meaning in their world with guidance from well-prepared, committed, nurturing and ‘in tune’ educators.
Children are kept in the same group all year round to promote; connectedness, consistency, structure, routine and belonging.
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Children are unique, curious and are the leaders of our service, bringing their individual set of skills, abilities, culture, interests, and ways of being.
Children are encouraged to be children, and are valued for their own qualities including culture, ability and diversity, enjoying exploration through uninterrupted periods of play, art expression and experiences, following their plans.
Children are the next generation of worldly contributors, demonstrating agency as Global Citizens, investigating, exploring and contributing to their world. Children are capable of the most amazing things.
The social/emotional environment at Alma Street Pre-Prep lives belonging and kindness for all stakeholders as its key values and is illustrated by harmony, inclusivity, nurturing and ‘tuning in’ to little people and big people.
Early childhood education is a dynamic and truly interactive & collaborative process between children of all abilities and cultures, their families, educators, environment, and peers and are supported by intentional teaching, spontaneous exploration and play, conversation, and ideas sharing.
The environment (the ‘third teacher’) supports the richness of both indoor and outdoor play in children’s learning. Our resourceful, inviting, safe and nurturing environment fosters imagination and creativity, sustainable pracitices and is flexible in accommodating children’s ever-changing needs and individual agency.
Children are joy, and love fun! They are the future.
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Our dedicated Educators are actively involved in comprehensive & varied professional development to maintain ethical and professional standards, thus demonstrating our commitment towards critical reflection and continuous improvement of the service.
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Alma Street Pre-Prep operates on Gubbi Gubbi country, acknowledging and valuing all families and culture. Children contribute to the passing on and sharing of traditions, values and knowledge from one generation to the next, creating a sense of providence.
Educators scaffold children’s learning by adopting the following principles to enhance practice...
Where to find us
3 Alma St,
Gympie QLD 4570
Come along and join the gang!
Let’s provide your child with the nurturing, consistent, and enriching educational experience they deserve.
Schedule a visit to Alma Street Pre-Prep in Gympie, where we're committed to building bright futures, one child at a time.