A Prep child’s first experience at Willow Grove Primary School begins with an intensive transition program during term 4 of the year before.

Our Prep program fosters students in a caring manner, with an emphasis on routines, social skills and academics.

Our Literacy Program is phonics based. During reading, writing and spelling lessons students learn the letter names and the sounds they make. We use the singing alphabet and cued articulation, along with an emphasis on mouth positions to make sounds.

Students learn to read and write the M100W first 100 words.

Students use early writing behaviours (drawing and telling stories which are scribed by an adult) before moving into more formalised writing.

Phonological awareness is an important aspect in our beginning Prep program. Students explore alliteration, rhyming, compound words, onset and rime through games.

Students explore books every day, having them read to them, and reading them to themselves or an adult. Students bring home a ‘reader’ every night.

Our Numeracy Program uses manipulatives (counters, blocks etc) at every opportunity. Students begin by exploring with manipulatives, then move into drawing to show their understanding, followed by more formal writing. Students play maths games to enhance their learning. Numeracy units are integrated across the curriculum.

Students have access to an i-pad for learning. Programs such as Teach Your Monster to Read, Teach Your Monster Number, Pages and the PM Reading app are used as part of the learning program.

We run buddy programs with our senior students. Prep students are given a senior student buddy who can support them in the yard or during special activities.

Student assessment allows students to be extended and supported.