Prep Readiness
Supporting a confident, seamless transition to Prep
At ECC Little Gems, we believe the year before Prep is a precious season of growth. Our Kindy program provides the social, emotional, physical, and early academic foundations children need to thrive as they begin their school journey.
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Our approach focuses on nurturing the whole child — helping them feel safe, confident, and ready for the next step.
What Prep readiness looks like at ECC Little Gems
Social–emotional development
Children learn how to build friendships, take turns, share, follow routines, and express emotions appropriately. Educators use gentle co-regulation strategies — coming alongside children to model calm problem-solving and positive social behaviour.
Self-care & independence skills
We support children as they develop the practical skills needed for school life, including:
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managing their belongings
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toileting and hygiene
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opening lunchboxes and containers
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following instructions
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moving between activities with confidence
Early literacy foundations
Through songs, stories, conversations, and play, children explore:
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sound awareness
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vocabulary development
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storytelling
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listening and speaking skills
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early mark-making and letter-like shapes
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Literacy learning unfolds through rich language experiences—stories, songs, conversations, and play that build vocabulary, comprehension, and early mark-making skills.
Early numeracy foundations
Children participate in hands-on learning experiences with:
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counting
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number recognition
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sorting and patterns
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comparing quantities
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spatial awareness
Numeracy develops through hands-on exploration—counting, sorting, patterning, and comparing quantities in playful, everyday contexts.
Our Prep transition program
On-campus library visits
Once a fortnight, children visit the ECC library where the ECC Principal reads a story. This builds confidence and familiarity with the school environment.
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Focused transition sessions
Throughout the year, children participate in:
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a literacy-focused session
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a numeracy-focused session
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a play-based transition session
These experiences build routine awareness and prepare children for classroom expectations.
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Prep orientation day
Children enrolled in Emerald Christian College Prep attend an orientation day in Term 4 — meeting teachers, exploring the classroom, and experiencing “big school” in a calm, supported way.
Kindy Uplift at Little Gems
Kindy Uplift is a Queensland Government initiative designed to strengthen Kindy programs and improve outcomes for children in the year before Prep. Selected centres receive additional funding to grow educator expertise and enhance learning in key areas of child development.
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At ECC Little Gems, our participation in Kindy Uplift has supported improvements in:
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Speech and language development
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Social and emotional skills
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Early literacy and numeracy
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Learning through play
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Support for children with additional needs
This program helps us provide an even stronger, more targeted Kindy experience—ensuring children are well supported and ready for a confident transition into Prep.
Speech & language support
Families who would like additional support for their child’s communication and language development can access private speech therapy sessions with our onsite speech therapist, Natalie McLennan. Natalie works from a dedicated therapy room on the Emerald Christian College campus and provides assessments and therapy during school hours.
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Natalie is a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (CPSP) and offers evidence-based, family-centred care for children aged 3 and up. Her onsite service makes accessing early support convenient for families.
To enquire or book a private session, please contact Natalie directly at emeraldspeech.org.
A familiar environment that builds confidence
Our Kindy is located on the Emerald Christian College campus, helping children become familiar with the wider school community long before Prep. They regularly see the same surroundings, follow predictable routines, and interact with familiar staff across the centre. This sense of continuity helps reduce anxiety and supports a confident transition into “big school.”
