Starting preschool is a pretty big deal. It marks the beginning of a whole new chapter for us as parents [grab your tissues!] and it’s especially BIG for our kids, because being four or five and heading into school is pretty darn scary!
Naturally, we want to find a preschool that will support our little ones [and us!] every step of the way, a place that’s nurturing and safe, but also one that sets them up to thrive at school.
We recently visited the Pre-K classroom at Oxley College, right here in the Southern Highlands, and it certainly ticks all the right boxes – [and then some].
Based in Burradoo, this Pre-K offering may only be in its second year as part of Oxley’s Junior School, but it’s already establishing itself as a standout in early education – setting a high standard and fast becoming one to watch locally.
Oxley’s newly appointed Head of Junior School, Ms Heidi Shvetsoff, stepped into the role in January and she couldn’t be more impressed by what’s on offer.
“I’m incredibly passionate about our Pre-K program at Oxley,” says Ms Shvetsoff. “It’s such a thoughtful, nurturing environment – and truly one of the best I’ve seen.”
“More people should know about what’s on offer here. It’s already something special, and we’ve got some exciting developments ahead that will make it even better.”
A Joyful Beginning To Lifelong Learning
Oxley’s Pre-K is more than just a stepping stone to Kindergarten – it’s the beginning of a lifelong love of learning. The nurturing, play-based environment helps children explore, discover and grow, while gently building the foundational skills they’ll need for school.
“It’s all about getting children ready for school in a way that still feels like play. Remembering that they are only four or five, so it has to be fun, engaging, and full of joy.” says Mrs Kelly Lees, Oxley’s passionate Pre-K and qualified primary educator.
“This is the age where they really start to shift from playing alongside others to truly playing with others. They learn to take turns, share, have little conversations – and start forming real connections with their peers.”
With a focus on personal growth and wellbeing, every child is supported as an individual, while also learning to care for and connect with those around them. It’s a warm and thoughtful start to school life – and the perfect way to set kids up for the years of education ahead.
[And how lovely is this – Oxley’s Pre-K kids are affectionately called the “Joeys” – a perfect name for these little learners as they hop into school life.]
An Engaging And Enriching Curriculum
One of the most exciting things about Pre-K at Oxley is how it draws on the strengths and expertise of the wider school. These lucky kids enjoy a host of lessons specially created for them, with support from the broader teaching staff. That means access to specialist teachers from across the Junior and Senior Schools in areas like Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education [they’ve got a modified sports uniform so they stand out!], Library and even French [that’s right… c’est exact!].
The Pre-K program is led by Mrs Lees, supported by a dedicated teacher’s aide. Together, they create a nurturing and responsive environment that ensures every child is guided, encouraged and supported in those important early years.
Learning Through Play And Exploration
Play really is at the heart of Oxley Pre-K – it’s how the kids learn, explore and grow. Their program is partly child-led, which just means the teachers nurture and follow the kids’ natural curiosity and build learning around what they are genuinely interested in.
“It’s all about letting them explore the world in their own way,” says Mrs Lees. “That’s what we centre everything around.”
Their days are a mix of structured group time and long blocks of unstructured play – so the kids get to follow their interests, make discoveries and learn by doing. Things like counting, sorting, storytelling and even early science concepts are introduced through fun, hands-on activities and games.
“When a child has that lightbulb moment – when they discover something new – the joy on their face is just magic. It’s why I love what I do,” Mrs Lees shares. [Nothing beats seeing an “aha!” moment on a little kid’s face.]
The whole thing is about sparking their curiosity and letting them take the lead, rather than being told what to learn. So it’s not just fun – it’s setting them up beautifully for school and beyond.
Early Literacy Made Fun
Another unique inclusion at Oxley Pre-K is the daily PreLit sessions – a clever early literacy program designed especially for preschoolers and a precursor to the InitiaLit program used across all NSW schools from Kindergarten to Year 2.
It’s a gentle intro to the foundations of literacy and numeracy, keeping things fun and playful. Kids learn key concepts like letter recognition and pre-writing skills – but it all feels more like play than formal learning. The children love it!
PreLit uses shared reading, vocabulary building and group discussions to help develop skills like listening, comprehension and story structure.
It’s not something used to push kids to read before they’re ready – it’s about building confidence and giving them the tools they’ll need to thrive when they do move onto programs like InitiaLit.
Belonging Is At The Heart Of This School
The children are at the centre of everything at Oxley College – which is especially true for their Pre-K students, who are located [quite literally] in the heart of the school’s campus.
From day one, the preschoolers can’t help but to be immersed in the culture and pulse of the school. They aren’t tucked away in a separate corner out of view – they are very much included, connected, and seen by other students every day.
And it’s this very exposure that helps them feel part of the school community long before Kindergarten even starts.
“It’s not uncommon to see older students walking by and waving hello, stopping to chat, to play or just taking on a mentoring role by lending a helping hand,” says Head of Junior School, Ms Heidi Shvetsoff.
“And it’s these simple gestures that let our little ones know that they belong. It’s really quite wonderful to watch”.
But Heidi actually says it’s more than that, “It’s also a powerful reminder for the older students of just how far they’ve come and how much they’ve grown on their own learning journey.”
The children also take part in activities with older kids – like sports lessons with Year 8 students and buddy time with Year 3 – all of which help these little learners build relationships and truly feel part of the bigger school community.
Supporting A Smooth Transition To Kindergarten And Beyond
But at Oxley, they aren’t just about preparing the kids academically – there’s a strong focus on building routines and developing important social, emotional and self-help skills that are vital for success both in the classroom and in life.
As the year goes on, the kids gradually become classroom ready. Through daily group times, structured activities and learning to follow instructions, children build the kind of daily rhythm and routine that mirrors the flow of a Kindergarten day.
Fine motor skills are gently nurtured through playful activities like drawing, cutting and manipulating small objects, helping kids feel confident when it comes time for tasks like writing and using classroom tools.
They learn to cooperate, share and work alongside friends – which builds confidence and essential social skills along the way.
Equally important, children begin to develop self-help skills – things like managing their own belongings, toileting independently and knowing how to ask for help when they need it. These little moments of independence make a big impact, helping them feel capable, confident and ready for all that school life has to offer.
Vibrant Spaces For Learning Both Inside And Out
Affectionately known as “The Burrow,” the Pre-K space is just as warm and welcoming as its name suggests – a cosy home for Oxley’s youngest learners to grow, explore and belong.
Inside, the preschool’s learning spaces are neat and cosy – filled with natural light, a certain calmness and an air of creativity. It’s a beautiful mix, with great care taken by the school to create the kind of nurturing environment where little learners can truly shine.
Outdoor learning is just as important as what happens inside, part of the school’s commitment to encouraging curiosity and grounding students in nature from the very beginning.
The outdoor play areas for Pre-K have been thoughtfully designed just for preschoolers – with nature-based elements, open space and calming garden outlooks that encourage imaginative and creative play. Purpose-built for little learners, these spaces offer a safe and engaging environment that invites exploration, movement and connection with the world around them.
A Place For The Whole family
Care also extends to how the school connects with families too. A small class size means each child is known and supported individually. And so the partnership with each family is strong and deeply valued in conjunction with this approach.
Pre-K parents stay in the loop through regular communications, termly open classrooms and student showcases where children proudly share their work. Weekly reflections offer further insight into each child’s learning journey – keeping parents informed, involved and connected.
And for families with siblings across the school – from Pre-K to Senior – that sense of belonging connection only deepens. Unlike most preschools, Oxley gives younger children the chance to see their older siblings every day. Little ones light up at the sight of familiar faces, and the big kids naturally slip into nurturing roles. It’s a rare and special opportunity to share the school journey as a family. Talk about feeling right at home!
Bridging Generations Through Community Connection
In a beautiful expression of Oxley’s broader values, the school also welcomes local seniors into the Pre-K classroom through its Pals and Pioneers program – a unique initiative that fosters intergenerational and community connection.
Each week, members of the community spend time with the Pre-K children, reading stories and engaging in play. Both kids and adults get a real buzz out of it.
“Four year olds are seriously smart, coupled with a wicked sense of fun,” says Lynne who now has Mondays at Oxley locked into her calendar.
“We’re creating wonderful connections and building on the Oxley commitment to developing an engaged school community.”
“I never leave Pre-K without a smile on my face – and a few new skills under my belt. With a grandson now in Kindy, it’s wonderful to see school values being borne out through this intergenerational program.”
The children build confidence and communication skills, while their special guests find joy and purpose in these interactions.
It’s a small but special part of life at Oxley, reinforcing the school’s focus on inclusion and community connection right from the very start.
At the end of the day, we all want our little people to leave preschool feeling confident they’ve had the best possible head start to learning. Because let’s face it – preschool is the warm-up before the big game of school, and we want to make sure that we’re ALL ready.
Pre-K at Oxley isn’t just a preschool – it’s a warm welcome into lifelong learning. With strong foundations, meaningful connections and a play-based, student-led approach, it gives children exactly what they need to thrive.
Honestly, Oxley Pre-K might just be the best possible start to your child’s school journey – and it’s right here in the Highlands.
How lucky are we? [VERY!]