With great enthusiasm and passion, Kildare students ventured to Nido, a local Early Learning School.
Their mission: To enrich and inspire young minds in our community.
Their challenge: To answer the question, ' How can we design an initiative for 3 and 4-year-olds to better our local community?’
Over 100 Year 9 students joined forces and formed small groups, each armed with creativity and a desire to make a positive impact. They developed activities and designed 20-minute sessions, aimed at enriching the development of young minds; targeting specific learning outcomes such as improved motor skills, enhanced memory, expanded general knowledge, and the generation of creativity. Every child participated in multiple activities during six visits from Kildare, and the outcomes were nothing short of extraordinary, recognising the significance of nurturing a love for learning from an early age.
Carolyn Whitton, People and Quality Leader at Nido, says ‘This experience by Kildare is a first for Nido in South Australia. We saw great benefits for both Kildare students and Nido children with discussion about the possibility of a traineeship in the Childcare Sector which excited the Kildare students. We would love to continue our partnership with Kildare. This experience was a confidence builder for all involved; learning to communicate in various ways leads to improved social skills and language development.
The Year 9 Kildare College RISE students embraced the opportunity to spark curiosity and nurture skills in young minds. Raymond Kropinski, Director of Teaching and Learning at Kildare College, says ‘This special program did not just enrich the children at Nido, it sparked a profound sense of purpose; fostering leadership, empathy, teamwork and social responsibility in our Year 9 students. They are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the leaders shaping tomorrow.’
