Successful Foundations

Successful Foundations is an initiative designed to strengthen the process of transition to school in the first five full weeks of Kindergarten. Unique to Catholic Primary schools in Maitland-Newcastle, Successful Foundations utilises a strengths-based approach and supports the positive transition to school of Kindergarten children and their families.  

Successful Foundations provides continuum between prior to school and school. Through a series of open-ended play experiences, children are able to actively demonstrate their funds of knowledge, build relationships and become familiar with the context of the school. Successful Foundations also provides teachers with the time and opportunity to develop meaningful relationships as they observe and interact with the competent, creative and capable child. 

Successful Foundations aims to assist Kindergarten teachers to:  

• observe, listen to, document and analyse children’s learning dispositions, skills and knowledge; 

• facilitate conversations with children, families and colleagues;  

• profile children’s strengths, interests and learning needs;  

• engage the environment; 

• plan collaboratively for learning. 

Successful Foundations continues to develop innovative ways of communicating with families, highlighting the importance of play for learning and wellbeing as well as child development and neuroscience. The creativity, curiosity, wonderings, reflections and discoveries of children raise the image of the child and celebrate their many capabilities and strengths. 

Successful Foundations helps students settle into school, feel safe and develop a sense of belonging. 

Early Learning practices are instrumental in supporting school communities. This walks hand in hand with our Catholic faith, our commitment to re-imagining childhood and our understanding of transition to school as a time of establishing connections and relationships to eventually develop a sense of belonging for each child and the child’s family.