In this episode of 'dare to be more', host Anthony Perl speaks with Daniel Sandral, Head of Junior School, and Natalie Hird, Deputy Head of Junior School for Operations, about preparing young girls for the important milestone of starting Pre-Kindergarten at MLC School.
Daniel emphasises that the early years of learning are absolutely foundational for schooling right through to Year 12 and beyond, explaining how his role ensures every girl in Pre-K has the very best learning environment possible. He describes how MLC School reaches out to families about two years before girls commence, creating opportunities to get to know parents and their daughters whilst discussing what to expect and how to prepare.
Natalie explains the significant advantages of having Pre-Kindergarten on the School campus, particularly for preparing girls for Kindergarten. She describes how girls become familiar with the spaces, routines, teachers, and even the Kindergarten classrooms themselves, making the transition much smoother for both students and parents.
The conversation addresses common parent concerns about preparation, with Daniel reassuring families that it's not a competition and every child is different. He shares practical advice including ensuring girls can toilet themselves, carry their own bags, and open lunchboxes, whilst emphasising that the best preparation is simply doing what parents already do well - taking children to playgrounds, letting them play in sandpits and baths, and most importantly, reading books together.
Natalie discusses the importance of early learning centre experience, noting that girls who have attended childcare or preschool generally find the transition easier, particularly around separation from parents. She emphasises the value of oral language development through everyday activities like cooking, gardening, and shopping, alongside fine motor skill development and social-emotional growth through play dates.
Daniel shares insights about siblings' influence, explaining that whilst girls with older siblings may be more familiar with the School, every child's experience is unique and MLC School's strong orientation program ensures all girls have opportunities to visit and spend time at the School before commencing.
The episode addresses parent preparation, with Natalie emphasising the importance of consistent routines, particularly around drop-off and pick-up, and resisting the urge to return for 'one more goodbye'. She acknowledges that the first day can be more challenging for parents than children.
Daniel discusses supporting families where English is not the first language, explaining how all children come with rich language foundations and how MLC School's unique language program supports girls in becoming proficient English speakers whilst encouraging families to maintain their cultural languages at home.
The conversation concludes with reflections on 'dare to be more' - Natalie describing the joy of watching girls who started in Pre-K now thriving in upper primary, having truly lived the School's philosophy, whilst Daniel shares a touching story about a Pre-K student who challenged him about the lack of a swing in the new playground, demonstrating how even the youngest students embody the spirit of respectfully challenging themselves and others to be more.
About MLC School: MLC School is a leading independent girls' school in Sydney, committed to empowering young women through academic excellence, character development, and innovative education. Our mission is to inspire girls to dare to be more.
Connect With Us:
- Website: mlcsyd.nsw.edu.au
- Instagram: @mlcsydney
- Facebook: @MLCSchoolSydney
- LinkedIn: MLC School
Co-host: Anthony Perl
Produced by: 'Podcasts Done for You'
