JK to Kindergarten

JK to Kindergarten – The Experiential Years

At St Hilda’s, we create a nurturing environment where students build a strong foundation to thrive. Our teachers take the time to understand each child as an individual, fostering their mental, physical, and spiritual growth.

We prioritise early literacy – by building a love for reading in the early years – and numeracy, ensuring children grasp essential skills while developing confidence and independence. Our play-based approach encourages curiosity and discovery, using the environment as a third teacher to reinforce learning in engaging and meaningful ways. Through hands-on exploration, students develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and a love of learning.

We focus on building independence, responsibility, and respect, helping children adjust to new routines in a supportive and encouraging environment. With wide-open spaces and a natural setting that sparks curiosity and imagination, our student-led learning approach empowers students to investigate, question, and explore the world around them.

Students in Kindergarten are screened for Speech to identify any areas of need. Early intervention is the best intervention and with onsite Speech Therapist available; this support occurs during the school day.

Our device-free classrooms enable students to be fully present and engaged in an intentional learning environment.

Girl in a blue uniform holds up a chart while classmates look on in a classroom.

The benefits of Nature Play

Nature play fosters curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving by using the environment as a third teacher. Designed to reflect learning goals, natural spaces encourage exploration, collaboration, and independence.

Bright, airy classrooms extend into outdoor areas, supporting different learning modes. Movement-based play enhances cognitive and physical development while deepening connections to nature.

By embracing nature play, students build resilience, responsibility, and respect – essential skills for lifelong learning.

Specialist Learning Programs

St Hilda’s specialist learning programs are taught by teachers who are experts in their learning area.
Our specialist program reflects the offering in the Senior School to ensure a smooth transition from Chidley to Bay View.

Specialist Programs	Junior Kindy (sessions per week)	Kindy (sessions per week)
音乐	2	2
法语		1
Visual Arts	1	1
体育		2

Explore our Early Learning Centre

We invite you to experience the Junior School in action through one of our group or personal tours.

安排参观

Junior Kindergarten to Kindergarten Frequently Asked Questions

How does St Hilda's prepare children for school?

Children develop school readiness through structured routines, early literacy and numeracy programs, inquiry-based learning, and opportunities to build social, emotional and communication skills.

What does play-based learning look like at St Hilda's?

Children learn through exploration, hands-on experiences, creativity, investigation and guided discovery. This approach encourages curiosity, problem-solving and deeper engagement with learning.

What is the best age to start Junior Kindergarten in Perth?

The ideal starting age depends on your child’s development and readiness. Junior Kindergarten provides a supportive environment where young children can develop confidence, independence and social skills before Kindergarten.

What should my child know before starting Kindergarten?

Children do not need advanced academic skills before Kindergarten. Developing independence, communication skills, curiosity, confidence and the ability to participate in routines can help support a successful transition.

How do I choose the right Kindergarten in Perth for my child?

Parents should consider educational philosophy, teacher expertise, wellbeing support, learning environments, outdoor spaces, specialist programs and whether the school’s values align with their family’s goals. St Hilda’s combines these elements within a nurturing early learning environment.

What are the benefits of nature play in early childhood education?

Nature play helps children develop resilience, confidence, independence, problem-solving skills and a stronger connection to the natural environment.

How does St Hilda's support early literacy and numeracy?

The program places a strong emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy skills while fostering confidence and a genuine love of reading and learning from an early age.

How does St Hilda's support children's wellbeing and development?

Students benefit from a holistic approach that supports mental, physical and spiritual growth. Kindergarten students also receive speech screening, with access to an onsite Speech Therapist when required.

Why choose an all-girls early learning environment?

An all-girls environment allows educators to tailor learning experiences to support confidence, belonging, leadership and personal growth from the earliest years of schooling.