Shine Bright Helm Street Kindergarten honoured in 2021 Victorian Early Years Awards

Shine Bright Helm Street Kindergarten has been announced as one of the winners for the 2021 Victorian Early Years Awards, successful in the Continuity of Early Learning category through the provision of their Creative Arts Transition program in conjunction with Kangaroo Flat Primary School.

Creative Arts Transition is a partnership that is improving vulnerable children’s transition to primary school by building their social and emotional skills through creative arts.

Identifying social-emotional development as a key priority of school readiness, Helm Street Kindergarten and Kangaroo Flat Primary partnered to engage an Art Therapist to work between the two settings, supporting children to make what can be a challenging transition – particularly for children experiencing vulnerability.

The Art Therapist provides continuity and guidance across kindergarten and school, supporting children to tell stories about their experience in creative and non-verbal ways. By providing a safe medium through which they can express emotion, build resilience and establish meaningful relationships, children develop a sense of place and belonging with the new learning environment.

Unique in its focus on improving wellbeing for all children through creative art making, Creative Arts Transition is ensuring the impact of creative, caring and consistent relationships is supporting children’s successful transition to the school environment.