Preschool - Chapman Primary School

All ACT residents with children turning 4 years of age on or before the preschool year are entitled to 15 hours of free preschool per week. Chapman Primary School operates 4 preschool sessions over a 5 day fortnight timetable.

Learning experiences in early childhood settings build on a range of understandings students have developed within their families and community. Our teaching and learning programs evolve from the combination of student observations and teacher led learning activities to create student-centred learning opportunities, maximise student engagement and build on their individual strengths.

Our play-based indoor and outdoor learning spaces provide for a balanced and child-led, child-initiated, and teacher-led learning experiences to offer children the opportunity to explore interests which promote empowerment, confidence and a love of learning.

Our preschool students are often invited to join in with appropriate whole-school activities such as sporting and social events, special performances and assemblies. This links with a smooth transition from preschool to kindergarten.

A positive start to school can help children to become lifelong learners. Preschool Pathways is an ACT Education initiative supporting families transitioning to preschool with guides and resources for parents and carers.

Our preschool sessions

Frogs and Spots: Monday, Tuesday and alternate odd week Wednesday - 9.00 am to 3.00 pm
Turtles and Stripes: Thursday, Friday and alternate even week Wednesday - 9.00 am to 3.00 pm

Teaching teams

Frogs	Turtles	Spots	Stripes
Teacher: Michelle Abrahamffy	Teacher: Sarah D'Abrera	Teacher: Jemma Balzan	Teacher: Jemma Balzan
Educator: Cara Hough Additional Educator Frogs: Stephanie Snowball		Educator: Amanda Hoefel
Early Childhood Educational Leader, Deputy Principal		Belinda Bacon
Additional Preschool Teachers - Lunch time Relief		Vicky Bresnan, Emily Di-Salvatore, Libby Emerson and Alicia Norris
Additional Preschool Educators - Educator Lunch time Relief		Nicki Johannes, Sue Patterson, Anna Town, Eliza Willis, Riley Bacon, Ruben Cook, Hannah Dears, Talulla Hindle, and Kashmir Tan

Chapman Preschool Philosophy Statement

We believe play is fundamental to children’s learning. We provide children with uninterrupted and prolonged time to play in a variety of spaces.

We believe all children are capable and competent and learn in different ways. Educators provide environments that enhance and enrich learning by responding to interests and needs and promoting child agency.

We believe children learn best when they are supported to be successful and are happy and having fun. Educators maintain high expectations for all children, by identifying strengths and encouraging new learning experiences.

We believe children need a strong sense of wellbeing to develop trust, confidence, and a sense of belonging. Therefore, educators develop and facilitate warm, trusting relationships, predictable, safe environments and respect. We do this through supporting children to participate collaboratively and contribute to decisions during play and routines.

Families are a child’s first and most influential teacher. We create a welcoming environment and encourage families to collaborate as partners in their child’s preschool experience. Together we are a community of learners.

Chapman Preschool values and respects the cultural diversity in our learning community. We are committed to inclusive practices and acknowledge the link between culture and identity. We promote a deeper appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and respect for land.

We continually engage in ongoing learning and reflective practices. We gather information and gain insights that support, inform and enrich decision making about children’s learning.

Revised: March 2026

Chapman Preschool Quality Improvement Plan 2026