Junior & Senior Infants (Kindergarten/Vorschule)
The Kindergarten welcomes children from 4-6 years of age. A knowledge of the German language or a German family background is not a requirement for entry into the Kindergarten School.
There are four groups in Kindergarten and each group has a mix of Kindergarten pupils (Junior Infants, 4/5 years) and Vorschule pupils (Senior Infants, 5/6 years) as would be the norm in Germany and some Irish schools.
During the two year Kindergarten cycle each child follows a blend of what we consider to be the best of the Irish and German curricula for this age group. It is an active, dynamic environment with multiple ways to learn and play.
School Day
The school day begins at 8:25 a.m. though we welcome the children from 7.45 a.m.
The children spend their time between their Group Room and their Montessori Room.
Our Class Teachers are native German speakers and from the beginning, when in their group room, the children are immersed in German. When in the Group Room the children engage in:
• German lessons (dedicated time)
• Art and Crafts
• Circle Time
• Structured activities involving Mathematics and Engineering
• Unstructured Play
• P.E. (Sport)
Our Montessori teachers are native English speakers and English is the language of the Montessori rooms.
In the Montessori Room the children engage in:
• Mathematics
• Language
• Cultural Studies: History, Geography, Science etc.
• Practical Life
• Sensorial Work
In addition, our Kindergarten children have dedicated English lessons with a Primary School teacher.
• Break times break is normally taken at 10:30 a.m. Kindergarten pupils bring packed lunches and snacks from home.
• The school day officially finishes at 12.50 p.m.
• The majority of our Kindergarten children are enrolled in Aftercare and extra-curricular activities.
The school holidays are in accordance with the standardised school year prescribed by the Department of Education and Skills.
Parent–Teacher Engagement
Parent Information Meetings take place in early September. At these meetings, parents meet the staff in person, visit the classroom and learn about the school day, the curricula and the daily routine in detail.
One on one parent – teacher meetings are held in late January/early February and all parents are invited to attend. At these meetings, parents have dedicated time with their child’s teachers.
Parent – Child Craft Workshops are held at Christmas and Easter providing a unique opportunity for parents, children and teachers to work together.
Pre-First Class Information Meetings are held each year in May. At these meetings parents will learn about how the transition to First Class is smoothly managed in the interests of the children and what parents can expect as their children move on.
School Reports are issued twice in the year: January and June.
A weekly News Update is issued by the Head of Primary and Kindergarten which allows parents to keep up and engage with their children about school life.
A monthly ‘Looking Ahead’ calendar is issued to remind parents of upcoming events.
Dedicated email addresses: all teachers have dedicated email addresses through which they can be contacted.
Compass is our information management system and parents can enter absences, view school reports and the class timetables.
A comprehensive ‘Back to School Guide’ is provided each year.
Learning Support/Resource Teaching
St. Kilian’s Primary and Kindergarten School has a Resource Department for Maths, English, German and general support. The deployment of resource teaching is teacher driven. If you have, at any stage, concerns about your child you should contact their Class Teacher.
Find out about Aftercare here.
