2024 growing for prep group

Alicia is a Speech Language Pathologist at Little Sunflower Therapy Co. Prior to completing her Master’s of Speech Pathology, Alicia was a primary school teacher and brings this experience to our group. Alicia will be focusing on developing oral language, social communication and pre-literacy skills to support your child in the classroom and on the playground. 

Hayley is an Occupational Therapist at Wild Springs Therapy. Hayley will focus on developing fine motor, emotional regulation, organisational and social skills that your child will need for supporting their independence in Prep. 

Andrea is the owner and principal of Ohana Physiotherapy. Andrea is an AHPRA registered physiotherapist, Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) member and on the board of the APA Paediatric Special Interest Group. She is excited to join our group for one of the sessions to support gross motor development and coordination. 

Drop off for the group will be at 8.30am. Our goal is for group participants to be able to separate from their parents to replicate a regular day at Prep. 

On the first day, participants will be provided with bags that they can bring to each session.

Each week will focus on a different theme and particular skill set. Activities to develop these specific skills have been designed by our therapists. 

It can be difficult for our therapists to provide verbal feedback to each parent at pick up. To ensure smooth pick ups, parents will be given written feedback at the end of each session, including activities to develop skills areas that your child may benefit from. 

The group will cost $115 per participant per session or $575 upfront for all 5 sessions. 

The group will run for 5 weekly sessions over Term 4. 

We have carefully chosen this time frame for the group to ensure that children have enough time to process and practise their new skills before starting Prep.  

The transition from childcare to Prep can be a challenge for all children. We have designed the group to focus on general skills we believe children will require for Prep. However, we will be able to adapt and focus on the areas that your child would benefit from additional time and support. 

Our group aims to develop your child’s confidence in the following areas to ensure they can have the smoothest possible transition:

• Socialising with other children 
• Listening and paying attention 
• Communication and literacy skills 
• Fine motor and coordination skills required for learning 
• Emotional and sensory regulation skills 

Specific skills in these areas include:

• Transitioning in and out of the room and between activities
• Managing belongings (bag, hat, shoes)
• Problem solving and engaging in interactions with peers
• Advocating for self (needs, wants, feelings) to peers and teachers
• Following verbal instructions for routines
• Developing phonological awareness skills (sound play, rhyming) and beginning letter-sound knowledge 
• Pre-writing skills
• Scissor skills 
• Core strength and postural control for table-top learning 
• Awareness of typical emotions that can arise during this transition and strategies for managing these 

If you would like to set up a time to chat to our therapists, please send us an email and we can organise a time to discuss if your child would be a good fit for our group. 

Please feel free to send an email to hayley@wildspringstherapy.com or info@littlesunflowertherapyco.com.au

Our therapists will be available for a meet and greet session prior to the group commencing. These sessions typically go for 15 minutes. 

This provides your child a chance to become familiar with one of our therapists. It’s also important for our therapists to have an understanding of your child’s strengths and areas for development so that we can best support them in the group sessions. 

Parents will also be required to complete a short questionnaire form to assist our therapists to develop goals and strategies for supporting your child’s needs. 

The group will be run at Little Sunflower Therapy Co in Mudgeeraba. Further information related to address and parking will be provided before the first session. 

Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants are able to use their NDIS funding as payment for this group. 

Unfortunately, NDIA-managed participants will not be able to use their NDIS funds for payment. 

Private paying participants are also accepted. 

Your child will receive brief written feedback at the end of each session. To keep costs low, we have not included a summary report for the end of the group program. 

Reports can be beneficial for NDIS purposes and to provide therapist observations and recommendations to your child’s 2025 Prep teacher. 

If you require a report or would like further formal feedback, you are welcome to let our therapists know and this can be accommodated for additional costs ($193.99 per hour of therapist time).