IT may look like playtime – but it’s actually that and so much more.

Lyndoch Valley Family Centre director Courtney Rieck is a big advocate of the benefits of preschool and learning through play.

Her centre has about 20 preschoolers enrolled and is focused on play-based, hands-on learning.

“The benefits of preschool are social and emotional,” she said.

“It’s the opportunity to build those communication skills, literacy and numeracy skills, all through play.

“Whether it’s experiencing their digging, or some children prefer to draw and paint, there is a range of ways children can learn. There are underlying reasons for everything – even sandpit play, there is still that measuring, volume capacity, there is a gross-motor skill for digging, and having spatial awareness.

“...we are very big in dispositions here, so it’s having the confidence, the communication skills, being able to co-operate, share and take turns, being resilient and knowing it’s OK to make mistakes.”

Families with children who turn four before May 1 next year need to enrol their child by June 30 this year to begin preschool next year.

It’s also not too late for families to enrol their child to begin preschool this year if they turned four before May 1, 2021.

Aboriginal children and children who are or have been in care are eligible to attend preschool once they turn three.

Ms Rieck said she encouraged families to reach out to preschools and kindergartens to have any questions answered and to further understand the benefits of enrolling.

Lyndoch Valley Family Centre will hold an open day on Sunday, June 20, from 1-3pm.