Welcome to all our new children, families and those returning to Pre-school. We work happily with a diverse and interesting mix of cultures, some children/families with little or no English and children with an additional need. All children will receive dedicated care and support in their learning. Children have varying needs and therefore require different levels of support. Remember fair isn’t everybody getting the same thing, fair is getting what they need in order to be successful. We wish you all a very happy year ahead.
The children will be provided with lots of great opportunities to make friends, learn new skills and develop others. The children will enjoy many indoor and outdoor activities. We will promote key learning areas such as literacy, numeracy, gross and fine motor skills, science, nature and the environment and important social skills. Music, singing, dancing, drama, art and craft will be encouraged and supported to promote curiosity, creativity, independence and to develop a love of learning.
It is important for your child to learn valuable social and self-help skills. Social skills include; listening and talking to others, following simple directions, following rules and routines without constant reminders, playing well with others, initiating interactions with friends, taking turns, using language to express feelings (rather than crying or hitting if unhappy), respecting others and their belongings, will participate appropriately in small and large group situations and complete tasks with a minimum of adult assistance. This will help them to become good members of the community.
Self-help skills include; putting on and taking off jumpers, cardigans, jackets and shoes, eating and drinking without help, using the toilet and washing hands appropriately, using a tissue and disposing of it when used, taking care of your own belongings i.e. bag, lunch box, hat etc. Educators will work with your child each day to teach and develop these necessary life skills. It is important that you re-inforce these skills at home as this will make it easier for your child to master them and will ensure a good transition to big school.
Starting any school is a milestone in a child’s life. It is important that we all work together to help the children settle in happily. Never let your child make a decision about coming to school or staying at home. You must make the decision and stick to it. Be happy and positive about coming to school. We will never hesitate to ring you if your child is unduly stressed or sick.
Children are not to come to Pre-school if they are sick. If they have a temperature, are not feeling well or have vomited or had diarrhoea in the last 24 hours they will not be allowed to stay at Pre-school. If your child contracts head lice they must be treated at home before they return to Pre-school. This can be very contagious. Other contagious diseases include measles; mumps; chicken pox; impetigo; scabies; scarlet fever; foot, mouth and hand virus and conjunctivitis. The children will be excluded until they are better. Any child that is not vaccinated will also be excluded in the event of a vaccinated preventable disease. If a child has been on antibiotics for less than 24 hours they will not be allowed to attend in case of a reaction. These rules and precautions are for the health of all children and staff at Pre-school. If your child has or develops asthma or any allergies/sensitivities please inform us immediately. Parents who have indicated that their child has asthma and those with allergies will be sent home an Asthma or Allergy Record Card which must be completed and signed by both the parent and the child’s Doctor. If you have not informed us of your child’s asthma or any other condition, allergy or sensitivity, please do so now.
Your child might not bring a painting home every day. They may play happily in the home corner or block corner where they are developing social and emotional skills. It is a better idea to ask your child open-ended questions such as, “What games did you play today?” or “Did you sing a song?” Some will readily volunteer information, others do not. This does not mean that they did not do lots of interesting things or had a good day. Try and pick up on the positive things they tell you. Some may tell you things as they think of them later or at quiet time before going to sleep. Always be interested but do not force them to answer.
Fees can be paid by cash or over the internet as a direct deposit to our bank account. If possible, we ask that you pay over the internet to reduce cash payments coming into the office. Please see either myself or Nicole in the office for our bank account details if you wish to pay if you need them. Please send the correct money if paying cash. Change will not be given; it will be credited to your account. Fees are to be paid on the first day of the week that your child attends. Fees are not to be in arrears. If paying by cash please supply your own envelope and clearly mark it with your child’s name, date and amount enclosed and place it in the fee box in your child’s classroom. A receipt will be placed in your child’s note pocket or emailed to you if you have ticked that box on your enrolment form. Account statements are sent home each term.
Each afternoon the parent or carer collecting your child must check the pocket to see if there are any notes, receipts, newsletters etc. to be taken home. In the mornings and on wet days the pockets will be located in each classroom. On fine days the pockets will be outside on the back verandah at home time.
Sheets will be sent home every 2 weeks to be washed. Please bring them back at the start of the next week. Please wash them and return them the following week.
Your child needs to have their hat at Pre-school every day. Make sure your child’s name is on all their belongings.
Please do not send nuts or nut products for your child’s lunch. This includes Nutella, muesli bars with nuts or similar. We are an allergy aware centre and we do have a couple of children this year with nut allergies and/or threat of anaphylaxisis.
Do not send chips, lollies or chocolates. These are treats for home. Please send healthy lunches. If unsure please ask the teachers for advice or refer to the healthy food sheets which were given to you on enrolment. Do not expect your child to eat too much. They are only little and cannot eat as much as an adult. We will send home any uneaten food.
You are welcome to bring a birthday cake when your child has a birthday. Please bring small cupcakes. Theymust not have any nuts in them. Please do not send lolly bags as some contents may contain traces of nuts or other allergens.
We will have entertainers visit us at Pre-school with some interesting and interactive programs for the children throughout the year e.g. Kindifarm, Magician etc. These performances will cost approximately $10 and there will be two each term in terms 2, 3 and 4. The charge will be added to your term account.
Always let Pre-school know if you have been held up and will be late to pick up your child. Remember, unless it is an emergency or a one-off, you are liable to pay a late fee of $5 for every 5 minutes that you are late (after 3.45 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays and after 3pm on Wednesdays to Fridays).
If you need to pick your child up early please let the educators know in advance so we can have your child ready and minimize disruptions to the other children, especially at rest time. We would also appreciate a phone call if your child is unable to attend Pre-school due to illness etc.
Please make sure your child is signed in and out each day by you or the person bringing or collecting them. This is a legal requirement. It is important to write your child’s name on all their belongings. Many may have the same or similar bags or lunchboxes.
Please be sure toshut our gates properly and never let your child climb or swing on them. Always check that the outside gate clicks shut behind you to ensure it cannot open until an adult is there to supervise.Hold your child’s hand when they are outside the gate, especially near the road.
Our Service follows written Policies and Procedures to ensure best practice and to meet legal regulations and standards. You are welcome to read our policies. If interested, please come to the office. From time to time policies are updated or new ones may be written. We value any contributions. If you have any suggestions, praise points or disappointments, please feel free to write them down and place them in the suggestion boxes located in each classroom or you are welcome to come and speak to us personally.
At Pre-school we will be teaching the children about what to do in case of fire or an emergency. Random drills will be carried out each term. Evacuation plans are located at the exits. Please make sure you are aware of where the exits are and view the plans so you will know what to do in an emergency.
As part of our ongoing commitment to professional development our staff will be attending workshops, inservice courses and seminars throughout the year. This enables all staff to keep abreast of any changes and to update skills. Please feel free to ask us about the courses we will be attending and qualifications we have already attained.
Our Annual General Meeting will be held at Pre-school on Wednesday 6th march at 7pm. Our new Management Committee will be elected on this night. The Management Committee plays a key role in overseeing that our Pre-school fulfills its goal of delivering a high quality service for children and their families in our Community. Please see me if you are interested in being on the Committee. Our AGM, as well as being informative, will give you a chance to meet other parents and to talk to the teachers. At the conclusion of the meeting there will be a light supper. These school meetings are for adult family members and interested friends only. They are not meant for children. Please make sure that your children are looked after at home if possible. We hope that you will show your interest and support by attending. We look forward to seeing you there.
We have many contact numbers for local services e.g. Story Time, walking groups and women’s and other community groups. Unfortunately there are too many to fit on our notice boards. We also have many fact sheets and articles on children’s development and issues arising in parenting etc. You are welcome to see us in the office and we will be happy to pass on any information to help you.
I will be offering an 8 week parenting workshop attending 1 morning per week (5 times) in term 2 called the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. This course is an excellent way to assist you in the wonderful but challenging job of parenting. An expression of interest letter will be sent home closer to the time.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to see Nicole or myself in the office or contact us by phone/email or talk to a staff member. We will be happy to assist you.
Our hope is that this year will be one of building great relationships with the children, families and community and having fun as we all learn together.