Starting Kindergarten
Starting kindergarten is a very big step for your child and one that we wish to make as smooth as possible. Some children settle quickly while others take a little longer. It is important that the children have the opportunity to adjust gradually if this is at all possible. This can be achieved by a parent or other familiar adult staying until the child feels comfortable with staff and the new surroundings. A quiet, encouraging approach will help your child to become involved in play experiences.
You can help your child by keeping in mind the following points:
- Be prepared to stay at the session with your child if need be
- Help your child understand that you will stay with him/her until he/she feels familiar with the people and surroundings, not indefinitely
- If your child wishes, allow him/her to bring something of interest from home, which he/she can share with the staff
- Each child separates happily from their parents in their own time
- Work with the teacher in deciding when it is appropriate for you to leave
- Always remember to say goodbye in a happy, casual manner. Never, ever leave without saying goodbye to your child - it breaks their trust in you - and even though you may think it is easier to do so now, in the long run you can be setting yourself up for quite severe problems
- Say "I'm going now" (a statement) rather than "Can I go now?" (a question). It may assist your child to settle in by starting them on an activity before you say goodbye and leave the pre-school. It is helpful for both your child and the staff if the session can begin as quickly as possible
- If you have any questions or concerns that need addressing with the staff, please do so after the completion of the session, it may even be more suitable to arrange a time to have this discussion while your child is not within earshot
- Come right into the room at arrival and departure. It is important for us to greet each child on arrival and release them into your care on departure
Attendance Register
It is a requirement of the Department of Early Education Childhood Development (DEECD) that children be signed in and out of the kindergarten. A register is kept outside the main door where you must sign in and out and record the time. If you are not picking up your child, please record the name of the person who will be collecting him/her in the space provided. The nominated person must be over 18 years of age. Also to save any confusion, please let the teacher know of any changes.
This register is very important in case of an emergency, as it is our only record of who is present at any given time. For this reason also, time noted should be EXACT. Parents on duty and any siblings accompanying you should also be recorded in the "visitor's register" located near the children's Attendance Register. If your child were to be away from kinder for any reason, especially if they are sick, would you please let the teacher know, as it may be relevant to the day's program. In the event of accident or illness at kindergarten, the following steps will be taken:
This register is very important in case of an emergency, as it is our only record of who is present at any given time. For this reason also, time noted should be EXACT. Parents on duty and any siblings accompanying you should also be recorded in the "visitor's register" located near the children's Attendance Register. If your child were to be away from kinder for any reason, especially if they are sick, would you please let the teacher know, as it may be relevant to the day's program. In the event of accident or illness at kindergarten, the following steps will be taken:
- Parents will be contacted and requested to take the child home
- If a parent is unavailable, an emergency contact will be notified and asked to take the child home
- Child will be made comfortable away from other children until the parent or emergency contact comes to pick them up
- Child will be under constant supervision until taken home
- If an injury is serious and the parent cannot be contacted, the child will be taken to hospital by ambulance. We suggest that you have appropriate ambulance cover in place
- Gastric infections are highly contagious, especially amongst the young. Should your child have an attack of vomiting or diarrhea, please do not send them back to kinder until they have been well for at least 24 hours. Please familiarise yourself with the information about infectious diseases. You will find this in the foyer.
Medication Register
If your child requires medication to be administered during the course of a kinder session you must inform the staff prior to the session and enter the information relating to the type of medication, dose and time it is to be administered in the register. Staff can only administer prescription medicines that have been prescribed to the child and are in the original packaging and bear the child's name and dosage instructions.
Non prescription medications such as Paracetamol and Antihistamines must also be in the original packaging. If you have any questions relating to the use of medications in the centre, please ask to see a copy of the medication policy.
Non prescription medications such as Paracetamol and Antihistamines must also be in the original packaging. If you have any questions relating to the use of medications in the centre, please ask to see a copy of the medication policy.
Medical Management Plans
If your child suffers from a medical condition such as Asthma, Anaphylaxis, or allergies such as a nut allergy or has a medical condition, you must inform the staff and provide the centre with a copy of your medical management plan. If a prescription or non prescription medication is required to be administered as part of your child's plan, you will need to ensure that you bring the medication to each kinder session and sign the medication register. You medical plan needs to be endorsed by a registered health practitioner and attached to your enrolment form.
Childcare
Parents whose children attend childcare and kindergarten need to organise transport arrangements prior to the commencement of the kindergarten year. Please note that the transport of children is the responsibility of parents and that kindergarten staff are unable to be involved in the transport of any kinder child. Parents need to discuss their transport arrangements with the child care centre staff and then inform the kindergarten of the person/s who will be delivering and collecting their child from kindergarten.
What to Bring
Please bring along a suitable healthy snack for your child to eat during snack time. A list of foods recommended by the staff will be provided at the beginning of the kinder year to assist you in providing for your child. Each child will need a bag for transporting and storing personal belongings and kinder work.
All children should bring a change of clothes in their bag.
To avoid confusion and loss, all clothing should be labelled with your child's name. As part of the Kindergarten Sunsmart Policy, all children must wear a hat when outdoors. A legionnaire's style hat is recommended. Please apply sunscreen to your child before coming to kinder.
Parents please take special note - KINDERGARTEN is a WAR TOY FREE ZONE - no guns or war toys of any description or super-hero costumes. We also request that children do not bring toys to kinder as this often results in loss and breakage.
All children should bring a change of clothes in their bag.
To avoid confusion and loss, all clothing should be labelled with your child's name. As part of the Kindergarten Sunsmart Policy, all children must wear a hat when outdoors. A legionnaire's style hat is recommended. Please apply sunscreen to your child before coming to kinder.
Parents please take special note - KINDERGARTEN is a WAR TOY FREE ZONE - no guns or war toys of any description or super-hero costumes. We also request that children do not bring toys to kinder as this often results in loss and breakage.
Kinder Duty
A volunteer help roster is organised for each term. Families are welcome to volunteer for duty as often as they would like. However, we ask that each parent, (and/or grandparents and other special people in your child's life) volunteer to attend at least two kinder sessions each term as a parent helper. The contribution you make while on duty is invaluable and very much appreciated - not only by the staff but by YOUR CHILD.
Duties include, assisting in the playroom with the children, assisting the children at snack time, washing the dishes and some cleaning. A more detailed kinder duty list is displayed in the kitchen area of the facility. This will give you a chance to observe your child within the group and discuss your child's progress with the teacher. We do appreciate your help on these days and rely on you to help keep the kindergarten sessions operating smoothly. Your child will also enjoy showing you their performance and their activities. When helping out at kinder for any reason, parents need to sign the volunteer's register for insurance purposes, both on arrival and departure.
Duties include, assisting in the playroom with the children, assisting the children at snack time, washing the dishes and some cleaning. A more detailed kinder duty list is displayed in the kitchen area of the facility. This will give you a chance to observe your child within the group and discuss your child's progress with the teacher. We do appreciate your help on these days and rely on you to help keep the kindergarten sessions operating smoothly. Your child will also enjoy showing you their performance and their activities. When helping out at kinder for any reason, parents need to sign the volunteer's register for insurance purposes, both on arrival and departure.
Clothing
Kindergarten is an environment that is filled with opportunities for play, and children will be encouraged to explore a wide range of materials and activities including many messy activities. It is important that parents provide clothes for children that allow them to feel comfortable move freely and can stand a little dirt.
Children are also encouraged to dress and undress by themselves. It is therefore important that parents avoid 'lace up' sneakers and boots, braces and belts, garments that button or zip at the back and any item of clothing that is beyond the children's ability to put on or take off by him/herself.
The kindergarten provides all smocks and protective clothing for messy activities.
Pre-school uniforms can be purchased at the beginning of the year through the fundraising committee.
Children are also encouraged to dress and undress by themselves. It is therefore important that parents avoid 'lace up' sneakers and boots, braces and belts, garments that button or zip at the back and any item of clothing that is beyond the children's ability to put on or take off by him/herself.
The kindergarten provides all smocks and protective clothing for messy activities.
Pre-school uniforms can be purchased at the beginning of the year through the fundraising committee.
Communicating with Parents
Please always check our notice boards and your pigeonhole for notices. The notice boards will display a weekly kindergarten program, as well as, objectives for each term and our long-term goals for the kinder year.
Any notices for upcoming special events or visitors will always be posted next to the sign-in folder.
Parent/Teacher interviews can be arranged at your convenience. Please don't hesitate to approach staff with any of your questions or concerns.
Any notices for upcoming special events or visitors will always be posted next to the sign-in folder.
Parent/Teacher interviews can be arranged at your convenience. Please don't hesitate to approach staff with any of your questions or concerns.
Newsletters
Frequently a newsletter is circulated to families including news about the kinder program, social events, birthdays, president news and other fundraising items.
Progress Reports
Any concerns regarding your child can be discussed with the teachers at any time. Progress reports are available if requested by the parent.
Custodial Issues
If there is a custody dispute between parents of a child and there is any kind of legal documentation regarding the matter, it needs to be made available to the teacher. (This information will be treated with the strictest of confidence). The kindergarten staff has no legal right to prevent a non-custodial parent from taking a child from the kinder if there is no legal documentation available. This information needs to be attached to our enrolment records.
Excursion Policy
Excursions and off-site events will occur only as an extension of the program that is currently running for the children. Consent forms must be signed and returned or your child will be unable to attend.
Parents will be encouraged to participate, however, we request that toddlers do not accompany supervising adults unless the teacher states otherwise.
Parents will be encouraged to participate, however, we request that toddlers do not accompany supervising adults unless the teacher states otherwise.
Late Pickup Policy
If a child has not been collected after 15 minutes from the end of session, the teacher will:
- Telephone the child's parent or guardian at home or work
- Telephone an emergency contact
- No child will be given into the care of any person other than the parents/guardians and the persons listed as an emergency contact.
- Should you be unavoidably delayed, please ring the kindergarten as soon as possible so that staff can reassure your child.
Working Bee
In accordance with a decision made during the 2015 year, parents are required to pay an annual maintenance levy to assist in the up-keep of the Preschool. This maintenance levy is refundable at the end of the kinder year, if you have participated in a working bee or special project. These projects, which parents may be asked to assist with, will be intended to improve the facilities available to the children and promote a positive community within the Preschool environment.
Your Junk is our Treasure
We would love to recycle your cardboard boxes, plastic containers and especially treasures such as buttons, ribbon, lace etc. Also, if you or someone you know has access to usable paper (i.e. blank on at least one side) these donations would be greatly appreciated.
Additional information for Parents of Children in 4 Year Old program
Kinder Year Deferments
Parents will be asked to attend a confidential meeting if concerns arise for a child's readiness for 4 year old kindergarten at the end of term 2. This gives parents the chance to defer their child's 4 year old kinder place for the following year.
As professionals, it is the responsibility of the Staff to inform parents of their options regarding the "deferment process". Warning signs of cognitive delay, social interaction delays, behaviour warning signs, gross motor delays, fine motor delays and communication and speech warning signs are closely monitored and observed during the first term. More information will be posted early in the first term.
As professionals, it is the responsibility of the Staff to inform parents of their options regarding the "deferment process". Warning signs of cognitive delay, social interaction delays, behaviour warning signs, gross motor delays, fine motor delays and communication and speech warning signs are closely monitored and observed during the first term. More information will be posted early in the first term.
Laundry Duty
A laundry duty roster will also be displayed in the foyer. Each group will be allocated laundry duty alternate terms. Please look out for your allocated laundry week to collect at the end of the week. Again, your help is greatly appreciated.
Show and Tell
From the beginning of term 2, the children will enjoy special "show and tell" time. This is an opportunity for the children to bring in one special item to "show and tell" with their friends. The aim is to develop confidence and language and also nurture the development of listening and concentration skills.
Library
From the beginning of term 2, the children will also have the opportunity to borrow special library books from the kinder. We encourage parents to purchase a kinder library bag to ensure that our kinder books are well protected from any damage. The aim of library is to encourage the children's decisionmaking skills, language and confidence as well as develop picture-word association. It is also a lovely experience for parents to read to their children and learn.
