Parent Information Booklet - Kindergarten
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten
Contents
Welcome ...................................................................................................................................................................... 2
Our kindergartens ....................................................................................................................................................... 2
The benefits of kindergarten ...................................................................................................................................... 2
Philosophy and curriculum ................................................................................................................................... 2
Funded kindergarten ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Fees .............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Concessions ......................................................................................................................................................... 3
Early start kindergarten ........................................................................................................................................ 3
Timetables ............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Preparing your child for kindergarten ....................................................................................................................... 3
What to bring ........................................................................................................................................................ 3
What to wear ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Lunch and snacks................................................................................................................................................. 4
Nut-free zone ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Independent skills ................................................................................................................................................. 4
Toilet training ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Daily tasks ..................................................................................................................................................... 4
SunSmart kindergarten......................................................................................................................................... 5
Kindergarten drop-off and pick-up ........................................................................................................................ 5
Parent involvement ............................................................................................................................................... 5
Keeping in touch with the classroom .................................................................................................................... 5
Updating your information .................................................................................................................................... 5
Change to kindergarten applications .................................................................................................................... 5
Additional needs ................................................................................................................................................... 5
Illness, immunisation records and policies .............................................................................................................. 6
Immunisation policy .............................................................................................................................................. 6
Accessing your child’s immunisation history ......................................................................................................... 6
Illness ................................................................................................................................................................... 6
Policies ................................................................................................................................................................. 6
Contacts, concerns and queries ................................................................................................................................ 7
Macedon Ranges Kids eNewletter ............................................................................................................................. 7
Emergency management ............................................................................................................................................ 8
SMS communication............................................................................................................................................. 8
Kindergarten closures........................................................................................................................................... 8
Important dates 2019 .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Term dates 2019 .................................................................................................................................................. 8
Public holidays and child free days....................................................................................................................... 9
Child free days...................................................................................................................................................... 9
More information................................................................................................................................................... 9
Page 1
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).Docx
Welcome
Our kindergartens are places of learning and community. Led by some of the finest early
childhood educators, they provide a welcome, supportive community for families and an
environment rich in nature-based and creative learning opportunities.
The following information offers an overview of the essentials to get your child started on their
kindergarten journey.
Our kindergartens are rated and assessed at intervals by the Department of Education and
Training (DET). We are pleased to say that all of the Macedon Ranges pre-school services have
achieved at least a standard of Meeting with the regulations and some have achieved a rating of
Exceeding.
Our kindergartens
Kindergarten Address Phone
Romsey Kindergarten 32-48 Main Street, Romsey 3434 Mintaro (03) 5429 5294
Seymour (03) 5429 6076
Macedon Kindergarten 55 Bruce Street, Macedon 3440 (03) 5426 1877
Riddells Creek Kindergarten 23 Mahoneys Road, Riddells Creek (03) 5428 7207
3431
Manna Gum Family and Children’s Centre 71 Robertson Street, Gisborne 3437 (03) 5421 9510
Swinburne Ave Children’s Centre 8 Swinburne Avenue, Gisborne Burrow (03) 5428 3731
3437 Blue Gum (03) 5428 3697
Woodend Kindergarten 10 Nicholson Street, Woodend 3442 Pin Oak (03) 5427 1421
Banksia (03) 5427 2730
Lady Brooks Kindergarten 5 Hutton Street, Kyneton 3444 Billabong: (03) 5422 2517
Fern Gully (03) 5422 1463
Lancefield Kindergarten 16 Dunsford Street, Lancefield 3435 (03) 5429 2547
The benefits of kindergarten
Philosophy and curriculum
Children at our centres develop a love of learning through our exciting play-based curriculum
which responds to each child’s unique interests and abilities.
Through a combination of both teacher and child-directed learning, children develop new skills
and construct their own identities and understanding of the world.
Kindergarten programs are designed to improve children’s development in the following key
areas:
Social skills are developed while children play and interact and develop friendships with
other children.
Emotional skills, develop as children gain an understanding and awareness of their
feelings and the feelings of others around them.
Language, literacy and numeracy skills are increased when the children participate in
developmentally appropriate programs that meet their individual needs.
Children that attend kindergarten are better prepared for their transition into school.
Page 2
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).Docx
Kindergarten provides families with additional needs children with access to support and
assistance, provide resources and links to community support services
Funded kindergarten
The Victorian Government provides funding to support children to access a high quality
kindergarten program in the year before they start school. The funding is a contribution towards
meeting the cost of the kindergarten program.
Your child can only be funded for a kindergarten place at one service at any one time and only for
one year (unless your child is assessed as being eligible for a second funded year by your child’s
kindergarten teacher).
Fees
Kindergarten fees are necessary to meet the gap between the funding provided by the Victorian
Government and the operating cost of the kindergarten. All fees are compulsory and invoices will
be mailed to families at the beginning of each term.
Fees can be paid via Bpay, at one of our administration centres, online or by mail (cheque of
money order only). Please contact the Finance Officer on 5422 0370 to discuss fee payment
options including direct debit if you are experiencing financial difficulties.
Further information can be found in the Enrolment and Fees Policy, available on the webpage or
at your centre.
Concessions
Health care cardholders are eligible for the State Government kindergarten fee subsidy. A valid
copy of the health care or pension card must be provided to Council at the time of enrolment. This
is valid for the four year old funded program. No fee reductions are available for the three year old
activity groups.
Early start kindergarten
Early Start Kindergarten (ESK) provides free or low cost kindergarten to eligible three year old
children where programs are offered by a qualified teacher. Some services will be able to offer
your child a place in a program for four year olds or a mixed age group.
Your child may be eligible for ESK if they are aged three by 30 April in the year they will be
attending a kindergarten program, and:
your child is Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, or
your family has had contact with Child Protection (or has been referred by them to Child
FIRST)
If your child is eligible for ESK an Early Years Team Member will be in contact with you to discuss
this further.
Timetables
Please refer to mrsc.vic.gov.au/kindergarten to view timetable.
Preparing your child for kindergarten
What to bring
For easy identification, please clearly name all items that your child may bring to kindergarten.
Depending on the season, below is a list of items to pack for your child.
Wide brimmed hat Change of clothes
Gumboots Jacket
Beanie Drink bottle (water only please)
Backpack
Page 3
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).Docx
What to wear
Clothing should be comfortable and easy to manage for the child. The kindergarten provides
smocks for messy activities, but clothes still get dirty. We ask that no singlets, long and/or
sleeveless dresses, thongs or crocs to be worn.
Lunch and snacks
Council kindergartens promote a healthy lifestyle to children, including eating nutritious food,
maintaining oral health and participating in physical activity. Please provide healthy snacks, lunch
and water for your child. For lunch box ideas, go to the healthy kids webpage.
Please do not send fizzy drinks, sweets, chocolates, chips etc.
Nut-free zone
Due to the increase of children with allergic reactions, as a precaution, we ask that you do not
send any products which may include nuts. You will be notified if there is a severe anaphylactic
child within your kindergarten group.
Independent skills
Toilet training
Helping your child learn to use the toilet is a big and very exciting step for you both. If you stay
positive and calm, your child will be more likely to settle into things. The secret is to wait for signs
that your child is ready for toilet training. Here are some tips for getting ready:
• Teach your child some words for going to the toilet – for example, ‘wee’, ‘poo’ and ‘I need
to go’;
• When you change your child’s nappy, put wet and dirty nappies in the potty – this can help
your child understand what the toilet is for;
• Let your child try sitting on the potty or the small toilet seat to help her get familiar with the
new equipment;
• Let your child watch you or other trusted family members using the toilet, and talk about
what you’re doing.
• Once or twice a day you might want to start putting trainer pants on your child – this helps
him understand the feeling of wetness.
• Make sure your child is eating plenty of fibre and drinking lots of water so she doesn’t get
constipated. Constipation can make toilet training harder.
Daily tasks
Making attempts to dress themselves, using tissues, handwashing and being able to manage
bags and lunchboxes are skills that children can develop at a young age. Getting dressed is
about more than just putting on or taking off clothes. It helps your child develop many other skills,
including:
• fine motor skills as she learns to fasten buttons and zips;
• gross motor skills as she stands on one leg to pull on a pair of pants;
• cognitive skills as she remembers what bits of clothing go on first, and builds the patience
and attention to finish the task;
• language as she names types of clothes, colours and sizes;
• awareness of time and space as she learns to dress for certain occasions and weather
conditions.
Page 4
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).Docx
SunSmart kindergarten
Sun protection is used whenever UV levels are 3 or higher (normally from mid-August to the end
of April). All children are required to wear a SunSmart approved hat that protect their face, neck
and ears (legionnaire, broad-brimmed or bucket style). Peak caps and visors are not considered a
suitable alternative. Please name your child’s belongings.
SPF 30 (or higher) broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen is provided at the service, however
families can provide an alternative sunscreen to be left at the service if their child has a particular
sensitivity to the sunscreen provided. The SunSmart website has some information sheets for
parents to refer too.
Kindergarten drop-off and pick-up
Parents/guardians are responsible for:
completing and signing the authorised nominee section of their child’s enrolment form
before their child attends the service
signing the attendance record as their child arrives at and departs from the service
ensuring educators are aware that their child has arrived at/been collected from the
service
collecting their child on time at the end of each session/day
alerting educators if they are likely to be late collecting their child
supervising their own child before signing them into the program and after they have
signed them out of the program
supervising other children in their care, including siblings, while attending or assisting at
the service
Parent involvement
There are a range of ways parents/carers can get involved in our kindergarten community.
Activities such as fundraising, social activities and volunteering. Talk to your child’s educators to
find out how you can be involved.
Keeping in touch with the classroom
Opportunities for parent/educator meetings can be arranged and discussed with your educator for
one on one discussions. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to ask at any stage the
progress of their child. Transition statements are developed for each child attending a four year
old kindergarten program in preparation for their primary school orientation in term four.
Updating your information
Please ensure that Council is kept up to date with your details and that you complete the following
form Change to kindergarten applications, if you have changed any personal details such as
phone or address recently. It is the family’s responsibility to ensure contact details are kept up to
date with Council. You will be notified by email, phone or SMS at various stages throughout your
child’s kindergarten year and only notified on relevant kindergarten related issues.
Change to kindergarten applications
Please use this form to amend any application details if your kindergarten circumstances have
changed i.e. withdrawing or deferring from kindergarten. Change to kindergarten application
details form can be found www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/kindergarten
Additional needs
We are committed to supporting any child that has additional needs. If your child needs
assistance, please ensure that your enrolment form clearly identifies this and that you add
supporting documentation. For further information or to discuss, call our Early Years Enrolment
Officer on (03) 5422 0239.
Page 5
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).Docx
Illness, immunisation records and policies
Immunisation policy
Under the ‘No jab, no play’ legislation an early childhood education and care service cannot
confirm enrolment of a child unless the parent/carer has provided a up to date copy of their child’s
Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR). The statement
shows the child:
is fully vaccinated for their age;
is on a recognised catch-up schedule and is on track with the catch up schedule;
has a medical reason not to be vaccinated
Accessing your child’s immunisation history
Parents/carers can print a copy of their child’s Immunisation History Statement:
accessing their myGov account
calling the AIR on phone 1800 653 809
visit a Medicare or Centrelink office
Illness
At some stage you may need to keep your child home from kindergarten due to illness. Taking
time off work or study to care for an ill child at home can sometimes be challenging, so it is
important to have a plan about who will care for child in the event your child is not well enough to
attend kindergarten or needs to be collected during the session if they are unwell. Educators and
families need to follow their service’s infectious disease policy for the exclusion of ill children, in
the interests of all children’s health. For more information see Infectious disease exclusion table.
Policies
Our policies reflect our vision and are in place to ensure high quality education and care for the
children who attend our services. Full copies of the policies can be provided upon request and are
available for reference at each centre.
Page 6
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).Docx
Contacts, concerns and queries
Enrolment and Registration (03) 5422 0239
Early Years Enrolment Officer eyservicesupport@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Fees and payment plans (03) 5422 0370
Concerns or complaints
Regional Team Leaders
Moira Greenwood (Romsey, Lancefield, Kyneton & Woodend) (03) 5422 0271 or 0418 511 052
Sue Hobbs (Swinburne, Manna Gum, Riddells Creek &
Macedon)
(03) 5421 9514 or 0408 113 604
Coordinator Early Years Services (03) 5422 0251
Alycia O’Sullivan
Department of Education and Training (DET) (03) 5440 3111
7-15 McLaren Street, Bendigo 3552
Reporting suspected child abuse 1300 78 2978
contact@ccyp.vic.gov.au
Commission for children and young people
Maternal & Child Health Services (03) 5422 0281
mchadmin@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Macedon Ranges Shire Council (03) 5422 0333
mrsc@mrsc.vic.gov.au
Macedon Ranges Kids eNewletter
Subscribe to the Macedon Ranges Kids eNewsletter to receive valuable information on local
activities and services for children aged from birth to eight years. Keep up-to-date with relevant
information for you and your child.
Page 7
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).DocxEmergency management
SMS communication
Our centres implement an SMS emergency texting system to notify parents and staff of such
matters as total fire ban days, emergency incidents, relocation destinations and fee due notices.
Other forms of communication such as social media and email made be used in times of need.
Kindergarten closures
On Pre-emptive Action
Risk Bushfire at
Associated Risk Total Fire Severe/
Kindergarten Location with location Register Ban Extreme Code Red
High: within
in township, one way bushfire
Macedon Kindergarten access/exit overlays YES CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
Lady Brooks Kindergarten in township, attached Open unless
(Kyneton) to MCH Low NO OPEN specific threat CLOSED
Open unless
Woodend Kindergarten in township High YES OPEN specific threat CLOSED
Open unless
Lancefield Kindergarten in township Low YES OPEN specific threat CLOSED
in township, attached Open unless
Romsey Kindergarten to MCH Low NO OPEN specific threat CLOSED
in township, attached Open unless
Riddells Creek Kindergarten to MCH Medium YES OPEN specific threat CLOSED
Swinburne Avenue in township, backs onto Open unless
Children's Centre (Gisborne) grassland Medium YES OPEN specific threat CLOSED
Manna Gum Family and in township, attached Open unless
Children's Centre (Gisborne) to MCH and EY office Medium YES OPEN specific threat CLOSED
In the event of Low, Moderate and High ratings, all services operate as usual.
Important dates 2019
Term dates 2019
Period Start Finish Length
Term 1 Tuesday 29 January Friday 5 April 10 weeks
School holidays Saturday 6 April Monday 22 April
Term 2 Tuesday 23 April Friday 28 June 10 weeks
School holidays Saturday 29 June Sunday 14 July
Term 3 Monday 15 July Friday 20 September 10 weeks
School holidays Saturday 21 September Sunday 6 October
Term 4 Monday 7 October Thursday 19 December 11 weeks
Page 8
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).DocxPublic holidays and child free days
Date Day Holiday
1 January Tuesday New Year’s Day
28 January Monday Australia Day (in lieu of Saturday 26th January)
29 January Tuesday Professional development (child free day)
11 March Monday Labor Day
19 April Friday Good Friday
22 April Monday Easter Monday
25 April Thursday Anzac Day
10 June Monday Queen’s Birthday
TBC June TBC Professional development (child free day)
5 November Tuesday Melbourne Cup – all centres except Lady Brooks,
Kyneton
6 November Wednesday Kyneton Cup – Lady Brooks, Kyneton only
Child free days
Under the Early Education Employees Agreement 2016, kindergartens are allocated child free
days as determined by the employer where teachers will be released from teaching and other
normally rostered duties in order to undertake professional development. You will be notified in
advance of these days.
More information
For more information about our kindergartens, application forms, and programs, visit our website
at mrsc.vic.gov.au/kindergarten or contact our Early Years team on 5422 0333.
We look forward to sharing this exciting and important
journey with you…
Page 9
D18-38413 Early Years Parent Information Booklet Kindergarten (D18-38413).DocxYou can also read
