Orientation Day

Tuesday 6th December 2016

9.45am – 10.45am

** Please bring completed enrolment

forms, Child Immunisation History

Statement and a family photo **

Information Session

Wednesday 1st February 2017

10.30am – 11.15am

** Please bring Child Health Book **

2017 Session Times:

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

8:30am-11:30am 3hrs

Dolphin (4YO) Andrea & Sonia

8:30am-12:30pm 4hrs

Possum (4YO) Renee & Jenny

8:45am-11:45am 3hrs

Koala (3YO) Renee & Jenny

8:30am-12:30pm 4hrs

Possum (4YO) Renee & Jenny

8.45am – 1.45pm 5hrs

Dolphin (4YO) Andrea & Sonia

12:15pm-4:15pm 4hrs

Possum (4YO) Renee & Jenny

1:15pm-4:45pm 3.5hrs

Dolphin (4YO) Andrea & Sonia

12:45pm-3:45pm 3hrs

Possum (4YO) Renee & Jenny

1:15pm-4:45pm 3.5hrs

Dolphin (4YO) Andrea & Sonia

Our vision:

At Dingley Kindergarten

Centres we take pride in

our caring, responsive and

engaging educational

environment.

➢ We value play based

learning

➢ We cater for

individual children’s

needs

➢ We build respectful

relationships

➢ We work with

families and the

community

➢ We are an inclusive

learning

environment.

2017 KOALA GROUP

Teacher: Renee Anquetil Educator: Jenny Thomas

Contact

Website: www.dingleykindergartens.com.au Email: marcus.rd.renee@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Term Dates:

Term 1 30th January 31st March Term 2 18th April 30th June Term 3 17th July 22nd September Term 4 9th October 20th December

Orientation Day:

Tuesday 6th December 9.45am – 10.45am (A parent must accompany their child on this day)

Please return all completed enrolment forms to staff on Orientation Day.

We also ask that each family bring a ream of white paper as a donation to the kindergarten.

Welcome!

We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you to 3YO Kindergarten at Marcus Road. We are sure

you will find lots of useful information in this booklet, however if you ever have any questions please don’t

hesitate to contact us.

Kindergarten is a precious and valuable time, setting the foundation for children to become lifelong learners.

At kinder your child will be engaging with a wide range of learning experiences, designed to extend their

awareness of themselves and the world around them. We hope that you and your child will have an

enjoyable kinder year; full of fun, learning and friendships.

We look forward to sharing 2017 with you and your family.

Orientation Day:

An orientation day is an informal opportunity for children and their families to visit the kindergarten and

become familiar with their new environment. This is especially beneficial for those children who have never

been inside a kindergarten.

Orientation day will be held on Tuesday 6th December 2015, 9.45am – 10.45am. It is important on this day

that you return all of your completed enrolment forms and a copy of your child’s Immunisation History

Statement, along with a family photo to add to our Family Tree.

Information Sessions:

At the beginning of the year, you and your child are required to attend a small group information session.

This is an opportunity for you to again meet the educators, and become familiar with the kindergarten

environment. During this session, children will choose where to store their bags, and learn other important

things about kinder; while parents will be briefed on the kindergarten program, daily routines and kinder

expectations.

Time is available at the end of the session for confidential talks with the educator, allowing you to provide

relevant information about your child and share goals you have for the year ahead. A meeting at a later

time at a can be arranged for more detailed discussions, if required.

The Kindergarten Program

First Days:

As Kinder is often the child’s first regular break from home routine and security, your child may be hesitant,

and reluctant for you to leave. Be prepared for this, and plan to be able to stay with them during the session.

We will assist you in finding the right time to leave your child, even if they are a little upset. We encourage

you to ALWAYS say goodbye before you leave. This helps reduce anxiety.

We slowly introduce children to the Kinder through staggered starts so that by the time full sessions are

operating, your child will feel safe and confident with the Educators and their new environment. In the first

week of Kinder, the group will be divided to allow two smaller groups to attend for one hour. As the children

become familiar with the routine, and more confident, we will continue to increase hours of attendance until

full-time sessions commence (usually during week 4 – 5).

How Parents Can Help Their Child Settle

• Occasionally talk about Kindergarten. Be casual and optimistic. “You will be going to Kinder soon”,

“There will be lots of interesting things to do there” or “Your friend … goes to Kinder too”.

• If your child is particularly anxious, let them bring along a favourite teddy if you think it might help

them settle.

• Try to ensure that you don’t have to rush to Kinder with your child. It can be very unsettling.

• It is important that your child arrives and leaves on time. Children can become very anxious if they

are the last to be picked up, or on arrival the last to join the group after the other children have

started playing.

Arrival / Departure (Attendance Register)

It is a requirement of the Government that every child’s attendance be recorded daily. Children must be

SIGNED IN on arrival and SIGNED OUT at the conclusion of each session. It is the responsibility of the person

dropping off the child to SIGN IN the attendance book. The accompanying adult must stay with the child

until a member of staff opens the door. Upon departure, the child must be SIGNED OUT by an Authorised

Person* once the child is in their sight.

Having this record is vital in cases of emergency.

(* Authorised Persons – people you have previously given authority to collect your child. They must be

named on your Confidential Enrolment Form.)

Parents who are attending the session for Kinder Duty must also sign in at the bottom of the children’s

attendance book.

Visitors, students and volunteers have a separate attendance record that they are required to complete.

What to bring to Kinder:

Your child needs to bring a named kinder bag to carry things to and from kinder. It needs to be an

appropriate size to fit a lunch box, drink bottle and spare clothes.

• A change of clothes are needed in case of any accidents, or messy play. Please change these regularly,

as children tend to grow out of them quickly.

• A hand towel is required to be attached to the outside of the kinder bag for hand drying – please

wash this regularly.

• As part of our Sun Smart Policy, and to minimise the risk of cancer, your child MUST wear a HAT and

clothing that covers their shoulders when outside between 1st September and 30th April. If your child

does not have a hat and appropriate clothing, he/she will be unable to go outdoors or will be

restricted in outdoor play. You should also apply a minimum of 15+ sunscreen to your child BEFORE

they come to Kinder, as legally we are unable to apply sunscreen.

• In the colder months (Terms 2 & 3) your child will need a coat for outdoor play, as we do try to get

outside for fresh air even if the weather is cold.

• We will introduce ‘Show & Tell’ into the program during Term 2. Children have the opportunity to

bring something from home to show the group. A roster and further information will be provided.

Clothing:

Kinder is a fun, and often messy, environment! We do our best to protect children’s clothes by providing

smocks. However, it is impossible to always keep them clean while encouraging them to play, work and have

fun. Please consider the possibility of marks and stains when choosing clothing for your child to wear to

kinder. Kindergarten t-shirts and windcheaters are available; however it is not a requirement that children

wear a uniform.

Clothing and shoes that your child can easily manage on their own are ideal for building confidence and

independence skills. Avoid clothes that require a belt, as this is often a cause of accidents in the bathroom,

and remember that singlet/tank tops do not meet our Sun Smart Policy requirements.

Appropriate shoes should protect and support as much of the child’s foot as possible. They should be easy

to undo and do up, and fit securely. Thongs and crocs are not permitted to be worn to kinder, as they are

dangerous when running and climbing on the equipment.

Please name all of your child’s clothing and belongings, especially hats! We cannot take responsibility for

any lost items, however will do our best to help you locate anything that has gone missing. A lost property

box can be found in the children’s bathroom, and should be checked regularly.

Kinder Sessions:

We recognise the importance of having a familiar and predictable routine, while valuing the need for

flexibility. Below is a very general overview of a typical kindergarten session. Special events such as ‘show

& tell’, birthday celebrations, incursions, theme days etc will also be incorporated throughout the year.

~

On arrival, children need to be signed-in on the attendance register. Snack boxes can be placed in the baskets

provided, and notice pockets checked. Children and families will be greeted by Renee or Jenny at the door at

the start of each session. At this time, children are encouraged to place their own bags in their lockers and

wash their hands before entering the kindergarten.

Generally, sessions begin with a group time on the mat, where children come together and have the

opportunity to share some news and discuss the day, before moving on to indoor play. During this time

children engage in a wide variety of meaningful play experiences designed to generate curiosity, support

learning and enhance development. Children are encouraged to take responsibility for helping to pack away

as we transition from indoor play to our next meeting time on the mat. After some music & movement

experiences, a group game or a short discussion, children will have their snack in small groups at the tables.

This is a fantastic time to encourage children’s social learning and communication skills.

As children finish eating, they are supported to return their snack boxes to their bags. It is time for some

quiet reading, before heading outside. Outdoor play is important for children’s health and physical wellbeing.

It provides opportunities for children to participate in physical play and engage in sensory-motor activities.

While outside children will enjoy free time to explore the environment, as well as be encouraged to join in

various group games that promote team work and cooperation. Children are again expected to take

responsibility for packing away the outdoor area, before lining up at the door and moving inside for our final

mat time. Children are dismissed from the mat, and will leave through the bathroom exit. Parents should

again check notice pockets and the art box, before signing their child out of the attendance record.

~

Things to remember:

• Parents are welcome at our Kindergarten anytime!

• If we are still playing outside when you arrive to collect your child, please remain outside the gates

until we have moved indoors. This helps us to maintain safety and limits distractions during our

transition.

• Children and siblings are welcome to play on the climbing equipment and swings before and after

kinder session – however please don’t allow them to open storage containers or get out equipment

that is already packed away. Also remember that our cars, trucks, bikes etc are designed for pre-

school children. It is not appropriate for school kids to be using these.

• Please remember that educators are not responsible for injuries that occur BEFORE or AFTER a

session. Outside of session times, children are the responsibility of parents and carers.

Meal Times:

Each session your child will be having snack time at kinder. They will need to bring their own healthy snack

in an appropriate storage container (lunch box or bag) and a drink bottle containing WATER. Some healthy

suggestions include – fruit, vegetables, cheese, yoghurt, dried fruit, a sandwich etc. Other drinks (cordial or

juice), chocolate, chips or lollies will be returned home. For safety reasons, ‘pop-top’ bottles are not

permitted. Please ensure that your child’s food is ready to eat and manage independently. Help with

containers and packaging is always available, however we will not be peeling or cutting up fruit.

It is important that children have a healthy breakfast before coming to morning kinder sessions, and a

healthy lunch before afternoon sessions so they have lots of energy to play and learn. Please be aware that

snack time isn’t until at least half-way through the session. Therefore if your child hasn’t had breakfast or

lunch, they are going to get very hungry long before it’s time to eat.

**DUE TO THE SEVERE NATURE OF ALLERGIES, AND LIFE THREATENING RISK OF ANAPHYLAXIS,

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD PRODUCTS CONTAINING NUTS BE BROUGHT TO KINDER**

Nut products could include, but are not limited to: muesli bars, Nutella spread, peanut butter, hazelnuts, almonds, food cooked in peanut oil

Celebrations:

We enjoy celebrating birthdays by lighting candles on a pretend cake and singing “Happy Birthday”. We will

try our best to roster your Parent Duty on, or close to, your child’s birthday so you can join in the celebration.

You are not obligated, but may wish to provide a small treat for the entire group (22 children + 2 staff).

Please be aware of allergies, and always provide NUT-FREE products. Pre-packaged treats are ideal and allow

parents to make a quick judgement on whether it is safe for their child should there be any allergies. The

treat does not have to be confectionary; it could be stickers, pencils, party hats etc.

If your child is having a party, we ask that invitations are placed in the children’s notice pockets. Please do

not hand out invites in front of the children, as it can be disheartening for those who are not invited.

Incursions / Excursions / Special Events:

Incursions, excursions and special events are an exciting part of our program. They are planned for each

year based on children’s interests and learning. It is usually a very exciting and busy day for the children,

and we often require extra parent helpers.

Written authorisation must be complete before any excursions, otherwise we are not permitted to include

your child. Parents are required to transport their child to excursion venues, and are welcome to stay.

Siblings are usually able to be included in planned events.

Costs associated with incursions will generally be covered by the kindergarten. Families will be asked to

contribute to the cost of excursions.

Parent Helpers / Kinder Duty:

The smooth running of each session is made easier with the help of families coming along for kinder duty.

Duty will commence from the beginning of first term, and a roster will be sent home. If you are unable to

attend your rostered day, please arrange to swap with another parent, or let us know you won’t be coming.

The children look forward to having their parents visit for kinder duty, and enjoy it when you participate at

activities, read stories, build in the block corner, or join them in home corner. It is a special time for your

kinder child, and we suggest where possible that younger siblings not attend on your duty days.

We ask that parents on duty assist with snack time – preparing fruit, wiping and setting tables in preparation

for snack, and again wiping tables and sweeping the floor at its conclusion. There may be some washing up

from the session, and we appreciate your help with this. There may also be some managerial tasks, such as

cutting, laminating, or collating newsletters.

At the end of the year we have our clean-up day. All toys and equipment need disinfecting, and storage

rooms and sheds need cleaning, ready to start fresh for the new children coming through the following year.

We ask you all to please give us just an hour of your time to help out on this day. If every family pitches in,

the jobs will get done much more quickly!!

Working with Children Check:

It is a requirement for individuals attending any aspect of the Kindergarten program that involves working

directly with the children (eg; parent duty, excursions) to hold a current Working with Children Check.

Volunteer WWC Checks are free of charge, and online applications can be found at

www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au . Please ensure that applications are completed before the

commencement of the kindergarten year, and be aware that the process can take several weeks.

Laundry:

Some weeks there will be a small amount of laundry needing washing. Items may include children’s art

smocks, dress ups, table coverings and tea towels. We appreciate each family taking a turn at helping out

with this washing.

Notices / Newsletters / Notice Board

Communication is sent home regularly from both the Educators and the Committee, informing you of event’s

going on at kinder. These, along with fee invoices and receipts, will be placed in your child’s notice pocket.

Please make sure that you check for notices every session! The notice board found at the sign-in book

displays our Program, along with term rosters and other relevant information.

Email is often used to update families. Please ensure you provide us with your email address, and be sure

to check this regularly for important kinder information.

Children’s Health & Safety

Illness:

If your child seems overtired, has a temperature, or is generally unwell, please keep him/her at home. No

matter how much they insist, they will not benefit from the kinder program. If your child is becomes unwell

at kinder, they may be sent home. Please notify us if your child is not attending the session.

These are health issues where children are not permitted to attend Kinder:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea (please keep home for 48hrs after last episode)

• Fever

• Infectious disease

• Respiratory/Nasal infections (eg. green mucus, chest cough)

• Hand Foot & Mouth Disease when weeping blisters are present

• Slap Cheek Syndrome (Parvovirus)

• Head lice – until they have been thoroughly treated

Children suffering from these conditions will be sent home. If you are unsure, please ring the kindergarten.

Should your child contract an infectious disease, including head lice, please let us know so other parents can

be informed – your child’s identity will be protected.

In the event of an educator being unwell, there is a pool of qualified relief staff from which we can employ

a casual educator. In the unlikely event that no qualified relief educator can be found, the session will have

to be cancelled. This would most like be at short notice.

Medication:

Any medication will have to be written up in the ‘Medication Book’, and signed by you before we can

administer it to your child. This record must be viewed, and signed again, before your child leaves. All

medication, including asthma inhalers, must be given to staff members and not left in your child’s bag.

Medication and devices must be clearly labelled with your child’s name. Prescription medication must have

a pharmacy sticker with child’s details attached to the medication. No medication will be administered past

its used by date.

For children with Anaphylaxis, it is a requirement that their Epi-Pen is available at all times. We cannot allow

a child to remain at kinder without their Epi-Pen. Parents must provide an Epi-Pen to be kept in an insulated

bag at kinder.

Children with Asthma must supply a pharmacy labelled Ventolin and Spacer to be kept at the Kindergarten,

along with a current Asthma Management Plan signed by a doctor.

Please notify educators of any known Allergies, Asthma or Anaphylaxis as a written Action Plan and Risk

Minimisation Plan must be completed for each child.

Emergency Procedures

Please familiarise yourself with our Emergency Evacuation Procedure. Details can be found displayed on the

walls around kinder. In the event of an emergency at Marcus Road Kinder, we evacuate via the safest exit

and relocate to the Dingley Neighbourhood Centre. If this venue is compromised, then we relocate to the

oval at Dingley Primary School.

Emergency Evacuation Procedures are practiced regularly throughout the year to ensure children and

educators are confident and familiar with these protocols.

Safety:

Please observe the following:

1. The front entrance gate is fitted with a security pad. The code will be issued at the start of the year.

Please ensure the combination stays within the kinder. Siblings should not be given this code, as they

are not permitted on the premises without a Parent or Guardian. Make sure the gate is shut securely

behind you when you enter or exit. Do not let any child in or out unless they are under your

supervision.

2. Make sure your children are supervised at all times before and after kinder sessions. Children playing

on the equipment outside of session times are the responsibility of their families.

3. Siblings must be supervised at all times, especially outdoors. Please do not allow children to climb

on the fence or gate to open it when coming or going.

4. When picking up your child from Kinder, please wait outside the gate until we have all moved inside.

5. Please ensure siblings do not distract the children as the session concludes by looking in and waving

through the windows.

6. Be considerate of our neighbours by driving slowly and parking your car appropriately. Always ensure

children get out of the car through the safety door (closest to the nature strip).

7. Children are not insured in the office, kitchen or storerooms and are therefore not permitted in these

areas at any time.

Management of the Service

Committee of Management:

A Committee, elected at the Annual General Meeting, undertakes the management of the Kindergarten

Centre. All office-bearers and Committee Members are Parent/Guardian volunteers nominated by their

peers. If you have a child at Kindergarten (or one enrolled for a future year) you are a Member of the

Association and are invited to attend the Annual General Meeting and use your voting right to elect the

incoming Committee.

The primary role of the Committee of Management is to ensure the services provided are maintained in

accordance with the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 and the National Quality

Framework, and that the centre operates on a balanced budget.

Complaints:

The committee and educators make every effort to run the kindergarten in a friendly and productive manner.

However, we realise that there may be a time when you wish to question some aspects. Please direct any

initial queries relating to the program or children to your child’s teacher. You are welcome to make a time

to meet with teachers and the committee to discuss anything of concern.

Complaints of any other nature can be directed to the President via email:

presidentdingleykinders@gmail.com

Or by contacting the pre-school advisor at the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development

on (03) 8765 5787

Member of Association Register

The Constitution of Dingley Kindergarten Centres Inc. requires that we keep a register of all Members of

Association. This register is comprised of all Parents or legal Guardians of each child attending the

Kindergarten. These details are kept confidential.

Privacy Policy

We have put in place a Privacy Policy, which defines how we collect, use, disclose, manage and transfer

personal information including health information. This policy is available upon request.

Fees:

Fees are collected each term in advance. Part payment of $100 is due upon acceptance of your child’s

position. The balance of Term 1 fees are payable at the AGM the year prior to your child commencing

kindergarten.

For Terms 2, 3 & 4, a reminder notice stating that fees for the following term are due will be placed in your

child’s notice pocket. If fees can’t be paid by the due date, an arrangement needs to be made with the

Business Manager to avoid added administration fees and possible forfeiture of your child’s position. (A

copy of the Fee Policy is available at the Kindergarten upon request).

Fees can be paid by direct deposit into the Kindergarten’s Bendigo Bank account, or online via internet

banking.

Business Manager:

To discuss any payment of fees queries, please contact our Business Manager, Andrea Cornish at Marcus

Road Kindergarten – 9551 1209 (Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm)

marcus.rd.andrea@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Working Bee Levy

The Working Bee Levy is a refundable payment. There will be four scheduled working bees at Kinder per

year, with dates to be advised. Refunds will be distributed at the end of the year to families who have

attended 2 working bees.