Kindergarten

Information Booklet

2017Teachers:

Miss Tamara PickeringMiss Claire Nobbs

Miss Ashleigh Warner

Kindergarten Welcoming Letter

Hello and welcome to Allies ELC Kindergarten. This introductory booklet is designed to provide you with information relating to the operation and functions of the Kindergarten. It is with the sharing of information that understanding and respect can develop. We therefore hope that this information will address any questions you may have, and support in making a successful transition into the Kindergarten. Always remember our door is open to you at any time and we look forward to getting to know both you and your child. StaffTeacher – The position of the teacher in the Allies ELC Kindergarten must be held by a 4 year University qualified, registered Early Childhood Teacher. The position involves planning and implementing the children’s curriculum, utilising the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines with support from the Early Years Learning Framework, communicating with parents, staff and management, maintaining health and safety at the Kindergarten. The teacher is also responsible for keeping up-to-date records of all children.Teacher’s Assistant – The role of the assistant is to help in the program through preparation of materials, in the observation and supervision of the children, and in maintaining a safe and healthy Kindergarten environment. The role of the assistant is to refer parents to the Teacher, to discuss any educational issues or other matters of concerns.

Additional Needs Assistant – Sometimes an additional needs assistant is employed to help facilitate the inclusion of a child with additional needs into the environment. The additional needs assistant works in cooperation with the teacher and the assistant, and may hold a variety of qualifications. We have a strong commitment to providing all children with the best Kindergarten experience and employing special needs assistants is an integral part of this.Staff for 2017:Miss Erin – Diploma in Children’s Services

Studying Bachelor of Learning Management (Early Childhood)

12 years’ experience in Childcare

Miss Claire – Studying Diploma in Children’s Services5 years experieince in childcare

Miss Ashleigh - Studying Diploma in Children’s Services1st year in childcare

General Comments

We want your children to get the most from Kindergarten and to grow up as happy, caring and lifelong learners. Our primary objective for the year is to build your child’s self confidence and self-esteem. In order for children to develop and grow they need to feel good about themselves and feel confident enough to attempt and experience new and different situations. Educational objectives can only be fulfilled when a child feels happy and secure whilst at the centre.We feel every child is an individual and will be treated as such. Each child deserves the opportunity to fulfil their own needs and reach their full potential. We will offer support and encouragement so that learning is made fun and interesting to children. The nature of learning is about doing and thinking, hence most of the activities that we provide will be of a hands-on nature. Children gain an intrinsic reward from discovering new relationships.We provide a diverse range of culture and customs within our Centre and ask for this information from families, to extend our programs. The teacher’s role is one of a guide and facilitator. We are there to reinforce

what the child are already doing and we help give it meaning by talking to the child about what they are doing. Our job is to support the individual child as they try and attempt new things and learn new ideas.To maintain our level of concern and enthusiasm as teachers and professionals we seek confirmation of our role and support from our peers, to ensure your children are receiving the very best care we can provide. We advocate on the children’s behalf and keep families and the community informed on any current issues relating to children and child’s development. We hope to make you feel comfortable and confident about the education and care your child is receiving. We aim to provide a safe, healthy and relaxed environment where the children can enjoy engaging activities. Planned activities will be based on the children’s needs, interests and abilities. We will encourage them to explore materials in their environment and support their natural curiosity. They will be given the opportunity to make choices of play equipment so they can learn whilst having fun. Children’s playing, doing, talking and learning are all inter-linked. Playing is the way in which young children learn and develop new concepts. It is from this approach that we will organise the room, plan activities and interact with the children. We will be using the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines to guide our programming.

“The Playwork Approach”

In 2016 Allies embarked on a journey into playwork. “Playwork is the work of creating and maintaining spaces full of possibilities for children to play. The theory and practice of playwork recognises that children’s play should be freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. Playworkers understand children's play must not be 'adulterated' by any adult or external agendas to purposely redirect, encourage or plan for children’s play in order to achieve specific learning outcomes.” – Malarkey Playwork.We attended in-depth professional development to assist us in enabling your children the opportunity to truly play. We regularly call for donations of old/used/unwanted items as well as natural materials to support our program. Loose parts are an essential component of

the playwork philosophy. Open-ended and real materials such as fabric, wood, boxes, pipes or shells are made freely available for the children to access whenever their need arises.

The Theory of Loose Parts: The idea that loose parts, materials which can be moved around, designed and redesigned, and tinkered with; create infinitely more opportunities for creative engagement than static materials and environments. Basically, the more materials there are the more people can interact." - Simon Nicholson, Architect.

Parent/Teacher Communication

Parent’s participation and involvement in the Kindergarten is vital. You are your child’s first teacher and we consider you indispensable in helping us nurture and educate your child. Our aim is to foster a relationship with you and your child. Strong partnerships with families contribute to the development and wellbeing of the child. Partnerships are strengthened when partners communicate their expectations and achievements, negotiate a shared focus for learning and collaboratively plan. Responding to each other’s expertise allows parents and teachers to share understandings about the children’s experiences. The link between teachers and parents helps to meet the varying needs and interests of the child. The link between home and kindy is a vital one and it is our hope that you will communicate with us about your needs and that of your child’s. Where possible we will give you as much information about your child’s day and how they are developing. Your child has a portfolio which is kept on a shelf in our locker/family area. Please remember to check your child’s pockets each day and take home your child’s special things and notices. Any important notices will be placed on the outside of the door into the room or glued into our Parent Information Booklet which can be found on top of the lockers, along with a communication book for you to give us a message. We also send regular emails which include information about upcoming events, our day book stories and general information about what the children are learning.

Our email address is: TBAWhat to bring at the beginning of the year.

A plant – the children will be given responsibility to care for them. a large box of tissues a large packet or box of wipes sunscreen lotion – not roll-on for hygiene reasons

(these items are used on a communal basis. If you would prefer your child to use their own sunscreen, just let us know)

A family photo in a frame We will send home notes when these items need replacing.

Daily Requirements – Please name all items.

Hat – required every day for outside play, we encourage the children to leave their hats here. No hat, shade play only.

Sheet set – 1 fitted sheet, 1 flat sheet, 1 pillow and case, blanket. Can stay at centre if preferred (cot sized sheets ideal) a bag to put bedding in – we encourage you to send along an old pillow case for this purpose and the children will decorate them!

1 -2 sets of spare clothes for toilet accidents and water play. Lunchbox – with healthy choices. Drink bottle for water.

At this age children are becoming more independent and enjoy doing things for themselves. Clothing which is easy to pull down and up for the children, will help them develop confidence and self-help skills. Children can become frustrated with buttons and belts, and this can make it difficult for them to get on the toilet in time. Important

When dressing your child for Kindy, please remember our climate and that we are a sun safe centre and dress your child in clothes that have sleeves, no singlets, tank tops or strap dresses please.

When you arrive at Kindy

The Kindy program begins at 8.30 am and finishes at 4 pm. It is very important that your child is here for Kindy before or at 8.30 am. Most of our learning experiences occur in the first half of the day. This is the time that we greet each other, mark the roll, have show and tell and discuss what we would like to do for the day. When you and your child get here, please encourage your child to put their possessions away. Each child has a locker for their bag, some of our 2 or 3 days a week children will share their locker. There are two fridges for the children’s lunchboxes and drink bottles. The drink bottles go in the fridge and their lunchboxes can go in either fridge. Outside in our eating area, area for hats and a large basket for the children’s shoes. When you drop your child off, can you ensure that they have put on sunscreen and their hats. We are teaching the children to rub the sunscreen on their hands, put it on their arms first, then on their face, this is so that the amount of sunscreen they have on their hands when they cover their face is less and won’t go into their eyes. If it is before 8.30 then they can go outside to play, if it after 8.30, then they stay inside for morning greeting and morning tea. Don’t forget to sign your child in before you leave. Feel free to come in a little early and spend some time looking through your child’s folio with them on our family couch. There will also be a designated writing area in our Kindy room for your child to sign their name when they get to Kindy. They will have their own name card and sign in book for the children to complete upon arrival if they wish.Signing in and out

On top of the lockers is a white folder which is the Kindy room sign in/out folder. These must be filled out each time you drop off and pick up your child at the Centre. This is so that you receive your Child Care Benefits and is a government requirement. This register is very important and allows you to claim your Child Care Assistance Benefits. If your child is away, then you need to sign that day next time your child attends Kindy. If these sheets are not signed correctly, it may

result in getting charged full fees. When you sign your child out there may be a note attached to their sheet. It will let you know that there are soiled clothes to pick up, or that Miss Erin or Miss Cas need to see you.Portfolios

Your child will be supplied with a display folder, in which we put your child’s stories and a large cardboard folder for your child’s artwork. All our portfolio are printed in colour and can be found in the room for your viewing at any time.

Food Requirements

In our Kindy room we follow Child Care Guidelines and promote healthy and nutritious eating habits. Our Nutrition Policy is available for ideas on healthy lunches – lollies, chips, chocolate flavoured yoghurts, cordial, chocolate, roll ups, etc are not recommended. Also food which is higher than 15% fat or sugar is also not recommended. We will not deny your child these foods, but will encourage them to eat the healthy choices first, and a note will go home to you in their lunch box to let you know that the food is not recommended. Your child’s entire food needs to be in their lunchbox. If for some reason it can’t be in their box then it needs to be clearly labelled. If it is not named, we cannot give it to your child. Please ensure you supply enough food for morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. It is better to send in too much food than not enough. If your child is at the centre after 4.30 pm, then please supply extra food for late afternoon tea.Water will be available to your child throughout the day, via their water bottles when inside and the water bubblers outside. Your child will be encouraged to have regular drinks, particularly during the hotter days.Sheet bags

If your child is in care 4-5 days a week, their sheet bags will go home weekly to be washed and returned the following week. If they are in for 2-3 days a week, they will go home fortnightly. If you wish to take home

your child’s sheets daily, that is fine. Feel free to leave them here if you wish to as well. Of course, if an accident occurs, your child’s sheets will go home that day.

Soiled clothes

If your child has an accident or gets very wet/dirty during water/sensory play, their clothes will be rinsed, placed in a plastic bag, named and placed in the Kindy plastic tub in our bathroom. A note will be placed on your child’s sign-in sheet if there are soiled clothes to collect.Notice board

Please take the time to peruse our notice board. It has important information on it, e.g. upcoming events, information regarding the Kindy program, etc. There are some folders placed on top of the locker under the notice board that contain copies of our policies and other information for your perusal. We also have the children’s artwork and some learning experience webbing around the room so feel free to have a look and make a comment.Incident FormsWhen children have an incident and it needs treatment a form will be filled out and you need to sign it. A note will be on your child’s sign-in/out sheet asking you to see the teacher when you pick up your child so that you can sign the form.

Medication FormsThis area is covered by strict family services guidelines!No medication can be given unless these guidelines are followed. Medication forms, which are located on the front counter in the foyer, need to be completed and staff notified. Medication needs to be placed in either the staff kitchen fridge or in the Medication cupboard in the kitchen (above the rangehood). Panadol for temperatures can be given if parents have signed the back of their child’s enrolment form and we have contacted you to advise you that we will be giving panadol. This is a once-a-day only dosage and parents are notified before dosage is administered. Please refer to Medication Policy. Sick days

When your child is not feeling well, it is best to keep them home as they will only spread their germs and make everyone sick. Please notify the centre if your child will not be attending and it is advisable to obtain a medical certificate to assist in keeping absences at a minimum.Days awayIf your child is away please ring and let us know as soon as possible as there are a lot of parents waiting for make-up days.Make-up daysIf you are after a specific day for a make day please notify the Director. If there is no day available we can write you in and let you know as soon as that day becomes available.Sleep/rest timeIt is a requirement under the Child Care Regulations that all children are given time to rest or sleep on appropriate bedding. Whilst your child may not sleep at home, at Kindy the children are actively engaged both physically and mentally throughout the whole day and will need and want some form of rest whether it be a sleep or quiet time resting on a bed. Under no circumstances are children made to sleep but they are definitely given the opportunity to. Children will be required to rest for at least 30-60 minutes, after this period the children will be given the opportunity to engage in quiet activities. We have found in the past that parents may request that their children do not sleep, whilst we respect and value that you are the primary caregiver, we also acknowledge that children have the right to sleep if they need to. As stated before, we do not make children sleep; they only sleep if they need to. We also understand that most young children need to sleep to rejuvenate their body otherwise they are unable to participate in activities to their full potential and you may find a change in their behaviour due to lack of sleep. If you are having difficulty getting your child to sleep in the evening please do not hesitate to talk to us about this as we may be able to offer some suggestions or possible solutions or strategies.We have noticed that as the year progresses fewer Kindy children require a sleep in the middle of the day. When this is the case for the majority of children we offer relaxation then quiet activities. The children who do require a sleep will be allowed the opportunity to sleep in a quiet space.Birthdays

Birthdays are very important so we like to celebrate them. Parents are encouraged to bring a cake or something of their choice for the class to share for this special occasion. We will have a birthday chart on display which we will monitor to ensure each child is provided with recognition on their special day.Personal toys

It is preferred that children do not bring in their favourite toys. If the toy happens to get broken or lost, your child will get very upset. Comforters for rest time are welcome. Staff will take no responsibility if a toy is lost or stolen. Show and Share

Show and share is welcome in the Kindy room. We encourage the children to bring items that they have made, found (on a weekend trip to the beach or bush), photos, favourite books or movies, or maybe something that is special to them. We prefer that they don’t bring in toys because other children do want to play and use them and conflicts and damages can occur.Saying goodbye

Give yourself some extra time so that you can settle your child in. If you are in a rush, your child may feel this and become anxious. Develop a routine; this develops security through your child being able to predict upcoming events, e.g. put bag away, put lunch box away, say to your child – ‘Good bye, I’ll be back after you have had a sleep’, or ‘Bye, have a lovely day. I’ll see you after lunch and a rest’. If your child is upset at separation time, tell them you love them and that you will pick them up later. Children will build up a sense of predictability and security if you come back at the time you stated. Don’t sneak out or disappear, this only builds mistrust and your child will be clingier and less reluctant to let you out of sight even at home. If you say you are going, then don’t come back in, your child needs to know that you are leaving and will be back. The only way to build your child’s trust is to have repeated experiences of separation and reunion, which follow a predictable pattern. Remember we are here to help, let us know when you are about to say goodbye. Ring us if you have any concerns and feel free to talk to us at any time, our door is always open.

We are looking forward to caring for your child, working together with you and your child and sharing many memorable moments with you both. We aim for and hope that your child enjoys their time with us and the learning journey that they are about to undertake in Allies ELC Kindergarten room. Please ask for any further information you require or need. We thank you for your support and trust in allowing us to have the opportunity to care for and guide your child’s learning journeys.Yours in education,Miss Tamara, Miss Claire and Miss Ashleigh