Post on 11-May-2018
transcript
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We welcome you to C&K Indooroopilly Kindergarten and congratulate you on
choosing an affiliated C&K community centre. Your family is now part of a long
tradition in quality early childhood education and care. With 100 years of
practical experience, curriculum development and proven positive outcomes for
children this enables C&K to substantiate its claim to leadership in the early
childhood sector.
We hope your time with us will be both beneficial and happy for children and
parents. We appreciate, respect and encourage individuality and interdependence
of all children, including those from culturally and linguistically diverse
backgrounds and children with an additional need.
At this Centre we value:
Each child as a unique individual
That play is the main way young children learn and is therefore the central
feature of our curriculum.
Each child’s needs and interests are valued and catered for.
Strong links and communication with family is valued and important to us.
As a Community Kindergarten, we welcome all children and families from all
backgrounds.
The staff work together to provide consistent and high quality early childhood
education for your children.
Our Centre aims to provide home-like atmosphere within a caring and stimulating
environment for each child. Parents and other family members are always welcome at our
Centre through our “Open Door Policy”. “Open Door” policy is where parents are able
to spend time with your child at the Centre during the program but prior notice is
necessary with the staff. Children are given the opportunity to make choices in their
play, which helps develop thinking skills, creativity and responsibility. Children are
encouraged to share, take turns, and co-operate in their play. The children will have the
opportunity to engage in experiences that are teacher and child initiated, e.g. painting,
collage, play dough/clay, sensory play, drawing, puzzles, blocks, construction, music,
singing, storytelling, books, outdoor play, sings, climbing, slides, sand and water play.
The Kindergarten curriculum will include:
Experiences to support and encourage creativity in children
Experiences to support the development of physical, thinking, emotional and social
skills
Experiences to support and encourage literacy and numeracy development
Group experiences to develop concepts and skills in music, language and thinking
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An environment that is welcoming, caring and supportive, so that everyone feels
part of the group and enjoys their day at Kindergarten.
The C & K Curriculum “Building Waterfalls II” is used for reference and guide to our
planning and curriculum development. Documentation/portfolio is a powerful tool for
viewing the learning processes of both adults and children. This gives them the
opportunity to review their thinking and provide our teachers with the knowledge they
need to e Programming
Our programming follows the Building Waterfalls curriculum developed by the
Creche and Kindergarten Association, and the Early Years Learning Framework
(the National Curriculum). These use play-based theory which focuses on the
developmental needs of each child. As children play with others, engage with
materials and ideas, language and social abilities are fostered. Children are
encouraged to think flexibly and creatively as they seek solutions to conflicts and
problems.
The Building Waterfalls curriculum focuses on 4 shared understandings:
1. Connecting
2. Enlarging
3. Listening
4. Exploring
The Early Years Learning Framework guides curriculum decision making for Early
Childhood Teachers and supports each child’s learning in five outcome areas,
these are:
1.Children have a strong sense of identity
2. Children are connected and contribute to their world
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
4. Children are confident and involved learners
5. Children are effective communicators.
A learning framework is an important tool for helping educators to work with
children and families to achieve the best learning and developmental outcomes for
children. Our well-established environment stimulates and fosters children’s’
interest and curiosity. The playground is unique in its combination of spaces to
run, climb, dig, explore and reflect.
ensure your child’ time with us is full of wonder and possibility.
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.
The Importance of play
Building waterfalls recognises the value and richness of play as a catalyst
for children’s learning and their ongoing engagement in meaningful
experiences.
When children play they approach experiences with interest, ownership,
empowerment and possibility.
In addition, Building waterfalls acknowledges that adults play a significant
and powerful role in valuing and supporting children’s play. Adults who
recognise play as an important learning experience and actively support
that play make a difference to the level of play that occurs (Dockett et
al 1999).
Adults have a responsibility to:
Ensure that children maintain ownership of their learning
Empower children to make choices and decisions
Actively participate with children in formulating and developing
ideas
Propose other opportunities and possibilities
Discover what makes children curious
Connect with, support and extend children’s ideas and
understanding of the world
Allow children to tell their own stories through active exploration
of both the natural and built environment
Create physical and social environments, together with children,
that are meaningful and rich in experiences and resources
Share the value of time and peace
Learn with and alongside children.
C & K Curriculum Working Part 2005.
Play allows children to:
Make sense of real-life situations
Develop awareness of themselves and others
Explore, investigate and experiment
Be actively involved in learning
Draw and test their conclusions
Develop self confidence
Express their ideas and feelings in many different ways
Inhabit imagined situations
Act out and come to terms with experience at home or with friends
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Policies and Procedures
All Creche and Kindergarten policies and National Quality Framework regulations
are available on our centre computer and a hard copy is available in the locker
room. Please speak to staff concerning any queries regarding you may have.
What to bring to Kindy
Your child will need to bring the following items to the centre on a daily
basis.
One large broad brimmed hat, caps do not provide adequate sun
protection.
One backpack that is large enough to carry all belongings in.
Spare clothes, suitable for the season, that remain in your child’s bag.
Please ensure that the children come in “kindy clothes” as they will get
wet and dirty. Clothes should be easy for the children to remove
themselves, buckles and belts are particularly difficult.
One clearly named water bottle. We monitor the childrens’ water
intake and refill their bottles throughout the day.
One clearly named lunch box that your child can open easily. Under
regulations we do not use insulated bags and lunch boxes remain in the
fridge.
One set of fitted cot sheets in a sheet bag. These go home at the end
of the week for washing.
PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL YOUR CHILD’S BELONGINGS ARE CLEARLY
NAMED.
Food
Meal times are an important time of our day. It is an opportunity for children to
sit together and interact informally with friends and teachers. The teachers also
eat at these times and many discussions take place within the group – including
discussions about healthy eating and how to look after our bodies. We have three
meal times during the day: crunch and munch (a quick snack mid morning), morning
tea and lunch.
Please speak to your child's teacher regarding your child's cultural or dietary
requirements for meal times.
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We encourage wholesome, nutritional foods and refer parents to the “Get up and
Grow: Healthy Eating and Physical Activity for Early Childhood’” as a useful tool.
This can be accessed at
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/content/phd-gug-
staffcarers
We foster sustainability, therefore please send your child's food without plastic
wrapping (‘nude food’) and we also send home paper, plastic etc to reduce our
waste.
Water is freely available throughout the day from their individual water bottles.
Clothing and shoes
Your child should wear comfortable and safe clothing and shoes, appropriate to the
weather and activities during their day at kindergarten. Clothing needs to be sun
safe (i.e. shirts and dresses need to have sleeves to protect their shoulders).
They also need comfortable clothes that allow them to develop self-help skills for
dressing and undressing.
Shoes must be safe for your child to run and climb in. Although they are encouraged
to wear no shoes while playing in the playgrounds, at times it may be necessary to
wear shoes. Shoes need to have a good grip so there is no risk of tripping or slipping.
Joggers with good grip are the most appropriate. Shoes such as gumboots, thongs,
crocs, and dress shoes are difficult for children to engage in outdoor activities.
Staff will try to ensure children are dressed appropriately for the weather at all
times. Your child will be encouraged to wear protective clothing for messy activities
such as painting.
For specific clothing requirements for your child, please talk with your director.
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Qualifications of Staff at Indooroopilly Kindergarten
The Lizard Group Teacher/ Co-Director Mrs. Geraldine Collinson
DipTeach Early Childhood
BEd Studies
The Lizard Group Assistant Belinda Harris (Bachelor of Early Childhood)
The Possum Group Teacher/Co-director) Ms. Siân Fairbrother
BTeach Early Childhood
BEd Early Childhood
MEd (Behaviour Management)
The Possum Group Assistant Lorraine Coates (Diploma of Children’s Services)
All staff possess a senior first aid certificate, current CPR certificate and are
trained in fire safety.
Program times
The Lizard Group: Monday, Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays
8.45am- 2.45pm
Teaching Director: Geraldine Collinson. Assistant teacher: Belinda
Harris.
The Possum Group: Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesdays
8.45am-2.45pm
Teaching Director: Sian Fairbrother. Assistant teacher: Lorraine Coates
Teachers/Directors work between 8:00 a.m. and 4:15p.m. and assistants work
between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Teachers are available for discussions with
parents outside programme hours.
Non-Contact time for staff is between 8am – 8:45am and 2:45pm and
3:30pm. Non-contact time is for staff to organize the environment, plan
programmes for the children and to discuss the individual needs of all children.
Please respect these times that are part of work agreement policies.
Children will be ready to be picked from 2:30 p.m. and must be collected by
2:45 p.m. This is a legal requirement and staff are not responsible for children
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after this time. If you stay in the playground after 2:45p.m. please respect the
staff’s non-contact time by not permitting children to enter the building again
once collected by a parent/carer. You are welcome to play in the Kindergarten’s
grounds outside these hours but it is essential to enforce our safety rules within
our grounds and to leave the equipment as you found it.
Upon arrival in the morning, please be aware that staff are responsible for the
supervision of all children within our care and whilst we are more than happy to
discuss your child’s development it is more appropriate to schedule an interview
with your teacher outside program time.
It is essential to contact the centre via telephone to inform us if you will be late
because children can become distressed if they are not collected on time.
Suitability/Blue card
The Child Care Act 2002 includes a requirement for all staff and volunteers
working with children to hold a current suitability/blue card. The blue card is issued
by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian to an individual
after a criminal history check is conducted and the staff member, having no
criminal record, is therefore deemed to be suitable for working with children.
Blue cards must be current at all times and are renewable every two years.
Payment of Kindergarten fees and levies
Staff are not responsible for queries regarding fees or levies, please address these
concerns to the management committee.
Invoices for term fees and levies will be issued at the beginning of each term. As
the Centre is responsible for payment of staff salaries, utilities and resources,
prompt payment of all fees and levies is appreciated.
Fees for 2017
Daily rate is $850 per term ($34 per day)
Maintenance Levy $100 non-refundable (unless on voluntary management
committee)
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Fee payments are required within the stated timeframe on the invoice. Failure to
make fee payments in accordance with the due dates could result in the loss of
your child’s place in the Centre.
Fees are payable on all sick days, holidays and public holidays that occur during
the term.
Administration Procedure for Fees in Arrears:
If fees are not paid by the due date, a reminder letter/ email will be sent for all
outstanding accounts.
If the fees remain unpaid by the due date specified in the reminder letter, then
the Treasurer will contact the parents to discuss the unpaid fees. If the account
remains unpaid for more than 7 days following this discussion, then the child’s
enrolment will be in jeopardy. It is at the Management Committee’s discretion to
terminate the child’s enrolment for failure to pay the fees as required. Formal
notice of such termination will be in writing to the parents.
In the event the family is experiencing financial hardship, then parents are
reminded that it is their responsibility to communicate with the Kindergarten
Treasurer about their individual circumstances. The Treasurer will refer the
matter to the Management Committee. Where possible, the Management
Committee will endeavour to accommodate any reasonable request to a payment
plan. However, the Kindergarten operates under significant financial constraints
and it may not be possible for the Committee to accommodate a hardship payment
plan request.
Giving notice
Parents are required to give two weeks’ notice in writing to the management
committee if it is their intention to leave the centre, otherwise two weeks’ fees
will be charged in lieu of notice. Where notice is not given, full fees will be charged
for the two weeks’ notice that is required. Parents/families going on holidays early
at the end of the year are not able to pay reduced fees or request refunds for
fourth term fees.
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Settling In
Once your child begins the pre-prep program, please feel free to spend time
settling your child in and becoming familiar with the staff and program.
We appreciate any relevant information you can share about your child with the
teacher. This enables the staff to understand your child’s and family’s needs
better. Please inform staff if there is a change in circumstances at home eg.
visitors, illness within family so that we can be aware of the reasons behind any
changes within your child’s behaviour.
When you collect your child please speak with the teacher or assistant to gather
information about your child’s day. Parents and guardians can ask for information
about the following: a general description of the activities given by the service,
service’s philosophy about learning and child development outcomes and how it is
intended the outcomes will be achieved, the goals about knowledge and skills to be
developed through the activities and experiences.
Parent responsibilities
It is the parent’s responsibility to:
Please sign your child in and out every day.
Please check your child’s pocket daily.
Please notify the director of any change regarding information recorded
about a child.
Please read all information relating to the centre in order to become
familiar with policy information.
Pleas comply with relevant health and hygiene policies of the centre.
Please sign all enrolment forms, including the indemnity clause (a
condition of enrolment) and return these to the director.
Please update the director regularly about the immunisation status of
their child and any allergies that may develop during the year.
Please ensure that you comply with the parking regulations in Shirley
Street and are respectful of our neighbours property.
Please check emails regularly
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Concerns and complaints (grievance procedure)
If a parent has a concern or complaint they should first talk respectfully
with the person directly involved with the grievance.
If you have any concern relating to the care of your child, a staff
member, another child, please see speak to the nominated supervisor
(Geraldine Collinson/ teacher Mon, Tues, Wed) . If you have concerns
relating to financial difficulties, please contact the treasurer.
Parents and children will not be discriminated against or suffer any
repercussions if they make a complaint.
The complainant will be informed of the way the complaint has been
addressed and the progress of the resolutions.
Parents who have complained against a staff member will be told of that
staff member’s response. Staff will be entitled to representation under
the applicable award and will have their rights protected at all times.
The rights of all in the centre are respected and no visitors or parent/s
may reprimand staff or other children.
We hope that all concerns of parents can be satisfactorily met, however,
if you are unhappy with the result of the complaint handling you should
approach the Business Operations Consultant and C&K, identifying
yourself and the concern you have. The BOC for this region is Carol (Caz)
Crawford and she can be contacted on 0400618256 or C&K reception 07
3552 5333.
You may also contact The Office of Early Childhood on 07 3634 0532
After discussion with the parent, director, management committee and
person whom the complaint is made against, the early education
consultant will investigate the complaint focusing on the issue of concern.
Finally, if a parent is not happy about the resolution of their complaint,
they may contact the community resource officer, Department of Communities
in their local area. A register of complaints will be kept at the centre to enable
us to review centre practice and plan better for client needs.
All queries/complaints to the Management Committee must be made
through appropriate channels in writing to the Secretary of the
committee and will be addressed at the next committee meeting.
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Management Committee Indooroopilly Kindergarten values your involvement and participation. One way you
can participate is through the management committee. C&K Indooroopilly is a
Community owned centre operated by a Parent Committee. It is affiliated with
C&K. All profits are put back into the centre.
Ways to get involved
A C&K experience provides you with numerous opportunities to be actively involved
in your child’s learning.
Getting involved, to whatever extent and in any particular capacity, can be a
very rewarding experience. Support and effort from all families is valued and
essential in the running of the centre.
You can take an active role in the centre by serving as a member of the
Management Committee, which is an integral component of C&K Indooroopilly.
Please be aware that this is a Community Kindergarten – which means we rely on
voluntary help from families. We conduct working bees and fundraising events
throughout the year. We all need to play a role in assisting the Kindy throughout
the year.
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What is the Management Committee and what is its role in
the centre?
The management committee is formed by parents of children currently attending
or interested members of the community. The management committee meets once
a month and are responsible for:
general management and financial matter of the centre.
following the rules of the association/constitution lodged with the
Department of Fair Trading.
ensuring the centre is meeting C&K affiliation standards so the centre
continues to receive funding.
the employment of all necessary staff and compliance with the provisions
of any awards or other industrial requirements.
the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and Education and
Care Services National Regulations 2011 and other legislation such as Child
Protection and Workplace, Health & Safety legislation.
building and playgrounds.
promoting the centre within the community.
Elections take place at the annual general meeting (AGM) usually early in the year
and any decisions made by the management committee are based on a majority vote
of the management committee. The executive of the management committee
consists of the president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Other positions
which involve varying levels of commitment and specific skills also play an important
role within the group.
Social Events are organized by the Management Committee throughout the year.
Parents will be kept informed of upcoming events and we hope you can attend.
Thank You, in advance, for your involvement.
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Condition Exclusion
Chicken Pox Exclude for at least 5 days AND until all blisters have dried.
Conjunctivitis Exclude until medical treatment has started and discharge
stopped.
Cytomegalovirus
infection
Exclusion not necessary.
Diarrhoea Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased, and conditions meet
C&K’s policy for the exclusion of diarrhoea.
Glandular Fever
(mononucleosis)
Exclusion is not necessary.
Hand, Foot and Mouth
Disease
Exclude until all blisters have dried.
Hepatitis A Exclude until a medical certificate of recovery is received,
but not before 7 days after the onset of jaundice or illness.
Hepatitis B Exclusion not necessary.
Hepatitis C Exclusion not necessary.
Herpes (“cold sores”) Young children unable to comply with good hygiene practices
should be excluded while the lesion is weeping. Lesions to be
covered by dressing, where possible.
Human immunodeficiency
virus
infection (HIV AIDS
virus)
Exclusion not necessary unless the child has a secondary
infection.
Impetigo Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced. Sores
on exposed surfaces must be covered with a watertight
dressing.
Influenza and influenza
like illnesses
Exclude until well.
Measles Exclude for at least 4 days after the onset of rash.
* Immunised contacts do not require exclusion. Unimmunised
contacts should be excluded until 14 days after the first day
of appearance of rash in the last case. If unimmunised
contacts are vaccinated within 72 hours of their first
contact with the first case they may return.
Meningitis (bacterial) Exclude until well.
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Meningococcal infection Exclude until adequate carrier eradication therapy has been
completed.
*Contacts not excluded if receiving rifampicin.
Mumps Exclude for 9 days or until swelling goes down (whichever is
sooner).
Parvovirus (erythema
infectiosum fifth
disease)
Exclusion not necessary.
Ringworm, scabies,
pediculosis (lice),
trachoma
Re-admit the day after appropriate treatment has
commenced.
Rubella (German
measles)
Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 4 days after the
onset of rash.
Streptococcal Infection
(including Scarlet fever)
Exclude until the child has received antibiotic treatment for
at least 24 hours and the person feels well.
Tuberculosis Exclude until a medical certificate from an appropriate
health authority is received.
Typhoid Fever (including
paratyphoid fever)
Exclude until approval to return has been given by an
appropriate health authority.
Whooping Cough Exclude the child for 5 days after starting antibiotic
treatment.
*Exclude unimmunised household contacts aged less than 7
years for 14 days after the last exposure to infection or
until they have taken 5 days of a 14-day course of
antibiotics. Exclude close contact with children until they
have commenced antibiotics.
Worms (intestinal) Exclude if diarrhoea present and conditions meet C&K’s
policy for the exclusion of diarrhoea.