On behalf of the staff team we welcome you and your child to GuildfordPre-school. Our Pre-school has been serving the community for over 50 years. We continue to serve you, striving to meet the diverse and changing needs of all children within our Community.
We pride ourselves in our Educational Program, building relationships and catering to the individual interests and needs of all children in our care. We prepare them for the challenges that they will meet as they grow and learn in the years ahead of them. Our aim is to support their learning through play which is a vital component of their learning.
Wendy Blackman
Director
GuildfordPre-school is licensed to provide care for 39 children between the ages of 3- 5 years.
We have 2 classes, "The Gumnuts" that has 19 children, and "The Rainbows" that cater for 20 children. Generally, children in the Rainbows have already been in the pre-school for a period of time or have had previous experience in a child care setting.
Rooms do not signify abilities or strengths and there will be children in both rooms who will be attending school next year. Children are moved between the rooms at the discretion of the teacher and director after consultation with parents and whether the child will benefit from the move.
Hours of Operation
Our Pre-school gates opens at 8.30 am and closes at 3.30 pm. Children picked up after this time will pay a late fee.
We DO NOT operate during school holidays. The Centre is CLOSED during this time and on ALL Public Holidays.
The staff team at GuildfordPre-school actively provide quality care, while supporting and encouraging the overall development and growth of all children within a warm, positive and nurturing environment. Children are encouraged to express themselves and their families, communicate with and listen to others, build relationships and make choices. Our environment encourages children to learn positive behaviour skills by providing age appropriate rules and expectations, role modelling and positive reinforcement.
While actively exploring their individuality, children learn within the centre that all individuals are respected regardless of their gender, cultural background, beliefs or attitudes. This is explored further through programs that challenge stereotypic behaviour and bias towards others.
It is through the social and emotional development of our children that positive learning takes place. Our Educational program promotes self esteem and provides opportunities for learning when the child is ready. All learning takes place through play and is a vital component to a child and their development.
Our philosophy is supported by the continued development and evaluation of centre policies. We are committed to continuing growth and development to meet the needs of the community and children we serve.
What Do We Bring?
A small back pack school bag
Lunch and fruit or other snack for morning tea. Pack into a plastic lunch box. No drink needed as juice is supplied by the centre.
A sun hat for outdoor play
A drawstring cloth bag with a fitted cot sheet and a small blanket for cooler months.
A complete change of clothes, including spare underwear and socks.
PLEASE WRITE YOUR CHILDS NAME CLEARLY ON ALL BELONGINGS
We will try and return lost items to their owners and any unclaimed property is donated to the Op Shop at the end of each term.
Meals and Nutrition:
GuildfordPre-school does not supply meals to the children. We encourage good eating habits amongst the children and ask that you pack an appropriate and nutritious lunch and morning tea for your child. Juice is provided at lunch time and the children have access to bottled water from our water coolers during the day.
What Should My Child Wear?
Children come to Pre-school to learn. This learning takes place in programmed play activities. At times this may be a bit "messy" but of great benefit to your child. We ask that children do not come dressed in their best clothes. Comfortable trackpants, sloppy joe, jumpers, pull on skirts, leggins, shorts and T-shirts are all designed for children to be comfortable in. Children do not learn if they are worried about what will happen if they get their best outfit dirty or crushed etc. Please allow them to be children and leave good clothes for those special occasions.
Arrival and Departure
On enrolment each child will be allocated a symbol or picture. This represents them and where their belongings are to be placed in the pre-school.
Their school bag hangs outside in their lockers, towel in bathroom lockers and at the end of the day their lunch box, notes and any work belonging to them can be collected from their room locker. They are encouraged to remember their own symbol.
There are "Communication Pockets" in Rainbow Room near lockers and on the veranda near Gumnut's door. You will find a, "pocket" with your child's name on it. Please remember to check this pocket each day for receipts, notes, newsletters and
other information.
When arriving or leaving the centre please shut the gate. Children are discouraged from playing near the gate or being anywhere near the gate unless walking by to go to the bathroom. This also eases congestion allowing easy access into and out of the centre.
All children are to be signed into the centre on arrival indicating time of arrival and signature of person dropping them off. During the Summer program where we begin the day outdoors, we ask that parents apply sunscreen that is supplied by us and available near sign on books. Please tick that this has been done in separate "sun screen" column in the sign in book. Please ensure staff are aware that your child has arrived by asking the child to come and say "hello".
When collecting your child at the end of the day, please sign and write time before leaving the centre and ensure your child has said "goodbye" to a staff member before leaving.
The daily fee for a child attending the centre is:
Session 1 9.00 am - 3.00 pm $28 per day per child
Session 2 8.30 am - 3.00 pm $30 per day per child
Session 3 9.00 am - 3.30 pm $30 per day per child
Session 4 8.30 am - 3.30 pm $32 per day per child
An application may be made for a reduction in fees. Reduced fee places are limited and their availability is determined on a yearly basis. Evidence of income will need to be produced in the form of a Health Benefits card or letter from Centrelink listing all payments being received. Forms will be reviewed every term.
Bond
Once enrolment has been confirmed, parents are required to pay a bond of 4 weeks fees to secure their child's position. This is based on the number of days attending times 4 weeks, (eg 2 days Session 1 = $48 x 4 = $192). This bond then becomes fees for the last 4 weeks the child attends the centre.
Leaving the Centre
Parents are requested to give the centre at least 4 WEEKS NOTICE that a child is leaving. If less notification is given this may jeopardise the return of any bond owing. Bond is refundable provided all fees have been paid and no other monies are owed to the preschool.
This decision will be made at the discretion of the Director and committee if needed.
Holidays
Fees are not charged during public or school holidays, or when the centre is closed. Personal holidays taken during school terms require fees to be paid in order to keep your child's position in the centre.
Your child's teachers will document his/her interests, friendships and progress in their own portfolio or "Special Book". We will also record milestones, achievements and special events in this book.
The children can also help to choose what they would like to keep for their Special Book. Drawings, paintings, craft, anecdotes and photographs will be kept in the books.
Photographs play an important role in recording learning experiences, interests, goals and milestones. The photos will show learning, friendship groups, co-operative play and group discovery experiences. Because your child may appear in photographs in other children's books we need your permission. We will respect each child's privacy and confidentiality. Your child's book will not be discussed with or shown to any other families.
The Special Book will become a great keepsake of your child's pre-school years when they leave us.
Our program meets the Individual and Group needs of all children in our centre. It supports all areas of development:
Emotional Development:Children learn about other peoples feelings as well as their own. They are encouraged to deal appropriately with these feelings.
Social Development:Children learn how to interact in a positive way with others around them. They learn life skills such as sharing, turn taking and how to respond to others appropriately.
Physical Development:This supports the development of Co-ordination, Motor skills both fine (small muscle) and gross motor (large muscle) skills, balance and control.
Cognitive Development:This supports problem solving by thinking, under-standing, expanding and building on existing knowledge.
Language Development:Supports and encourages both receptive language - the hearing and doing language - verbal language which is expressing oneself using words appropriate to their age and development. We also support bilingual children in their developing second language and encourage the use of their first language.
Selfhelp skills Development:In this area of development children are encouraged to become independent with toileting skills, washing and drying hands, putting on shoes and socks, tops, jumpers and other developmentally appropriate tasks. We urge parents to help their child by practising these simple tasks at home. At pre-school we continue to support your child's efforts in developing these skills with praise and encouragement when needed throughout our daily routine.
Indoor Program:Each room has its own indoor program which is written by the teachers to meet individual needs of the children as well as group needs. These are displayed in each room. They change weekly, however some activities may be repeated throughout the week. For children, repetitive work means mastery which in turn means feelings of accomplishment. This increases their self esteem. It is important that children practise the same skills many times to develop competence that is the foundation for future learning.
Outdoor Program:Our outdoor program is also designed to meet individual and group needs. During the hot months our outdoor program begins our day, whereas in cooler months it occurs later in the morning when it is warmer. At the end of the day, depending on the weather, children return to outdoor play after quiet time.
Quiet time:During this time, which occurs in both rooms after lunch, the children are asked to lay quietly on their beds. Some children will fall asleep and have a nap, some children won't. Rest time is designed to encourage the children to "stop" for a while. The children are not made to go to sleep. At the discretion of the teacher, and depending on how many children do not sleep, quiet activities may be given to children, such as reading books, drawing, simple puzzles etc. during this time to help those children to wind down for a short period.
Communication
On arrival into the centre there is a white board near the entry gate. This board will have upcoming events and important messages relevant to what is occurring within the centre. All parents are urged to ensure they check this board on arrival and departure everyday. Regular Newsletters are also distributed as well as specific notes on upcoming events. Please check your classroom lockers and communication pockets for these daily.
Each child's progress, interests, friendships and achievements are recorded in their own individual Portfolio or "Special Book." They are sent home in July and December and are available to families at other times by arrangement.
At end of each day, you and your child can watch a slide show of photographs and share the experiences of the day.
Staff members and families are encouraged to share any relevant information about the children's care and learning through letters, incidental discussions and phone conversations.
We also arrange suitable times for staff and families to confidentially discuss any aspect of your child's care and development as the need arises.
Confidentiality
Please do not ask us information regarding other children or families. Our professional ethics state that we will maintain confidentiality at all times.
The staff at GuildfordPre-school abide by this code of ethics, protecting all children and families within our centre.
Special Needs Children
At times we welcome children with additional or special needs into the centre. These children may have a support worker with them to help them gain the most from their day with us.
Children with special needs, need your acceptance not sympathy. Please help us to encourage all adults and children who come into contact with them to give them the respect that they and all of us have a right to.
Special needs children are accepted on an Individual basis depending on their needs and whether our staffing levels and resources are able to cater for these needs.
Parent Participation
We encourage parent participation on many levels. We have parents who attend our term committee meetings that occur during the term and will be announced either in the newsletter or on the white board. All parents and pre-schoolers are welcome to attend. Meetings occur during the day giving you an opportunity to discuss and find out goals and plans for the Pre-school. We also discuss issues directly affecting the Pre-school. From our committee meetings, sub committees are formed for other specific areas such as fund raising, policy evaluation and development or projects that need to be organised to maintain the running of the pre-school.
Parents are also encouraged to participate by sharing their child's morning with them every now and then. Please see your child's teacher to arrange a morning as we limit numbers of parents at any one time in fairness to all children and to reduce disruption to routine. Our parent rosters do not operate in Term 1 to allow all children to settle into their new routine and classroom.
If you have a special talent or are able to share your cultural background by reading, singing or teaching the staff and children simple dances, song etc. please see your child's teacher. We welcome and encourage this sharing of your heritage with the children in our centre.
Centre Policies
It is a requirement on enrolment that you read and agree to abide by the centre policies.All of our policies are important however only some of the most relevant ones are included in the Parent Handbook.
Our complete set of Policies is available in our Policy Book and is available to all families upon request. If you have any questions on interpretation of our policies please do not hesitate to speak to the Director.
All policies will be strictly adhered to by our staff members.They are developed in conjunction with Department of Community Services regulations as well as our legal responsibilities.Policies are updated, evaluated and rewritten when needed to ensure that we are meeting the needs of the children and families in our centre.
