What happens if I am late to pick up my child from Kinder?
We encourage parents to be on time when picking up their child from kinder as children can become distressed when they are still waiting after the other children have left. We appreciate that people can be delayed, however if this happens to you please phone the kinder to let the teachers know your expected time of arrival.
As per the Fees Policy (refer to Fee Information for Families), parents/guardians that are frequently late in collecting their child will be liable for a fee of $5 for every 10 minutes, or part thereof, from the conclusion of the session.
What is the Kinder’s Fees Policy?
Term 1 fees must be paid before your child starts kindergarten. An invoice will be sent to you before the term begins. Please familiarise yourself with the Fees Policy, as failure to pay fees by the due date will result in the Accounts Manager initiating the Late Fee Collection process, which is detailed in the Fees Policy. Your child will not be able to start a new term unless your fees have been paid. Payment plans are available.
Health Care Cards and Pension Cards must be presented every term in order to receive rebates. Payment plans are available and the Childcare Rebate is available to people who qualify. Please discuss all fee and account queries with our Accounts Manager.
Keeping the gate shut
The gate must be kept shut at all times. You must only let the children you are responsible for out of the gate and ensure the gate closes behind you. Toddlers and kindergarten children are put into danger when the gate is not closed. Please be responsible.
Can I drive or park down the laneway?
Please do not drive or park in the laneway, as it is very difficult to see children walking in the laneway. We encourage parents to hold their children’s hands when walking down the laneway as this is still a ‘road’. Your co-operation helps keep our little ones safe.
Parking is available at both ends of the laneway – beside the milk bar, behind the kinder and behind the service station.
If you are parking behind the service station, please be extra careful of parents and children who may be walking down or up the driveway during drop off and pick up times. If parking in Gray Court, please respect our neighbours by ensuring you do not park in front of their bins on Wednesday mornings.
Who is responsible for Gardening Duty?
Families in 4-year-old groups are asked to do Garden Duty once per year. The Garden Duty roster is located in the foyer, with Red Group rostered on one half of the year and Blue Group rostered on the other half. The roster is given at the start of each half of the year and it is your responsibility to swap with someone if you are unable to do Garden Duty on your rostered week.
How do I access the Kinder for Gardening Duty?
The group’s Co-educator will give the family on duty the key to the shed after the last session of your child’s week.
What do I need to do on Gardening Duty?
Requirements on Garden Duty include sweeping all concrete areas and the cubby; mowing and whipper snipping; tidy laneway and kinder gate area. Not all jobs need doing every week. Please look around and do whatever you think is required to keep the Kinder looking neat and tidy.
Do I need to sign-in when doing Garden Duty?
Yes. For insurance purposes, please make sure you sign-in and out of the Volunteers Book when doing Garden Duty. Please note that only workers between the age of 12 and 65 are covered by the kinder’s insurance. Parents taking younger children into the kinder grounds during Garden Duty, do so at their own risk.
Who is responsible for Laundry Duty?
Families in 4-year-old groups are asked to do Laundry Duty once per year. The Laundry Duty roster is located in the foyer, with Blue Group rostered on one half of the year and Red Group rostered on the other half. The roster is given at the start of each half of the year and it is your responsibility to swap with someone if you are unable to do Laundry Duty on your rostered week.
What do I need to do on Laundry Duty?
The group’s Co-educator will give the family on duty the bag of washing at the last session of your child’s week. Families are asked to take home the used smocks and towels from the week, wash and dry them, and bring them back to the first session of the following week.
Where are parent notices placed?
General notices are placed on the sign-in trolley or the window in front of the trolley. Personal notices will be in your child’s communication file in their group’s coloured tub near the sign-in trolley.
Is the Kinder SunSmart?
Yes, Gray Court Pre-School is a SunSmart kinder and our Sun Protection policy was written in consultation with Cancer Council Victoria’s SunSmart Program.
Does my child need to bring a hat?
All children must bring a hat for outside play in Term 1 and Term 4 as per our SunSmart policy. Children in 3-year-old kinder will bring and take their hats home each day. Children in 4-year-old kinder will keep their hats in their named tubs at the Kinder. Children without a hat must play in the shade.
Do I need to apply sunscreen to my child before they come to kinder, or will my child’s teacher apply sunscreen at kinder?
We ask that children come to kinder with sunscreen already applied. As children in our 4-year-old program will be at kinder for longer than 4 hours on some days, teachers will reapply sunscreen. Gray Court Pre-school currently uses the Cancer Council brand of sunscreen. If you have a brand of sunscreen that you would prefer to be used on your child, please provide the teachers with a bottle, clearly labelled with your child’s name.
What should my child wear at Kinder?
Please provide your child with comfortable play clothes and sensible shoes, e.g. runners. Singlets and dresses with the shoulders exposed should be avoided as per our Sun Protection Policy. Casual slip-on style shoes and thongs are to be avoided as they are dangerous when climbing.
Do I need to provide a change of clothes for my child?
Yes, please make sure your child has a spare change of clothes and shoes in their kinder bag. The kinder does provide smocks but children can still get dirty. As a result, children sometimes need to change clothes at kinder and they often prefer to wear their own clothes.
We also suggest bringing a pair of gumboots to use during outside time, especially during the wetter months.
Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
What is Kinder Duty?
We really appreciate parents helping us with our sessions and working with the children. Helping on Kinder Duty involves staying at pre-school for the session and assisting the children at particular activities. We may ask you to work with the children at an activity that requires adult supervision, help read stories or assist with puzzles. Shortly before we eat we ask you to help tidy up so we can prepare for the children’s morning/afternoon tea or lunch. We will give you more details on the day.
Who can help on Kinder Duty?
We require one parent to stay on at each session and ask that, where possible, parents place their name on the roster once per term. Grandparents, aunts and uncles are also welcome to help.
Am I covered by Insurance whilst on Kinder Duty?
When helping out at the kinder for any reason, volunteers need to sign in and out of the volunteers register (located on the sign-in trolley) for insurance purposes.
Can I bring younger siblings with me when I am on Kinder Duty?
Toddlers/siblings are welcome when parents are on duty, provided you understand that you are totally responsible for them. Any non-kinder children also need to be signed in and out.
We really appreciate your help and the children think it’s so special having you stay. It is a great opportunity to see your child in the kinder environment and meet some of their friends.
Am I covered by Insurance when helping out/volunteering at the Kinder?
When helping out at the kinder for any reason, volunteers need to sign in and out of the volunteers register (located on the sign-in trolley) for insurance purposes. Toddlers/siblings are welcome when parents are on duty, provided you understand that you are totally responsible for them. Any non-kinder children also need to be signed in and out.
Do I need to let anyone know if there is are any custodial issues/disputes regarding my child?
Yes, if there is a custody dispute between parents of a child and there is any kind of legal documentation regarding this matter, it needs to be made available to the Nominated Supervisor. This information will be treated as confidential.
Does the Kinder have the right to prevent a parent from taking a child if no legal documentation is available?
No, please note that kinder staff have no legal right to prevent a non-custodial parent from taking a child from the kinder if there is no legal documentation available.
Will my child be exposed to illness whilst at Kinder?
During the kinder year it is very likely that your child will be exposed to some of the common infectious diseases. Many childhood illnesses, both mild and serious, begin with similar symptoms such as loss of appetite, sniffles, runny nose, etc.
Should I keep my child at home if they are unwell?
It is in the interest of all children that care is taken not to send an unwell child to kinder. Many children will be disappointed if they are unable to come to kinder when they are ill, but parents need to make it quite clear to the child that there is no choice in the matter – it is a parental decision, not the child’s.
Do I need to let anyone know if my child will be absent from Kinder?
If your child is to be away from kinder for any reason, especially if they are sick, please let the pre-school know, as it may be relevant to the day’s program. The teacher may also need to notify others in the case of chicken pox or other contagious viruses.
How long does my child need to stay away from Kinder if they have had a Gastric infection?
Gastric infections are highly contagious, especially amongst the young. Should your child have an attack of vomiting or diarrhea, please do not send them back to kinder until they have been well for at least twenty four hours.
What information do I need to provide if my child has medical needs?
If your child has any medical needs, e.g. Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Diabetes, Epilepsy, Allergies, etc. please ensure you complete and provide your child’s teacher with the appropriate forms and management plans. A medication book is kept at the kinder where you will need to complete the appropriate sections should your child need medication during kinder sessions.
What happens if my child becomes unwell at Kinder?
Should a child become ill at kinder, the following steps will be taken:
- A parent will be contacted and requested to take the child home.
- If a parent is unavailable, emergency contacts will be notified and asked to take the child home.
- The child will be made comfortable, away from the other children, until the parent or emergency person comes to pick them up.
- The ill child will be under constant supervision until taken home.
What happens if my child has an accident or medical emergency whilst at Kinder?
In the case of an accident, the above procedures will apply. In the case of a medical emergency an ambulance will be called. If the injury is serious and the parents cannot be contacted, the child will be taken to hospital by ambulance.
Keep us informed
It is your responsibility, as the parent, to inform your child’s teacher of any changes to conditions or medications and to talk to them if you have any questions or concerns.
Information about infectious diseases is located in the foyer. Please take the time to look at the exclusion table, as set out by the department of human services.
What size bag should my child have at Kinder?
Please ensure your child has a medium-sized backpack – not too big, but with enough room to easily get items out of their bag and put them back in. We will be working on building independence at kinder and you can help support this by making sure your child carries and hangs up their own kinder bag.
What type of lunchbox should my child have?
Please make sure their lunchbox and drink bottle is a good size and that they can easily get them out of their bag, as well as manage and open lunchboxes and containers independently.
What should I pack for my child’s snack/lunch?
Children in 3-year-old kinder only require fruit/veg for a healthy snack. Children in 4-year-old kinder will require a healthy snack and lunch. We strongly promote healthy eating at kinder and suggest that you keep it simple with a sandwich/salad or wrap, a piece of fruit, yoghurt, vegetable sticks or cheese.
Does the Kinder do Show ‘n’ Tell?
During the year there will be opportunities for your child to bring special things from home for their Show ‘n’ Tell time. These times will be rostered and a note indicating when it is your child’s turn will come home in advance.
What should my child bring for Show ‘n’ Tell?
We ask that you discuss with your child what they may like to bring – preferably not toys as they add little value to the group learning. Things like a bird’s nest, chicken’s egg, feather, insect, etc. that your child may have found are welcome to come in anytime for a special Show ‘n’ Tell, as they provide wonderful opportunities for discussion and learning.
Can my child bring toys to Kinder?
We ask that toys be kept at home so as not to be lost or broken whilst at kinder. The program is a busy one with lots of activities and new equipment for your child to explore and discover.
How are Birthdays celebrated at Kinder?
Birthdays are a special time for young children and we are happy to celebrate them at kinder. We will sing to your child and, if they would like to share something with their group of peers, you are welcome to provide one packet of the Natural Confectionary Snakes – this is enough to share with the whole group. If you would not like your child to be given a snake for birthdays, please let staff know.
What should I pack for my child’s snack/lunch?
Children in 3-year-old kinder only require fruit/veg for a healthy snack. Children in 4-year-old kinder will require a healthy snack and lunch. We strongly promote healthy eating at kinder and suggest that you keep it simple with a sandwich/salad or wrap, a piece of fruit, yoghurt, vegetable sticks or cheese.
Are there any restrictions on the foods I can provide my child at Kinder?
We have children attend the kinder who have serious life threatening allergies and we ask that you DO NOT send products containing nuts to kinder. Products with the warning label ‘may contain nuts’ will be sent back home for your child to consume there. These items cannot be consumed at kinder.
How do you accommodate for children with allergies?
We have children attend the kinder who have serious life threatening allergies and we ask that you DO NOT send products containing nuts to kinder. Products with the warning label ‘may contain nuts’ will be sent back home for your child to consume there. These items cannot be consumed at kinder.
Parents are required to advise the pre-school (prior to the commencement of the kinder year) of any allergies their child may have.
What does my child need to bring to Kinder?
Medium-sized backpack with:
- Labelled drink bottle containing WATER only
- Piece of fruit for snack time
- 4-year-old kinder children also need to bring lunch
- Hat during Terms 1 & 4 (3-year-old children will take their hats home each day. 4-year-old children will keep their hats in their tubs)
- Change of clothes, including socks and underwear
- Sunscreen should be applied prior to coming to kinder during Terms 1 & 4
Please label all items clearly and ensure lunchboxes and containers are easy and manageable for the child to open on their own.
My child has special/additional needs. Do I need to organise funding?
No, the centre will apply for funding with the family’s assistance.
Can my child start Kindergarten if they are not toilet trained?
Yes, pre-schools cannot refuse enrolment to children who are not toilet trained. Please discuss any concerns with your child’s teacher.
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