JOHN MACKENZIE KINDERGARTEN
603 TOORAK ROAD, TOORAK 3142
PHONE: 9827 1855 FAX: 9826 3024
www.jmkinder.com.au
John Mackenzie Kindergarten
1. Welcome / contact details
2. Staff
3. Teaching philosophy
a. National Quality Framework
4. Term dates for 2013
5. Hours and days of operation for 2013
a. Red room extended hours
b. Green room extended hours
6. Fees and payment
a. Child Care Benefit (registered child care)
b. Payment dates for fees
c. Extended hours
d. Casual extended hours
e. Late collection
7. Coming to kinder
a. Attendance book
b. Settling three year old children
c. Parent/teacher communication
d. What to pack in your child’s bag
e. Healthy eating
f. Parking
g. Toileting
h. Allergy
i. Security
j. Toys
k. Health and illness
l. Medication
m. Accidents
n. Sun smart
o. Clothes at kinder
p. Birthdays
8. Kindergarten management
9. Community and social
a. Social
b. Class representatives
c. Fundraising
d. Parent participation
10. Policy documents
1. WELCOME
We are a community kindergarten offering three and four year old preschool and an extended hours program for up to eighty children. Our children play and learn in a peaceful and natural setting that is part of the wonderful facilities of the Toorak Uniting Church.
Our teachers are warm and caring; our playrooms are bright and interactive; our new playground and garden area is engaging; and our children are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential.
The kindergarten is managed by the parents and as a result, we need active participation at all levels of operation.
Contact details for the kindergarten:
Address: 603 Toorak Road, Toorak 3142
Phone: 9827 1855 (The phone should be answered most of the time by the teachers or assistants, even during sessional programs.).
E-mail:
Web Site: www.jmkinder.com.au
2. STAFF
Kindergarten Director Amanda Cornish
Teacher: Red Room Amanda Cornish
Teachers: Green Room Jim Irvine (Rainbow)
Linda Alder (Tamborine)
Assistants Julie Okraglik
Jane Henderson
Pan Prendergast
Andrea Ford
Sophie Gardiner
Linda Hall
Extended Hours Teachers
Julie Frazer
Jim Irvine
Julie Okraglik
3. TEACHING PHILOSOPHY
At JMK, we believe children learn by actively exploring their environment. We believe children need to feel safe and to be given unlimited time to engage in an active play based curriculum. Children who play actively achieve much higher levels of learning.
PLAY allows children the perfect opportunity to develop the skills they need to be successful in later life (for example, imagination, independence, reliability, inventiveness and versatility).
Our teaching staff are Early Childhood Education trained and were chosen for their ability to work professionally in a caring and friendly manner. Our teachers will provide the children with interesting and challenging experiences that are:
· child initiated
· child directed
· child supported.
Teachers will observe the children at play and use these observations to plan for children to:
· develop a strong sense of identity
· become connected with and contribute to their world
· develop a strong sense of wellbeing
· become confident and involved learning
· become effective communicators.
All programming is based on the Early Years Learning Framework and incorporates the interests of the children; it extends ideas and experiences initiated by children, staff and families and is based on each child’s individual developmental levels and needs.
The kindergarten’s environment, programming and enrolment policies promote cultural awareness, equity and inclusion of all people. Each child and their family need to feel valued and unique.
At JMK, the staff and the parent committee are committed to working together to manage, maintain and continually improve our environment, facilities and services.
3a National Quality Framework
The National Quality Framework (NQF) is a new reform across Australia that will increase the quality of early childhood services. The NQF will set a new National Quality Standard, which will include better child/educator ratios, new educator qualification requirements, a new quality rating system and a new national body.
From 1 January 2012 the new national body, the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the NQF.
The NQF consists of three parts:
1. National legislation
a. Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010
b. Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
2. National Quality Standard:
a. educational program and practice
b. children’s health and safety
c. physical environment
d. staffing arrangements
e. relationships with children
f. collaborative partnerships with families and communities
g. leadership and service management
3. Rating and assessment process (including Quality Improvement Plans)
4. TERM DATES FOR 2013
Term oneCommences / Wednesday 30 January / Red (4 year old) and Rainbow group (3year old) start term. Rainbow Group (Mon/Wed/Fri) start 10am–11am
Thursday 31 January / Tamborine group (3 year old) start term Tambourine Group (Tues/Thurs) start 10am–11am
Monday 4 February to Friday 8 February / Red Room start extended hours Rainbow Group hours are from 9am–12pm; Tambourine Group hours from 9am–12pm
Monday 11 February to Thursday 21 February / Rainbow Group start extended hours; Tambourine Group, (in consultation with teacher) start 9am–12pm or 9am–1.30pm
Monday 11 March / Labour Day
Last day of term / Friday 28 March / Kinder closes at 2pm
Term two
Commences / Monday 15 April / Kindergarten term begins
Monday 10 June / Queen’s Birthday
Last day of term / Friday 28 June / Kinder closes at 2pm
Term three
Commences / Monday 15 July
/ Kindergarten term begins
Last day of term / Friday 20 September
/ Kinder closes at 2pm
Term four
Commences / Monday 7 October
/ Kindergarten term begins
Monday 4 November
/ Kindergarten closed
Tuesday 5 November
/ Melbourne Cup Day
Last day of term / Thursday 19 December
/ Kinder closes at TBA
5. HOURS AND DAYS OF OPERATION FOR 2013
Day / Four year oldRed Room / Extended hours
Monday / 9.00 am–12.00 pm / 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
Tuesday / 9.00 am–3.00 pm
Wednesday / 9.00 am–12.00 pm / 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
Thursday / 9.00 am–3.00 pm
Friday / 9.00 am–12.00 pm / 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
We have two separate groups attending the Green Room (three year old):
· Rainbow Group: attend kindergarten Monday/Wednesday/Friday
· Tamborine Group: attend kindergarten Tuesday/Thursday.
Day / Three year oldGreen Room / Extended hours
Monday
Rainbow group / 9.00 am–12.00 pm / 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
Tuesday
Tamborine group / 9.00 am–1.30 pm
Wednesday
Rainbow group / 9.00 am–12.00 pm / 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
Thursday
Tamborine group / 9.00 am–1.30 pm
Friday
Rainbow group / 9.00 am–12.00 pm / 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
NB. The three year old extended hours are only for the Rainbow Group.
5a Red room extended hours (4 year old)
Extended hours will be available to all children attending on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Monday—Music and Movement 12.00–3.45 pm
Teacher: Julie Okraglik
Miss Julie will take the children on a musical journey and explore the different ways that they can move their bodies and use their voices. Musical instruments and story books are introduced and these add to your child’s musical experience.
Wednesday and Friday—Letterland 12.00 pm–3.45 pm
Teacher: Julie Frazer
The very popular Letterland literacy program is run by Julie Frazer. Mrs Frazer incorporates fun structured lessons and the children learn a different letter each week. Children learn letter names, letter sounds and letter formation. Mrs Frazer uses many props to ensure the letters come alive for the children.
Please note: The structured extended hours sessions will run between 1hr to 1.5 hrs. A play based curriculum is run for the rest of the afternoon.
5b Green room extended hours (3 year old)
Monday—Music and Movement 12.00–3.45 pm
Teacher: Julie Okraglik and Jim Irvine
Miss Julie will take the children on a musical journey and explore the different ways that they can move their bodies and use their voices. Musical instruments and story books are introduced and these add to your child’s musical experience.
Wednesday—Kinder Masterchef 12.00–3.45 pm
Teacher: Jim Irvine
This program combines cooking and learning about food, health and nutrition into one program. Jim will either choose a recipe to cook with the children or share an activity that helps children learn about health and nutrition. Games and songs will also be introduced into this program.
Friday—Science 12.00–3.45 pm
Teacher: Jim Irvine
Please note: The structured extended hours sessions will run for one hour, a play base curriculum is run for the rest of the afternoon.
6. FEES AND PAYMENT
The four year old kindergarten program is partially funded by the State Government via the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development and must follow certain policies and procedures.
All parents must read the kindergarten’s Fee Policy Summary and then sign and return the Fee Payment Agreement form. These documents will be issued along with this handbook.
The kindergarten relies on the balance of funding from fees paid by parents. We appreciate the prompt and full payment of these fees by the due date to minimise the work for parent volunteers.
If fees can’t be paid by the due date, please discuss with the Fees Officer.
Fees 2013Core hours / Red Room – four year old Group / $550 per term
$2090 per year (incl. 5% discount)
($1540 net of deposit)
Green Room – three year old Group / $660 per term
$2508 per year (incl. 5% discount)
($1878 net of deposit)
Extended hours / Per term
3 Days / $615
2 Days / $425
1 Day / $220
Casual set of 3 vouchers
/ $115
Levies / Maintenance Levy
/ $200 per family
Families can pay term fees for the year in full at the beginning of the year and receive a 5 per cent discount. The security deposit will be offset against the amount in the invoice.
JMK is a non-for-profit community kindergarten and fees must be sufficient to cover its ongoing operating expenses. Therefore, fees may be adjusted during the year.
The maintenance levy will be invoiced in Term 1. It is a compulsory upfront payment of $200 per family for maintaining and improving resources and facilities. JMK holds four working bees each year and $50 of the maintenance levy is refundable in Term 4 after attending one working bee.
6a Child Care Benefit (registered child care)
Registered child care is care provided by grandparents, relatives, friends, or nannies who are registered as carers with the Australian Government Department of Human Services. In some cases, it can also include care provided by individuals in private schools, kindergartens and outside school hours services. Carers or teachers in these services must be registered with the department. You can only claim Child Care Benefit for registered care only if you are looking for work, working, training, or studying at some time during the week in which you use child care or have an exemption from that requirement.
If you have any queries about the child care benefit, please contact Catherine Charles (0411 109 095 or ).
6b Payment Dates for Fees
Fees are due 14 days after the start of each term.
Families not paying within 14 days incur a $50 fine in addition to fees.
JMK has a strict NO CASH POLICY and all payments must be made by cheque or direct deposit into the Kindergarten bank account [Westpac 033-086
Account 911913]. Cheques, along with a remittance advice on the bottom of each invoice, must be placed in the locked silver box on the wall to the right of the front door.
Term 1 Fees, Maintenance levy, Fundraising levy and Extended hours / Wk commencing the 4February / Wk commencing the 18February
Term 2 Fees and Extended hours / Wk commencing 15April / Wk commencing 29April
Term 3 Fees and Extended hours / Wk commencing 15July / Wk commencing 29July
Term 4 (extended hours only) / Wk commencing 7October / Wk commencing 21October
6c Extended Hours
Extended hours term fees are invoiced each term with the term fees. If you pay your term fees in full for the year you will still pay extended hours fees on a termly basis.
Term 1 extended hours
Red (four year old) and Green (three year old Rainbow Group) Rooms: please complete your Term 1 invoice with your selection of extended hours program and pay the total amount calculated.
If you intend to change your extended hours sessions (that is, increase — if available — or decrease your number of sessions) between terms, please email the Fees Officer so the attendance sheet and invoices can be amended accordingly.
Fees Officer: Ellen Beischer ()
6d Casual Extended Hours
Vouchers are available in sets of three for casual extended hours places. They can be purchased by cheque or EFT from class representatives on Monday, Wednesday or Friday mornings.
When you sign your child’s name in the casual section of the Extended Hours attendance sheet you must also place your voucher/ sticker where indicated as proof of payment.
Any unused casual vouchers can be refunded at the end of Term 4. Vouchers cannot be rolled over into the following year.
6e Late Collection
A late collection fee may be applied to all programs. This fee is based on $5 for every ten minutes, or part there of, from the end of the session. Please contact staff if you are running late as it disrupts clean up and staff duties.
7. COMING TO KINDER
7a Attendance Book
The front door to the kindergarten will be locked until 9am to allow staff to set up and conduct a safety check. Upon entering all children MUST be ‘signed-in’. The attendance book is located on the desk in your room. Parents are not allowed to leave children until they are signed in with the time of arrival to the nearest 5 minutes.
When a child is collected they MUST be ‘signed-out' with the departure time.
Children can only be collected by adults listed on the child’s enrolment form. Parents can add names to this form at any time during the year.
All Green Room (three year old) children play indoors when they arrive and the Red Room (four year old) children play outdoors (weather permitting).
7b Settling three year old children
Starting kindergarten is an exciting and sometimes daunting time for young children and their parents. It is a transition from a familiar environment to a new environment. We aim to make this transition a positive experience. Each child is an individual with differing needs. Please use the staff as a guide when settling your child into kindergarten. Our teachers have the knowledge and experience required to deal with most settling issues.