General Information

As our preschool is part of Broken Hill Public School, we use the school facilities (regularly) as well as offering a highly successful, formal Transition Program in Term 4.  Some special links within our school include:

• preschool visits to the Infants playground beginning early in the school year;
• participation in extra curricular activities and excursions on special days e.g.
  Teddy Bears’ Picnics, Easter Hat parade, school fete, sports carnivals, Mother’s and Father’s Day activities;
• weekly library sessions in the School Library where children may borrow from a selection of books appropriate to their age and development, (beginning Term 2 annually);
• facilities for school banking which are available for all the children to start their own savings account which continues throughout Primary School;
• school and preschool newsletters each week;
• assemblies and visiting performances;
• access to technology (eg. video conferencing and computer lab); and
• access to school dental services.

If you have any grievances about the care, protection and safety of your child, or the management of the centre, please make an appointment with staff to raise these concerns. If you are not satisfied with the outcome you can pursue your concerns further with the School Principal.

Attempts will be made to resolve the problem cooperatively and quickly, through discussion with the relevant parties and under the guidance of the school Principal.

Voluntary School Contributions (Fees)

The voluntary amount from 2010 is $5.00 a week or $50.00 per term (paid on a termly basis) which will be invoiced to parents.  The voluntary contribution helps provide additional educational resources for the benefit of your child.

Excursions and Special Visits

Excursions are planned only when they directly relate to the area of interest in the program. Parents are invited to participate in excursions and will be notified in writing prior to these events. In-school excursions will be a regular occurrence and a signed permission note for the entire year is required (please see the Office staff or the Pre School staff).

What your child needs to bring

• Morning tea, lunch, a piece of fruit for fruit break and a drink bottle with water only
• A complete set of labelled spare clothing in your child’s bag in case of accidents
• A labelled bag or case.  When buying this, ensure your child can manage to open and close it by him/herself and that it is large enough for all his/her belongings
• A large scrap book  (33cm x 28cm)
• A coat and hat in winter and a sunhat for summer (no hat no play is our rule)
• Library Bag (beginning Term 2)

Please note: Toys from home are not permitted at preschool with the exception of ‘Show and Tell’ items.  A box for ‘Show & Tell’ will be located near the children’s lockers.  This restriction is due to our health and safety regulations and it also avoids tears if these toys become lost, broken or stolen.

Nutrition

There are two mealtimes and a fruit break. Please be considerate and do not send peanut products due to the possibility of allergic reactions.

We believe that now is the time to develop and encourage healthy eating habits.  No lollies, chocolates, cakes, sweet biscuits, sweetened drinks or chips should be brought to school.  The only exception is on special occasions such as birthdays, when children are allowed to celebrate with a special birthday cake. THERE ARE NO LUNCH ORDERS AT THE SCHOOL CANTEEN (beginning Term 1 2010).

Special Occasions

The year is full of festive occasions.  Parents are invited to join us for some of these, while others we celebrate within our classes. These include:

• Easter Hat Parade
• Christmas Party
• Special School Performances
• Special Assemblies

Birthdays – children are encouraged to celebrate their birthday at preschool by bringing a cake to share. Please make arrangements with your child’s teacher prior to the day and provide a list of ingredients in the cake and toppings. 

Dress Me – So I can get messy!

Staff will do their best to protect children’s clothing during art or other sensory play experiences.  Parents can also assist by dressing children in practical clothes for preschool that can cope with the demands of an active day. 

Children’s clothes that become soiled will be placed in a plastic bag ready for parents to take home at the end of the day.  All children’s clothing MUST be marked clearly for easy identification. A complete change of clothes is required for all children.

In accordance with the Department of Education and Training Sun Sense Policy, children must wear a broad brimmed legionnaire or bucket hat, whenever they are outdoors (including winter).  Our school has suitable hats, which can be purchased from the uniform shop (The Shed).  Children without hats in summer will play in shaded areas only ”No Hat No Play”.  If your child does not bring a hat a reminder note will go home.  The preschool will provide sunscreen for all children.  If your child has an allergy to a particular sunscreen please alert the preschool staff.

Suitable footwear is essential.  We suggest shoes that are appropriate for climbing and easy for children to put on and take off (NO thongs, slip-ons and ugg-boots are allowed). Please label the inside of your child’s shoes for easy identification.

Our door is always open.  We value ongoing communication with parents and carers. If there are specific issues or concerns please feel free to make an appointment with the relevant staff. We are free to communicate daily at the end of your child’s session. Other means of communication include the school newsletter and a home-preschool journal to assist with links between family, home and school life. 

Delivery and Collection of Children Policy

Central Preschool is committed to:

• The safe and orderly delivery and collection of children being cared for or educated by the school;
• Fulfilling its duty of care to all children;
• Encouraging families to deliver and collect their children on time and,
• Complying with all legislative requirements.

Sign-in Book

A book is provided near the entrance of the Preschool room.  This book records the time and date that your child attends.

This book must be signed on arrival and departure of each day by the parent, guardian or the person who is authorised to collect your child.

If the adult who usually collects or delivers your child is not doing so on any occasion, this must be noted in writing and signed by the child’s parent.

Authorisation forms for temporary changes in collection are available next to the sign-in book and should be completed as necessary. Authorised persons must be over 18 years of age.

Waiting List and Enrolment Forms

Parents seeking enrolment to Central Preschool must fill out a waiting list form. On the basis of the information given in this form a decision will then be made regarding suitability for enrolment. Once accepted, parents must then fill out an Enrolment Form asking for details of custody orders, immunisation records and emergency contacts. Waiting List forms will be kept for one year only. As vacancies occur, parents will be notified.  Waiting list forms are included at the back of this booklet.

Access and Custody

The Principal must be notified in writing of any legal requirements concerning access to your child and, where applicable, a copy of any Court Orders and instructions from your legal advisor.

Absent

If a child is absent from preschool, the parent/carer should inform the staff by telephone or letter stating the date and expected time period of the child’s absence.  If the staff is not informed of the child’s absence after a period of two weeks you will be notified that your child’s place may be filled by another on the waiting list.

As the preschool has no separate facilities to care for a sick child, it is important that any child observed to be unwell or with an infectious illness whilst at the preschool, must be collected by the parents/caregivers.

• Parents are required to collect their child as soon as possible after the preschool has requested to ensure minimum stress on both the sick child and the other children in the room.

An evacuation procedure is displayed at preschool. Staff and children practice evacuation and containment drills on a regular basis (at least once a term).

Asthma

Every student with asthma attending the school should have a written Asthma Management Plan filled out by their family doctor or paediatrician, in consultation with the student’s parent/guardian. All staff will follow the Emergency Asthma Management Plan. For administration of asthma medication see policy on next page.

Administration of Medication

Staff will administer prescribed medication to children if requested to do so by parents. The procedure is as follows:

• Medication must be that which has been prescribed for that particular child and must be in the original container.  The name of the child must be on the bottle. If medication is intended for siblings, the doctor must be asked to include both names on the label.
• Written instructions on medication must be supported by verbal consultation between parents and staff
• Parents must physically hand the medication to staff (i.e. it should NOT be left in child’s bag).
• All medication must be checked by two staff members before being given.  The person delegated to give medication must sign the form.  This should then be co-signed by the second staff member.
• In the case of multiple medications being administered, a separate authorisation form must be used for each medicine to ensure that time, dose and medications do not get mixed up.
• On completion of a course of medication, the forms will be kept in the child’s file.
• Medication must be stored safely out of the reach of children.  Medication requiring refrigeration will be stored in the fridge.

The well being of children is of the highest priority in the centre. The preschool understands the concerns and needs of working parents and tries to accommodate the difficulties associated with a sick child.  The Coordinator will keep parents informed about the occurrence of an infectious disease in children, families or staff at the centre.

Infectious Diseases

To ensure a healthy environment, cross infection must be kept to a minimum.  Parents must inform the preschool of any infectious disease in the family as soon as possible. Parents are required to keep their children home if they show any of the following symptoms.

• Diarrhoea: a child who has watery stools should not return to the centre until he or she has been free of the diarrhoea for 24 hours.  If the child has an allergy or medical condition, which regularly causes diarrhoea, please discuss with staff on enrolment.
• Vomiting: a child who is vomiting should be kept at home for a period of 24 hours after the vomiting has stopped.  Micro-organisms which cause vomiting and diarrhoea are highly contagious and will spread to others very quickly.
• Fever: (particularly if accompanied with nasal discharge): a child with fever of 38°C or higher must be kept at home and should be fever free for 24 hours before returning to the centre.
• Head Lice (Pediculosis): the child should be treated at home.  If head lice are detected when a child is attending the centre, parents will be notified to collect the child immediately. Recommended treatment must be applied without delay.
• Conjunctivitis: this eye condition requires specific medical attention and children may not return to the centre until after 24 hours on medication and the discharge has cleared.  If a discharge reappears during the day after a child has been treated, the parent will be required to collect the child and treat again.
• Cold sores/school sores: these conditions should receive specific treatment and sores should be covered
• Hand Foot Mouth Infection: this is a highly contagious infection which consists of small lesions which tend to spread quickly on the side of the tongue or inside the mouth around the cheek region.  Lesions may also occur on the hands, feet and occasionally on the buttocks. Children should not return to the centre until they have recovered from the infection.
• Rashes: rashes may occur for a variety of reasons.  You are requested to consult a doctor.  Your child may attend with a medical certificate stating the rash is not infectious.

Please respect not only your child’s room peers and staff, but their families as well.  If you bring your child in with a contagious ailment it will spread.  We aim to keep the centre free of infections.

If you suspect your child may have an infectious illness such as measles, rubella or chicken pox, please have the condition diagnosed by a Doctor and notify staff.

   2010 Session Times