Families are asked to be involved in our Preschool day in a number of ways. We encourage all our families to visit at any time. Some classes have a lunch time roster where you can come and spend time at Preschool with your child. Your classroom teacher will advise you of other ways you can help once the year starts! Siblings… Siblings are always welcome to come into our rooms but must always be in your care and at no time left unattended either outside or inside. Educators are available to discuss children’s learning with families… A weekly program located in your child’s classroom will indicate the direction of the class’s learning for the week. We encourage families to read this and add ideas. Sharing your child’s day… Each week, we will share with families the experiences of the class. This will be done in a variety of ways: show on the computer learning stories on the walls talking with educators class emails Children’s individual portfolios will always be available to families in your Your classroom team will offer many opportunities for you to participate in your child’s learning through scheduled meetings and informal discussions. Children’s Birthdays… We love to share in the joy of your child’s birthday. We encourage families to send 20 individual cakes (small cupcakes) for your child to share with their friends. If your child has allergies or food intolerances, please send 6 small cakes or treats for your child to have for birthdays. We will store them in the freezer at Preschool. If you wish to invite children’s friends to your child’s party please place an invitation in the children’s note pockets in your classroom.
Nut Aware Preschool... Please remember no nut products are to be sent to Preschool as we are a “Nut Aware Centre” and we have a number of children with anaphylaxis to nuts. PHWMCC will always have educators in attendance who are trained in the management of anaphylaxis and will have a spare “Epipen” in case of emergencies. You must inform the Preschool if your child is sensitive or allergic to any products before their commencement at the Preschool. Children with Additional Needs … Has your child received treatment from a medical practitioner, therapist, agency or association in their first few years of life that could affect them whilst attending Preschool? Please advise the Preschool and provide us with up to date assessments of your child, such as reports from any Speech Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist or Paediatrician. If you have not done so, please contact the office so we can organise an individual meeting to discuss how we will be able support your child and plan for their integration into the Preschool program. Family and Community Involvement… We encourage community links by inviting our families and wider community to share ideas, hobbies, interests, occupations, cultural experiences and skills with us. PHWMCC has many families from diverse cultural backgrounds. We celebrate these and utilise the opportunity to add to the experiences that we offer your children. Please feel welcome to share with us any special celebrations that you have in your family e.g. religious festivals, food, music, stories and traditions. Looking after our Preschool… We invite our families to help us look after Preschool gardens and vegetable patch so if you would like to be involved, talk to your classroom team, or the office. Looking after our Buildings… PHWMCC likes to use local tradespeople or families for small
All Preschool educators have been trained in Child Protection and are mandatory reporters. If you have concerns about child protection issues you can contact 132111 and discuss these. Sun Care… Preschool supplies Cancer Council Everyday sunscreen 30+. If your child requires special sunscreen, please discuss this with your classroom teacher. If your child is sensitive to this product, discuss with your classroom team a plan of action. You can supply your own cream but we will require a Material Safety Data Sheet for the product. Your classroom educators will advise you if you need to apply sunscreen each morning or if they will apply it before they go outside to play. We will apply sunscreen before outdoor play time when necessary. Dressing for Sun Safety… PLEASE ensure your child always has a sun hat in their bag. Please send your child in clothing which covers their shoulders. Toilet Training…. We understand that a number of our children may need support at the beginning of the year with toilet training. If your child still needs support, please advise the Preschool via email in January so we can assist them when they start. We encourage all children to wear undies rather than pull-ups if possible. We will encourage children to go to the toilet regularly during the day. Please assist us by encouraging your child to go to the toilet independently. Emergency Evacuations and Lockdown... Emergency Evacuations and Lockdown procedures will be practised with the children 4 times a year, in the event of an emergency situation arising that would require either of these. In case of an evacuation or lockdown, families will be contacted and advised of the location of their children - either Wollundry Park or the Bowling Club. Excursions… From time to time children may leave the premises to go on excursions. Families will be provided with information about
Preschool. More information can be found at The only documentation PHWMCC can accept is: An Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR) Immunisation History Statement An ACIR Immunisation Exemption - Medical Contraindication Form (IMMU11) which has been certified by an immunisation provider, or An ACIR Immunisation History form on which the immunisation provider has certified that the child is on a recognised catch-up schedule. Families may get a copy of their child’s immunisation details by contacting 1800671811or emailing acir@medicareaustralia.gov.au Please remember to update your child’s immunisation record with our office when they have their 4 year old vaccination. If this is not done, your child will be treated as immunised. Sustainability At PHWMCC, we are proud of our commitment to sustainable practices. Children are involved in gardening, worm farming and recycling as well as saving water & electricity. We also encourage families to: send “Nude Food” - food with minimal packaging donate craft items e.g. boxes, lids, corks, cardboard rolls, yoghurt containers, etc. (no egg cartons or toilet rolls) If you have access to paper supplies or envelopes we can always use it. We aim to reduce, reuse and recycle. Helpful Hints… Washing of Paint from Clothing Soak garment in cold soapy water overnight, then wash by hand in lukewarm water. Don’t use hot water, laundry detergents or spray-on stain removers. Tips to a Positive at Preschool…
for the children, and how these relationships – based on mutual trust, acceptance and respect – are of benefit to the child as a whole. We believe that each child is unique. Each child brings a diverse range of experiences, perspectives, expectations, knowledge and skills, all of which contributes to their learning. We view children as strong, capable and resilient, each with the capacity to succeed. The rights of children, as well as their voices, hopes and dreams, are integral to our decision-making processes. We understand that children form an understanding of themselves and their place in the world through their interactions with others, and we support their innate sense of wonder by encouraging them to be active participants in their own learning. We believe is learning potential in all aspects of the preschool day. We provide a flexible play based learning environment that allows children extended periods of unhurried time to explore, experiment, make choices, take considered risks and open ended experiences that allow children to develop skills at their own pace. We encourage children to become curious and inquisitive learners, where they learn to collaborate, cooperate and negotiate with both their peers and educators. We believe in a collaborative curriculum that reflects: the interests of the child; includes family input; knowledge of the educators and intentional teaching moments; and reflects what is happening in the world around us. We believe the learning environment has great potential to inspire children. We believe that innovative and stimulating learning spaces encourage collaboration, communication and exploration. We place value on the natural environment and the beauty and creativity that it inspires. We provide a beautiful outdoor space with many natural elements, and believe that our indoor and outdoor spaces promote the health and wellbeing of our children and educators. We believe that children will learn most effectively where there is a high ratio of
experienced, qualified educators to engage in experiences and interactions with children. We support our dedicated educators in commitment to excellence and continual learning because we believe it leads to enhanced outcomes for children and families. Our educators prioritise the development of trusting and nurturing relationships, and support children in developing a strong sense of wellbeing. Our educators understand and honour diversity within our families and in our local community, and create a culture where all children are included and welcomed. We are committed to critical thinking, reflective practice and a high level of professionalism. Engaging in reflection and discussion not only guides our practice, but keeps us abreast of current practices in Early Childhood Education. Our educators are committed to building a culture of collegiality and professionalism through collaborative relationships based on trust, respect and honesty. We believe in a sense of belonging to the local and wider community. We believe that a of belonging is integral and our children, families, educators and Management Committee work together to achieve this. Known for our culture of excellence in early childhood education and care, our preschool enjoys a long, rich history and important position within the local community. We value and honour Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and strive to ensure that children have the opportunity to gain an understanding of the significance of these cultures and the impact they have had, and continue to have, on our world. We believe in supporting children to have respect for the environment and the world around us. We embed sustainable practices into all aspects of our preschool. We believe that sustainability goes further than simply conservation, to encompass issues of fairness and equity. It is important to us that we think about our impact on the lives of future generations, and our shared responsibilities to the environment and humanity.