Welcome to Our Early Childhood Web Page!

This page is designed to give new and existing parents information regarding our Kindy program.  

Kindy will start for your child in the following years:

If your child is born between 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020 your child will start Kindy in 2024.

If your child is born between 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2021 your child will start Kindy in 2025.

If your child is born between 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022 your child will start Kindy in 2026.

If your child is born between 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 your child will start Kindy in 2027.

If your child is born between 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2024 your child will start Kindy in 2028.

Enrolments begin in June the year before your child is due to start Kindy. 

We have two Kindergarten classes this year:

• Kindy Red: Teacher - Mrs Shelley Chapman   /    Teacher Assistant: Mrs Allason Johnston 
• Kindy Blue: Teacher - Mrs Lorna McCann-Pearson   /    Teacher Assistant: Mrs Tanya Arnoldi

Session Times: Monday 8:45am to 3:00pm, Tuesday 8:45am to 3:00pm, every 2nd Wednesday 8:45am to 3:00pm

Our programme is based on the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia which focuses on these five learning outcomes:

• Children have a strong sense of identity
• Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
• Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
• Children are confident and involved learners.
• Children are effective communicators.

Starting school is an important milestone in the life of your child and your family. For many children, this may be the first time they are away from their parents for an extended period. We understand that this is a special, and very possibly emotional, time in your child's life.

Our aim at Phoenix Early Childhood Centre is to ensure your child receives the best possible start to their educational journey.  We want to extend all the great work you have done with your child at home and we view these early educational experiences as the vital foundation for all future learning.

Most of all, we know that engaged children learn best so we want your child to feel that learning is fun. Our programme and activities are based on teaching in an interesting and interactive way.

Kindy is a very social year, the children are busy establishing friendships as well as developing many skills necessary for future learning.  This is done through carefully planned play based activities aimed at the children’s developmental needs. 

Information for Early Childhood (Kindergarten)

Arrivals and Departures

Kindergarten starts at 9.00am. Punctuality is important as it is very daunting for most children to enter a class after it has started. Similarly, most children don't like to be the last to leave.

Children must be dropped off and collected by an adult. Primary aged children should not have the responsibility of bringing Kindergarten children to school. This is to ensure the safety of your child and to enable staff to communicate with parents directly. If someone, who is unknown to the staff, is collecting your child it is extremely important you notify staff about this. If there is any information relating to custody of your child please inform the staff and provide relevant documentation.

If your child is unsettled or crying, try to reassure them, but when school starts it is best to leave quickly and quietly. Your child usually only takes a few minutes to calm down and settle in after you leave. If this is not the case you will be contacted. Please keep good-byes short and happy.

Programme

Your child's first years at school are very important as they form their attendance patterns, attitudes and the foundations for future learning. The establishment of regular attendance patterns in your child will affect their future achievements. We want it to be a very happy time for you and your child. Every day counts.

Our programme is developed to assist each child to reach their potential. The Kindergarten years are periods of rapid development and the maturity of children varies greatly. Please try not to compare your child with others - children will develop at their own rate.

We aim to develop confidence and independence and thus enhance self-esteem. This is turn leads to good communication and respect for others as well as a positive approach to problem solving and school.

Language is very important and your child will be assisted in expressing their feelings and ideas through oral language activities. We also develop gross (e.g. climbing, hopping, skipping, etc) and fine (cutting, drawing, writing, threading, etc) motor skills throughout the year.

What to bring

• Weekly Requirements - Each day we ask you to provide a piece of fruit, vegetable, cheese or dried fruit. This is for your child only and will be eaten during 'fruit time' in the morning. 
• Lunches - Lunches are required every full school day.
• Food - We encourage children to eat healthy food. Sweets and party type food is discouraged but this approach is only successful when all children/parents cooperate. We need your assistance in this matter.

What to wear

Clothing should be sensible and of course easily washable. Children should be free to play and climb and not be unduly worried about getting their clothes dirty. A spare set of clothing including underwear should be left in your child's bag in case it is needed and a hat brought each day for use whilst playing outdoors. As Phoenix Primary School is a SunSmart school we have a policy of 'no hat, no play'. You may choose to leave the your child's wide brimmed or bucket hat at the Centre.

Shoes should have a non-slip sole (safe for climbing) and be easy for your child to take off and put on unaided. Please write your child's name in all clothing and on lunchboxes, library bags etc.

You may purchase a school uniform for your child from our uniform shop.  This is not compulsory but is welcome. 

Parent Rosters

We rely on parent help to extend and enrich the educational programme and to help with housekeeping chores. Your child will love having you visit and be part of their Centre. We would like parents to come on roster regularly. There will be a roster available for you to write your name on a time that suits you - please speak to the staff about it.

While on roster you can help by writing names on the children's work, helping them with puzzles, games or art and craft activities (please encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves), helping to tidy and clean up afterwards and preparing materials.  You will be asked to wash the towels and aprons occasionally.

Car Park

For the safety of all children, we ask that you do not drive into the staff car park at any time. Experience has demonstrated that this is a very dangerous practice as school children and their younger brothers and sisters are coming and going. Parking is available on the roads surrounding the school grounds and you can enter via the gates on these roads to access the Early Childhood Centre.

Sick Children

Please keep sick children at home.

Children will often insist on coming to school but be guided by their behaviour. If your child has loose bowel motions, has been vomiting at night or before school, is tired or looking pale and miserable, they need your care. We cannot provide it. Sick children often pass their illness onto others, are not receptive to learning and rarely have a happy day. Please be firm about this.

On occasions when children become sick during the day, parents will be contacted and required to collect their child immediately.

Toilet Training

Parents are encouraged to fully toilet train their child prior to them commencing Kindergarten. If you are concerned about this aspect of your child's health and wellbeing please speak to the teacher at your earliest opportunity. Helpful advice to assist you with this training can be obtained from the Community Health Service Nurse (contact details are available from the school office). It is understood that accidents can happen occasionally, however the school does not have the facilities to clean a soiled child appropriately. Should this happen parent/guardians will be called to collect their child, so that they can be cleaned up in the privacy of their own home.

We will keep this website updated on a regular basis of any changes or issues that arise. Similarly, we would appreciate hearing about your concerns and problems.  This will help to keep the programme running smoothly.

"We believe that the early years of a child's life and schooling are critically important to their future educational success."


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