Ask the educator at any time if you would like to check any details on the enrolment form. It is a requirement to provide the centre with copies of your child’s birth certificate, immunisation History Statement and if applicable, certified copies of any court orders relating to the child.

Every child will have a personal, confidential portfolio that consist of observations, work samples and other relevant data You will be given your child’s portfolio at the end of the school year or as they finish at the Service. The portfolio will be used in parent/Educator meetings throughout the year and is always available for you to review at your convenience.

The Service has an Open Door Policy and actively seeks and encourages families to be as involved in the Service as they wish. This can range from evaluating and adding input to your child’s program and observations, volunteering within the Service and sharing skills & experiences that the children and the program will benefit from. You can be involved in the Service’s Family Committee. Your involvement can be as formal or active as you like as time permits. We respect that time is limited for most families and we ask that you inform us as to your preferred way of communication. We can arrange meetings with your child’s Educator at a time that suits you throughout the year and offer email, SMS, Facebook, Newsletters, Day Book Journals and pride ourselves on strong verbal communication on a daily basis. We seek input from families on all aspects of the Service but in particular, your child’s goals, observations and program. If, for any reason you question or do not understand any aspect of the Service or your child’s experience we have a Grievance Policy that supports all stakeholders in our community and like all policies, is available for families to consult and implement at any time. Copies of our policies are available in the office and parent library.

Orientation is an important start for your child and family to connect to our service. We encourage each child to attend the Service in the company of a family member before they start the day with us. This gives you and your child the opportunity to gain an understanding of our program, the lay out of the room, where to find things, provide Educators with additional information about your child and how we can best support their transition and settling period.

If your child is reluctant to attend, please discuss this with their assigned Educator so that they can develop strategies with you to support the transition from home to the Service. You are welcome to take photos of your child in our environment to show and discuss at home. Some children like to take a book from our library to read at home and return on the next visit.

• ‘Preschool Day Hooray’ By Linda Leopold Strauss
• ‘Maisy goes to Preschool’ by Lucy Cousins
• ‘What to expect at Preschool’ by Heidi Murkoff
• ‘I love you all day long’ by Francesca Rusackas

are some great books to read to your child leading up to their first day.

Communication between home and the service must be open and happen often to best support your child during this time. There may be tears and extra tight hugs when saying goodbye for the first few weeks but there are always cuddles, reassurance and genuine care from Educators for both the children and their families. Sometimes this experience is upsetting more so for the family, not the child. We understand this and offer support through phone calls during the day, photos and open communication.

Bag or Backpack

For independence, we work towards all children being able to recognise and open their own bag. Let them be involved in selecting the bag and taking ownership of it. Please ensure it is large enough to hold all their belongings.

Children and Educators will wear hats and appropriate clothing when outside. Staff will encourage children, including by way of modelling behaviour, to avoid excessive exposure to the sun and to wear suitable sunscreen (at least SPF 15+), which is reapplied according to the manufacturers recommendations. We ask that children come to the Service with sunscreen already applied so they are able to participate in outdoor play immediately and not have to wait the 20 minutes after application.