Pre-Kindergarten

We are guided by 'Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia'.

The Early Years Learning Framework is Australia's first National Curriculum statement for educators working in early education. This statement provides broad direction for educators to facilitate young children's learning and comprises of three interrelated elements, which are fundamental to early childhood pedagogy and curriculum decision-making. The Principles, Practices and Learning Outcomes assist us as kindergarten teachers at Orana to plan, implement and evaluate the activities, experiences, routines and settings operating in our Kindergartens.

Principles

• Secure, respectful and reciprocal relationships
• Partnerships
• Respect for diversity
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives
• Equity, inclusion and high expectations
• Sustainability
• Critical reflection and ongoing professional learning
• Collaborative leadership and teamwork

Practices

• Holistic, integrated and interconnected approaches
• Responsiveness to children
• Play-based learning and intentionality
• Learning environments
• Cultural responsiveness
• Continuity of learning and transitions
• Assessment and evaluation for learning, development and wellbeing

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

Pre-Kindergarten is held every Friday of the school term from 9.00am - 2.45pm. Our sessions will follow the same routine each day.

At the commencement of each day we ask you to help your child carry their hat, water bottle and fruit into the classroom and to place them in their special box which is near the front door marked with their name. Their bag and lunch box will stay outside on the hook. We ask that parents/carers or accompanying adults complete an activity with their child such as a puzzle, playdough or reading a book. We will allow approximately 10 minutes settling in time before music is played signalling the start of the mat session.

• Named school bag with spare clothes, underwear and shoes
• Named playlunch box with fruit in it
• Named water bottle
• Named lunch box with lunch
• Named broad brimmed hat

Pre-Kindergarten is a three-year-old programme with the main emphasis being on social development.

We will be using the app Seesaw to showcase your child at work and play. It will be like a little window into the various activities they experience at school and will act as a digital portfolio of their happy moments and learning tasks. As we add content, you will receive a notification on your device. Seesaw for Parents is free and available for iOS devices (from the App Store) and Android devices (from Google Play).

Fruit time is a little morning snack. Please send fruit and a healthy snack (yoghurt/cucumber). If your child usually has his/her fruit sliced, quartered etc, please do this for Pre-Kindergarten too. Water in drink bottles is also preferred and please make sure that they can be easily opened. Orana is an Allergy Aware School.​ Please do not pack nuts or foods items containing nuts.​ ​

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We would like to remind you that comfortable clothing is best for your child. Tracksuits and shorts have proven to be the most appropriate for children to climb, run and play. Please do not send your child in clothes which will cause difficulty for the child when toileting. For this reason, please avoid belts, overalls and jeans with buttons and zips. Closed shoes or comfortable sandals are a good idea for Pre-Kindergarten. No thongs, slippers or Ugg boots please. A broad brimmed hat is also necessary as the school has a 'no hat no play' policy. During the summer months, please apply sunscreen to your child prior to coming to Pre-Kindergarten.

If your child is tired or unwell please do not hesitate to keep them home to catch up on rest. Being bright-eyed and bushy-tailed certainly makes their day far more enjoyable.

If your child suffers with Asthma, please complete the Asthma Action Plan when it is distributed. At that time, please also supply the school with the necessary medication in the event that your child has symptoms of an asthma attack.

If your child suffers allergies and is likely to have an Anaphylactic episode, an EpiPen must be provided and an Action Plan supplied to the office and to the class teacher. Action plans are required to be signed by your General Practitioner.

Medications for Kindergarten children will be kept in a safe location in the classroom. The Puffer or EpiPen will remain at the school and if you wish to take it home each day you must hand it to the teacher each morning. Please print a copy of all action plans and give it to your class teacher prior to your child's first day of school.

The children must remain accompanied by a parent, carer or caregiver until Pre-Kindergarten begins. For safety reasons, please adhere to the following procedures when another adult other than the primary care-giver is picking up your child.

Absences: If your child is absent for any reason, please email the school at admin@orana.wa.edu.au.

Late Arrival or Early Pick-up: Any child arriving at school after 9.15am or leaving during school hours must sign in/out through the office.

We aim to always keep you informed of what is happening in the classroom with your child. During the year, there will be many opportunities to discuss your child's progress and we are happy to discuss any queries or concerns you might have. Our door is always open and we are more than happy to discuss any concerns you may have in regards to your child at Pre Kindergarten. Your child's learning and participation in our Pre-Kindy programme should not be gauged by the things carried home in his/her hand. Much of your child's learning will not be on paper but will be demonstrated through the use of concrete and sensory materials. We are respectful that all children grow, learn and develop at different rates so it is not appropriate for parents/carers to comment, or compare student's progress.

Should you wish to contact us please email your child's teacher using the following format: firstname.surname@cewa.edu.au

In order to facilitate safety for children and adults, we ask that parents/carers do not arrive in the centre before 8.40am and leave the area by 3.00pm. This is to prevent any accidents/incidents before and after school when the area is not supervised by school staff.

Playground Policy: Children are not permitted to play in the early years playground before 9am or after 2.45pm. We appreciate your cooperation with this rule for the safety of your children.

Children who are in Years One to Six should be left at their classrooms before parents/carers come to the ECC as the centre is for Pre-Primary, Kindy and Pre-Kindy children only.

Birthdays are an important event and we would be very happy to celebrate and acknowledge your child's special day.

Birthday treats to share are discouraged as we promote healthy eating; however, if you would really like to send in a treat, it must be wrapped, individual and from a commercial kitchen/premises. You may wish to bring non-food items instead, such as; bubbles, a book to share with the class, etc.

We will have a plastic tub at the Pre-Kindergarten doors containing your child's work that did not go home the previous day. All you need to do is check under your child's name and take any paintings, gluing etc. Please check this weekly as the children are proud of their work and delight in hearing praise on a job well done. Notes for home will also be contained in this file.

• Be cheerful when you leave them each morning, don't linger too long. Avoid prolonged good-byes. Should you have any concerns about an uneasy separation, you are welcome to phone us to confirm that your child has settled and is happy -your feelings are important too!
• Be on time when taking them to school and picking them up. They get upset if you are late.
• Take a little time at the end of each day to listen to your child talk about their day, and admire what they bring home.
• It is a good idea to offer your child a healthy snack (like an apple} at the end of the school day.
• Children are often very tired after school, especially in the first few months, so dinner should be early. Bedtime should be around 7:30 pm.