INFORMATION
HANDBOOK
2016
Contact Details
Telephone: (02) 6655 1804
Mobile: 0412 298 501
Street Address: 28 Church Street Bellingen NSW 2454
Postal Address: P.O. Box 269 Bellingen NSW 2454
Email Address: [email protected]
WELCOME TO BELLINGEN PRESCHOOL
This information booklet is to introduce you to the Preschool, and help you and your child enjoy your preschool
experience.
Bellingen Preschool is a community-based organisation managed by a parent committee, made up of a
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and 3 Committee Members. The Management Committee
employs the staff, manages the finances and develops policies. Your help and input is most welcome everyone has something to offer, and the more ideas put forward, the more representative decisions can be.
The Preschool is partly funded by the Department of Education and Communities (DEC) and your fees.
centre is licensed to operate through the Department of Education and Communities.
This
Meetings are held once a month. The current Committee previously met at 3.30pm on one Monday of each
month. As the Preschool is an incorporated organisation, those who participate in the management are
required to become a member, which involves completing a membership form and paying a fee of $2.
Further information about how the Preschool operates is contained in the Policy and Procedures Manual, and
the Education and Care Services National Regulations, which are available for viewing at any time.
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Philosophy
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We believe in acknowledging the original custodians of this land, the Gumbaynggirr people and their
language and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community
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We believe that our philosophy is guided by the principles outlined in the Early Years Learning Framework,
National Quality Standards and United Nations Rights of the Child
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This is a place of education, exploration, safety, fun and friendship. A place where learning is fun, stimulating and
engaging. A place where children are respected, challenged, encouraged and praised. We value and honour
diversity and accept and celebrate differences in other people. We believe each person and their family’s values,
culture, abilities and language should be acknowledged and accepted and reflected in the preschool’s
environment.
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We place play in the centre of our preschool program and believe that play is essential in the lives of young
children. Through purposeful play, we encourage the children to challenge themselves, their educators and their
peers. We want the children to ask questions, be active learners and problem solvers.
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We approach our learning and daily programming in a collaborative way, providing a balance of planned and
spontaneous experience through an emerging play based program. We strive for the children to be involved in
meaningful, often long term projects based on the child’s interests, needs and wishes.
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We believe a sense of wonder, belonging to and love of the land, nature and animals are critical for children to
develop lifelong respectful positive and proactive attitudes to our environment and to ensure a sustainable future.
We believe in nurturing and protecting our most precious gifts - our children and our planet.

We believe children should be encouraged and supported to make their own decisions and choices and seek to
actively develop problem solving skills in a success orientated environment. We believe in providing opportunities
to discover, and learn about themselves others and the environment in an atmosphere that encourages
harmonious and meaningful relationships

We believe in building a community that values children, respects their rights, and gives them love. We believe in
building a community that enables children to develop a readiness for the transition to school and a readiness for
life.
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STAFF
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Director and Authorised Supervisor:
Child Care Worker:
Child Care Worker:
Child Care Worker (Part-time):
Special Needs(Part-time):
Office Admin (Part-time):
Robyn Watt
Fiona Davies
Helen Tree
Debbie Spillett
Victoria Lewis
Jacqui Balenzano
This service uses the Early Years Learning Framework. Documentation on daily activities is available in the Daily
Reflective Journal (PowerPoint presentation).
FEES – Fees for 2016
A non-refundable enrollment fee of $15.00 will be charged.
Full Fees:
$25.00 per day
There is a Subsidy available for families with a Health Care Card. Subsidised Fees: $20.00 per day
Department of Education & Communities also subsidises children from Aboriginal and/or & Torres Straight Island
(ATSI) backgrounds. The subsidised fees are $15.00 per day.
Fees are payable by the 4th week of each term. Arrangements can be made for fees to be paid off in weekly
installments, but MUST be paid each week
Receipts will be placed in your child’s locker.
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ENROLMENT
Enrolment forms must be completed prior to Enrolment and a $15.00 enrolment fee paid. Other documents
needed before commencement: Birth certificate, Immunisation History Statement. Children not immunised
must complete relevant section on enrolment form and provide a Conscience Objection Form from a Doctor.
This form must be lodged with Medicare.
If claiming a subsidy, a Centrelink Healthcare Care must be provided and a copy made for Preschool records.
ATTENDANCE
As per licence conditions, there is a maximum attendance of 29 children per day, Monday to Friday 9.00am to
3.00pm.
If you wish to withdraw your child, we require 2 weeks’ notice or payment in lieu.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
Preschool hours are 9.00am to 3.00pm.
Place your child’s things in the allocated locker, with morning tea and lunch to be
placed in the refrigerator outside.
Your child needs to be signed in (and out on departure) daily. This is a legal requirement - Education and Care
Services National Regulations PART 4.7 158 1a. The sign-in book is located just to the left of the door.
If someone else is picking up your child, you must let us know in advance in writing. An authority to release
your child into the care of a person other than a parent is available next to the sign-in book, and must be filled
in each time this occurs. This person must be a responsible adult.
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WHAT TO BRING
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT ALL ITEMS ARE LABELLED WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME
Morning Tea & Lunch
The Preschool has a healthy eating policy – Policy 2.28 Nutrition. Please ensure that your child has enough
healthy food for morning tea and lunch. Morning tea and lunch should not consist of sweet biscuits, chocolate,
chips, lollies or muesli bars, fruit bars, noodles, poppers or boiled eggs with shell on. Please consider whether
your child can open their lunch containers eg. yoghurt placed in non-original container.
Please supply your child with appropriate cutlery if required. Do not send food to be heated as we are unable
to do so.
Our “Going Green” policy aims to reduce the amount of garbage produced at morning tea and lunch time,
therefore we ask for families to pack “nude food” lunches ie: no plastic, alfoil or even grease proof paper.
Healthy food would consist of dried fruit, yoghurt, sandwiches, salad or quiche, with at least one piece of real
fruit.
Please ensure your child has a drink consisting of only water in a drink bottle (no glass please), not fruit juice or
soft drink.
Rest-time
Sleep and rest periods during a child’s day at Bellingen
Preschool are essential for developing bodies. Rest time
should be promoted as time when children’s bodies can
rest, rejuvenate and grow.
Rest time mats will be provided for the children. Due to
Hygiene regulations set out in the Education and Care
Services National Regulations, a sheet (ideally 2 sheets so
that your child can cover themselves when resting), is to
be provided by parents in a separate cloth bag each
day your child attends.
Change of clothes (in case of accidents)
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LOST PROPERTY
Please try to take everything home after each session. Items left behind will be placed in lost property on top of
the art rack on the verandah. Items not claimed are used as emergency spare clothing, or given to charity.
WHAT THE PRESCHOOL PROVIDES
Hats
A bucket style Preschool hat will be issued to each child (to be left at the preschool) on their first day at
preschool. A fee of $8.00 for the hat will be added to the first term fee notice. Please note that we do not
allow children to bring their own hats from home as this has been a problem in the past when hats have been
left at home. Children will be given their hats to take home on their last day at Preschool.
Preschool policy is NO HAT, NO OUTDOOR PLAY
Sun Protection
A large bottle of sunscreen is placed on the verandah every morning. Parents are asked to apply it to their
child/children before each session. It would also be appreciated if parents could please ensure that children
do not wear singlets and strappy dresses and are dressed suitably for play in the Australian sun ie. shoulders and
neck are covered.
TOYS FROM HOME
It is Preschool policy to discourage children from bringing their own things to the Preschool as they may
become lost or broken, or may cause disputes. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the director, eg in
the case of “Show & Tell “.
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HEALTH AND MEDICATION
Please don’t send your child to Preschool if they are feverish or in the first stage of the flu etc., or if your child has
been given medication that morning. They don’t enjoy themselves, but more importantly, the infection can
spread to others. Children with any infectious diseases must be excluded and the Preschool notified so that all
families can be alerted eg conjunctivitis, chicken pox, measles, glandular fever, ringworm, scabies, school sores
and head lice.
A copy of “Staying Healthy – preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services –
5th Edition 2012,” prepared by the Australian Government - National Health and Medical Research Council, is
available at this service for reference.
Where children require medication (such as antibiotics) while they attend Preschool, parents must fill out an
authorisation form with details including the name of the medication, the correct dosage and the time it is to
be administered. The authorisation form must be signed by the prescribing doctor and the medication must be
in the original container with the correct label.
If your child becomes ill or is injured at Preschool, you will be contacted and asked to collect the child. If the
parents cannot be contacted, we phone your emergency contacts. A staff member will be allocated to care
for the child until they can be collected.
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HANDLING THE SEPARATION SITUATION
Starting Preschool is an important step in your child’s development.
depending on their previous experiences.
Each child’s settling in period will vary,
We suggest the following tips to help your child settle quickly at Preschool:
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Introduce the idea of going to Preschool well before the first day.
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Let your child know that Preschool is a special place for them, and
without making a big issue of it, let them know that you are happy
for them to be there without you.
Build a positive picture of what your child will be able to enjoy
doing at Preschool.
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When you bring your child, come inside with them, help them
choose an activity and get them started. Sometimes it can be
helpful to stay for 10 or 15 minutes until they are occupied.
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When you leave, let a staff member know, say good-bye firmly and briefly, and then leave immediately.
Staff will comfort and settle your child.
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FLOODS
The Preschool closes when the school buses take the school children home early, which is usually just before the
Bellingen Bridge closes. Staff will try to contact parents or other authorised adults to collect their children at this
time.
Please make sure your child is collected as soon as possible in order to avoid the situation where staff have to
remain behind for an extended period of time. It is Preschool policy that staff do not transport children off the
property. Parents who live in easily flooded locations eg Kalang, are requested not to send their children to
Preschool when there is a considerable risk of flooding.
Preschool will not open on days when there is severe flooding, ie. when Waterfall Way is closed or in danger of
closing. It is Preschool policy not to refund fees if it is closed by flooding.
YOU CAN HELP
This Preschool is community-based and welcomes input from parents - especially help with excursions.
We are always in need of interesting or unusual craft materials. You can help by collecting boxes (eg cereal
boxes, tissue boxes, egg cartons, cardboard cylinders).
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