Welcome
Riddells Creek Kindergarten
We are pleased to welcome the Riddells Creek
Kindergarten into the Macedon Ranges
Kindergarten Cluster.
Macedon Ranges
Riddells Creek Kindergarten is a single unit
Kindergarten, integrated with Maternal Child
Health Services that provides a multi-disciplinary
approach to Early Years Services. The
Kindergarten provides 15 hours of weekly funded
Kindergarten and a three year old program. It is
licensed for up to 28
children.
Kindergarten Cluster
Newsletter
Grant Ave, Gisborne; Lady Brooks, Kyneton; Lancefield; Macedon;
Riddells Creek; Romsey; Swinburne Ave, Gisborne; Woodend.
Has your child had their 3½ year developmental check up yet?
This is an exciting time for your child. They are becoming
more independent with many new challenges physically,
emotionally and socially.
The 3½ year developmental check will give you the
opportunity to discuss a range of things with the Maternal
and Child Health Nurse including:





The PEDS Questionnaire
Growth and Development
Diet and Family Nutrition
Vision
Gait





Speech and Language
Teeth and Dental Hygiene
Immunisation
Early Years Services
Any other concerns
You will also receive a health information pack on
relevant topics.
To make an appointment, please call the
Maternal and Child Health Appointment
line on 5422 0281
5422 0251
5422 0257
5422 0239
(Previously Enrolment Officer)
Program Support Officer Donna Southall/Debra Horvat (Acting)
(Previously FCS Admin)
We make every effort to ensure information is correct at the time of publishing.
Council accepts no responsibility or liability should information change.
Refurbishments
Page 2
Kindergarten Cluster
Group
Page 3
Welcome Riddells Creek
Kindergarten
Page 4
Maternal and Child Health
Page 4
Early Years Support Team
Page 4
Early Years Support Team
Coordinator
Sigi Hyett
Emma Raid-Savreux
Team Leader (Acting)
Service Support Officer Carmen Wattis/Rebecca Mustey
Kindergarten
In
this edition...
5422 0231
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of the Macedon Ranges Kindergarten
Cluster (MRKC) Newsletter for 2013. We aim to produce a
newsletter that continues to open the communication and
information sharing within our cluster and to strengthen relationships
with families.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has introduced a new look website
and is inviting residents and business to explore its new content and
features, and share their feedback for a chance to win an iPad mini.
Visit www.www.mrsc.vic.gov.au and go to the ‘Have Your Say’ tab to
complete the short survey, which closes on 30 April 2013.
Part of the new website will include a new delivery method for
newsletter distribution. We will shortly be notifying you about how to
subscribe to future newsletters.
MRKC Newsletter Team
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Term Dates 2013
Term 1: 29 January to 28 March
Term 2: 15 April to 28 June
Term 3: 15 July to 20 September
Term 4: 7 October to 20 December
Kindergarten Cluster Group
Is a group of kindergartens under the management of one organisation
Background
Woodend Kindergarten
Funded kindergarten cluster management was introduced by the Department of Early Childhood
and Education in 2003 to reduce the financial, legal, management and administrative burden on
voluntary parent committees and to provide kindergarten staff with professional employment
arrangements.
The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood is part of the Council of Australian
Government (COAG) extensive reform agenda for early childhood education and care services.
The National Quality Framework includes the National Education and Care Act Oct 2011 and the
National Education and Care Regulations 2012 which commenced from January 2012.
Woodend Kindergarten
The National Quality Standards sets a new national benchmark for quality education and care and
gives families a better understanding of a quality service. There are seven quality areas in the
National Quality Standards (NQS) that cover aspects to essential provision of quality early
childhood education and care.
Kindergarten
Refurbishments
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is the cluster manager for seven kindergartens in the shire:
The refurbishment projects have
commenced at Lady Brooks,
Macedon and Woodend
kindergartens.
We are now well into term one and
the building works are underway with
little if any disruption to the
kindergarten programs.
Woodend Kindergarten
Swinburne Ave Kindergarten, Gisborne
Lancefield Kindergarten
Riddells Creek Kindergarten
Lady Brooks Kindergarten, Kyneton
Building plans are
available for your
viewing at each
kindergarten site.
Staff working at Macedon, Lady
Brooks and Woodend kindergartens
are providing 12 hour sessions. This
will provide additional time for building
works to be completed.
We are pleased to be welcoming Romsey Kindergarten into our cluster, effective 15 April 2013.
The Cluster management provides:



We would like to thank the staff at
each of these kindergartens for the
additional work and commitment that
was needed in preparing the sites for
the commencement of the works.
It was a huge effort at the end of the
year to clear offices, storerooms,
children’s rooms and
kitchens. Without this commitment
and hard work that was required to
clear the rooms, we would not have
able to commence works .





Thank you.
Bruce Street Kindergarten, Macedon
Grant Ave Kindergarten, Gisborne
Lady Brooks Kindergarten, Kyneton
Governance, through strategic planning such as Municipal Early Years Plans and Universal
Access Facility Audit Plans.
Staff employment and support, through a coordinated and planned approach to professional
development strengthening staff skills and with minimal disruption to the services.
Development of staff career and workforce planning.
Participation in local partnerships, some of our key partnerships are; Macedon Ranges
Early Years Network Group and Macedon Ranges Early Years Parenting Group. Linking
families to other family and children’s services such as Maternal Child Health; Early
Intervention; Child First and Child Protection.
Regulatory and licensing administrative requirements.
Budgetary and finance requirements.
Insurance.
Forging partnerships with families, through the Macedon Ranges Kindergarten Cluster
Group, kindergarten committee meetings, orientation for new families through Emergency
Management information sessions, a kindergarten orientation session the year prior to
commencement and individual interviews with kindergarten staff.
Strategic and operational planning through fostering a culture of continuous system
improvement. Quality assurance, quality improvement plans and cluster service improvement
plans document strategies to guide service improvement. Policy development and review,
emergency management systems, building maintenance, minor improvements and major
renovations.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to providing quality early childhood education and
care with a strong focus on quality improvement. Council upholds the principles that guide the
National Quality Standards that inform the delivery of quality early childhood education and care.
Macedon Kindergarten
Kindergarten Cluster Group
Is a group of kindergartens under the management of one organisation
Background
Woodend Kindergarten
Funded kindergarten cluster management was introduced by the Department of Early Childhood
and Education in 2003 to reduce the financial, legal, management and administrative burden on
voluntary parent committees and to provide kindergarten staff with professional employment
arrangements.
The National Quality Framework for Early Childhood is part of the Council of Australian
Government (COAG) extensive reform agenda for early childhood education and care services.
The National Quality Framework includes the National Education and Care Act Oct 2011 and the
National Education and Care Regulations 2012 which commenced from January 2012.
Woodend Kindergarten
The National Quality Standards sets a new national benchmark for quality education and care and
gives families a better understanding of a quality service. There are seven quality areas in the
National Quality Standards (NQS) that cover aspects to essential provision of quality early
childhood education and care.
Kindergarten
Refurbishments
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is the cluster manager for seven kindergartens in the shire:
The refurbishment projects have
commenced at Lady Brooks,
Macedon and Woodend
kindergartens.
We are now well into term one and
the building works are underway with
little if any disruption to the
kindergarten programs.
Woodend Kindergarten
Swinburne Ave Kindergarten, Gisborne
Lancefield Kindergarten
Riddells Creek Kindergarten
Lady Brooks Kindergarten, Kyneton
Building plans are
available for your
viewing at each
kindergarten site.
Staff working at Macedon, Lady
Brooks and Woodend kindergartens
are providing 12 hour sessions. This
will provide additional time for building
works to be completed.
We are pleased to be welcoming Romsey Kindergarten into our cluster, effective 15 April 2013.
The Cluster management provides:



We would like to thank the staff at
each of these kindergartens for the
additional work and commitment that
was needed in preparing the sites for
the commencement of the works.
It was a huge effort at the end of the
year to clear offices, storerooms,
children’s rooms and
kitchens. Without this commitment
and hard work that was required to
clear the rooms, we would not have
able to commence works .





Thank you.
Bruce Street Kindergarten, Macedon
Grant Ave Kindergarten, Gisborne
Lady Brooks Kindergarten, Kyneton
Governance, through strategic planning such as Municipal Early Years Plans and Universal
Access Facility Audit Plans.
Staff employment and support, through a coordinated and planned approach to professional
development strengthening staff skills and with minimal disruption to the services.
Development of staff career and workforce planning.
Participation in local partnerships, some of our key partnerships are; Macedon Ranges
Early Years Network Group and Macedon Ranges Early Years Parenting Group. Linking
families to other family and children’s services such as Maternal Child Health; Early
Intervention; Child First and Child Protection.
Regulatory and licensing administrative requirements.
Budgetary and finance requirements.
Insurance.
Forging partnerships with families, through the Macedon Ranges Kindergarten Cluster
Group, kindergarten committee meetings, orientation for new families through Emergency
Management information sessions, a kindergarten orientation session the year prior to
commencement and individual interviews with kindergarten staff.
Strategic and operational planning through fostering a culture of continuous system
improvement. Quality assurance, quality improvement plans and cluster service improvement
plans document strategies to guide service improvement. Policy development and review,
emergency management systems, building maintenance, minor improvements and major
renovations.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is committed to providing quality early childhood education and
care with a strong focus on quality improvement. Council upholds the principles that guide the
National Quality Standards that inform the delivery of quality early childhood education and care.
Macedon Kindergarten
Welcome
Riddells Creek Kindergarten
We are pleased to welcome the Riddells Creek
Kindergarten into the Macedon Ranges
Kindergarten Cluster.
Macedon Ranges
Riddells Creek Kindergarten is a single unit
Kindergarten, integrated with Maternal Child
Health Services that provides a multi-disciplinary
approach to Early Years Services. The
Kindergarten provides 15 hours of weekly funded
Kindergarten and a three year old program. It is
licensed for up to 28
children.
Kindergarten Cluster
Newsletter
Grant Ave, Gisborne; Lady Brooks, Kyneton; Lancefield; Macedon;
Riddells Creek; Romsey; Swinburne Ave, Gisborne; Woodend.
Has your child had their 3½ year developmental check up yet?
This is an exciting time for your child. They are becoming
more independent with many new challenges physically,
emotionally and socially.
The 3½ year developmental check will give you the
opportunity to discuss a range of things with the Maternal
and Child Health Nurse including:





The PEDS Questionnaire
Growth and Development
Diet and Family Nutrition
Vision
Gait





Speech and Language
Teeth and Dental Hygiene
Immunisation
Early Years Services
Any other concerns
You will also receive a health information pack on
relevant topics.
To make an appointment, please call the
Maternal and Child Health Appointment
line on 5422 0281
5422 0251
5422 0257
5422 0239
(Previously Enrolment Officer)
Program Support Officer Donna Southall/Debra Horvat (Acting)
(Previously FCS Admin)
We make every effort to ensure information is correct at the time of publishing.
Council accepts no responsibility or liability should information change.
Refurbishments
Page 2
Kindergarten Cluster
Group
Page 3
Welcome Riddells Creek
Kindergarten
Page 4
Maternal and Child Health
Page 4
Early Years Support Team
Page 4
Early Years Support Team
Coordinator
Sigi Hyett
Emma Raid-Savreux
Team Leader (Acting)
Service Support Officer Carmen Wattis/Rebecca Mustey
Kindergarten
In
this edition...
5422 0231
Welcome
Welcome to the first edition of the Macedon Ranges Kindergarten
Cluster (MRKC) Newsletter for 2013. We aim to produce a
newsletter that continues to open the communication and
information sharing within our cluster and to strengthen relationships
with families.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has introduced a new look website
and is inviting residents and business to explore its new content and
features, and share their feedback for a chance to win an iPad mini.
Visit www.www.mrsc.vic.gov.au and go to the ‘Have Your Say’ tab to
complete the short survey, which closes on 30 April 2013.
Part of the new website will include a new delivery method for
newsletter distribution. We will shortly be notifying you about how to
subscribe to future newsletters.
MRKC Newsletter Team
Macedon Ranges Shire Council
Term Dates 2013
Term 1: 29 January to 28 March
Term 2: 15 April to 28 June
Term 3: 15 July to 20 September
Term 4: 7 October to 20 December