Introducing Bradshaw Preschool
Thank you for choosing to enrol your child in the preschool program provided by
Bradshaw Primary School.
Bradshaw Primary School has been providing quality preschool educational programs in
Alice Springs since 1974. We have continued to strive for excellence in a relaxed, friendly
and caring atmosphere that offers all families an opportunity to become involved in their
children’s first experiences of schooling. Children are central to everything we do and
families are our partners on this journey.
Practices at Bradshaw Preschool have been rated as exceeding the National Quality
Standards. We are one of only two preschools in Alice Springs to achieve this rating.
Preschool staff take a collaborative approach to operations. This involves developing
policies and procedures that include ideas and suggestions from staff, families and
students. High quality early learning that involves each child, family and our community is
our major goal. Giving children the chance to love learning through a play based setting
allows them to grow and strengthen who they are, what they’re good at and to introduce
them to the marvels of the world.
Bradshaw Preschool operates four classes, two on Mondays/Tuesdays and two on
Wednesdays/Thursdays. The groups alternate for a half day on Fridays. The building is
made up of two units with adjoining kitchen, library, bathroom and outdoor play
facilities.
Motto
Playing to Learn. Loving to Learn
Philosophy
Bradshaw Preschool values the importance of play in assisting children’s
learning. Through the process of exploration children practise and develop skills in all
areas of development: physically, socially, cognitively, emotionally, and creatively. All
children are adventurers, explorers, creators and inventors. Educators at our preschool
strive to develop independent, cooperative, persistent, risk taking, wondering and
adaptable learners who will always feel safe and respected while here.
We respect the fact that children come with vast cultural and experiential knowledge. We
encourage them to share this knowledge and make choices about their learning that suit
their interests and keep their brains active.
Our preschool values and respects the partnership between staff and families in caring
for and educating their children through developing a supportive, nurturing and secure
environment. Parents are always welcome and are encouraged to participate in the daily
operations of the preschool.
Our preschool forms a part of Bradshaw Primary School and shares its vision in
encouraging and promoting a community that values and celebrates its diversity and
culture.
Bradshaw Preschool values the importance of continued professional development in the
setting of goals and the systematic evaluation and review of everyday practice to ensure
and maintain high quality education.
Our staff
Key staff that may be involved in your child’s preschool year include:
 Louise Rodot
Teacher in Charge
 Petra Tilmouth
Teacher
 Yvette Pengilly
Teacher
 Bronnie Andrews Support educator
 Bernie Bergin
Support educator
 Maree Hayes
Support educator
 Virginia Moore
Bradshaw Front Office
 Lisa Scarfe
Special Education Teacher
 Paul van Holsteyn Principal
Learning at Bradshaw Preschool
Belonging, being, becoming
The learning program at Bradshaw Preschool is designed using “The Early Years Learning
Framework” (EYLF), which focusses on belonging, being and becoming. Programs
consider and respect the three components that allow children to participate in everyday
life, develop their interests and construct their own identities and understandings of the
world.
We use the following EYLF Learning Outcomes to ensure quality educational programs
are offered to all individuals:
 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
The learning program both follows and stimulates the interests that the children bring
with them to preschool.
The children are always busy at preschool selecting different activities according to their
interests. At this level it is the process not the product that is usually important.
Preschool is important preparation for the development of self-identity, interest in
learning and preparation for formal learning.
Learning through play
Learning outcomes are achieved through the medium of “play”. Play provides
opportunities for children to:
 Observe and be involved in the learning environment first hand
 Make decisions and solve problems
 Develop body awareness
 Express feelings in a socially acceptable manner
 Extend language skills
 Interact with others
 Develop a positive self-concept
Literacy and numeracy skills are included and encouraged in the learning program, but
please remember that preschool is not an academic year.
Learning mindsets
We aim to develop ‘growth mindsets’ at Bradshaw School, in contrast to ‘fixed mindsets’.
A growth mindset is a way of thinking that believes that intelligence can be developed
through hard work, persistence, embracing challenges and rejoicing in the learning
gained from mistakes and failure.
As educators we help children to develop growth mindsets through providing feedback
based on their effort and process rather than innate ability. For example, instead of a
comment like ‘how clever you are’ we would say ‘wow, that was a really tricky task, I saw
that you tried really hard’.
Bradshaw Preschool, in line with Bradshaw Primary School, emphasises three learning
characteristics:
 We challenge ourselves.
 We are responsible.
 We learn together.
Learning activities
Indoor activities include a large, rotating variety of equipment available for children to:
 Paint and draw
 Model with clay and dough
 Cut, paste and create with collage
materials
 Construct and investigate with
manipulative toys
 Build and create with blocks
 Explore using books, puzzles and
other cognitive games and
equipment
 Express themselves through
dramatic play
Outdoor activities offer children free choice to develop skills in various ways, including:
 Sand and water play
 Cubby house play
 Climbing, jumping and running
 Sensory exploration
 Ball games
 Throwing and catching
 Balance activities
 Investigative project work,
enhancing children’s love of the
outdoors
 Bike riding
 Gardening
Group time activities may include:
 Singing and dancing
 Discussing experiences
 Show and tell
 Listening to visitors
 Watching, discussing and reflecting
on pictures, books, videos and live
performances
 Playing group games to develop
skills
Interactions with children
Preschool is a place where children feel safe and secure and where they can belong, be
and become. They learn about themselves and others through their interactions so these
interactions should be positive and promote a child’s sense of self. Educators act as role
models to guide children’s social and emotional development and provide positive
guidance to support children finding it challenging establishing relationships with others.
At Bradshaw Preschool all children are supported to develop positive relationships with
other children and educators and are provided appropriate support when they are
finding it challenging engaging with others. Children are involved in rule making and
conflict resolution and are empowered to respond appropriately to behaviour they find
unacceptable.
If there are ongoing behaviour issues these will be discussed with families and
appropriate action plans developed in consultation with families and other professionals
as required.
A learning partnership
At Bradshaw we believe that education is a combined venture of the child, his/her
parents, family, carers and the school and school community. We look forward to a
successful partnership in the educational interests of your child and sharing a happy,
rewarding learning journey with you and your family.
You play an important role in supporting your child’s progress at preschool and after that
at school. Some important things you can do are:
 Have a positive attitude to the school and teachers
 Ask your child about the school day
 Take delight in the new interests and knowledge your child acquires
 Be proud of your child’s new skills
 Take time to learn together
 Listen to your child and share the triumphs and the problems
 Talk to the teacher, visit the classroom and become involved
 Set aside time each day to read to your child
Bradshaw School has an open door policy which means that you are welcome to come
and participate in your child’s class at any time.
Keeping in touch
Maintaining regular contact between preschool and home allows us to best work
together to support your child’s learning. Good ways to ‘keep in touch’ include:
 Ensuring that you introduce yourself to the educators that work in your child’s
room and the Teacher-in-Charge
 Reading all notes, newsletters and emails that come home
 Attending parent committee meetings
 Spending time in the preschool
 Getting actively involved in events like the Bangtail Muster
Bradshaw Preschool can be reached via the Bradshaw School Office on 8952 3777.
Preschool staff are generally not available during the day as they are focused on the
children they are working with. If you call during the day, office staff will convey your
message to the preschool or, only in an emergency, transfer your call.
Preschool staff welcome the opportunity to discuss your child’s progress or any other
matter relating to the preschool. Brief conversations may be able to occur before and
after school; please make an appointment for more involved conversations.
Storypark – sharing the learning
To help share student learning with families, Bradshaw Preschool uses an online system
called Storypark. Educators write learning stories that are shared with the parents or
carers of children involved in the story. Parents/carers can respond to the story, forward
the story onto other members of the family or even write their own stories describing
some of the learning that the child is achieving outside of preschool and share these
stories with preschool staff.
Any photos and stories published for your child are seen only by you, unless you invite
others to see the stories about your child.
We will contact you by email early in the year to invite you into Storypark.
Supporting the preschool
We pride ourselves on the fact that we provide a high quality preschool service to
children and families. In order to continue to do this we rely on support from the families
that use the service.
There are a number of ways that families can be involved in the preschool including:
 Helping out in the classroom
 Being an active member of the parent committee
 Assisting us running the library
 Baking for the cake raffle
 Taking home the washing
 Being involved in working bees
 Supporting educators with filing or displaying the children’s work
 Being involved in after-hours functions
 Fulfilling requests from the ‘wishing tree’
 Allowing us to take advantage of your special skills or talents
If you have a regular time that you are available to come in please let us know as there
are always plenty of ways that people can help out with learning in the classroom. If you
choose to help in the classroom, please encourage your child to work independently
while you are in the room, explaining that you are there to help everyone.
For any special events, meetings or functions there will always be prior notice given for
when these will occur and helper rosters displayed for those able to assist.
Parental contributions
Government funding allows us to provide a basic level of resources free to all children.
We rely on parental contributions to purchase high quality resources to ensure the
preschool environment and learning program can be as stimulating and exciting as
possible. Parental contributions are voluntary, although we depend on these funds to
provide a high quality service.
The requested preschool parent contribution amount in 2016 is $240 for the year or
$50 for low income families. Many families choose to donate in excess of the this
amount.
$240 works out to be less than $3 per session. It can be paid in semester instalments.
Evidence of low income such as a Health Care Card needs to be provided.
Parental contributions can be paid through the following methods:
 At Bradshaw Office by cash, EFTPOS (including Basics Card) or cheque
 By EFT into the school’s account:
Account Name: Bradshaw Primary School
BSB: 015 881 Account: 410012581
Please ensure you record your child’s name and ‘PRE’ with the payment.
 By placing cash or a cheque in an envelope labelled with your child’s name in the
wooden boxes in the classrooms.
Getting started
Settling in
Children react differently to new situations. Be patient when children commence
preschool, as it might take your child some time to adjust. Please feel free to stay with
them for a while on the first day or so if you think it will help them settle. Some children
become distressed in new surroundings. If you need to go, it is important that you alert
staff to assist you and reassure your child that you will be back at the end of the session.
Please don’t say you will be back in a minute or sneak away without telling them or you
may lose their trust.
When you are ready to leave, say goodbye and LEAVE! Our educators are experienced in
settling in children. Let the staff know your movements and they will contact you if your
child remains upset. There are no firm procedures for upset children. The staff recognise
that children are individual and will manage each case with families. Please don’t feel
embarrassed as our partnership to support your child is essential.
Preschool routines
The following routines are encouraged to help your child develop the organizational skills
and self-discipline necessary for formal schooling. Children need to have a school bag in
which to carry a spare change of clothes, a hat, library book (in the library bag), snack and
lunch to preschool. The bag can then be used to carry home items made at preschool.
On arrival the children are expected to:
 Put their morning tea into the basket
 Put their lunchbox in the fridge
 Put their library book (in its bag) in the library box
 Find their name tag on the wall and select a locker
 Place their bag into their locker
Please encourage your child to be personally responsible for these simple tasks/routines.
Please encourage your child to take responsibility for his/her own belongings.
Back to School payment
The Northern Territory Government provides a Back to School Payment entitlement
scheme which provides families with a credit of $150 to purchase items through the
school. Families usually use this money to purchase 1 or 2 preschool t-shirts, an art pack,
a hat, a library bag, a subscription to Reading Eggs and then allocate some funds towards
excursions over the year.
The $150 needs to be fully expended or allocated by the end of the first term that your
child is in the preschool.
Further information about this scheme will be provided at the beginning of 2015.
Things you need to know
Session Times
Students complete two full days of preschool education each week and one half day
every second week.
Monday / Tuesday Groups
Hours of attendance are:
Monday
8:15am-2.45pm
Tuesday
8:15am-2:45pm
Friday
8:15am-12.15pm (Weeks 1, 3, 5, 7, 9)
Wednesday / Thursday Groups
Hours of attendance are:
Wednesday 8:15am-2:45pm
Thursday
8:15am-2:45pm
Friday
8:15am-12.15pm (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10)
Please ensure that your child is collected on time and if you are unavoidably late, please
contact the preschool so your child can be cared for appropriately until you arrive.
Food
Morning tea/fruit/snack
As part of our morning tea routine, the preschool encourages families to provide a fruit
or vegetable only snack. Each child brings their morning tea, pre-cut if necessary in a
small container with their name on it. The children wash hands and enjoy their meal
gathered around small tables. Staff encourage conversations about healthy eating and
praise children for trying new things. If your child is not a fruit or vegetable eater other
healthy options can be provided such as:
 Cheese
 Dried fruit
 Yoghurt
 Cold meats
 Hard boiled eggs
Daily lunch
Children are asked to bring lunch items to preschool packed in a separate lunch box. All
lunch boxes / containers need to be clearly labelled. This helps to prepare children for
recess and lunch times in following years when they start Transition.
Lunch options must have a sandwich/main meal type food item which is to be consumed
first. After this main option is eaten other smaller snacks may be eaten. We urge parents
to select healthy options for the benefit of their children’s health.
Please note: On Fridays children only need a morning tea snack and not lunch.
Water
There are cool water fountains in each classroom and several outside. Students should
also bring a labelled bottle containing water only. Children are reminded to drink water
throughout the session.
Healthy eating
Bradshaw Preschool has a healthy eating policy that guides the type of food children
should bring to school. There are food guidelines on the next pages; please ensure you
follow these guidelines. If you are unsure, please ask one of our educators.
If students bring foods to preschool that are on the ‘red’ list, the food will be sent home
with the child for consumption outside of preschool.
GREEN
AMBER
RED
Almost all of a child’s food
should be from this category
Few items
Not Permitted
(will be sent home)
Air popped popcorn
Chips
Dried fruit
Roll ups
Vegetables and legumes/beans:

All allowed

Any sized serving
Fruit:

All fresh fruits allowed
Puree/Fruit sticks –
choose 100% fruit
Dairy:
Yoghurt
Custard
Milk
Dairy desserts
Cheese
Meats, fish and protein foods:

Lean meats

Canned fish

Eggs
Deep fried foods
Bread and alternatives:

Please select wholemeal or
wholegrain – bread, crisp
breads

High fibre white bread

Raisin and fruit bread

Plain pikelets and pancakes

Savoury scones/muffins
Pull
aparts/twists/scrolls
Fast foods including
McDonalds, KFC, Hungry
Jacks, Red Rooster
GREEN
AMBER
RED
Almost all of a child’s food
should be from this category
Few items
Not Permitted
(will be sent home)
Rice, grains, pasta
Muesli bars
Rice and pasta dishes
Yoghurt topped
muesli bars
Sugars:
Honey
Lollies
Jam
Chocolate of any sort
Plain sweet biscuits
Cakes
Iced biscuits/Cream
biscuits
Jelly
Donuts
LCM’s
Drinks:

Water

Milk
99% fruit juice – no
larger than 250mLs
Fizzy drinks
Fruit drinks
Flavoured milk
Food allergies
We do not yet know whether any children attending the preschool in 2016 will have
allergies.
As a precaution, nut products are not permitted at the preschool.
If some children attending the preschool have specific allergies, other foods may be
restricted so that all children can be safe. We will advise families at the beginning of the
year if this is to occur.
Excursions
Excursions to various town venues are part of the preschool curriculum. They are
valuable in the development of a sense of community and our role in it. It also
strengthens vocabulary, self-confidence, social skills and general knowledge. You will be
asked to sign a permission form before each excursion. A bus fee of $4 applies if you have
not paid a voluntary contribution.
Excursions to Bradshaw Primary School occur routinely and increase in frequency in the
second half of the year. You provide consent for your child to attend these excursions on
the enrolment forms.
Collecting children
Children must be collected from their preschool classroom.
If it is necessary for someone other than yourself to pick up your child, please let the staff
know in writing in advance. If someone other than a parent/guardian will regularly
collect your child, please include their details under the ‘Authorisations’ section on the
Supplementary Preschool Enrolment Form. This is important, as we must be sure children
are leaving with an authorised person.
N.B. Any person who comes to collect a child is required to be over 16 years of age.
Absence & health
Preschool students are expected to attend school every day that they have a session,
providing that they are well. This helps to develop patterns of behaviour that will help to
set them up to succeed in their school career.
Obviously, when children are sick they should not come to preschool. Please contact the
school to notify of your child’s absence.
Children should not be at preschool if you suspect that they may be unwell, they are in
the worst ‘runny’ stages of a cold or if they have vomited or had diarrhoea in the past 24
hours, even if he/she wants to come. For the sake of everyone at preschool, it is
important that these guidelines are followed. Educators will ask you to pick up and take
home unwell children.
There are a number of diseases that have strict notification and exclusion requirements
that have been developed by the Department of Health. If you are not sure, please
contact the school so that we can take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of all
students and staff. Your doctor can also provide you with guidance in this area.
Birthdays
Families may bring a birthday cake into preschool for sharing on their child’s birthday.
Please arrange a suitable time with your child’s teacher. Families are welcome to join in
the celebrations, taking photos and assisting to share out the cake. Please advise us if any
religious beliefs need to be considered about this type of celebration.
Clothes for preschool
The preschool program is one of physical activity, action and often messy play or
exploration. Help your child participate by making sure their clothing enables easy
movement. Thongs and other slip-on shoes are not acceptable, as they become
dangerous during physical activity. We encourage children to wear sandals that cover
toes or sneakers. A preschool shirt is available for $25.
The preschool has a small wading pool which is used in Terms 1 and 4, when weather and
other aspects of our program allows. Please include a set of swimming attire in a plastic
bag in your child’s schoolbag each day during these terms. Please make the application
of sunscreen a daily habit in preparation for coming to school.
Label any clothes that may be taken off, together with things like lunch boxes, library
bags and schoolbags. Show your child these labels, so they can confidently identify their
belongings.
Sun safe policy
Bradshaw Primary School has a strictly enforced policy of ‘NO HAT, NO PLAY’ and
Bradshaw Preschool has a Sun Safe Policy.
Although the common baseball hat is popular, it provides little protection for the ears
and neck. We suggest you purchase a Bradshaw School hat as part of your Back to School
Voucher. Bradshaw Primary sells these as part of the uniform for $10. Please CLEARLY
NAME your child’s hat and ensure he/she knows what it looks like. Many families get
hats embroidered with their child’s name.
Otherwise a legionnaire’s hat or broad brimmed hat is recommended.
School crossing/parking
We urge parents to take notice of parking signs in the street particularly the disabled
park. There is ample parking on Adamson Avenue in front of the Flynn Drive oval to the
East of the preschool. There is a school crossing just West of the preschool. It is essential
that we model safe behaviours for our children, so please use the school crossing
regardless of whether you have to walk an extra 25 metres.
Library
The preschool has its own library and children are encouraged to use it. Families that
have paid their parental contribution can borrow from the library on a weekly basis.
Children need to bring a library bag for their books – preferably a cloth bag. Cloth bags
can be purchased from the preschool for a small cost.
Please reinforce the importance of caring for books at home. Parents are required to
replace books that are damaged or lost while in their care.
If you have not paid a parental contribution, your child will be able to access books during
the day but won’t be able to borrow books to take them home.
Parent volunteers run our library – typically this is one hour which can either be on a
weekly basis or on a roster with other parents. Contact staff if you are interested in
helping out. If parents are not available to operate the library children cannot borrow,
Handwriting
Victorian Modern Cursive is the style of handwriting used in preschool and all
government schools in the Northern Territory.
We have included an example for you below.
When helping your child to write his/her name, please use an initial capital and then
lower case e.g. Jenna. Teaching your child to write their name in capitals can cause them
added stress later on.
Aa Bb Cc Dd Ee Ff Gg Hh Ii
Jj Kk Ll Mm Nn Oo Pp Qq
Rr Ss Tt Uu Vv Ww Xx Yy
Zz
Preschool governance
Parent committee
Early in the year staff will arrange a meeting time for parents. Depending on parent
interests and the needs of the preschool, the committee may focus on things like
preschool events, fundraising and/or preschool policies.
The parent committee is an advisory body to the school.
The parent committee nominates one person to serve on Bradshaw School Council for
the year, which is the governance body for Bradshaw Primary School (including the
preschool).
The National Quality Framework (NQF)
The NQF for Early Childhood Education and Care helps to ensure your child is given the
best possible start in life. Every state and territory in Australia is working to achieve the
same quality outcomes for children, no matter where they live.
There are seven domains in the NQF:
 Educational program and practice.
 Children’s health and safety.
 Physical environment
 Staffing arrangements
 Relationships with children
 Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
 Leadership and service management
Bradshaw Preschool has been assessed as Exceeding the National Quality Standards
included in the NQF.
As part of our commitment to improve and provide the best early childhood service for
you, your family and your child we have developed a Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).
Through this we continuously reflect, adjust and write policies and procedures to ensure
all seven areas of the National Quality Standards are met.
We encourage parents to join us on this journey as we continue to improve by joining
one of our committees.
More information about the NQF can be found at www.acecqa.gov.au/families
Policies and procedures
In accordance with the NQF, Bradshaw Preschool has a range of policies and procedures
that direct how we operate. If you have any questions, please speak to the Teacher-InCharge or browse the information provided in the foyer.
Concerns or complaints
We are committed to work through and resolve any concerns or complaints that you may
have. If you have any concerns or wish to make a complaint, in the first instance speak to
your child’s teacher or the Teacher-In-Charge so that we can work together to seek a
resolution to the concern. If you feel uncomfortable doing so or if you have done so and
do not feel your concern or complaint has been adequately addressed, speak to the
Principal of Bradshaw Primary School. The Principal will explain the process that will be
followed to resolve the complaint and then will endeavour to resolve the complaint.