How Our Preschool Runs
Here at Burringbar Community Preschool we believe that children learn through PLAY! As they explore the world around them, children are continually learning new skills and gaining new abilities. Children are unique individuals who develop at their own pace. Our program develops a “picture” of your child through observation (written, photographs, work samples, etc) as a platform for planned changes to the environment and intentional teaching. We then review where each child’s development is taking them in the Early Years Learning Framework.
Throughout the year, we put some of these observations, work samples and photographs into
an electronic portfolio of your child. These portfolios represent a small part of the “picture” of
your child’s year at Preschool. You are able to view your child’s portfolio once you register and download the electronic portfolio app which you will be able to access at any time. School readiness is an integral part of our program. Our program aims to gently progress children in becoming independent, responsible, confident, thoughtful, reflective, creative, expressive, skillful and to love learning.
Our Daily Routine
Children respond well to routine. Therefore, wherever possible, we maintain the flow of the routine without adhering strictly to the times of the routine. In this way, children are able to feel safe with the predictability of their day, yet allowed to suspend time so as not to interrupt the “flow” of an experience. Below is an example of our daily routine. Wednesday group is different as our opening hours are 8:30am to 3pm. There is no bush kindy run on this day.
8.00 am Children arrive at Preschool
9.00 am Yarning Circle/Bush kindy starts.
9.30 am Munch and Crunch
9.30 – 11.30 am Free Play Inside/Out (Interest based)
11.30 am Lunch
12.30 pm Passive play – quiet activities/ Bush kindy group returns.
1.00 pm Free Play Inside/Out (Interest based)
2.00 pm Preschool pack up
3.00 pm Group games
3.30 pm Preschool closes.
We do not have a rest time only relaxation as we find that most preschoolers no longer require a sleep. However, we do cater for individual needs, so please let us know if you would like your child to rest.
Community Connections
Burringbar Community Preschool have a close affiliation with Burringbar Public School. Throughout the year we visit the school for a variety of purposes including regular library sessions, special assemblies, celebration days, excursions to the canteen, shows and visiting entertainers and visits to the Kindergarten classrooms.
This has many advantages for our community. Along with building our relationship with the school, our preschoolers get a taste for what school is like. They become confident with where to go for help, where to go to the toilet and become familiar with the teachers, principal and office staff. They also get to know what it’s like to hang out with children who are often twice their size!
Our families discover and develop strong connection with each other through our family picnics, working bees, culminating days at the end of each term and through our welcoming atmosphere where they feel free to hang out and chat with each other.
Celebrations
On the last day of each term we try to hold a celebration day as a way of showing you what we have been up to. These culminating celebration days involve the whole family and helps build a sense of community. We usually ask parents to bring a plate to share for morning tea or lunch and sometimes we ask the children to dress up. These days are fun and allow the children to showcase their efforts and skills to their families.
Grandparents, aunties and uncles are welcome to join us on these days also. Generally each year we have an Easter Hat Parade, a Grandparents Day, an Athletics Day, etc These are subject to change each year for a variety of reasons, but we’ll keep you posted.
Shows & Excursions
From time to time, we have visits from performers. The cost of these performers may incur an additional cost depending on the cost of entry and transport and we will notify you of this cost as soon as possible. We endeavor to book performers that are relevant to the children’s interests and broaden their worldview.
Immunisation
From the 1st of January 2018 only children who are fully immunised for their age or who have a medical reason not to be immunised or are on a Catch-Up Schedule can be enrolled in childcare. Children who have not been immunised due to their parent’s vaccine conscientious objection
cannot be enrolled (NSW Health Nov 2017).
As part of our record keeping, we are required to maintain current details of your child’s immunisation status. Please bring a copy of your child’s immunisation records upon enrolment for us to keep on file. In the event of an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, all children who are not immunised for the disease must be excluded from Preschool for the recommended period.
Toileting policy
Children are encouraged and will be positively guided through the toileting process. Educators will support this by verbally prompting children through the toileting process. They will consider and seek to accommodate children’s individual needs for privacy while maintaining appropriate supervision.
Car Parking
There is ample parking at Burringbar Community Preschool. Please never leave a child in a car. All children of any age are welcome to come in under the supervision of an adult. Please be careful of young children exiting and entering cars in the car park when pulling in and parking. Police often patrol our School zone during drop off and pick up times. Please adhere to the speed zones at all times to ensure the safety of all children and families.