Welcome
Welcome to Heathmont East Preschool. We trust it will be a happy and beneficial year for all children and families. We look forward to getting to know everyone.
Welcome to Heathmont East Preschool. We trust it will be a happy and beneficial year for all children and families. We look forward to getting to know everyone.
Heathmont East Preschool would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, the traditional owners of this land where our kinder sits and where we gather to learn and play. We pay our respects to the elders who have raised children, taught them about the world around them and given them the gift of culture and language.
Heathmont East Preschool is a Victorian Government kindergarten, funded and regulated primarily through the Department of Education and Training (DET). The kinder exists for the purpose of providing a local preschool service to families within the municipality of Maroondah Council in which it is located. The kinder is part of the Maroondah Integrated Kindergartens Association (MIKA).
The Heathmont East Preschool Incorporated Association membership is comprised of the parents who enrol their children at the service. Each year, a voluntary Committee of Management is elected from within the parent body to provide corporate governance to the kinder. The kinder committee is responsible for the administration and management of the preschool for the benefit of all current and future users of the service. Using government funding and enrolment fees, the committee employs qualified staff to deliver the educational program; and other individuals to perform auxiliary administrative and maintenance functions for the service.
As an Incorporated Association, Heathmont East Preschool exists to deliver a preschool educational program to the children of its members. The preschool program is also known as kindergarten or kinder. There are educational guidelines, objectives and aims that preschools base their program upon.
All enrolments are managed by the Maroondah Integrated Kindergarten Association (MIKA). Refer to our enrolment page for further information.
The preschool aims to establish a friendly happy atmosphere based on mutual respect between all members. A caring concern for each child will be exhibited. Through a carefully planned play-based program and daily routines, we trust that the children will develop initiative, self-esteem, social skills, a quest for knowledge, tolerance, courtesy, consideration for others and respect for property.
The children are all developing attitudes, skills and modes of behaviour at varying rates, but every child needs to feel achievement and approval. To meet children’s different learning needs, teachers need to make various adjustments. On some occasions children are in smaller organised groups for teacher or child initiated activities. At other times children are choosing their own activities either indoors or outdoors and working/playing at their own level.
Preschool is an Educational environment. It is where children learn through “Play”. Thus developing their General Skills, Self-confidence and Independance.
Remember: No Play = No Learning.
As a trained Early Childhood Education professional, the teacher is able to objectively observe each individual child and carefully select learning experiences which suit each child’s needs, interests and their special type and rate of development.
We will work to assist the children to develop the following skills:
These skills are hoped to be acquired by the end of the 4 year old kinder year.
Incursions are organised activities brought into the kinder during session times. A number of incursions for both the 3yr old and 4yr old groups are planned each year and cover a range of activities like music, water safety and food knowledge. Before the year commences the anticipated incursions are known and the costs are covered in the term fees.
During the year we plan a number of excursions for the 4yr old groups which we consider to be relevant and worthwhile. We attempt to keep the extra costs to a minimum and try to balance the types of experiences. As excursions are outside the preschool we must have a ratio of 1 adult to 2 or 3 children, but sometimes we prefer all parents to attend, if possible, for optimum management. All children must have a parent’s permission prior to leaving kinder on an excursion. Parents permission will be collected by the teachers using an approved platform. At the beginning of the year, parents of the 4yr old group will receive a list of anticipated excursions and their cost for the year. This will enable parents to plan for the year’s activities. Payment for any excursion must be paid in full along with Term Fees prior to the event at the Commonwealth Bank or Online. During 3rd and 4th term the local schools offer a transition program for the 4yr old kinder children. This provides familiarisation for children as they prepare for school the following year.
One of the major developmental tasks for three yr old children is to complete the separation/ individualism process. For some children this seems an easy process but for others it is a dramatic event. Here are some points you may like to consider while helping your child make this transition.
When collecting your child, please be punctual. Children are quick to think they have been forgotten. An upsetting end to the session may spoil the enthusiasm to attend next time. Changes and crises are inevitable, children should be prepared ahead, if possible, for events such as a different person collecting them or perhaps going home at a different time. Parents and staff working together will help make the transition from home to kinder a more relaxed and happy time.
Your child may hang their bag on any hook but please ensure that the bag is clearly labelled on the front with their full name. This helps both your child and their teachers identify the bag.
You will be asked to please provide 1 current (standard sized) photo of your child to be displayed above the hook their hat is hung on.
Various pieces of work from the 4yr old group will be placed in the children’s bags. 3yr old Kookaburra group artwork will be handed to children at the end of the session.
There are over 80 books in our Parent Library. We encourgae you to ask one of our staff if you would like to browse or borrow one of the books. Just remember to sign the book out and return it within one week. The topics are varied and include children’s illnesses, bedwetting, coping with grief, new babies in the family, child development, separation and divorce, creative activities, going to the hospital, dentist, and doctor.
There is some specific information that we are required by government regulations to have on display. We also have various posters and notices that help the daily management and smooth running of the centre.
Storypark is the primary form of communication between staff and parents and for the Committee of Management. In 2022, we are excited to announce that both 3yr old and 4yr old programs will be supported by the Storypark online communications platform, where staff will be able to share photos, stories and learning outcomes securely online with families throughout the year whilst they continue to focus on delivering a play-based program. We’re pleased that we can offer this extra level of parent interaction to help maintain engagement during restrictions.
Email is the secondary form of communication between staff and parents and for the Committee of Management. Please supply and update your email address as required.
For those on social media the preschool has a private Facebook page which is a great way to stay in touch and share information.
Heathmont East Preschool t-shirts and windcheaters are available for purchase but are NOT compulsory. Play clothes should allow free movement and be easily laundered. Many activities are messy and good clothes will be ruined. However, most paint, clay, finger paint, paste etc. will be removed if soaked in COLD WATER. Shoes, sneakers and sandals must be sturdy and firm on the feet. THONGS OR CROCS ARE NOT PERMITTED because they are dangerous, especially on climbing equipment. Gumboots, coats and slippers are necessary in winter as the playground gets very wet and cold. Please name all items including spare clothes which should be placed in their kinder bag each day. Although we provide spare clothes, children are often happier wearing their own.
Big enough, though easily opened and practical for your child to manage, to bring morning tea, lunch (4yr old groups only), show and share etc. and to take home uncrushed pieces of artwork.
In summer please ensure that you protect your child with sun block before they come to kinder. Bucket hats will be supplied to all 3yr old and 4yr old children. These hats will hang on your child’s peg in the bathroom and MUST remain at kinder. When the UV index is 3 or higher teachers will assist children to reapply sunscreen every 1.5 hours if they are going to be outside.
Healthy nude food is preferred, such as: fruit, celery, carrots, dried fruit and a small sandwich. Grapes must be cut in half as they pose a choking hazard. Please do not pack lollies, popcorn or marshmallow as they are choking hazards. Heathmont East Preschool has adopted the Nut Intolerant Policy, we ask that you do not pack nuts, peanut butter, Nutella or other nut products to kinder. This is very important to families with allergies and who are at risk of anaphylaxis.
Heathmont East Preschool is also a litter free kinder with a commitment to environmental sustainability. Please avoid including packaged foods, children will be required to bring packaging home for disposal. Packaged foods often also have a high sugar and salt content. A compost bin is available for compost friendly waste. Please clearly label/name all snack/lunch boxes/containers. Water is provided at kinder and we ask that all children bring a clean, filled water bottle with the childs name on it to every session.
The 4’s will have lunch at kinder during their session. Please pack their morning/afternoon snacks in a different container to their lunch. This will help the kids to identify which is their lunch and which is their snack.
Birthdays are fun and we do like to share them with your child at kinder. Whenever possible, we try to have the birthday child’s parent on duty that day so they can share in the celebrations. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are unable to share cakes or food. However, if your child would like to bring some stickers to share this is fine. We hope that you will understand that small children get upset if they do not receive party invitations. Therefore, we ask that invitations and acceptances are distributed discreetly at kinder by placing in children’s pigeonholes.
Personal belongings are best left at home in the 3yr old group. The children in this age group become very distressed if a favourite toy is lost and they can find it difficult to cope with other children wanting to touch their toys.
4 and 5yr old kinder children are better at sharing. Please ensure that only toys your child is willing to share come to kinder for ‘show and share’. We do not take responsibility for the loss or damage to very precious or breakable toys that are best left at home.
The preschool has many policies relevant to the operation of the kinder. These policies are developed by the committee as per DET and ELAA guidelines and updated regularly. Please view all of the policies here.
Regulations require you to sign your children in and out of kinder. Our “Sign-In Book” is located at the entrance to the kinder. The book must show the exact time your child enters and leaves our care. It also shows pick up/delivery arrangements and it is essential that it be filled in every session. Please do not sign out your child out on arrival to save time at pickup as this would cause the kinder to be in breach of our legal obligations.
Children can only be picked up by authorised nominees entered in EnrolNow. If you need to add someone to the list please speak to the teachers. Persons under the age of 18 will not be permitted to collect children.
At pick-up and drop-off parents are asked to wait outside on the markers and follow any COVID guidlines. Displays are set up for your information throughout the year on the Reflections Board under the kinder pergola.
Supervision of children inside and outside is constant, however occasionally accidents happen. The procedure is to:
Please be mindful of the fact that parents/guardians are responsible for their child before and after a session at kinder. Siblings who come to the kinder are the sole responsibility of the parent or carer at all times.
The building and surrounds are fully owned by the council. The council leases the preschool area inside the kinder fences, but not the area leading up to the fence. These areas are maintained for your safety by the council.
We have Evacuation Plans and instructions located around the kinder. Heathmont East Preschool has a comprehensive Emergency Management Plan which has been designed by an industry professional, and is available for your reading. Once evacuated, all parents will be notified by group text message.
To protect the health of everyone at our centre children can not attend whilst suffering from:
Sometimes your child may have no definite symptoms, but may be over-tired or have a slight cold. On such occasions a child is likely to gain very little from attending, so use your own judgment as to whether it is best to keep your child at home.
The Teacher has the right to send home any child that they feel is unwell. We would rather call you than leave an unhappy child in a beanbag with an ice-pack or bucket!
Parents are responsible for transportation to and from preschool. When driving to the kinder please park in Pleasant Drive on the same side of the street as the preschool.
We request this for the following reasons:
To ensure you and your child will get to kinder safely, and for the consideration of the residents of the street.
In addition, if you are parking on Pleasant Drive, please note there are Maroondah City Council parking restrictions which apply to the southern side of the road (opposite the preschool). There is no parking from 8:00am-9.15am and from 3:00pm-4:00pm Monday to Friday.
Please encourage your child to hold your hand to and from kinder. We will make a rule in the first week that they must hold hands from the kinder building.
No cars are permitted to turn around or park in the kinder driveway, or to park in the kinder car park to reduce the risks to pedestrians especially small children. This is council land and is not permitted as a car park (Staff excepted). Please pass this information onto all adults who will drop off or collect your child from kinder.
The only exception to this policy applies to parents and/or guardians who are heavily pregnant or who have a physical disability. Should you need to use the driveway for these reasons, the steel gate must be returned to a closed position as you enter and leave the kinder.
The Department of Education and Training (DET) provides per capita funding as a contribution towards the cost of operating Heathmont East Preschool. The service itself is responsible for all operational costs. Fees are necessary because there is a shortfall between the level of government funding and the costs of operating a viable preschool.
The shortfall between the government subsidy and the actual running costs is met by raising additional revenue by way of fees, social functions and fundraising events.
As part of the budget development process, the Committee of Management sets fees each year for the programs of the service. They take into consideration the financial viability of the service; level of funding; availability of other income sources; fees charged by similar services in the area; capacity of parents to pay fees; reasonable expenditure in meeting agreed program quality and standards; costs of incursions and requirements for the Kindergarten Fee Subsidy.
Details of payment will be specified on an invoice, supplied to parents prior to the due dates by email. Payment can be made by internet banking into the preschools account, cheque or money order at any branch of the Commonwealth Bank.
Cash cannot be accepted at the preschool. Parents are supplied with the banking details and child’s individual codes for referencing. Any further queries please email the Assistant Treasurer.
For families who would like to stagger payments, a plan can be arranged with the Assistant Treasurer.
Parents/guardians need to be aware that preschools rely on prompt payment of fees to meet costs. All parents/guardians must pay fees and the service has the discretion to withdraw service for non-payment.
The Kindergarten Fee Subsidy is provided by DET and enables eligible families to attend the kindergarten program at minimal or no cost. Supporting documentation must be sighted by the service on acceptance of a place or on commencement in the program.
Further details can be found on the Victorian Education website.
A maintenance levy is built into the fees for each term. This levy will be used to do structural repairs, maintenance and some gardening. Working bees will still be necessary due to the amount of work required and because the levy does not cover the entire expense.
Not all costs are covered by DET funding and the fees charged. Fundraising is undertaken to meet the balance and/or pay for additional items for the service. While participation in fundraising is voluntary, the support of every family is encouraged.
Parents can help at kinder by:
We need your active support to ensure continued success and improvement of the kinder.
This will directly benefit your child.
As part of the National Quality Framework, parents and families are encouraged to participate in the educational program. It is also fun and a proactive way of supporting your child’s social and educational development.
Parents are asked to nominate themselves for at least 3 sessions per term to help during the kinder session. We aim to have two parents on duty each session to help us with cleaning and supervision. The rosters will be posted on a notice board. If you are unable to attend on your scheduled date, please organise your replacement. This will ensure a smooth running kinder session.
As this is valuable one-on-one time with your child it is expected that the supervising parents, wherever possible, make arrangements for the care of siblings. However, siblings are welcome when no other arrangements can be made.
Working bees are held once a term, or when necessary, to help maintain the kinder. These sessions are usually scheduled on the weekends so we can maximise parent involvement. Working bees are run by the maintenance team and can include general tidying, lawn mowing, cleaning, topping up of mulch and sand areas, gardening etc.
There are a range of fundraising and/or social activities arranged throughout the year; these may include a play centre social night, trivia night, party plan night, cake stall, sausage sizzles and raffles.
All events are great fun and we would love for you to participate. If you have any great ideas for fundraising or are willing to help in any way, please speak with a member of the Committee.
Heathmont East Preschool is an Incorporated Association which means as a parent you automatically become a member of the Association. From this group of members a Committee of Management is established to oversee the running of the kinder. Our responsibilities include ensuring the delivery of a quality program, employing staff, maintaining building and equipment, managing the finances, fundraising, marketing and liaising with Council and other peak bodies.
The Committee is collectively responsible for the administration and management of the preschool for the benefit of all current and future students, parents, and staff. Heathmont East Preschool will continue to prosper with successful parent involvement but cannot operate without a Committee of Management.
Being a committee member, you are supported by your fellow members, the teachers, Department of Education and Training (DET), Maroondah City Council Children’s Services Team and The Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA). There are many benefits and skills you can develop from the committee experience but most importantly you are contributing to a wonderful community that provides education and care for your children.
All members of the Committee will be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall be elected for a period of one year following the election.
| •President | •Vice President |
| •Secretary | •Treasurer |
| •Enrolment Officer | •Fundraising/Social |
| •IT Officer | •Marketing Officer |
| •HR Coordinator | •General Member |
| •Assistant Treasurer | •Maintenance Coordinator |
| •Newsletter Editor | •Purchasing Officer |
| •Grants Coordinator | •Payroll Officer |
| •Fundraising/Social | •Marketing Officer |
| •Maintenance Team |
Committee members, due to their position on the committee, may at times require access to personal information about children and families, and therefore will be required to sign a confidentiality slip at the handover meeting. All information remains confidential and is handled on a need to know basis.
At no time will any personal information be discussed or distributed.
We hope you enjoy your time with us.
Staff & Committee of Management
Heathmont East Preschool
