How Parents Can Help

HOW PARENTS CAN HELP.........

Any help you can offer is ALWAYS greatly appreciated.  Each session a parent is rostered on to stay and helps us with the programme.  This also gives you the opportunity to watch your child at play, and to become involved in what the children are doing.

Parents are asked to volunteer for 2 duties per term.  Apart from the preparation of fruit, the rostered volunteer may be asked to help with photocopying, displaying childrens work and/or cutting required materials and cleaning up as well. Parental involvement is essential if the kindergarten is to function in a smooth and efficient manner.  If you cannot attend KINDERGARTEN DUTY on your rostered day, please organise to swap with another parent and advise the teacher beforehand.

We ask each family to supply two (2) pieces of fruit each week. This allows for a snack time each session. The fruit should be brought at drop off time at each session. You can be adventurous with the fruit you share..... dried fruit, cheese, dried biscuits, dips, hard-boiled eggs ... anything (healthy)!

Laundry
Families in our 3yo green group will be rostered on for washing duty (via duty roster).  This consists of table cloths, towels and smocks.  Washing should be returned at your child's next kinder session.

Sweeping/Garden Duty
We also have a tidying up roster for the parents of children in the 4 year old program, whereby each weekend a family will be responsible for coming to kinder and sweeping/blowing in and around the sheltered areas. This ensures our playground is clean and safe for our children.

Working Bees
Every term we have a Working Bee, which helps to maintain the buildings and grounds.  A representative from each family is expected to attend the Working Bees.  By attending at least two working bees a year you are entitled to have your maintenance levy ($150 per family) reimbursed, as a reduction in term four fees.

If you cannot attend a Working Bee throughout the year, but still wish to contribute and be eligible for a refund of your maintenance levy, please speak to one of the staff or a committee member, as there are always ongoing jobs that can be substituted for a Working Bee.

Children do not attend the Working Bee as they cannot be properly supervised while work is being carried out and the use of power tools, etc can be a danger.  It is the aim of the Woodridge Preschool Committee to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all children that attend the kindergarten. Successful attendance at our Working Bees ensures this is possible.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Birthdays

The children enjoy celebrating their birthday at kindergarten.  You may like to bring along a simple cake or individual cup cakes to share with other children.

NB: Parents of children with food allergies will need to provide suitable cakes to be kept in the freezer at kinder.

Children's Clothing

Please send your child in comfortable, washable play clothes. Although we do our best to protect the children's clothing, it is not possible for the children to stay clean at all times. If your child happens to spill paint on their clothes we recommend cold water washing. Parents are asked not to send their children to kindergarten dressed in character costumes, e.g. Batman, Superman, Snow White. Provision may be made for a "Dress-up Day" during the year. Please make sure all clothing is named especially Woodridge jumpers. Thongs and slip-on shoes are not permitted, as they hamper climbing and running. In cold and wet weather feel free to send the children along in gumboots and coats.

Elasticised trousers give the child more independence. Also, please ensure that you leave a change of clothes including socks & underpants in their bags, in case of accidents. Children feel a little more comfortable in their own clothing; however we do have a supply of spare clothes at the centre. Please remember to check the lost property draw regularly!

Fundraising

Woodridge Preschool undertakes fundraising activities throughout the year.   What we try to offer is a set of fun, social activities to involve the whole family, and the option of purchasing preschool mementos, such as kinder photos and picture plates.

Sun Protection Policy

The pre-school has implemented a Sun Protection Policy that requires parents to apply sunscreen prior to their child attending pre-school from the start of September to the end of April. An SPF of 30+ is recommended. Sunscreen is available at the pre-school and will be applied by staff when deemed necessary or at parental request.

In addition children are priovided with their own kinder hat which they wear in Terms 1 & 4.  It is requested that parents continually reinforce the need for their child/children to wear hats.  Please make sure your child's hat is clearly labelled.

Lending Library

You will need to supply your child with a named bag that can be used as a library bag. The children will be able to borrow books from the kindergarten for a week, and then exchange them for another the following week. You will be notified as to when we will start the Lending Library, and on which day it will be conducted.

Information

Each child has a named "pocket" in which newsletters and other information will be placed. Please remember to check your child's pocket regularly.  Parents will also have the option to opt for their newsletters etc to be received electronically.