Our New Early Learning Centre

Dear Parents of Students in the Pirie Room,
In the last few days you will have received a large yellow envelope in your child’s locker containing a new enrolment form for your child for the new Early Learning Centre opening in July.
Thankyou to all the parents who have touched base with me to clarify some issues. I would like to answer some common questions that have been asked in the last few days. As part of the move to the new centre there will be a change in management structure. I will retain my role as the pedagogical Director and continue to guide the development of children’s programs, teacher development, centre philosophy and involvement in the life of the greater College. My role will fall in line with similar roles in the Preparatory School and I will be Year level coordinator of Early Years. Mrs Jeanine Dry has been appointed to coordinate the day to day workings of the centre outside of the Kindergarten classrooms and will be responsible for many things including fees and enrolments. Therefore I have tried to answer some questions below that I feel I am able to give some clarification to. I would ask that if you have questions about fees, Child Care Benefits or tax rebates that you direct these to Jeanine as our new Centre Manager.

The New Enrolment Form
Why do we have to fill out a new enrolment form?
For licensing and accreditation we have had to make some adjustments to the current school enrolment form. We also require common and consistent paperwork across the centre and so are asking parents to assist us by filling out the new Early Learning Centre enrolment form.

Do we have to pay the $75 enrolment fee
If your child is currently already attending Little Princes you do not need to pay the enrolment fee.

Do I now have to renew my sons enrolment for Reception?
Boys who are currently enrolled at Little Princes in anticipation of moving through into Reception at PAC do not need to renew their enrolment with the College for Reception, only for their position in the Early Learning Centre using the new ELC enrolment form.

Please note that the stated return date for this document is Friday the 15th of May. Please disregard this date and instead return the enrolment form to us as soon as possible and this will allows Jeanine to confirm attendance patterns. I have already received feedback on the structure of our new enrolment form and are happy to receive any further feedback at mbishop@pac.edu.au

The Educational Kindergarten Program
Does my child have to attend full days?
The kindergarten program will continue in its current form, operating between 8.30am to 3.00pm Monday to Friday and will operate for 40 weeks a year, congruent with the PAC terms. Parents will be strongly encouraged to ensure that students are at Kindergarten before the program starts at 8.30am and to try and match pick up times with the end of sessions after lunch or at 3.00pm so that children are able to get the maximum benefit from the program.

Who will teach my child at Kindergarten?
The Kindergarten will be staffed by qualified teachers and assistants, most of whom are already at Little Princes. The staff will operate under the same planning and budget arrangements that help support the development of programs at Little Princes currently.

Will the Kindergarten program change?
The Kindergarten program designed for the children will not change. It will still be designed in units of inquiry using our curriculum from the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program. It will continue to be influenced by the principles of the Reggio Emilia Project and we trust that you will see this both in our philosophy and the new environment we provide. We will continue to encourage children to experiment, consult, reflect, take risks and have fun during their day at Kindergarten. Students will continue to have specialist lessons and will still have the opportunity to use the facilities of the college such as the library, gymnasium and chapel. The final semester of the four year old rooms will mirror the current Flinders program with its emphasis on solid preparation for the move to Reception.

Will my child be fed at Kindergarten?
The Early Learning Centre will have a kitchen and cook who will prepare meals and snacks on site for all children. Kindergarten staff are looking forward to this change as we see meal times as another opportunity for an exchange of ideas and discussions about food, being healthy and looking after our bodies. You will have noticed that last year we swapped our long bench tables for round café tables at Little Princes. This was to allow children to see each other across the table and facilitate the opportunity for children to exchange ideas. Our move to the new centre will complete our plan for positive change to our meal times. Children will no longer have to try and find each other behind lunch boxes and negotiate for space. Not only will children be able to sit down to a healthy meal, snack or treat prepared by the cook but will also work towards growing some of our own food and including it in our menu.

Will my child stay in the same class they are currently in?
In our move to the new centre we will double stream our four year old classes. This means simply that we will have two classes of four year olds. This allows children to spend a year with their “Flinders Room” teacher, something that studies show us to be beneficial but to date we have been unable to accommodate. Students will be primarily placed in their four year old room according to their expected entry into Reception. This will allow children to form a close bond with the group that they will move to school will as we currently encourage as part of our Flinders Room program.

The Role of Extended Care
Whilst the Kindergarten will relocate it’s premises, there will also be added extended care opportunities for our children, that are specific to their needs in place of our current OSHC and vac care programs for parents and families that need them. For three and four year old children this will not be run by current teaching staff or during Kindergarten time. After 3.00pm children who cannot be collected will have time to wind down, have a break and a snack with extended care staff in much the same manner as our current OSHC service that we offer in the Prep School. It will have the added advantage of the activities and programs that occur during this time designed particularly to the needs of this specific age group.

I feel sure that there are many other questions still waiting to be answered and some that I have not listed here because I am not able to answer them. Please e-mail me or drop in for a chat if you would like to talk more about the Kindergarten program in the new centre. If you have any further questions about fee schedules or extended care please feel free to contact my colleague Jeanine Dry.
Work continues slowly but steadily down on the corner and I must honestly say that I am enthusiastically waiting for the day when I can share with you the new Kindergarten rooms and wonderful surroundings that are currently being constructed for your children. I thank you all again for you honest and prompt feedback and hope that the answers above have helped allay some fears.
Kind Regards
Mel Bishop