Drop off and collection of Children
Regular attendance is important as this allows the children to settle into routines and establish themselves as part of the group. In accordance with the National Quality Standard, collection of children must be by a parent or authorised nominee. Teachers require verbal or written permission to release preschool children to any other person other than their parent/guardian.
As the doors of the preschool open at 9:00am, it is a requirement that all parents/guardians must be accompanied on arrival into the preschool classroom.
As there is an issue with car spaces during peak times, we have a 15 minute puzzle time each morning which allows both a settled start to the morning as well as the enabling parents to come a few minutes after the major drop off from the primary school in the morning.
Changes to Details
Please keep staff and the school informed of any changes to address, home and work phone numbers, childcare arrangements, medical information, and emergency contact phone numbers. All these records need to be updated at both the preschool and the primary school. Please email info@chisholm.act.edu.au with any new information. If you need to contact the preschool during school hours, either: contact the junior campus front office on 6142 3555 to leave a message or send a message through the SEESAW app.
Medical Condition Management
Immunisation
The ACT Department of Health advises that all children attending school in the ACT should be immunised against diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps, rubella and HIB (Haemophilus influenzae type b). We would ask that you check your child's present immunisation status to see whether it is complete for his/her age. ACT Public Health regulations require schools to request proof of up to date immunisation when enrolling. Failure to provide this may result in your child being excluded from school should an outbreak of an infectious disease occur. A copy of exclusion periods for students with infectious diseases is available. Parents are asked to adhere closely to these requirements unless medical advice to the contrary is provided in writing.
Medical and Accidents
Due to growing number of food allergies our site is nut and egg free. Please refer to Preschool Handbook located at the site or speak with staff for further information.
It is important that sick children are kept at home for their own comfort as well as the comfort of other children and staff. If a child becomes ill or is injured at school appropriate first aid will be given, and if necessary parents will be notified and asked to take their child home. If emergency treatment is required parents will be notified immediately and the child will be transferred by ambulance to hospital. In such cases ambulance services and treatment are free. All students who have an ongoing condition (e.g. asthma, diabetes, epilepsy, allergies) must have a treatment plan completed by parents and their GP and lodged at the school. Plan proformas are available from the Front Office or from a staff member in the preschool.
Exclusion periods for infectious diseases such as mumps, German measles, measles and chicken pox are provided at the end of this handbook.
If a child is to take a prescription medicine while at school, written directions and medicine must be left with staff. Information on a child's health status eg. epilepsy, diabetes, allergies, should be given on enrolment or on diagnosis. If the health problem is serious please provide an up to date photograph of the child so it can be placed on our Medical Alert board.
Head lice are extremely contagious but easily eradicated. Children with either eggs or live lice will be excluded from school until evidence of treatment is produced. Please report any cases of head lice to the School Office.
Excursions
Excursions are an exciting part of the educational program at Caroline Chisholm Preschool. On enrolment, parents are asked to give permission for their child to go on incidental excursions e.g. walk to the shops. If children use any form of transport, parents will be advised in advance and asked to give permission, in writing, for the child to attend. The adult/child ratio is 1:5 on major excursions or less as required.
Unfortunately siblings will not be able to attend excursions due to ratios and numbers on the bus and at venues.
Physical Activities
Physical activity is very important for children, so educators provide opportunities for structured and unstructured physical activity.
During the preschool sessions, your child will be involved with some hands on experiences both inside the classroom and in the outdoor area. These activities can, at times, be very messy. Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately so that they feel confident to participate in all the challenges provided throughout the session. In keeping with the sun safe policy, children will need to wear either a legionnaires or wide brimmed style hat. Please ensure that cords on hats are detachable in compliance with Directorate regulations. If children do not have a hat, they will only be allowed to play in the shade. A warm coat and hat are required in winter. The children will be challenging themselves on the climbing equipment so sensible footwear is essential and long dresses and skirts can be dangerous. Please label all your child's clothing and pack a spare set in case of extremely messy play or accidents.
Information on Hygiene Procedures
Staff, children and volunteers must adhere to the hand washing procedures.
All children are encouraged to wash their hands at the following times:
- on arrival
- before and after eating or touching food
- after toileting
- after blowing their nose and wiping tears and dribbles
- when leaving the centre
All scratches and cuts must be covered.
Transitions
Your child is a member of the Caroline Chisholm school community. If your family lives within the CCS priority enrolment area (PEA) they will automatically move on to kinder the following year in our school. Preschool students living outside our PEA will receive an email reminding them to apply for Kinder in term 2 of their preschool year. Every child from Kinder to Year 12 is guaranteed a place at their local public school (by Priority Enrolment Area or PEA).
In term 4 pre-schoolers participate in a transition program that helps them to become familiar with the junior campus. This involves:
- Regular visits to the library
- Inclusion in activities with the kindergarten children
- Classroom and playground visits during term 4
For more information about this topic visit the Education Directorate website https://www.education.act.gov.au/public-school-life/enrolling-in-a-public-school and follow the links to handy tips for starting school.