Manilla Community Preschool has been in operation since 1976. The service operates under the requirements of the Department of Education and Care Services, The National Law and Education and Care Services National Regulations incorporating the Early Years Learning Framework. We are a state funded Preschool offering a quality Early Years Educational Program.
Our aim is to provide a caring, supportive and stimulating service which is accessible, affordable and supportive for all our families.
All Welcome
Parents are welcome in the Centre at all times. If you have a particular skill or interest (eg. a musical instrument) you may like to come along to Pre-School and share it with the children. The Centre welcomes any suggestions or ideas.
The Pre-School is an Incorporated, Community based, non-profit Organisation. Parents are required to become members of the incorporated body when enrolling their child.
We are a non-profit organisation and therefore dependent upon the support and co-operation of every parent. Our aim is to keep fees as low as possible and to do this we need the help of everyone. Our running costs are met by fees and government subsidies. Any extras (equipment maintenance and new resources) must be purchased from fund raising.
The Pre-School Management Committee is elected each year from the parent body at the Annual General Meeting, usually held in March. The Management Committee meets each month to share ideas, support staff, arrange fundraising, oversee the running of the Centre and have fun. The Committee aims to represent the views and ideas of all our parents, basing their decisions on the best interests of the children attending the Centre.
Parent communications are sent home via email, posted on Facebook or put up on our Notice board. The children will each have a pocket in the front office of the Pre School. Please remember to check these pockets daily so you so not miss out on any information.
The Preschool Summer Routine: Term 1 and 4
| 8:00 | Free play indoor |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Free play outside |
| 10:00 | Perceptual Motor Program |
| 10:30 | Acknowledgement of country, literacy program, mark roll, look at calendar |
| 10:45 | Lunch |
| 11:15 | Language & discussion group time |
| 11:30 | Indoor activities – art/craft, cognitive/free play |
| 12:30 | Music/Movement & Drama |
| 1:00 | Afternoon tea/Collecting Children’s Voices |
| 1:30 | Pack bags/feed fish/worm farm/compost |
| 2:00 | Quiet time/relaxation/stories/music |
| 2:30 | News time/ Travelling Toys /free play |
| 3:15 | Pack up/read stories |
| 3:30 | Home |
The Preschool Winter Routine: Term 2 and 3
| 8:00 | Free play indoor. |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Intentional teaching time and free play. |
| 10:00 | Acknowledgement of country, literacy program, mark roll, look at calendar |
| 11:00 | Lunch |
| 11:30 | Language & discussion group time |
| 12:00 | Perceptual Motor Program, free play – Outside |
| 1:00 | Music/ Movement and Drama |
| 1:30 | Afternoon tea/ Collecting Children’s Voices |
| 1:50 | Pack bags/feed fish/worm farm/compost |
| 2:00 | Quiet time/relaxation/stories/music |
| 2:30 | News time/Travelling toys/ free play |
| 3:00 | Pack up |
| 3:15 | Read stories / play until parents come |
| 3:30 | Home |
Pre-School Operation
Your Pre-School is licensed each day for 25 children per Pre-School session and 5 children per Occasional Care. The Centre is available to all children from three years to school age.
Pre-School Session – Hours of Operation
Monday: 9am to 12 noon
Tuesday – Friday: 8am to 3.30pm
PLEASE NOTE
Beginning January 2025
Monday – Friday: 8am – 3:30pm
Preschool terms are the same as for NSW state schools. There are four terms in each year.
Arrival and Departure
Children must be brought to and from the Centre by a responsible person known to staff. Please notify the staff by phone (67851475) or letter if someone else is to collect your child. It is important when collecting children that staff know your child is leaving the building. It is a legal requirement that children be collected from Pre-School by a person who is 18 years of age or above.
Signing In/Out
By law children must be signed in and out of the Centre. In cases of emergency, we need to be sure who is in the Centre. This is the parent’s responsibility.
Absences
Parents are asked to notify the staff before 9am if their child will be absent on that day.
Occasional Care
Fees are charged daily and on a separate basis to Pre-School sessions. An Occasional Care information and policy sheet is available by contacting the Staff.
Settling In
Some children find separating from their parents quite difficult. Some children may not experience separation problems until a few weeks after their commencement date. This is all quite normal. If you are unsure of what to do or concerned about the departure process, please talk to a member of staff. Never leave your child without saying goodbye and please phone as often as you like throughout the day.
Bus Children
If your child requires travel on a school bus, a Bus Form and Policy will be given to you to read and sign. The buses drop off and pick up from Preschool. Parents will need to notify and discuss transport needs with the bus driver concerned. Phone numbers can be obtained from Preschool.
Quiet Time / Book Reading
In this very hectic and rushed society we now find ourselves living in, it is very important that we learn to take some time out for relaxation. All children are encouraged to have a small rest after lunch; however, no children are forced to sleep. They are free to quietly look at books or listen to a story being read. At different times throughout the day, we may also take part in children’s yoga or relaxation exercises to music.
Please Inform Staff If:
- Someone different is picking up your child.
- Your child is distressed or worried by anything or has been sick recently – it will help us understand any changes in behaviour.
- Your child is sick or going on holidays.
- Custody/access arrangements have changed.
- Your address/phone number has changed.
What To Bring
PLEASE LABEL ALL BELONGINGS!
- Practical play clothes: At Pre-School we have lots of fun and do get messy and children’s clothes should therefore be suitable for this. Pre-School offers suitable shirts and school jumpers that are available for sale. A price list can be found in the front office.
- Appropriate Footwear: At Pre-School we are very active throughout the day. Your child will do lots of running, jumping, dancing, climbing etc. Young children need to be able to move freely and safely. We recommend that they wear joggers or enclosed shoes. Your child/ children are not allowed to wear thongs or crocs as they are dangerous and do not protect your child’s feet.
- Bag of suitable size for belongings which the child can open and close unaided. (No toys please).
- A Hat: We are a SUNSAFE school, and all Children and Educators are required to wear a hat and sunscreen when outside. Your child will be given a hat from our ‘spare clothing basket’ to wear for the day if they do not have a hat in their bag. Every day, whether it be in the morning in summer or before lunch in the cooler months, Educators will make sure to help the children put on their own sunscreen.
- Lunch and Morning / Afternoon Tea: Please make sure to provide both lunch and morning/ afternoon tea in separate lunch bags/boxes. This will make it easier for your child to know which food is for what time. We suggest you place an ice brick /icepack in your Childs lunch box as the children do not have access to a refrigerator to keep their food cool.
- Fruit Break: Please pack your child suitable Fruit/Vegetables for them to eat during fruit break. The children will be able to eat their healthy snack whilst learning. This will be in addition to what you pack in their lunch/afternoon tea box. We hold fruit break at 9am.
- A set of spare clothes: (or two) in case of ‘accidents’, for example, a shirt, shorts and a pair of underpants. These will remain in the child’s bag and used when required. Any of the child’s clothing that requires cleaning will be sent home. For hygiene reasons soiled clothing is not laundered at the Centre.
- Locker: Each child is allocated a locker to place their bags and personal belongings in.
