When you enrol at Benowa Children’s Centres, you will receive a hard copy of our Parent Information Handbook which contains information about the operation of the centre and our policies. We welcome the input of your family in our regular policy updates.
This Handbook is a wealth of information about the centre from our early education philosophy to child care rebates. If you have any queries we welcome you to call us on 07 5539 6144.
Benowa Children’s Centres Parent Information Booklet
More Helpful Information
When you enrol at the centre, all families will receive a parent handbook that contains information about the operation of the centre and the policies that we have. Our policies are evaluated and updated regularly to ensure policies are relevant and up to date. Family input is welcome in our policy updates.
What to bring
A bag with:
- 2 spare set of clothes (labeled)
- 6 nappies a day if required
- Bottles (labeled) (if required)
- Dummy (if needed)(labeled)
- Comforter or Blanket (if needed) (labeled)
- A hat (named)
- Drink cup/bottle (labeled)
On Arrival & Departures
On arrival and departure of the centre please remember to do the following:
- Be sure to deliver your child to an Educator.
- Be sure to say farewell when you leave the centre.
- Please remember to sign your child in and out on arrival and departure.
- Take any medications out of your child’s bag, complete a medication form and give to the educator in charge to store safely.
- Please check your child’s pockets daily for information (located in the room).
- Always feel free to communicate with staff about your child’s day.
Clothing
Please dress your child in play clothes that wash easily so that he/she may really enjoy all activities provided including painting, clay, sand and water play.
We are a Sun Safe centre and it’s our policy that children are required to wear a hat during outdoor play. We strongly advise that you apply 30+ sunscreen to your child on arrival at the centre (available on top of lockers), we will later re apply mid-day and afternoon. Enclosed shoes / sandals are encouraged that are of the correct size and provide comfort to your child whilst at Kindy.
The Learning Experience
Educators aim to create positive learning environments and guide experiences for each child in conjunction with their family.
Educators will observe children and facilitate their learning to provide each child with an individualised portfolio by documenting their learning throughout the year. Children and their families will be encouraged to participate in the ongoing process to promote engaged learning. Families can be actively involved in their children’s learning by giving regular parent input to the educators and by adding regular comments to your child’s portfolios.
Children’s portfolios will be available for a child’s family members to look at. If you do take them home to share with your family, please return them so we can continue to document your child’s journey at the centre. (You will be able to take these home to keep at the end of the year.
Our Educational Leader is Kylie McLean.
The role of the Educational Leader is to work closely with our Educators to provide curriculum direction and ensure children achieve the outcomes of the approved learning framework. If you would like any further information, please see the office.
Benowa Children Centres is committed to implementing the following National Framework throughout our centre. The Early Years Framework (EYLF) / Framework for School Aged Children (My Time, My Place)
- Children have a strong sense of identity.
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
- Children are confident and involved learners.
- Children are effective communicators.
Parents play an important and valued role in the education of their child, and so we welcome parents to become involved in the program by:
- Visiting the class and joining the program at anytime
- Reading notice board and newsletters
- communicate regularly with your child’s teacher
- share your knowledge of your child with your teacher
- let the teacher know about your child’s interests and special abilities
- asking about your child’s development and achievements
- develop a good working relationship with your child’s teacher
- Sharing knowledge and special interests or skills with the centre
Class Information
We have different shows and experiences throughout the year that your child will get the benefits of being involved with. These are all located on the wall in the office of Centre 2 for you to view at any time or keep an eye out in our Newsletter or join us on Facebook for all the updates of coming events email us at [email protected]
While we do not wish to dampen your child’s enthusiasm, we would appreciate it if toys from home were limited to those received on special occasions (e.g. birthdays), although great care may be taken to look after their toys, they may be broken or lost at kindy. Please leave them at home.
Your child will be encouraged however to bring to kindy any type of interesting specimen or object- rocks, shells, plants, insects, animals, flowers, favourite stories, photographs of special events etc.
Fees
Fees are payable each week by 11am Friday, through direct debit. A $30.00 non-refundable enrollment fee is required on enrollment, along with a $150.00 bond which is returned to your on exit from the centre.
If you are eligible for Child Care Benefit (CCB) & CCR your fees will be adjusted accordingly.
| Room | Per day | 5 Day Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | $96.50 | $432.50 |
| Toddlers | $91.50 | $412.50 |
| Jnr Kindy | $90.50 | $397.50 |
| Junior Senior Kindy | $89.50 | $392.50 |
| Senior Kindy | $89.50 | $392.50 |
| Preschool/Prep | $89.50 | $392.50 |
| Before School Care | $34.50 | $155.00 |
| After School Care | $39.50 | $180.00 |
| Vacation Care | $70.50 | $310.00 |
Child Care Benefit Priority of Access
We operate under the Federal Government Child Care Benefit Scheme (CCB) and comply with their Priority of Access Guidelines.
Priorities of access are set by the Government within the Childcare Benefit Guidelines. Parents who are working, studying and/or are actively seeking work have the highest priority.
CCR Childcare Rebate
This is additional funds available to help with child care costs for working families. You can nominate this payment to come directly to the centre to reduce your out of pocket expensive or you can receive into your account.
Daily Children arrival and departure locations
| Open hours | 6.00 am | 6.30 pm | |
| 6.00 am | All children are delivered to Nursery 2. | ||
| 7.00 am | Children from Junior Senior Kindy, Senior Kindy, preschool and Prep are moved to their rooms | ||
| Children from nursery 1 and Toddlers Junior Kindy are moved to Nursery 1 | |||
| 7.30 am | Centre 2 | Toddlers and Junior Kindy children move to Junior Kindy 2 | |
| 8.00 am | Centre 1 | Children from Toddlers Junior Kindy are moved to side playground | |
| 8.15 am | Centre 2 | children in playgrounds. | |
| 9.30 am | Every room Morning Tea time | ||
| 9.45 am | Morning activities – indoor programme | ||
| 11.00 am | Quick outdoor run before lunch | ||
| 11.20 am | Transition for lunch wash hands etc | ||
| 11.30 am | Lunch | ||
| 12 – 2pm | Rest, sleep and quiet time | ||
| 2.00 pm | Wake up time, activities | ||
| 2.30 pm | Afternoon tea | ||
| 3.00 pm | Reading, mat time | ||
| 3.30 pm | Outdoor play – depending on weather. | ||
| 3.30-5.pm | Pick up time for parents. Indoors or own playgrounds | ||
| Wet or extremely hot children are in children in rooms | |||
| Centre 1 | Pre-school & Prep – Prep room | ||
| Centre 1 | Toddlers – Own room | ||
| Centre 1 | Nursery – Own room | ||
| Centre 2 | Junior Senior Kindy & Senior Kindy in Senior Kindy room | ||
| Centre 2 | Junior Kindy & Toddlers in Toddlers room | ||
| Centre 2 | Nursery own room | ||
| 5.00 pm | Centre 1 | Junior and Senior Kindy & Senior Kindy – Senior Kindy room | |
| Centre 1 | Toddlers Junior Kindy in Nursery room | ||
| Centre 1 | Nursery – Own room | ||
| Centre 2 | Junior Senior Kindy and Senior Kindy in Senior Kindy | ||
| Centre 2 | Nursery, Junior Kindy, Toddlers, in Toddlers 2 room | ||
| 5.30 pm | Centre 1 | Preschool and Prep in Prep room | |
| Centre 1 | Toddlers Junior Kindy & Nursery 1 in Nursery 1 room | ||
| Centre 2 | All children transition to Toddlers room | ||
| 5.50 pm | Centre 1 | Transition to Toddlers Centre 2 | |
| 6.30 pm | Centre Closes | ||