FAQ’s

What will my child learn at kindergarten?

During your child’s kindergarten experience with us we aim to

• Foster your child’s natural sense of curiosity, wonder and creativity
• Enhance your child’s sense of self, with particular emphasis on confidence in tackling new tasks, as well as confidently contributing as a member of our group
• Develop the “whole child”: language and literacy, numeracy and problem solving, creativity and self  expression, gross motor planning and co ordination, social and emotional development, investigation and discovery of knowledge
• Encourage their resilience as they independently manage their play experiences and discover making mistakes is as important as success.

Does your kindergarten follow a particular teaching philosophy/curriculum?

JJ McMahon delivers education through an emergent curriculum.

Our play based program enables development through hands on meaningful experiences, which are established by children with staff supporting the learning through intentional teaching responses both planned and spontaneous.

Emergent curriculum evolves through:

• Children’s interests
• Staff interests
• Family input
• Our community and happenings in our world

Our education program was rated “Exceeding” in both our assessments and described as “….a warm and welcoming environment where children showed a strong sense of connection with their peers and educators. The child-centred curriculum supported the development if identity, agency and a sense of belonging which was underpinned by the principles and practices of the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework and influences from various pedagogical approaches. Educators were sensitive to families and had built ongoing respectful relationships through their participation in the program and collaboration with the parent committee of management”.

It is a deliberate policy to incorporate the best of all educational philosophies both historical and modern rather than restrict ourselves to one view point.

What is your rating against the National Quality Standard (as Australian-wide quality system of education & care services)?

Our rating is the highest possible – Exceeding National Quality Standard.

What are your class sizes and staff/child ratios?

Our 3yo classes have a maximum of 20 children and are taught by a Bachelor of Education Teacher and a Diploma qualified Educator. Each of our 4yo classes have 27 children, a Teacher with a Bachelor of Education and two Diploma qualified Educators. The same staff remain with the children throughout their day and are replaced by another Educator when taking a lunch break.

My child attends child care. How is kindergarten different?

• Both 3yo and 4yo Kindergarten programs are delivered by University trained Kindergarten Teachers who plan and deliver a developmentally appropriate program which caters for children’s individual needs, as well as delivering a program which reflects the Teachers Specialist Knowledge of child development. This program is offered via an Emergent Curriculum
• Children at Kindergarten have a sense of belonging to a particular “group”
• Children within a particular group feel secure in the fact that all children arrive and depart at the same time of the day. The friendships that are formed on one day are followed through on the next day of attendance as the same peers attend the same sessions.
• Kindergarten programs are planned to be age specific in order to meet the needs of 3-4 year olds who attend 3yo Kindergarten programs and 4-5 year olds who attend 4yo Kindergarten programs
• Kindergartens are Community based which provides children with the opportunity to develop friendships with other children in your local area, as well as children who may attend the local Primary School that your child will attend

My child has allergies – does your kindergarten have policies in place to allow them to attend?

Absolutely! The following policies have been adopted by our Kindergarten Committee and form the basis of our daily practice: Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Accident, Injury and Medical Emergency. Please consult our POLICY folder located in the Kindergarten foyer or speak to one of our staff in relation to your particular child’s situation.

All of our Kindergarten Staff have current First Aid training, as well as training in the administration of an Epipen.

My child suffers from asthma. Are the staff trained to administer asthma medication?

All children with asthma are required to submit a copy of their asthma management plans so staff are aware of the children affected and the appropriate action to take. Staff are trained in First Aid including asthma. All staff have current training in asthma management.

How old does my child need to be to attend kindergarten?

For 4yo kindergarten, children must be four years of age by 30 April in the year they are attending the 4yo program.
To attend 3yo kindergarten your child must turn three prior to 30 April in year of attendance. Children cannot commence at the kindergarten until they have turned three years of age.

What is “No Jab No Play”?

From 1 January 2016 all parents/guardians seeking to enrol their child at an early childhood service in Victoria must provide evidence that their child is fully immunised for their age and maintain their vaccination schedule once enrolled. At enrolment you will be asked to supply a copy of your child’s most recent Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register before your enrolment can be confirmed.

I am not sure that my child will be ready for kindergarten when they are eligible. What should I consider?

A few of the issues you might consider: does your child still need a nap during the day; are they toilet-trained; can they communicate their needs easily to others; do they follow instruction & able to comply with class routines/limits.

Increasingly evidence suggests children benefit from being older when attending kindergarten and school and so we suggest children born between January and April enrol into 3yo kindergarten the year they turn four; thus making 4yo kindergarten the year they turn five and a later school age entry.

You can talk to your Health Nurse, Kindergarten teachers or the PreSchool Field Officer for further assistance.

If my child doesn’t attend 3 year old kindergarten can they attend 4 year old kindergarten the following year?

Yes. However children are now able to access a funded kindergarten program for two consecutive years of 3yo & 4yo.
(You can also visit https://www.vic.gov.au/give-your-child-the-best-start-in-life)

Can my child have two years of either 3 year old or 4 year old kindergarten?

The Education Department (DET) does not permit a second year of 3yo kindergarten.

A second year of funded 4yo kindergarten may be considered when a child shows delays in learning and development outcomes in the Victorian Early Years Leaning and Development Framework and when:
– The kindergarten program is deemed to be the most appropriate learning program
– The child will achieve better outcomes at kindergarten than if they go to school
(You can also visit https://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/providers/funding/Pages/kindersecondyear.aspx)

You or your teacher may consult with the Preschool Field Officer from the City of Boroondara regarding eligibility for repeat funding application.

Who owns your kindergarten? Is it run by the Boroondara Council?

Each group has a parent helper roster and we hope parents (or other special person such as grandparent /aunt /nanny) can put their name down each term to attend and help out with sessions. This is a fantastic opportunity to see the group in session and the children love it when Mum/Dad or other special person is “on duty”. Non immediate family will be required to present a current Working with Children card prior to joining the group.

At the AGM we ask for parents’ to volunteer for the Committee of Management in a variety of roles. In addition you may have a special skill or area of expertise that we can call on if necessary through the year.
There is a working bee each term, coordinated by our Working Bee Coordinator.