Welcome to Kindergarten
Information for Parents
Welcome to the beginning of your child’s school journey starting at Kindergarten! Together, we will ensure it is a positive one full of rich and varied experiences.
Donnybrook District High School’s Kindergarten program is centred around the principles and practices of the Early Years Learning Framework. This framework forms the foundation for ensuring that children in all early childhood education settings receive a quality teaching and learning program.
There is a specific emphasis on play-based learning experiences that support children to organise and make sense of their world, recognise the importance of communication and language (including literacy and numeracy) and develop social and emotional learning competencies.
The curriculum delivered is aligned to the Western Australian Kindergarten Guidelines. The children’s learning and development is further supported through the school’s compliance against the National Quality Standards Framework, which sets the benchmark for early childhood education.
Thank you for entrusting the responsibility for your child’s education to the staff of Donnybrook District High School. We look forward to supporting you and your child throughout 2024.
Kindergarten Times
Full days- Drop off after 8:30 am and pick up at 3pm.
Wednesdays – Early Close 2.30pm
Kindergarten Timetable
AM Mat session Music Indoor activities (teacher directed, teacher facilitated, free play) Outdoor play (as above) Oral language (news, games)
PM Outdoor play (as above) Mat session Indoor activities (as above)
Your Child’s Development and Accessing School Support Services
A profile of your child’s development is maintained throughout the year, including observations, checklists and work samples. Early identification of a student’s strengths and areas of need, allow us to put into place any support your child may require to reach their full potential at school. Children who appear to be having developmental or health problems which are causing concern to both Parent/Carers/Carers and the teacher can, with the consent of Parent/Carers/Carers, be referred to appropriate support services within the Department of Education or the Health Department. e.g. Speech Pathologist & Occupational Therapist.
Kindergarten Attendance
Kindergarten is a 15 hour per week program that involves a five day fortnight.
When your child is enrolled in the program the School Education Act 1999 requires that they attend full-time. A note, phone call or verbal contact is expected on the day or when your child returns to school following any absence.
Absenteeism
Please let us know if your child is absent by either phone or text (0436617107) or tell us verbally on your child’s return. If your child is sick or tired, please keep them at home.
Personal Items List
You will receive a Personal Items List. Please bring all items in on your child’s first session.
Class meeting
Early in Term 1, we will hold a class meeting during school time, where we will discuss the Kindergarten goals, timetable and themes, as well as general housekeeping items. You will also be given relevant handouts and time for questions and discussion.
Newsletter
Each fortnight, a Kindergarten newsletter will be sent home with your child informing you of our theme, concepts covered and any reminders.
Parent/Carer Helpers
We begin Parent/Carer Help in Term 2 after the children have had time to settle into our Kindergarten routine. Parent/Carers are welcome to place their name on the roster found outside the Kindergarten on the pin up board. Parent/Carers typically come in with their child and join into the mat session, run or assist an activity and leave after fruit time at outside play. Another pair of hands is always welcome, and your child enjoys seeing you there! Please note you will require a Working With Children Check, forms can be obtained from Australia Post.
Clothing
Please ensure your child has a spare set of clothes at all times in their school bag, in case of accidents. You may choose to send your child in comfortable and manageable clothing or the school uniform which can be purchased at the school office. Shoes need to be ones which children can manage independently such as Velcro grips or slip ons. Children are required to wear hats outside all year round. The P&C kindly donate a hat for each child. These are kept at school. Make sure you label your child’s clothing clearly.
School Bag
Bags need to be of a size large enough to fit in your child’s lunch box, drink bottle, clip board and spare set of clothes.
End of Day Pick Up
To avoid confusion at the end of the day, if your child is going home with someone else, please write it in our pickup book kept near the front door. If plans change during the day, please phone or text the centre (0436 617 107) and leave a message with one of the staff. If your child usually catches a bus home and on any particular day won’t be, please ring the kindergarten and let us know.
Bus Travel
Information regarding the bus service in your area can be obtained from the Administration Offices.
www.schoolbuses.wa.gov.au Online application for transport assistance for Parent/Carers/Carers. You will need to know the distance from your front gate to school.
Kindergarten students attending the offsite Kindergarten on Mead Street will be dropped outside their Kindergarten in the mornings. These students will then be escorted to their bus on Marmion Street in the afternoons.
Fruit time
Children bring fruit/vegetables for morning tea. Please supply your child with a piece of fruit for each session, in a separate container accessed easily inside their bag.
Drink Bottle
Please ensure your child has a labelled drink bottle of water only, that they bring with them to every session.
Lunch
Please supply your child with healthy lunch foods. No lollies or chocolate, and we discourage other ‘junk foods’ such as packets of chips, twisties, etc as we cover healthy eating as part of our Kindergarten curriculum. The Kindergarten is a ‘nut free zone’.
Birthdays
You are welcome to bring in mini muffins or cupcakes to celebrate your child’s birthday if you wish. Please limit the decorations.
Clothing
Please ensure your child has a spare set of clothes at all times in their school bag, in case of accidents. You may choose to send your child in comfortable and manageable clothing or the school uniform which can be purchased at the school office. Shoes need to be ones which children can manage independently such as Velcro grips or slip ons. Children are required to wear hats outside all year round. The P&C kindly donate a hat for each child. These are kept at school. Make sure you label your child’s clothing clearly.
School Bag
Bags need to be of a size large enough to fit in your child’s lunch box, drink bottle, clip board and spare set of clothes.
Teachers
Mrs Wendy Cain Wendy.Cain@education.wa.edu.au
Mrs Michelle Fernley Michelle.Fernley@education.wa.edu.au
Education Assistant
Mrs Waiane Jacobs Waiane.Jacobs@education.wa.edu.au