Table of contents welcome!

In accordance with the Education & Care Services National Regulations 2011, parents/guardians are responsible for:

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  reading the Maria Montessori Preschool Fee information for families, the Fee Payment Agreement, and the Statement of Fees and Charges referred to in various Attachments in the Fee Policy
  
  
  
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  signing and complying with the Fee Payment Agreement (refer to Attachments 4 and 5)
  

13. 
    COMMUNICATION
    

Close collaboration and communication between the Preschool and home are essential and valued by our Preschool. The teachers are available for a quick chat at drop off and collection times as long as this does not compromise the supervision of children. If you would like a more in depth conversation, please contact the office to make an appointment during the teacher’s scheduled planning time.

14. 
    FEEDBACK / CONCERNS
    

Maria Montessori staff strives to continually offer best practice. We welcome feedback about the program and will consider any suggestions to improve the quality of care and education of your child.

In accordance with the Education & Care Services National Regulations 2011, parents/guardians are responsible for:

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  raising a complaint directly with the person involved, in an attempt to resolve the matter without recourse to the complaints and grievances procedures;
  
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  communicating (preferably in writing) any concerns relating to the management or operation of the Preschool as soon as is practicable;
  
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  raising any unresolved issues or serious concerns directly with the Approved Provider, via the Nominated Supervisor/educator;
  
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  maintaining complete confidentiality at all times;
  
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  co-operating with requests to meet with Management and/or provide relevant information when requested in relation to complaints and grievances.
  

15. 
    ARRIVAL & COLLECTION OF CHILDREN
    

Punctuality helps set the tone of the day and reduces confusion in the classroom. Therefore, please arrive promptly at the beginning and at the conclusion of your child’s session. Group time is an important part of the children's day. If children filter in after the classroom door is closed, group time is disrupted for the entire class. The children’s ability to concentrate is compromised when their attention is diverted away from the group activity to the late arrivals at the door. Further, and just as importantly, children who are late miss a very important part of their school day.

In accordance with the Education & Care Services National Regulations 2011, parents/guardians are responsible for:

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  signing the attendance record as their child arrives at and departs from the service
  
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  ensuring educators are aware that their child has arrived at/been collected from the service
  
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  supervising their own child before signing them into the program and after they have signed them out of the program
  
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  supervising other children in their care, including siblings, while attending or assisting at the service
  

16. 
    ORIENTATION
    

When your child is enrolled at Maria Montessori Preschool, you will be given a date to come to the Preschool with your child for an hour’s orientation. The educators will explain to you the daily routines and activities and your involvement at the Preschool, and you will have the opportunity to ask questions. The educators will take you and your child through the classroom and around the grounds of the Preschool, and also familiarise you and your child with the staff and other children.

17. 
    CREATING INDEPENDENCE
    

To help further develop your child’s independence, the following should be encouraged:

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  Ask your child to carry his/her own bag to and from Preschool
  
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  Encourage them to put on their shoes independently (you can assist with doing them up)
  
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  Encourage them to hang their bag up
  
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  Say goodbye at the door BEFORE they enter the classroom
  

18. 
    SEPARATION
    

Each child is individual and reacts to new situations in different ways. The key to your child's adjustment will be a cooperative effort between parents and staff. Children need time to adjust to their "new" routine. As a result of this, while your child is adjusting you may see tears and hear "'please, I want to go home”. This is simply your child's way of handling a new routine. During this adjustment period, it is very common for the tears to stop within minutes of the parent's departure. For the benefit of your child, please follow through on your departure after saying good-bye. When a parent says good-bye and does not leave, it creates a sense of fear in the child (i.e. maybe mummy's not leaving because something is wrong). As your child masters this new routine, the tears will cease. This is all part of the process of growing up, while at the same time helping to build a confident, self-assured child.

19. 
    ITEMS TO BRING
    

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  Hat
  
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  Jacket
  
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  Slippers (for indoors only & must be fully covered). No thongs or slip-ons
  
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  Small bag - suitable for carrying items to and from Preschool. The bag should be clearly named and easily opened as children are encouraged to pack their own items into their bag.
  
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  A spare set of clothes
  
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  Small snack box (with serviette/face washer each day)
  
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  Small water bottle
  
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  A long-sleeved waterproof art smock. Please label smock with your child’s name.
  
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  Library Bag - Please supply a library bag (with cord or flap to close) so that books can be safely transported to and from Preschool.
  

Please label all the above items with your child’s name. If these items are not labelled, it becomes very difficult for children and educators to identify their belongings and therefore the item will go into the Lost Property box. Please check this box periodically if your child is missing any personal item.

20. 
    CLOTHING / TOILET TRAINING
    

One of the goals of the Montessori Method is to develop in children self-confidence and a sense of independence. It is important that you dress your child in comfortable clothes that he/she can easily handle alone. This includes boots/Velcro shoes and outer clothing. Your child's day will frequently include painting and outdoor play. Please dress your child appropriately for this type of play. It is important that you and your child feel comfortable about his/her clothing, knowing that spills and stains happen.

21. 
    SUNSMART
    

Children’s skin is more sensitive to sunlight exposure than an adult’s skin. Please make sure that you apply sunscreen to your child before the commencement of each session during the warm weather season (beginning of September to end of April) and also make sure that your child has a Sun Smart approved sun hat to wear when outdoors at the Preschool.