PRE-KINDY HANDBOOK 2026
INTRODUCTION AIMS
OF THE PRE-KINDY
PROGRAM
At Corpus Christi College, we value the principles of Courage, Commitment and Compassion in our Pre-Kindy program, recognising that these foundational elements foster a strong sense of community while celebrating each child’s individuality.
The aim of our Pre-Kindy Program is to foster a deep love of learning through engaging, playbased activities that nurture the whole child. We believe that play is a vital avenue for exploration and discovery, allowing children to develop social skills as they interact with their peers, build relationships and learn the value of cooperation and empathy.
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support emotional development, helping children identify and express their feelings in a safe and encouraging environment.
Cognitively, we introduce foundational concepts in literacy, numeracy and critical thinking through hands-on experiences that spark curiosity and inspire creativity.
Additionally, our program emphasises physical development through active play, fine motor skill activities and movement exercises, ensuring that children grow strong and healthy.
By creating a nurturing and inclusive atmosphere, we aim to empower each child to reach their full potential, laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of learning.
THE AIMS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ARE:
To assist each child to develop a positive sense of self and to develop morally and spiritually.
To engage in positive partnerships with families.
To encourage each child to develop an enthusiasm and love of learning.
To develop social skills and appropriate emotional responses.
To develop oral language skills in everyday contexts as well as pre-reading. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
To help each child develop fine and gross motor skills which will help establish pre-writing skills (through such activities as craft, painting, drawing, writing, cutting, play and dance).
To promote learning through play and other experiences to develop cognitive understandings and to encourage imagination.
PRE-KINDY TEACHER
NURTURING
YOUNG MINDS WITH CARE
Our Pre-Kindy teacher is dedicated, passionate, and is someone who creates a warm and nurturing environment for our young learners. Our educators brings unique talent and a wealth of experience, fostering creativity, curiosity and a love for learning.
We work collaboratively to design engaging activities that cater to diverse learning styles, ensuring that every child feels valued and supported. With a focus on building strong relationships, we encourage open communication with families, creating a community where children can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.
Together, we inspire our students to explore, discover, and grow, setting a strong foundation for their future education.
CLASS INFORMATION SCHOOL DATES & TIMES
SCHOOL TERM DATES
Dates are subject to change and there will be some Pupil Free Days planned for Staff Development Days. These will be advertised on the Corpus Christi College website calendar: www.corpus.wa.edu.au/calendar
PRE-KINDY ROUTINE
When the classroom doors open at the beginning of the session, please help your child to:
• Hang their bag on a hook outside.
• Put on their name badge.
• Place their drink bottle on the drink table.
At the start of each session we ask that a parent or accompanying adult shares an activity.
8.40AM - 2.50PM THURSDAY
STAY INFORMED & ENGAGED ADMIN INFORMATION
REPORTING ABSENCES AND LATE ARRIVALS
Please report all absentees to the Junior School Administration and your child’s classroom teacher. Long Term absentees must be made in writing to the Principal.
• Email the classroom teacher and the Junior School Administration: absentee@corpus.wa.edu.au
• Or access the website online absentee register or via the app.
Please ensure all emails and notes are dated and include your child’s full name, class and reason for absence. All student attendances must accompany notification from parents for legal requirements.
STUDENTS ARRIVING LATE AND EARLY DEPARTURES PROCEDURES
An authorisation slip is required from the Junior School Administration prior to sending or collecting your child:
• Sign In — arriving late or returning to school.
• Sign Out — leaving school grounds.
Children are not permitted to leave the school grounds during school hours without written consent from parents.
Students must be accompanied to the office for late arrivals.
MEDICATION
Any medication that your child requires due to allergies or other, needs to be signed in at the Junior School front Administration Office. For example: EpiPens, Asthma Puffers/Inhalers etc. Please keep School Administration and classroom teachers informed of any changes.
ILLNESS
We encourage children to attend Pre-Kindy on a regular basis. In consideration of the health and wellbeing of other children and staff, we request unwell children be kept home. In the case of infectious diseases, please notify the teacher and keep the child home for the length of time specified by the doctor. Trust your own instincts and knowledge of your child if he/she is tired. Do not hesitate to keep them at home if it is best for them. If your child is going to be
absent, please email the teacher and office or access the Corpus Christi College website online absentee register.
COMMUNICATION
The College communicates with parents using a variety of ways:
• College Calendar contains all events and relevant information.
• SEQTA, account set-up link will be forwarded Week 1, Term 1.
• Our fortnightly E-Newsletter is released on the Corpus Christi College website, with a link sent via email.
• Junior School families will also have access to Seesaw. More details on page 21.
If your contact details change, please inform the Junior School Administration so updates can be made.
PARENT/TEACHER INTERVIEW
If parents wish to discuss the progress of their child, an appointment should be made with the teacher. We encourage parents to keep in touch on matters concerning your child’s health, emotional and family situations, so that the teacher understands any problems that may be affecting the child. To avoid distraction, children should not be present at these interviews.
FAMILY UPDATES
Please notify Junior School Administration and Enrolments team (studentservices@corpus.wa.edu.au) of any changes to details, such as address, telephone number, emergency contact numbers and any relevant medical information.
FRIENDS OF CORPUS
We encourage and welcome Kindy parents/guardians to participate, as their involvement benefits both their child and the school community.
Meetings are held once a Term and will be announced in the College E-Newsletter and calendar. www.corpus.wa.edu.au/friends-of-corpus
CLASSROOM CONNECTORS
Each classroom has a designated Parent Representative who acts as a Classroom Connector. This role helps foster a sense of belonging and community among families by encouraging engagement and connection within the class group. Classroom Connectors work closely with the Friends of Corpus Committee, supporting College events and initiatives while helping to strengthen relationships between parents, staff, and students.
DAILY ROUTINE
CLOTHES, FOOD, SOCIALS & ROSTERS
DROP OFF & PICK UP
8.40AM - 2.50PM
Parents are welcome into class to complete a quiet activity with their child. When the bell rings the ‘Pack away time’ encourages your child to return their activity (puzzle or book) to the shelf and to sit on the mat as parents leave the class.
When collecting your child, please wait outside the gate until a staff member opens it. Children will remain on the mat until called by name by the Pre-Kindy staff for safety reasons. If you’re running late, please call the school.
For your child’s safety, we are not authorised to release them to a sibling or anyone else without prior parental consent. If someone else is picking up your child, please note it in the Pre-Kindy diary located at the door of PreKindy and inform a staff member.
FOOD
RECESS: Please provide a healthy snack. We ask that you pack fruit, cheese and/or crackers. If your child has their fruit sliced at home, please do the same for Pre-Kindy. LUNCH: Please provide a packed lunch for every Pre-Kindy
session. To ensure the children develop good eating habits please provide healthy, nutritious foods (NO PEANUT OR OTHER NUT PRODUCTS PLEASE). Please let staff know immediately if your child has or develops any allergies.
UNIFORM
Children should wear clothing that is ’Sun Smart’ and suitable for active, messy play and easy toileting. They will need to take layers on and off as independently as possible, and they often need to access the toilet quickly.
A change of clothes and underwear need to be brought to every session (in case of an accident, due to either toileting or water play). They will stay in their bag unless needed.
JEWELLERY
The Corpus Christi College Uniform Procedures permits children with pierced ears to wear earring studs. No other type of jewellery is permitted.
SUN SMART KIDS
We encourage the children to be ‘Sun Smart’ at Corpus Christi College.
There is a NO HAT, NO PLAY policy. Please ensure that your child has a hat with a wide brim in their bag which provides adequate sun protection. Corpus Christi hats are available at our Uniform Shop for purchase.
Please bring a labelled roll-on sunscreen for your child to keep in their bag during Pre-Kindy. Kindly ensure your child is sunscreened before the start of the session. We will assist the children in reapplying sunscreen throughout the day as needed.
BIRTHDAYS
Birthdays are a special occasion, to help celebrate your child’s birthday, parents are encouraged to roster themselves on that particular day.
Please speak with the Teacher before baking to discuss allergies. (NO PEANUT OR OTHER NUT INGREDIENTS PLEASE).
SOCIAL MEDIA
Please do not upload photographs of Pre-Kindy children onto social media sites. The privacy of our families is of utmost importance. Our Social Media handles are listed below:
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/ corpuschristicollegewa
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/ corpuschristicollegewa
• Corpus Christi College App: www.corpus.wa.edu. au/corpus-connect-app
WORK TROLLEY
A work trolley will be placed outside the Pre-Kindy doors with your child’s work and any relevant notes. Please check under their name to collect their creations.
LEARNING JOURNEY
WAYS TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD IN PRE-KINDY
Supporting your child in Pre-Kindy can make a world of difference in their learning journey. It is essential for their development and confidence.
• Encourage your child to wait quietly for the gate to open, so the children come in relaxed and calm to start the activities
• Prompt your child to say ‘good morning’ to the teachers
• Encourage your child to take responsibility for hanging up their bag and placing their note bag in their tray
• Help build your child’s confidence by keeping goodbyes brief
• If you’re concerned about separation, feel free to phone us to check that your child has settled. If there’s any issue, we’ll contact you and work together on a plan for the next session
• Help teach your child how to do up their shoes, put on socks, operate zips and buttons, and open and close different containers
• Give them plenty of opportunities to talk, cut, colour and solve problems
• Encourage them to concentrate on the task they are doing
• Establish a consistent routine at home to provide a sense of security and help them understand the structure of the school day
• Encourage them to share and take turns
• Support verbal interaction
• Engage in open conversations about their day, encouraging them to share their experiences and feelings
• Make these discussions part of your daily routine to create a safe space for your child to express themselves
• Read together every day to foster a love of books and help develop their literacy skills
• Always greet them in a positive way at the end of their day
WHAT TO BRING
Please put your child’s name on everything they bring into class.
• Fabric shopping bag.
• Spare clothes, including underwear and shoes.
• Lunch box with recess and lunch.
• Water bottle (please send water only).
• Hat.
• Pillow (pillow pet or cushion 30x30cm max size).
• Sunscreen.
ACCESSING SEESAW
DISCOVER BEHIND THE SCENES OF PRE-KINDY
WHAT IS SEESAW
At Corpus Christi College, Seesaw serves as the primary learning platform for parents to stay connected with their children’s progress. Our dedicated Pre-Kindy teachers will share photos and updates throughout the school day, keeping you informed about activities and events. DOWNLOAD APP STORE
DOWNLOAD GOOGLE PLAY
NOTES THE
PERFECT PLACE TO ADD NOTES
