Fintona ELC Handbook

ELC PARENT HANDBOOK 2027

CONTENTS Introduction................................................................. 1 Assessment & Reporting ............................................ 3 Staff ............................................................................ 4 Term Dates 2026 ....................................................... 5

CURRICULUM .................................................. 6 Approach .................................................................... 7 Frameworks................................................................ 8 Specialist Education ................................................... 9 A-Z of Important Information .................................... 10

INTRODUCTION At Fintona, we understand how important the early years are for every child. They are the foundation on which children build the rest of their lives - a unique stage where young minds learn more than at any other time. In the ELC, our goal is to promote innovative, creative thinking in every child, preparing them for the next important phase in their educational journey.

It is our priority to provide our children and their families with a quality early childhood experience and a high level of education and care at all times. In 2024, the Fintona Early Leaning Centre was reassessed under the Australian Children’s Education and Care National Quality Standard.

Our ELC received the highest rating of ‘Exceeding the National Quality Standard’ in all quality areas, in recognition of our work.

At Fintona, we recognise that when a child first joins a school, there can be an overwhelming number of details to absorb and we hope this handbook helps you to navigate these details as smoothly as possible. If, at any time, you have additional queries, please do not hesitate to speak to me or any one of the ELC teachers. We are always happy to provide you with help and guidance.

We hope that both you and your child enjoy a smooth transition into the Fintona ELC and that the experience is a very happy one.

Mrs Jackie Dimattina Head of Junior Campus

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Fintona Girls’ School

OVERVIEW

ELC PHILOSOPHY At Fintona, we begin with relationships.

With children, with families, with community, with environment and with each other.

We know that learning grows in the space between us where belonging is built in the small moments of connection, trust, and care.

We value family, We see Fintona as one big family, We honour and support every child’s family, building warm, respectful partnerships where all feel included, heard, understood, and supported in their journey.

Inspired by the philosophy of Reggio Emilia, sitting alongside guiding curriculum frameworks, we see children as capable, intelligent, protagonists of their own learning, and full of possibility and potential.

We work as one team.

We step in. We step back.

We notice when someone needs support and offer it without hesitation.

We know that together, we are stronger.

We hold high expectations for our practice, for our environment, for ourselves because children deserve spaces that are thoughtful, intentional, and alive with possibility.

And above all, we remember that this work is human work.

It is complex, emotional, and deeply meaningful.

So, we care for one another, just as we care for the children.

This is how we choose to be.

Together.

We understand and nurture play as their language of learning, through which children shape identities, explore ideas and build relationships with people, materials, and place. We recognise play as rigorous and meaningful work full of emotion, complexity, collaboration, and wonder.

We value curiosity, creativity, resilience, confidence, independence, and the many languages through which each child expresses their thinking in their own unique way.

We nurture emotional regulation, perseverance, adaptability, and a strong sense of self, supporting children to build relationships, navigate challenge, and grow with courage and care. We create consistent rhythms and rituals that instil security, familiarity and a sense of belonging.

We choose to see one another with kindness.

To assume good intentions.

To speak with respect, even when things feel hard.

We understand that how we speak shapes the culture we create.

We listen.

Not just to respond, but to truly understand and care.

We take time to pause, allowing children’s thoughts to unfold.

We make space for and include all voices, and we honour the thinking, feelings, and perspectives for whom each person brings.

We reflect.

Gently, honestly, and often.

We ask ourselves not only what happened, but why, and what next.

We are open to change, to growth, to becoming.

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OVERVIEW

ASSESSMENT & REPORTING As Educators, the things that we believe about young children and their learning shape our teaching philosophy and are central to the work that we do at Fintona.

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We understand the importance of listening to children; listening to their questions and valuing the uniqueness of their ideas and their individual ways of knowing.

Listening is an act of empowerment which can fill children with a sense of what is possible.

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We value Australia’s diverse society, culture and histories. We believe in ensuring that our ELC supports and is respectful of that diversity, ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and without prejudice.

Through the provision of both an inclusive program and environment we aim to teach children to be aware, respectful and participate in the diverse nature of the country they live in.

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We believe in the importance of encouraging children to be self-expressive and to communicate their feelings through appropriate outlets. Children are capable of finding their own solutions in a co-operative, supportive environment and can develop independence and responsibility for their actions. We understand that children look to the adults in their life for cues on how to treat others and we therefore endeavour to practice and model tolerance and respect.

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We value and apply team-building practices amongst staff and believe in the importance of ongoing professional development. It is important for all staff to be up to date with relevant research and practices.

Both quality education and care is achieved through ongoing evaluation and an emphasis on improvement.

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OVERVIEW

STAFF Head of Junior Campus Mrs Jackie Dimattina

Early Learning Centre Times

ELC Learning & Operations Leader Mrs Terese Francis

Wattle Room

Classroom

Banksia Room

Teachers

Banksia Room Mrs Karen Winderlich Wattle Room

Year Level Pre-Prep

Pre-Prep 5 days: Monday - Friday 8.45am - 3.00pm

Pre-Prep 5 days: Monday - Friday 8.45am - 3.00pm

Ginkgo Room

Mrs Sharne Rees Pre-Prep

K3 4 days: Monday - Thursday 8.45am - 3.00pm

Ginkgo Room Mrs Anna Crozier K3

Jacaranda Room

Jacaranda Room

Mrs Charmian Harris

K3

K3 5 days: Monday - Friday 8.45am - 3.00pm

Classroom

Teacher Assistants

Year Level

Banksia Room Mrs Helen Darrer

Pre-Prep

Wattle Room

Pre-Prep

Ms Isabella Song

Ginkgo Room Mrs Sue Donaghey Jacaranda Room

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K3

Mrs Dimple Gulati K3

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OVERVIEW

TERM DATES 2026 Term 1 (9 weeks) Wednesday 22 January

New Staff Day

Tuesday 27, Wednesday 2, Thursday 29, Friday 30 January

Staff PD Days

Monday 2 February

Students return

Thursday 2 April

End of Term 1

Term 2 (10 weeks) Monday 20 April

Staff PD Day

Tuesday 21 April

Students return

Friday 26 June

End of Term 2

Term 3 (9 weeks) Monday 13 July

Staff PD Day

Tuesday 14 July

Students return

Friday 11 September

End of Term 3

Term 4 (10 weeks) Monday 5 October

Staff and students return

Monday2 November Tuesday 3 November

Mid Term Break / Melbourne Cup Day

Tuesday 10 December

End of Term 4

Friday 18 December

Administration Office Closes

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Fintona Girls’ School

CURRICULUM

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CURRICULUM

APPROACH At Fintona, our programs draw on the best of theory and practice from a variety of approaches including Reggio Emilia, providing an international foundation and focus.

Reggio Emilia Approach Educators at our ELC are influenced by the Reggio Emilia Approach to early childhood education. An important aspect of this approach is the image of the child as being strong, curious and capable of co-constructing the curriculum. Both the teachers and the students are responsible for launching projects to broaden and deepen children’s understanding of the world around them.

A central idea of Loris Malaguzzi, the founder of the Reggio Emilia Approach, is that children have a Hundred Languages with which to express themselves. The languages he refers to include: play, drawing, sculpture, gesture, dance, music, drama, negotiation, imagination, logic and many, many more.

The environment in the ELC is arranged and equipped so that children have access to many graphic, visual and tactile experiences. Small group work promotes collaborative learning. Unique projects develop and unfold around both individual and shared insights, achievements and understandings.

The ELC staff purposefully document children’s conversations, learning experiences and insights. The documentation is used to make the children’s learning visible to themselves and to others, especially parents. The documentation is used to generate new learning experiences, which serve as a base of knowledge to expand and build on. Children’s ideas are shared, revisited, developed and refined. The learning journey is seen metaphorically as a spiral reaching higher in ever expanding circles.

An important aspect of the Reggio Emilia schools is the close relationships between staff, parents and children. At our ELC, parent participation in the children’s learning is strongly supported and encouraged. Parents are regularly asked to contribute to the program in a variety of ways.

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CURRICULUM

FRAMEWORKS Educators in the ELC are also guided in their practice by the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).

These documents describe the Principles, Practice and Outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning as well as their transition to school. The frameworks have a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play provides the most appropriate stimulus for young children’s brain development. The frameworks also recognise the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.

The EYLF and VEYLDF convey the highest expectations for all children’s learning and through the transition to school. It communicates these expectations through the following five Learning Outcomes: –

Children have a strong sense of identity.

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Children are connected with and contribute to their world.

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Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.

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Children are confident and involved learners.

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Children are effective communicators.

The EYLF and VEYLD documentation provides broad direction for our ELC educators to facilitate children’s learning.

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SPECIALIST EDUCATION All ELC classes spend time with Fintona specialist teachers during the week.

Music All ELC groups have time with the Music specialist each week. Music is not limited to these times but is integrated into many aspects of the program: using songs, rhymes, chants and providing opportunities for composing, improvising, playing instruments, dancing, choreographing and performing. Music is not seen as an isolated discipline but as an integral part of the child’s overall development.

Throughout each week, the children enjoy a variety of musical experiences during which we introduce the concepts of pitch, beat, rhythm, tone and volume.

Library All children visit the library each week to develop a love of reading, respect for books, to listen to stories and to borrow books. They are introduced to a range of literature and are encouraged to respond to texts they have shared. Children borrow weekly from the library collection.

Physical Education (PE) Program The ELC children also participate in the Physical Education (PE) Program. This program is run by a PE specialist and aims to develop the child’s perception of themselves and their world through movement motor experience. The objectives of the program are not limited to just the acquisition of physical skills and fitness. The program also encourages each child to think and then respond with purposefully controlled movement.

Art All ELC groups enjoy weekly Art lessons with the specialist Art teacher. Art allows children to explore different mediums, materials and techniques and allows them to express themselves in a multitude of creative ways. There is a strong emphasis on the process rather than the product, with a focus on each child’s engagement, curiosity, and creative exploration.

Art is woven throughout the entire learning environment, not limited to the Art lessons, and is embraced as part of everyday play, inquiry, and discovery. As an integral part of the 100 languages of children, art represents one of the many ways children express themselves, explore ideas, investigate their environment, and construct meaning about the world around them.

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A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION Absences

Arrivals and Departures

If your child is not able to attend the ELC due to illness or another reason, please inform Fintona of your child’s absence. Contact Junior Campus Administration: 9880 4444.

To ensure a smooth and safe transition at the beginning and end of each day, we ask families to follow the procedures below:

Accidents At our ELC, your child’s safety is our top priority. We take a proactive approach to minimising risks by conducting thorough daily safety checks and detailed risk assessments of all environments and activities.

All staff members are fully trained and qualified in First Aid, Asthma Management, and Anaphylaxis Response to ensure prompt and effective care when needed.

If your child has an accident while in our care, staff will carefully document the incident in an Incident Injury Trauma and Illness Form, detailing the circumstances and any treatment provided.

We will communicate this information to you at pick-up time and ask you to sign the form to acknowledge that the incident and response have been explained clearly.

Allergy Aware Environment At Fintona, we take all allergies very seriously. We are aware of the prevalence of nuts and other allergies among children and the dangers surrounding these. Our staff are fully trained in First Aid and anaphylaxis awareness, including the use of adrenalin and auto-injection devices and in addition participate in refresher courses frequently.

To minimise the allergens students are exposed to, we ask families to avoid sending their child to school with food items that contain peanut butter, Nutella and all other nut products.

Parents with children who have allergies must inform the ELC and send instructions on their child’s care.

Children who are diagnosed as anaphylactic MAY NOT attend the ELC without a doctor approved Action Plan and an EpiPen. The EpiPen and any other medication for anaphylaxis must be in date and supplied to the classroom teacher in an insulated container. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that medication is always in date.

On Arrival: –

Support your child to unpack their belongings

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Apply sunscreen to your child (as needed)

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Sign your child in using the iPad at the classroom entrance

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Present your child to the Educator in charge

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Share any important handover messages (e.g. changes to routine, health, or wellbeing) directly with the Educator

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Say goodbye and support a positive, calm separation

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Encourage your child to wash their hands

On Departure: –

Wait at the classroom entrance for your child to be dismissed by the teacher

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Greet and say goodbye to the Educator in charge with your child

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Sign your child out using the iPad

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Support your child to collect their belongings

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Feel free to check in briefly with the Educator if needed

Asthma Children who suffer from asthma are required to have an Asthma Management Plan outlining the child’s symptoms, how much medication to administer and when. This form is to be completed by the child’s doctor. Appropriate medication must also be supplied. It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that medication is in date at all times.

Birthdays Birthdays are very special events and are celebrated in the ELC. There are certain guidelines we ask parents to consider.

If parents are inviting the entire class to a birthday celebration held outside of school hours, you are welcome to place invitations in the classroom pigeonholes. However, if only some of the children are invited, we kindly request

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that the invitations be sent directly to families via email or post. This is understandably to avoid children’s feelings being hurt if they are not included.

Parents and guardians may also be sent emails from time to time about issues or events.

Please also note that any birthday gifts should be exchanged outside of ELC hours and not during the school day.

We urge parents to provide accurate and regularly updated addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. No student should be at school without accurate contact details.

Calendar Dates

Complaints

The ELC celebrates special days and events during the year. These include, but are not limited to, the ELC Twilight Picinic, Grandparents’ and Special Friends’ Day, and our Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations, where special guests are warmly welcomed. You will be informed of these arrangements well in advance. Please ensure that you read the fortnightly News Bulletin and the inFintona Calendar to keep abreast of all the ELC events.

Families are encouraged to discuss any concerns initially with their child’s classroom educator. If the matter is not resolved, please speak with the ELC Learning and Operational Leader or the Head of Junior Campus. All complaints will be treated seriously and thoroughly investigated. Any matters causing you or your child concern should be brought to the attention of the appropriate staff member or a Department of Education and Training officer (please refer to the ELC notice board for the phone number and contact details). Fintona and the Department of Education and Training are here to support you and to discuss any issues that may arise.

Communication and Partnerships with Families At the heart of our ELC is a strong partnership between families and educators. We believe that open, respectful, and ongoing communication helps build trust, supports children's learning and wellbeing, and creates a shared sense of purpose between home and school.

Parent/School communication is highly valued and we encourage parents to contact the School if there is a query, concern, or information to share about their child. While teachers are not available for direct contact during the day, parents may leave a message with Junior Campus Administration, and the teacher will contact them at a convenient time.

In the case of an emergency, parents should contact Junior Campus Administration directly, and staff will ensure the matter is addressed immediately.

Dress The Fintona ELC uniform can be purchased though the School’s supplier, Bob Stewart in High Street, Kew. This uniform is compulsory.

We know that many of your children love to dress themselves in the morning, which is an important part of promoting their independence. We do ask, however, that parents ensure that their child is adequately equipped for the weather of the season. In winter months, the children should have warm clothes, a jacket as an extra layer, and suitable shoes for outdoor play. In summer months, we ask that you do not send your child in thongs or ‘Crocs’, as it can be difficult to run and climb when wearing these types of shoes.

During the year, interviews are arranged with parents to provide opportunities to share insights, celebrate progress, and strengthen connections between home and school.

However, if you have any concerns, you are invited to arrange a meeting at a time convenient for you and your child’s teacher.

Please write your child’s name on all removable items of clothing.

At the end of the year, families in the three-year-old program receive a written reflection that highlights their child’s growth, interests, and achievements, tailored to their stage of development. Parents of children in the Pre-Prep programs will receive a mandatory Transition Learning and Development Statement as regulated by the Department of Education and Training.

Emergency and evacuation procedures are in place to ensure the safety of all children, staff, and visitors in the event of a fire, lockdown, or other emergency. These procedures are practised each term so that children become familiar with the routines and respond calmly and confidently if an emergency arises.

From time to time, the School emails letters regarding important school events such as excursions. It is most important that parents read these letters carefully and, where necessary, return attached attendance slips promptly.

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Emergency and Evacuation Procedures

Gates and Safety The side gates leading to the ELC are locked during the day for security purposes. If you need to access the ELC at any time during the day, please do so via Junior Campus Administration.

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Headlice To help prevent the spread of head lice, we ask that all children with long hair have it tied back while attending the ELC. Tying hair back reduces the risk of transmission during play and group activities. If head lice are detected, families will be notified promptly and asked to treat their child before returning to the ELC.

Illness We ask that you keep your child at home if they are feeling unwell. It can be difficult for your child to cope within a group setting when they are feeling unwell. If they are ill, please keep them at home so they can rest and recover.

When displaying cold or flu symptoms please remind your child to cover their mouth and nose when coughing and to wash their hands or use hand sanitiser after coughing or blowing their nose.

It is Fintona policy that children are kept at home for at least 24 hours after the last instances of vomiting or diarrhoea or if your child has had a temperature above 37.5°c. These small measures all help to prevent the spread of illness to other children and staff, and we appreciate your cooperation.

Immunisation Law ‘No Jab, No Play’ The ‘No Jab, No Play’, legislation requires all children enrolling in early childhood education and care services to be up to date with their vaccinations or have an approved medical exemption.

Families whose children were vaccinated overseas should consult their doctor or immunisation nurse. Overseas vaccination schedules may differ from the Australian schedule and need to be checked by a doctor/nurse who will transfer the information to the AIR. If, or once, the child is up to date with the Australian schedule, the AIR can issue the parent with an Immunisation History Statement that shows they are up-todate.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding immunisation or vaccines, please consult your doctor or an immunisation nurse.

inFintona inFintona is the School’s secure online portal designed to keep families connected and informed. Through inFintona, you can access important updates, event information, weekly reflections and photos, and school policies,

Kindergarten Fee Subsidy If you or your child holds any of the following you are eligible for a Kindergarten Fee Subsidy: –

Commonwealth Health Care Card

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Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card

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Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or White Card

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Eligible or Asylum Seeker Visa

The Kindergarten Fee Subsidy is also available for children who meet the following criteria:

To finalise enrolment for a child in the ELC, parents/carers have to provide Fintona with an Australian Immunisation Register (AIR) Immunisation History Statement that shows their child:

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Is identified on their Birth Certificate as being a multiple birth child (triplets or more)

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Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander

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Is up to date with vaccinations for their age OR

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Is on a vaccine catch-up schedule OR

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Has a medical condition preventing them from being fully vaccinated.

If you qualify for any of the above, there is a space on the Confidential Enrolment Form submitted to the ELC for administration purposes for you to record this information.

Additionally, please provide a copy to the Junior Campus Administration.

‘Conscientious objection’ is not an exemption under the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation.

Medication

An Immunisation History Statement from the AIR is the only form of documentation accepted for the purpose of enrolling your child in an early education and care service. This certificate can be requested via the following:

Medication can only be administered to a child if the correct details are written in pen in the Accident/ Illness/Medication book.

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Phone: AIR 1800 653 809.

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Visit your myGov account.

Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the AIR to request an Immunisation History Statement.

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Medication is to be given to a staff member at the commencement of a session to be stored in the First Aid cabinet or refrigerator.

Medication must be in the original container bearing the original label, with the child’s name clearly marked on it. All medication must be in date.

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Personal devices and Photography Out of School Hours Care and Holiday Programs Fintona works in partnership with Camp Australia to provide the Out of School Hours Care Program (OSHC) program at the School. Camp Australia is the leading provider of quality, safe, fun and professional Out of Hours Care. The OSHC program at Fintona adheres to the strict standards and regulations set out by the National Quality Framework.

Families who wish to use these programs must be registered with Camp Australia.

Out of Hours Care is available for students from ELC to Year 6 and is located in the Early Learning Centre. The Before School Care Program operates each morning during term from 7.30am until 8.45am and the After School Care program operates five afternoons per week from 3.00pm until 6.15pm. These programs cater for the childcare needs of working parents, or those who have commitments extending beyond the normal school hours. Breakfast can be provided during Before School Care and afternoon tea is provided for children attending After School Care.

In addition, Camp Australia now offers a Holiday Program at Fintona during school breaks, providing families with a convenient and engaging care option throughout the year.

All information regarding Before and After School Care and the Holiday Program, including fees and registration forms can be found online at www.campaustralia.com.au. All Out of Hours Care registrations and bookings must be done through Camp Australia either by phone 1300 105 343 or through their website.

Parent Representatives Our ELC values the involvement of Parent Representatives in the learning community. The role of the Parent Representative encompasses the following: –

To meet with new parents in the group at an early stage of the year and ensure they are introduced to other parents in the school community.

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To arrange activities to encourage social interaction within the group.

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To assist with school activities and projects as they emerge through the year within each group. Where possible, the role should be shared by two or even three parents.

Dates for social functions should always be checked with the class teacher and Junior Campus Administration to ensure that there are no clashes with the school calendar.

The ELC is grateful for the work Parent Representatives put into making the community a friendly and harmonious one.

In line with the School’s Child Safety and Privacy Policies, families are not permitted to take photos or videos in the ELC at any time, including during special events or other celebrations.

This is to ensure the privacy, dignity, and safety of all children are protected at all times. Even when photographing your own child, other children may be unintentionally included, which can breach privacy and consent protocols.

Educators will use school-issued devices to capture key moments and experiences throughout the year. These images may be shared with families via appropriate platforms such as inFintona, depending on each family's media consent preferences.

Policies and Procedures The ELC operates in accordance with the School’s policies and is aligned with the requirements of the Education and Care Services National Regulations and the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD).

These policies are designed to ensure the safety, wellbeing, and inclusion of all children, families, and staff, and to guide the day-to-day operations of the ELC. All ELC and School policies are available on inFintona ELC homepage.

Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with these documents and contact the ELC Learning and Operations Leader or Head of Junior Campus if they have any questions.

Portfolios Throughout their time at our ELC, samples of each child’s work are collected in a portfolio. The portfolio is a tool for documenting your child’s process of learning: how they think, question, analyse, synthesise, produce, and create; and how they interact intellectually, emotionally and socially with others. Documenting the children’s learning journey is an essential part of our curriculum; it allows the staff to make the children’s developmental progress visible and provides an important learning tool which allows the children to reflect back on their own work and reminds them of their thoughts and experiences.

At the end of each year your child’s portfolio will be presented to them to take home. The portfolio is a wonderful record of your child’s learning journey.

Practical Requirements Please provide the following items when your child commences:

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Washable small blanket and a small pillow for rest-time

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Morning tea and lunch in separate containers

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A drink bottle

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A sun hat

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A library bag

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A bag of spare clothes (all items from home MUST be named)

Pre-School Guidelines for Parents Parents must sign their child in electronically when they arrive at Fintona ELC and sign out when collecting their child.

Please note that anyone collecting your child must be identified on the enrolment form and may be asked for photo identification, if unknown to staff.

ELC confidential Enrolment forms must be completed for our school records. You will be emailed a link to create/update your child’s enrolment before they commence.

Fintona is not permitted by the Department of Education and Training Regulations to accept children without the relevant and necessary information.

School Photographs Individual and class photographs are taken annually by professional photographers. Parents will be notified in advance of the date when photographs will be taken.

Sharing Our Environment The entrance to our ELC is our light filled Piazza. At ALL times our Piazza is regarded as an extension of our learning area. As part of our ‘culture of respect’, please do not permit children to run or behave in a rowdy manner in this area.

Snack and Lunch Boxes Please provide a healthy snack and lunch for your child each day. The two meals should be placed in separate named containers and marked accordingly so the children know what to retrieve from their locker. In the past, we have noticed that some children have eaten their lunch at snack time or, if the meals have been combined in one container, the children have eaten all their food at one sitting! The children eat as much as one third of their daily food allowance at school, so please regard this as a priority. Prepackaged fruit and bars often contain more sugar, sodium and fat than we would like our children to eat. Parents are asked to read food labels carefully and select the best for the children’s health and wellbeing. Lollies are best kept for a treat at home after school. Water is the best drink for

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growing children. Each child will need to bring their own water bottle, which should also be clearly labelled.

Starting Times In the ELC, the morning starts at 8:45 am. The children arrive at this time and settle in for the day. At approximately 9:00 am, the teacher calls the children to a morning meeting. We do ask that all children are here by this time. It is unsettling for everyone if there is a constant stream of arrivals after this time. Children’s concentration is easily distracted by extraneous activity. Teachers find it difficult to greet the late children properly if the meeting is already underway when they arrive because they are giving their attention to what is occurring within the group. A period of fifteen minutes is set aside for arriving and settling into the room. If you need to leave your child at school early, please book them in to the Before School Care Program.

State Government Funding for Three and Four-Year-Old Programs Children in the Three-Year-Old and Pre-Prep ELC programs at Fintona are subsidised by the State of Victoria with a grant for their pre-school year. This subsidy is paid directly to the School.

In the event that a child undertakes a second year of either the three-year-old or four-year-old Kindergarten program and requires second year of funding, an eligibility statement needs to be submitted to the Department of Education and Training by the child’s teacher.

Sun Smart Policy Fintona follows ‘Sun Smart’ advice and care is taken to protect the children’s skin during the hot summer months.

Each child MUST have a hat in Terms 1 and 4. Please apply sunscreen before your child arrives at school.

Teachers will reapply during the day, if necessary.

Traffic Rules We are committed to ensuring the safety of children during drop-off and pick-up times. With the parking facilities available, we ask for your continued co-operation and care when arriving at and leaving the School.

Please ensure you observe the City of Boroondara parking signs and regulations.

Parents are reminded not to park or turn in the grounds of Balwyn Anglican Church as this is private property.

Please do not use the bus bay, private driveways or the Junior School driveway to park or turn.

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Tuckshop ELC and Junior School lunches are provided by the Tuckshop at Fintona. Lunch orders are available via an online ordering process. The lunches are delivered to the Junior Campus at lunchtime. You will receive a notice detailing this process at the beginning of the year. Only lunches are provided by the Tuckshop. Please ensure you provide morning tea for your child each day.

Parents are warmly invited to visit the Tuckshop for a coffee or a baked treat.

Tuckshop and Food Allergies Fintona seeks to minimise the impact of food allergies on students.

To ensure children with food allergies are catered for by the Tuckshop at Fintona, parents will be provided with food options upon online registration.

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Fintona Girls’ School

FINTONA EARLY LEARNING CENTRE Wurundjeri, Woi Wurrung Country 80 Balwyn Road Balwyn VIC 3103 Australia CRICOS 00139C +61 3 9880 4444 jcadmin@fintona.vic.edu.au fintona.vic.edu.au