A-Z OF IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Absences
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.
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.
Arrivals and Departures
To ensure a smooth and safe transition at the beginning and end of each day, we ask families to follow the procedures below:
On Arrival:
– Support your child to unpack their belongings
– Apply sunscreen to your child (as needed)
– Sign your child in using the iPad at the classroom entrance
– Present your child to the Educator in charge
– Share any important handover messages (e.g. changes to routine, health, or wellbeing) directly with the Educator
– Say goodbye and support a positive, calm separation
– Encourage your child to wash their hands
On Departure:
– Wait at the classroom entrance for your child to be dismissed by the teacher
– Greet and say goodbye to the Educator in charge with your child
– Sign your child out using the iPad
– Support your child to collect their belongings
– 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
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.
Please also note that any birthday gifts should be exchanged outside of ELC hours and not during the school day.
Calendar Dates
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Parents and guardians may also be sent emails from time to time about issues or events.
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.
Complaints
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.
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.
Please write your child’s name on all removable items of clothing.
Emergency and Evacuation Procedures
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.
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.
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.
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:
– Is up to date with vaccinations for their age OR
– Is on a vaccine catch-up schedule OR
– Has a medical condition preventing them from being fully vaccinated
‘Conscientious objection’ is not an exemption under the ‘No Jab, No Play’ legislation.
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:
– Phone: AIR 1800 653 809.
– Visit your myGov account.
Families who do not hold a Medicare card must call the AIR to request an Immunisation History Statement.
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
– Commonwealth Pensioner Concession Card
– Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card or White Card
– Eligible or Asylum Seeker Visa
The Kindergarten Fee Subsidy is also available for children who meet the following criteria:
– Is identified on their Birth Certificate as being a multiple birth child (triplets or more)
– Identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
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.
Medication
Medication can only be administered to a child if the correct details are written in pen in the Accident/ Illness/Medication book.
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.
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.
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.
Personal devices and Photography
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:
– Washable small blanket and a small pillow for rest-time
– Morning tea and lunch in separate containers
– A drink bottle
– A sun hat
– A library bag
– 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
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.
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.
