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
1 Fintona Girls’ School
FINTONA EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
The Fintona Early Learning Centre is situated on the Junior Campus, opposite the Senior Campus. The Early Learning Centre is self sufficient, with a separately equipped building and playgrounds, although its location creates the opportunity for the ELC children to access the Junior School facilities.
Our Early Learning Centre is coeducational and operates programs for three year old to five year old children.
Young Explorers Three-Year-Old Program
4 day program operating Monday to Thursday.
5 day program
Young Thinkers Pre-Prep Program
5 day program
Program Hours
All programs begin at 8:45 am and conclude at 3:00 pm.
Please note, in order to attend any of the three year old programs, children MUST turn three by 1 February and should be toilet trained. The staffing regulatory requirements for children under three years is different from children over three years and our ELC does not comply with current Department of Education and Training regulations for children under the age of three.
Contact Details
Mrs Jackie Dimattina, Head of Junior Campus Ph: 9880 4444
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Fintona’s philosophy of early education is based on the Reggio Emilia Approach and we see value in teaching children through the use of an inquiry model. We are also influenced in our beliefs by the Australian Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF).
The following statement by Carla Rinaldi, a leading educator from Reggio Emilia, reflects our philosophy:
If we believe that children possess their own theories, interpretations and questions and that they are co-protagonists in the knowledge building process, then the most important verb in educational practice is no longer ‘to talk’, ‘to explain’, or ‘to transmit’, but ‘ to listen’.
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.
We believe that children are active citizens and are born with individual rights and responsibilities. Children deserve to feel welcome, respected, valued and safe, and above all, they deserve to feel that they belong.
We acknowledge that every child is a unique individual who learns and develops at their own pace and has their own interests and strengths. Children are naturally curious, have a sense of agency and are active seekers of knowledge about their surroundings, their world and themselves. We endeavour to foster in each child a sense of wonder and curiosity, and a belief that perception, exploration, investigation and research lead to knowledge and understanding.
We are committed to our image of the child as being strong, capable and competent. We are dedicated to seeing the potential of every child and to providing opportunities for growth in all areas of social, emotional, intellectual, artistic and physical development.
We believe it is imperative to implement effective strategies to assist in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all children. We are committed to the Child Safe Standards principals and understand these standards aim to drive continuous improvement, by raising awareness and assisting us to create and maintain a child safe environment.
We believe that children are born with many ‘languages’ that they use to make sense of their world: expressive, communicative, symbolic, cognitive, ethical, metaphorical, logical, imaginative and relational. The importance of exposing children to all of these is intrinsic to the program.
We believe in the value of creating positive and strong partnerships with parents and families. We value parental involvement and we acknowledge that every child is part of a family, which extends from home to the school, to the local community and to the global community.
We value ‘play’ and see it as a key vehicle for children’s learning. We will provide opportunities for children to learn important life skills through a play-based inquiry program and by providing a flexible environment, rich in possibility and open-ended experiences.
We believe in the importance of the physical environment. Children deserve to be surrounded by beautiful, engaging and meaningful spaces and materials. Our environment and its organisation and aesthetics reflect the approach, values, traditions and culture of the Early Learning Centre and our community.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
STAFF TERM DATES 2025
Head of Junior Campus
Mrs Jackie Dimattina
ELC Learning & Operations Leader
Mrs Terese Francis
Classroom Teachers Year Level
Banksia Room Mrs Karen Winderlich Pre-Prep
Wattle Room Mrs Sharne Rees Pre-Prep
Ginkgo Room Mrs Anna Crozier K3
Jacaranda Room Mrs Charmian Harris K3
Classroom Teacher Assistants Year Level
Banksia Room Mrs Helen Darrer Pre-Prep
Wattle Room Mrs Sue Donaghey
Mrs Dimple Gulati
Ms Catherine Farrar Pre-Prep
Ginkgo Room Ms Lingxia Sun K3
Jacaranda Room Mrs Sue Donaghey K3
Early Learning Centre Times
Wattle Room
Pre-Prep 5 days: Monday – Friday 8:45am – 3:00pm
Banksia Room
Pre-Prep 5 days: Monday – Friday 8:45am – 3:00pm
Ginkgo Room
K3 4 days: Monday - Thursday 8:45am – 3:00pm
Jacaranda Room
K3 5 days: Monday – Friday 8:45am – 3:00pm
Term 1 (8.5 weeks)
Wednesday 22 January New Staff Day
Thursday 23, Friday 24, Tuesday 28, Wednesday 29 January Staff PD Days
Thursday 30 January Students return
Friday 4 April End of Term 1
Term 2 (11 weeks)
Tuesday 22 April Staff PD Day
Wednesday 23 April Students return
Friday 4 July End of Term 2
Term 3 (9 weeks)
Monday 21 July Staff PD Day
Tuesday 22 July Students return
Friday 12 September End of Term 3
Term 4 (10 weeks)
Monday 6 October Staff and students return
Monday 3 NovemberTuesday 4 November Mid Term Break / Melbourne Cup Day
Tuesday 9 December End of Term 4
Friday 20 December Administration Office Closes
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, re-visited, 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.
FRAMEWORKS SPECIALIST EDUCATION
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.
Children are connected with and contribute to their world.
Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
Children are confident and involved learners.
Children are effective communicators.
The EYLF and VEYLD documentation provides broad direction for our ELC educators to facilitate children’s learning.
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 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 Program (PE)
The ELC children also participate in the Physical Education Program (PE). 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.
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.
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.
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 outside school hours, you may place invitations in the classroom pigeonholes. If only some of the children are invited, we request you post or email invitations to these children at home. At the beginning of the year, a class list of parents in the group, with contact details, is made available to all families. This is understandably to avoid children’s feelings being hurt if they are not included.
Any presents need to be exchanged privately, outside ELC hours.
The Early Learning Centre celebrates special days and events during the year. These include Mother’s Day and Father’s Day celebrations. You will be informed of these arrangements well in advance. Please ensure that you read the fortnightly News Bulletin and the Fintona Calendar to keep abreast of all the ELC events.
Communication
Parent/School communication is very important and we encourage parents to contact the School if there is a query or problem. Parents cannot contact classroom teachers directly during the day though they are able to leave a message with Junior Campus Administration, so that the teacher can contact them at a convenient time.
During the year, interviews are arranged with parents to share information about the children. However, if you have any concerns, you are invited to arrange a meeting at a time convenient for you and your child’s teacher.
Parents of children in the three-year-old program will also receive a written reflection at the end of the year. 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.
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, but we do ask 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.
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.
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-to-date.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding immunisation or vaccines, please consult your doctor or an immunisation nurse.
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 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. All information regarding Before and After School Care, 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.
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.
Photographs
Individual and class photographs are taken annually by professional photographers. Parents will ne notified in advance of the date when photographs will be taken.
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.
Any matter 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.
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. Pre-packaged 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-YearOld 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 of a child repeating a Kindergarten year and a second year of funding being required, 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 concerned with the safety of children being left at and collected from the School and, with the parking facilities available, we ask for your continued co-operation and care.
Please note the City of Boroondara parking signs.
Parents are not to park or turn in the grounds of Balwyn Anglican Church as this is private property.
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.