Rivermount College Seedlings | Kindy Prospectus 2022

UPDATED 2022

RIVERMOUNT COLLEGE

WELCOME TO KINDY AT RIVERMOUNT COLLEGE Flexibility to choose from Full-time or Part-time attendance

Government Accredited and focusing on the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG)

Sensory rich program designed to ignite curiousity and imagination

Pathway to our popular Prep Program

Become a valued member of our dynamic and caring community

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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE At Rivermount Seedlings, we aim to encourage and inspire every child to realise their full potential. We offer an inquiry approach towards learning that allows children to make meaningful connections between their own prior experiences and new knowledge, as well as giving them diverse opportunities to explore and investigate through play. Our emergent curriculum identifies children’s current interests and abilities in order to thoughtfully plan learning experiences that are sensory rich and provoke curiosity, imagination and excitement.

We provide children with a nurturing environment based on Christian values, where every child can feel a sense of belonging and be supported and respected as individuals with unique learning goals and dreams.

We are a vibrant learning community who take pride in our holistic approach, focusing on students physical, personal, social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing as well as cognitive aspects of learning.

Rivermount Seedings has a strong commitment to Reconciliation and we strive to engage, embrace and embody the heritage of the Indigenous culture in our everyday practice.

We believe it is vital to build a genuine partnership with families where parents, teachers and children can collaborate in order to create an authentic, consistent learning environment where children can become the best version of themselves.

Our Queensland Government Approved Kindergarten Program is informed by the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines, the National Quality Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework, which views children as ‘active participants and decision makers’ in their own learning.

Our beautiful, inviting indoor and outdoor spaces will foster a love for the natural environment and encourage children to respect and understand the connection between all living things. We have passionate, qualified teachers who endeavour to guide, scaffold and extend each child’s thinking, whilst catering for a diverse range of learning styles.

We teach children routines and life skills that will enable them to make a seamless transition into Prep. Each child’s learning journey continues and grows during their time at Rivermount Seedlings. We endeavour to inspire a genuine love for learning and a positive attitude towards school in every child. It is hoped that their experience with us will inspire a lifelong curiosity, the ability to thrive in an ever-changing world and a firm belief that they have much to offer.

Rivermount Seedlings is the beginning of a unique and truly memorable experience that will pave the way for your child’s future journey at Rivermount College.

Alana Allen Director of Kindergarten | Rivermount Seedlings

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OUR PROGRAM Rivermount Seedlings is located in our Early Learning Centre. Our centre provides a safe learning environment with specialist facilities and ease of parking for families.

ATTENDANCE Rivermount Seedlings offers families a flexible option of either part-time or full-time attendance.

Part-time: Option to choose between two, three or four days per week. Days are based on availability of places Full-time: Monday to Friday weekly The program will run during the Rivermount College school term with adherence to Public Holidays. In 2022 the term dates are as follows: Term 1 Term 2 Term 3 Term 4

Monday 7 February - Friday 1 April Tuesday 19 April – Friday 17 June Monday 11 July – Friday 16 September Tuesday 4 October – Thursday 1 December

HOURS OF OPERATION: Our Kindy will operate from 8:00am until 4:00pm with drop off time between 8:00am and 8:30am and pick up between 3:00pm and 4:00pm OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE: Families are able to use the College OSHC provider, TeamKids.

The program runs from 6:00am to 6:00pm and is charged at an hourly rate.

Details are available on the College website at www.rivermount. net

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FEES AND PAYMENTS Our kindergarten service is an approved kindergarten program provider under the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme (QKFS).

Kindergarten Program Details: Service type: Service name: Address: Suburb: Phone: Website: Email:

Education Program Details:

Kindergarten Rivermount Seedlings Kindergarten 1 Rivermount Drive Yatala Postcode: 4207 07 32870000 www.rivermount.net a.allen@rivermount.qld.edu.au

Hours of Operation 8:00am-4:00pm, Monday to Friday during school terms. We are an Inquiry- based Kindergarten Program following the Qld Kindergarten Learning Guidelines Framework. Children may enrol for 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week. There are two classes with a maximum of 22 children in each class per day with a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and a qualified Educator in each class

Kindergarten Fees (information current as at 24/01/2022) Total daily rate:

$49.15 per day based on 38 weeks per year.

Inclusions in the total daily rate:

Sunscreen, Incursions, Literacy, Numeracy and Social Skills programs, specialist programs such as Bush Kindy, Japanese, Music and Physical Education. Access to the College Library, access to iPads and access to our Kindy app for daily communication.

Enrolment conditions:

$50 Enrolment Fee $200 Confirmation Fee • Children must wear the Rivermount Seedlings Uniform and follow our Policies.

• Children must turn 4 by June 30 of that year unless they apply for early entry or delayed exit.

Application of QKFS subsidy to reduce out-of-pocket expenses:

Incorporated into the fee structure

Additional fees or levies Item and purpose

Cost and Frequency

Tax deductible Y/N

Application Fee

$50 (once only on application and non refundable

No

Enrolment Confirmation Fee

$200 (once only on acceptance and non refundable)

No

Provider information does not represent the official position of the Queensland Government

Approved Kindergarten Program Providers As an approved provider, this service holds a current Queensland service approval for a centre based service, under the Education and Care Services National Law (National Law) or the Education and Care Services Act 2013, and an appropriate public liability insurance of at least $10 million. To be eligible to receive funding the service must provide a kindergarten program: • • • •

To children who are at least 4 years of age by 30 June in their kindergarten year Delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher Aligned with the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guideline, or other education program approved by the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority For at least 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year or a minimum of 600 hours over 37 weeks for services operated by nonstate schools.

The Australian and Queensland Governments are providing subsidies to support the delivery of kindergarten programs.

For more information, please visit the Department of Education website: https://earlychildhood.qld.gov.au/

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QUEENSLAND KINDERGARTEN LEARNING GUIDELINES (QKLG) Rivermount Seedlings is excited to offer a dynamic program that focuses on the Queensland Kindegarten Learning Guidelines (QKLG). The program encompasses the essential principles, practices and outcomes that support and enhance young children’s learning and provide a smooth transition into schooling.

The QKLG describes a set of five learning and development areas that align to the five broad learning outcomes identified in the EYLF;

IDENTITY

WELLBEING

CONNECTEDNESS

ACTIVE LEARNING

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COMMUNICATING

IDENTITY

CONNECTEDNESS

Building a sense of security and trust by; • feeling safe, secure and supported • developing a sense of belonging and confidence in others

Building positive relationships by • connecting to and relating to others • understanding rights and responsibilities

Building a confident self-identity by; • developing awareness of own culture/s • recognising individual strengths and achievements

Showing respect for diversity by; • responding to others with respect • developing awareness of bias • learning about others cultures Showing respect for environments by; • caring for the Kindergarten • exploring interactions bewteen people and the environment

WELLBEING Building a sense of autonomy by; • developing self-regulation • developing resilience

ACTIVE LEARNING Building positive dispositions towards learning by; • showing curiosity and enthusiasm for learning • problem solving, investigating and reflecting on learning • being imaginative and creative Showing confidence and involvement in learning by; • applying knowledge in different contexts • sharing ideas and discoveries Using technologies for teaching and communication; • showing interest in technologies • using technologies

Exploring ways to be healthy and safe by; • being healthy • staying safe Exploring ways to promote physical wellbeing by; • developing control and strength • developing awareness of the senses

COMMUNICATING Exploring and expanding language by; • using languages, including singing • listening and responding Exploring literacy in personally meaningful was by; • engaging with different texts • exploring sounds and letters • exploring reading and writing Exploring numeracy in personally meaningful was by; • exploring mathematical concepts in everyday life • exploring counting and patterns

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OUR DAILY ROUTINE Our program runs from 8:00am to 4:00pm with before and after school care available.

Our routine is flexible to cater for the needs of children as well as factors such as weather

8:00am to 9:00am

Outdoor community time: greeting families, planned and spontaneous outdoor experiences

9:00am to 9:30am

Morning meeting: good morning songs, jobs, calendar, weather,sign in check, daily schedule, Heggerty’s Rhyme Time, Brain Booster exercises

9:30am to 10:30am

Indoor activity time: provocations, learning centres, project work, discovery time

10:30am to 11:05am

Pack away, transition and morning tea

11:05am to 11:55am

Specialist lessons; music, physical education, Library, Japanese, group games or Bush Kindy

11:55am to 12:30pm

Group Time: LAUNCH Inquiry, show ‘n’ share, literacy, numeracy, social/emotional activity, games, technology, Christian Living, 6C’s monthly trait

12:30pm to 1:00pm

Transition and Lunch

1:00pm to 1:25pm

Stretching, Meditation, Story, Mindfulness

1:25pm to 2:25pm

Sleep offered, daily reflection journals, independent reading and other quiet activities

2:25pm to 2:45pm

Group Time: pack up routines, afternoon jobs

2:45pm to 4:00pm

Outdoor time: Pick up and goodbyes

A fruit trolley is available throughout the morning

CLASS SIZE

STAFF

There will be two classes.

Each class will have 22 children.

In each room there will be a qualified Early Childhood Teacher and a qualified Educator.

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DIRECTOR Our Kindy Director is Mrs Alana Allen, a qualified and highly experienced teacher and early childhood educator.

OUR PROGRAM STRUCTURE Rivermount College is well supported by a team of highly professional educators and administration staff. The College has a registered nurse, an Indigenous Education Support Officer and a dedicated Wellbeing Team comprising an Occupational Therapist and qualified Counsellors.

SPECIALIST LESSONS • Japanese • Health and Physical Education • Music • Library These lessons will be taught by the Primary School Specialist teachers and students will be accompanied by their Educator when they attend these programs.

CULTURAL AWARENESS AND BUSH KINDY We will be providing a Bush Kindy program, led by our College’s Indigenous Educational Support Officer, where students will take part in nature walks around the beautiful College campus and participate in a range of activities that promote Cultural Awareness.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM At Rivermount College, caring for the environment is an integral part of our mission. Our Kindy students will be involved in taking care of the environment within the Kindergarten itself and within the College. Activities will include planting and maintaining gardens, composting and other sustainable practices.

BUDDY PROGRAM Throughout the year, Kindy students will have the opportunity to join their ‘Buddies’ from the Primary and Secondary School TECHNOLOGY Technology will be imbedded into the program and students for activities and games. will have many opportunities to use iPads, cameras, the Interactive Whiteboard, printers, iPods and other exciting TRANSITION PROGRAM Being a part of our school community is an exciting experience devices as part of their learning experience. and students will participate in events such as school assemblies so that they can become familiar with the College. This paves INCURSIONS There will be many opportunities for our the way for a smooth transition into the next phase of learning Kindy students to experience a range of interactive incursions on the College campus. at Rivermount College.

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UNIFORM AND RESOURCES Kindergarten students will wear the College Sports Uniform along with a Rivermount Seedlings hat and backpack.

Each student will require the following: • • • • • • •

RMC sports shorts RMC polo shirt RMC sports socks Rivermount Seedlings Bucket Hat RMC Tracksuit for cooler days Velcro sneakers (preferbably white or plain coloured) Rivermount Seedlings Backpack

Please note that Play hats and Sheet sets will stay at the Centre until the child’s last day of the fortnight, when they will be taken home for a wash and returned with the child on their next school day.

All uniform items can be purchased through the College Retail Centre prior to the beginning of the school year.

You will need to pack the following for your child each day • • • •

A labelled drink bottle filled with water A healthy morning tea and lunch in labelled containers An extra fruit /or vegetable snack for the class fruit bowl The Rivermount Seedlings backpack with a spare uniform and also a set of clothes for messy play

•

Blanket and/or comforters for rest time if required

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OUR KINDY FACILITIES Beautiful and modern learning rooms that are spacious and fully airconditioned with natural lighting

Convenient parking for families outside our secure and gated centre

Exciting and engaging outdoor educational and play areas with sensory resources activities

Age appropriate facilities for students to learn and grow and flexible seating to suit a range of learning experiences

Access to the extensive campus facilities including Library, multipurpose Hall, recreational areas and campground

Mud Kitchen Dry Creek bed with water pump Veggie Garden

Sensory Bike Track Natural Shade Slides, swings & sandpit Smart TV’s in every room Writable whiteboard tables

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OUR COMMUNITY Belonging to the Rivermount community is a wonderful and rewarding experience. We value our families and encourage all parents and caregivers to become actively involved in the life of the College. The partnership between home and school is essential to the successful and positive relationship needed to ensure each student at Rivermount College is given the opportunity to realise their unique potential.

COMMUNICATION AND INVOLVEMENT FOR KINDY FAMILIES:

RMC APP • • • • •

Notices Reminders Alerts News Calendar

•

Each family has access to the College App, closed facebook groups and our Parent Lounge portal.

•

Rivermount Seedlings will provide a special communication tool so that families can read a daily write up about their child’s day, along with photographs.

•

Regular emails and newsletters will be communicated to all families.

•

Each child will have their own Portfolio that will accumulate art work, work samples, photos, observations and other documents throughout the year. The teacher, child and parents are asked to contribute to these portfolios. There will be ‘Portfolio Open Days’ where parents are invited into the classroom to view and contribute to their child’s Portfolio.

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Transition Statements are given to parents in November.

These are essentially progress reports that provide a brief statement about how your child has progressed in each learning area.

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Parent/Teacher Interviews will be held throughout the year

•

There will be activities throughout the year that parents will be invited to participate in as well as the opportunity to become involved in all College events.

OWNA APP • • • •

Sign in and out Daily Photos and learning stories Correspondence & Messages Parent Approvals

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COLLEGE WEBSITE • • • • •

Calendar News Events Policies Essential Information

NURTURE | LEARN | GROW At Rivermount Seedlings we have a very special focus on social/emotional wellbeing and teaching children life skills and routines such as sharing, conflict resolution, self-regulating behaviour, self-help skills and independence.

We prepare children for Prep by focussing on the Rivermount ‘PIE’ System (based on our School Motto, Perseverance, Integrity and Excellence) which encourages children to; • Communicate respectfully • Solve Problems peacefully • Play safely and move sensibly • Respect and care for property • Show Perseverance, Integrity and Excellence Rivermount Seedlings Program builds upon the 6C’s of Education; • Creativity • Communication • Critical Thinking • Character • Citizenship • Collaboration

To assist our Kindy students for the transition to Prep and the Primary years of schooling, we use ‘The Launch Cycle’ by John Spencer and AJ Juliani to guide us through our Inquiry Projects. The Launch Cycle is used within the College with many of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) activities.

Our ‘Zones of Regulation’ program has been designed by our Wellbeing Team to teach students how to recognise different emotions in themselves and learn strategies to help them express their emotions appropriately.

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ENROLMENT PROCESS STEP TWO

STEP ONE •

Complete the online Application Form available on the College website

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Pay the $50 Application Fee

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Ensure all required documents are attached

APPLICATION Visit our website at

www.rivermount.net to complete the Application for Enrolment

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Book your enrolment interview

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Complete the ‘All about Me’ form emailed by our Enrolment Team

•

Sign the College policies for admission

CONTACT US Phone: 3287 0000

Email: enrolments@rivermount.qld.edu. au Facebook: facebook.com/ rivermountcollege Web: www.rivermount.net 14

STEP THREE •

Attend your enrolment interview with the Director of Kindergarten and the Director of Enrolments and Marketing. The student is required to attend

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If offered a place, secure your enrolment with the $200 Confirmation Fee

OUR TEAM Ms Roslyn Young Director of Enrolments & Marketing Mrs Clarinda Florence Enrolments Assistant