FAQ
Enrolment
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All enrolments go through Bayside Council. www.bayside.vic.gov.au/kindergarten
Program
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In our 3YO groups, we have a maximum of 25 children in a group with 3 qualified staff.
In our 4YO groups, we have a maximum of 27 children in a group with 3 qualified staff.
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A play based learning environment is the most appropriate context for young children to learn, engage and make sense of their social world. Children require opportunities to discover, create, imagine and improvise through play. When children play with other children, they create social groups, try out ideas, challenge each other’s thinking and build new understandings.
Providing a supportive play based environment where children can ask questions, solve problem, take risks and engage in critical thinking supports them to become life long learners. Play is widely recognised as the best learning tool for children. It is valued, respected and supported by all staff at Livingston Kindergarten.
Belonging, being & becoming: Early Years Learning Framework for Australia.
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Livingston Kindergarten offers an extended session program called Livcare. The length of sessions and cost varies due to each session being different length. Children need to be enrolled into the sessions prior to attending. This is usually invoiced prior to the term commencing. There is no rebate or subsidy for this service. You pay for the whole session as opposed by the hour.
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Livingston has an Open Door Policy and actively seeks and encourages families to be as involved in the service. This can range from adding input to your child’s program and observations, being part of the committee, or volunteering within the service and sharing skills & experiences that the children and the program will benefit from.
You are the most important person to your child, so if you have any talents, special skills or would like to share your occupation or hobby (music, cooking, craft etc.) with the children this is always welcome.
Note: All parents / guardians spending time in the kinder to participate in the program need to have a Working with children check.
Working with children check can be applied for online. www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
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Children love to be read to, and this is a great option for both parents and grandparents who are eager to participate in our programs. If you or your parents have the time please contact your teacher to organise a time, it can be for just half and hour or longer.
Note: All parents/ guardians spending time in the kinder to participate in the program need to have a Working with children check.
Working with children check can be applied for online. www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au
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Your home culture is most welcome at Livingston. We would greatly appreciate if you were able to share with our service aspects of your culture and family life. This would assist us to enrich the lives of all our families and children.
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Check with your teacher or educators but we are often on the lookout for recyclable items for the rooms. Clean and empty food containers/ small boxes, ribbons, fabric, wrapping paper, towel tubes (not toilet or egg or milk because of hygiene and allergy issues) paper or anything interesting from your work is much appreciated.
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Livingston Kindergarten is dedicated to working closely with families to understand children’s specific developmental or medical needs. We encourage families to be open with us so we can support children to the best of our abilities. We are happy to work with external agencies your child may be working with to ensure a collaborative and consistent approach to their learning.
Some children with additional needs who are attending the 4-year-old program may be eligible for additional support within the Kindergarten environment. This may include additional training for existing staff, equipment specific to your child’s needs or an additional assistant being allocated to the group. We encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience to discuss your child’s specific needs so we are able to access the best supports available.
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The staff at Livingston Kindergarten works closely with families regarding children’s skills and readiness for transition to school during the entire year of 4-year-old kindergarten. Each family is provided with a Transition Statement during Term 4, which is an overview of your child’s development, interests, strengths and suggestions to help with transition. A copy of this is forwarded to your child’s school, with your permission.
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Please be aware that it is not a parent decision to repeat 3YO or 4YO kindergarten - it is by teacher Application /recommendation only, and the decision to repeat must meet certain criteria from Department of Education guidelines. Parents and guardians need to consider and be aware of the difficulties in gaining funding for a child who requires a second year of 3YO or 4YO kindergarten.
The Department of Education encourages families to understand that once a child begins a funded 3YO program, it effectively sets them on a path: 4YO kindergarten the following year, then school the year after.
Policies & General
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From September through to April and when advised by the sunsmart program, all children and staff must wear hats and sunscreen when outside. Livingston Kindergarten provides hats for all children, they are colour coded for each group and have children’s names on them and kept in a hat pocket. We ask children bring a roll on sunscreen (labelled) to keep at kinder in their hat pocket. This supports children’s independence to be able to apply it themselves, as a roll on is easiest to apply. We also ask children arrive at kinder with sunscreen already applied as they often have the option to go straight out for outdoor play.
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Children eat together as a group, usually twice during a kinder session, depending on the length of time they attend. How much to pack can vary for each child, you know them best so pack the amount you know they will need. We encourage and promote healthy eating and often talk to children about it. So packing some fruit, or vegetables and healthy options to choose from is encouraged.
Food is unable to be heated or cut up at kinder, so choosing food that children can manage independently and are familiar with is always best. Staff are happy to help and support children’s independence, however it also good to practice opening and using the lunch box at home so you can see how they manage the containers. Children also need a full water bottle to use throughout the day. All lunchboxes stay in children’s bags/ lockers so they need to have a cool bag and ice brick to keep food cool.
If children are staying for Livcare it is best to pack them a separate snack.
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Livingston has an abundance of resources and toys and we ask that children do not bring in toys from home. This eliminates toys getting lost, broken, disappointment for other children. However we recognise that at times some children can require some support transitioning to kindergarten and bringing in a comforter toy can assist with this.
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For safety and security reasons ALL children must be signed in on arrival, and signed out on departure. The times and name of person must be noted. No child will be allowed to leave our service with a person who is not stated on the enrolment form, unless prior arrangements are made with the teacher or nominated supervisor.
Arriving at the beginning of the session is ideal as it can help children settle into the session along with their peers and it promotes connections with their peers and provides opportunities to initiate play together.
Departure is at the end of the session, the staff will open the door and the children wait on the mat until they are called as their parent arrives. There will be a staff member by the door, monitoring pick up. If you need to pick up early, let the staff know (at drop off or call) so they can help organise your child to be ready.
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Everyone has a different communication style and time for communication. We understand that mornings and afternoons can be a little rushed, and not the best time to discuss your child’s day.
We have many types of communication we use for families, which include:
School stream APP
Newsletter
Phone calls
Emails
Face to face
Formal meetings
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If your child is unwell they cannot attend kinder until they are well again. This includes a runny nose or cough. If they have vomiting or diarrhoea our policy is children cannot attend until 48 hours after the last episode.
If your child becomes unwell while at kinder a parent or another person on the contact list will be called to pick them up.
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Children’s safety and wellbeing is paramount so it is vital that we are aware of any allergies, asthma or anaphylaxis prior to your child beginning kindergarten. Families are required to explain any allergy, asthma or anaphylaxis on the enrolment form as well as provide us with a completed Action plan from your doctor. The Action Plan is to be updated every 12 months. Asthma Australia or ASCIA are good websites for plan templates, or contact the kinder and we can provide a blank template.
Livingston Kindergarten staff follows procedures that minimise risks across asthma, allergies and anaphylaxis. This involves completing a risk minimisation and communication plan in consultation with parents. Parents are required to provide any medication, Epipen, asthma puffer and spacer for their child to be kept onsite for their child with their action plan.
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We encourage children attending the kindergarten to be independent in the bathroom. Our definition of independence is: Children who recognise when they need to go to the toilet and do so Children who can clean themselves independently. While the majority of children starting kinder are toilet trained, some may still require some support from staff in this area. Our educators are able to encourage independence and assist with toileting accidents but are unable to take full responsibility for toilet training. This is a family responsibility.
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We schedule times mid/towards the end of term 2 to discuss children’s development and participation in the program, successes and support they may need. However the outside of this, the Teachers are able to make a time to discuss your child ‘s kinder experience or answer any questions or concerns you may have.
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Livingston Kindergarten is a community based, not-for-profit early childhood service. The Kindergarten is managed and operated by a volunteer Committee of Management, elected at the Annual General Meeting each November. The Kindergarten operates under the Children’s Services Act 1996 and Children’s Services Regulations 2009.
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Sessional Kindergartens operate in line with schools so we are not open in the school holidays.
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Yes. We have fantastic staff at Livingston that are paid throughout the year and need to be paid on public holidays too.
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As your child is receiving a place at kinder yes you will need to pay if you want to keep your place.
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All children will be entitled to 2 years of funded kindergarten. It will not be possible to pay the funding rate yourself as this is basically taking a funded place from another child in the community.
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A child can only access one funded kindergarten program. If a child is enrolled at two services, the parent/guardian must nominate which service is to receive the kindergarten funding for the child. If you elect to receive free kinder at another service, then unfortunately we won’t be able to offer you a place at Livingston Kindergarten.
