Early Learning School
Introduction to ACG Parnell Early Learning School
Contents Welcome to ACG Parnell Early Learning School............3 Staff...........................................................................................4 Settling your child...................................................................4 Early Learning School hours................................................5 Sign-in book..............................................................................5 Custody and access arrangements....................................5 Preschool bags.........................................................................5 Preschool uniform...................................................................6 Children’s health......................................................................7 Meals..........................................................................................8 Healthy heart award..............................................................8 Curriculum.................................................................................9 Portfolios...................................................................................10 Artwork......................................................................................10 Excursions.................................................................................10 Visitors and community helpers..........................................11 Information sharing................................................................11 Absences:............................................................................11 Civil Defence:.....................................................................11 Documentation:................................................................11 Enrolment:..........................................................................11 Fees:.....................................................................................11 Newsletters:.......................................................................11 Review:................................................................................11
Welcome to ACG Parnell Early Learning School We hope that your child’s time here will be a stimulating, exciting and happy learning experience. In our caring and accepting environment your child will be able to build upon the social, emotional and intellectual foundations which you have laid. Your child will be able to experiment with new activities, explore the possibilities of creativity and grow to love the exhilaration of adventurous play. As well as this they will actively be developing their ideas and exploring the skills needed to communicate them freely in a range of different ways. They will have the opportunity to develop and practice the social skills that are so important for a happy and satisfying life. Your child will learn to respect the rights of others and the value of cooperation while working together on shared goals and investigations.
Children will be able to transition to ACG Parnell Primary school, conveniently located a short walking distance away. The contents of this booklet introduce your family to ACG Parnell Early Learning School.
We will endeavour to prepare your child for school and will also introduce them to the ACG Parnell community where they will make friends and build relationships with the school teaching team. ACG Parnell Early Learning School is licenced for 118 children from three months to five years of age.
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Staff
Settling your child
All staff employed by the Early Learning School hold or are working towards Early Childhood Education qualifications.
The settling process for your child will be discussed at your initial interview with the Early Learning School Manager. A minimum of three transition visits is offered before your child starts. This will give them the time they need to get to know the teachers and the environment before their first day.
Either a Diploma of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) or a Bachelor of Teaching (ECE). Our teachers are all registered with the Education Council. All staff are involved in on going professional development to ensure that they have knowledge of the most recent theory, policy and practice in early childhood education. Child/ Adult ratios exceed the Ministry of Education regulations and our staff are dedicated to providing each child with the highest standard of care and education. All fulltime staff have current First Aid Certificates.
On your child’s first day at Early Learning School we recommend you allow time to settle your child and to familiarise yourself with Early Learning School procedures. On arrival at the Early Learning School you will be met by a member of the teaching team, who will assist you with where to put your child’s things and how to sign in and out each day. Each child in the Early Learning School is allocated a ‘Key Teacher’ for the purposes of providing a safe, secure introduction to the Centre. Your child’s first day at Early Learning School is exciting for them, however for many children it is a first experience of care outside the family home. We encourage all parents to discuss with the Early Learning School manager the most suitable settling-in programme for your child. Your child is welcome to bring a favourite cuddly toy to support them in the settling process. In the long term, however, we do not encourage toys from home as conflict arises in the Early Learning School when toys from home are not able to be shared. 4
Early Learning School hours ACG Parnell Early Learning School operates full day sessions from 7:30am till 6pm each day. The day runs with the children’s needs and routines. The teachers will have a plan that will be based on the current interests from the children and this will be carried out in various blocks throughout the day. Any change to your child’s hours needs to be requested in writing with a minimum of 48 hours’ notice. We aim to accommodate all requests, although this is not always possible. A two-week notice period is required for the termination of any enrolment. This includes changes to enrolments where the number of days are reduced. The Early Learning School is open 50 weeks and is closed statutory holidays and for a two-week period over Christmas and New Year.
Sign-in book It is a Ministry of Education requirement that all children must be signed in and out of Early Learning School each day. The sign-in sheets are located on the table in the reception area within the entrance of the building. Please ensure that everyone picking up your child is aware of this procedure.
Custody and access arrangements Children will only be released from the Early Learning School to the care of parents, guardians or friends who are named on the initial enrolment agreement form, or any authorised amendment. However, should you wish your child to be collected by another adult on any one day, please ensure you inform the manager of this arrangement in writing. If the person picking up your child is not familiar to the Early Learning School team, they will be asked for a photo ID. It is best to advise anyone collecting your child to carry it. Children will not be released unless pick up arrangements have been formalised. Should you have a sudden change of plans during the day, please contact the Manager ASAP to make other arrangements. The Early Learning School also requires a copy of any custody or access documents that relate to your child. All documents will be kept confidential by the manager.
Preschool bags Please purchase for your child a reasonable sized bag so they are able to put their clothes and belongings away with ease. The zip should close over their belongings without a struggle. Please name all schoolbags on the outside front of the bag and in large bold writing to help staff to easily locate bags. 5
Preschool uniform Children over two at ACG Parnell Early Learning School will wear a uniform throughout the year including all excursions. The uniform is practical and comfortable and is available from NZ Uniforms located at 8-12 Railway Street Newmarket. Contact: 09-2815643 or Email: newmarket@nzuniforms.com Their hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. We recommend that parents purchase iron-on labels so that uniforms can be named clearly. It is important that children are able to identify their clothing so they can take responsibility for putting their clothes away. Staff cannot support this process if clothes are not named. All children need at least one change of clothes in their bag. Please ensure these are also named.
Summer uniform: > ACG Parnell polo shirt > Navy shorts > ACG Parnell polo fleece jersey > Sandals > ACG Parnell sunhat > Art smock (optional) * Footwear requirements- Sandals, preferably dark coloured. No Jandals to ensure childrens safety in the playground.
Winter uniform: > ACG Parnell polo shirt (a thermal can be worn underneath) > ACG Parnell polo fleece jersey > Navy Track pants > Shoes > Art smock (optional) *Footwear requirements- Closed toe shoes, preferably dark coloured. 6
Children’s health If your child is unwell, please do not send them to Early Learning School. Children may not be left at the Early Learning School if symptoms of an infectious disease have occurred during the previous forty-eight hours, e.g. diarrhoea, vomiting, skin rash or raised temperature. This is a necessary policy not only to prevent the spread of infection to other children and staff, but also for the health and wellbeing of your child. If your child has been ill, please discuss this with your child’s key teacher. If your child has been infected with any of the childhood diseases (chicken pox etc.) please inform the Manager so other parents can be informed that symptoms may occur. The staff must be informed if your child has any allergies or health problems that may require special consideration and care. It is important that this information is kept up to date within the Early Learning School. Children who become ill during the day will be made comfortable while parents are contacted and arrangement made for immediate collection of their child. Please advise your child’s key teacher if your child is taking medication of any description. If medicine is required to be taken during the day, parents are required to fill out the Medication Book and place the medicine in the kitchen. Please note that Early Learning School can only administer medication that is prescribed for your child. Paracetamol (Pamol) and Ibuprofen (Fenpead or Nurofen) will not be administered to children at the Early Learning School. Should it be deemed that your child needs this to cope with the demands of the Early Learning School day then they are not well enough to attend Preschool. For everyone’s safety please do not leave medication, creams or lotions in your child’s bag. These should be handed to staff.
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Meals Healthy and nutritious morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea will be offered daily at ACG Parnell Early Learning School. Nurture Kids is a dedicated ECE catering company, providing our students with fresh made meals and custom made snacks to meet our children’s specific dietary requirements. Using carefully selected premium ingredients all dishes and snacks are hand made to order to meet daily needs. All menu items are overseen by dietitian and NZ registered nutritionist, Nikki Hart and are freshly delivered on a daily basis. It is important that any particular dietary needs are communicated to the Manager on the first day your child attends the centre for us to better cater for your child’s specific dietary needs. Parents are also asked to supply a labelled water bottle for their child. Please ensure your child brings this to Early Learning School every day. We have a number of children with allergies which require monitoring. ACG Parnell Early Learning School is a peanut-free zone; this includes peanuts and peanut butter, for the protection of these children and those who may not have experienced an allergic reaction to date. ACG Parnell Early Learning School acknowledges that birthday celebrations are important to families. Small cup-cakes or muffins may be provided by parents for these occasions. Other foods such as lollies and chocolate are very high in sugar and fat and they are not recommended for Early Learning School consumption. Staff will take the opportunity to talk to our children about healthy food during these celebration times.
Healthy heart award ACG Parnell Preschool will be actively involved in the ‘Healthy Heart Award’ programme, promoted by NZ Heart Foundation. We really appreciate your assistance in helping us maintain and achieve this by supporting your children with food which is healthy, nutritious and suitable for a growing child. Please feel free to talk to a teacher if you would like any support in encouraging your child to choose and eat healthy alternatives.
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Curriculum We offer the New Zealand Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whariki, inspired by the Reggio Emilia educational philosophy. A structured approach to learning which includes music and drama specialist teaching, will ensure children are well prepared for the next stage of their educational journey–Primary school. We provide flexible, open-ended and activitybased experiences, where learning is often in the form of projects, therefore children have opportunities to explore, observe, hypothesise, question and discuss to clarify their understanding. We introduce children to a love of learning at a young age by creating opportunities for them to explore, experiment, solve problems and express themselves as unique individuals.
Smooth transition to Primary Our expert teachers maintain a rich and stimulating classroom environment where students are challenged to learn and explore to ensure their readiness for school. Children are also taught that respect for others is important. We aim for all our early learning students to become confident and competent learners, communicators and problem solvers. 9
Portfolios
Artwork
Narrative learning stories on your child’s learning and development are written by the teachers to document and celebrate your child’s learning at ACG Parnell Early Learning School. These portfolios are available for you to read within the centre and online by accessing Storypark.
Artwork that is not collected for Portfolios will be placed within each class’ art folders for you to take home. Collecting and displaying your child’s work endorses for them that we value their work.
Portfolios include information on developmental stages, participation in activities and narrative around children’s learning. We actively encourage parent participation within children portfolios as this helps us tailor our program individually for each child. Parent feedback can be anything from comments on learning that has taken place within the centre to providing your own stories from home. Storypark is set up with a comments button which allows you to quickly and easily email things through to us. You are also welcome to discuss your child’s portfolio with us at any time. Should you wish to arrange a time to do this, just let your child’s Key Teacher know.
Excursions ACG Parnell Early Learning School aims to plan regular excursions. Letters will be sent home for these planned excursions along with permission slips for the children. Notification will be given well in advance so that parents have an opportunity to arrange schedules and participate in excursions. Along with outside trips, older children will be provided with valuable learning opportunities at the ACG Parnell Primary School campus. Permission for this is provided within the enrolment form but you will always be advised when an excursion has taken place.
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Visitors and community helpers Visitors to ACG Parnell Early Learning School are also an important part of our programme and are vital for connecting children with the people in our local community. Parents will be advised prior to visitors attending and the programme will prepare children for visits so that they gain optimum benefit from the experience. Once again, parents are welcome to suggest suitable visitors. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to contribute towards our young children’s holistic learning and development by sharing their knowledge and expertise or special talents they may have that are relevant to the learning programme offered at Early Learning School. Please feel free to come and talk to the Manager to see how you may support and extend our children’s learning by working with us, as one team.
Enrolment: To enrol your child at the Early Learning School please complete the ACG Parnell Preschool enrolment agreement form and return it to the centre with a copy of your child’s birth certificate/ passport and immunisation records. Spaces will be confirmed upon payment of the required acceptance fee.
Fees: ACG Parnell Preschool is supported by the Ministry of Education in the form of MOE grants and subsidies. These funds help to provide for our highly qualified staff, staffing ratios and the costs associated with our beautiful centre. Fees charged by the Early Learning School l are included in this handbook. Parents should realise that payment is not required until your child begins attendance at the Early Learning School. At commencement the accounts department will invoice for payment within two weeks.
Newsletters:
Information sharing
Newsletters and Centre news updates on Preschool are circulated regularly by Story Park. These will also be available on the MyACG website and through Parnell Pillars, ACG Parnell College’s online newsletter. Early Learning School’s newsletters will also be displayed within the centre for the public to view.
Absences:
Review:
Staff are onsite from 7.30am. Please let us know as soon as possible if your child is going to be away for any reason. This can be done by calling us on 09-3081656. Alternatively, you can report student absences at acgparnellels@acgedu.com
Civil Defence: In the unlikely event of a Civil Defence emergency, your child may be taken from the Early Learning School to a place of safety. You will be notified of this as soon as possible and notices will be attached to the windows of the Early Learning School to direct you. Your children are our first concern.
Documentation: The following information is available to you to read by the sign in desk at Centre Reception. > Centre Policies > Recent Education Review Office Reports > Education (Early Childhood) Regulations 2008 > Complaints Policy If you are unable to locate what you are looking for please ask a teacher and they will be more than happy to help you.
Parents will be offered the opportunity to contribute to the development and review of the philosophy, policies and procedures at regular intervals. Information on current reviews will be posted on Storypark and any feedback you have can be easily sent through to us by using the comments button. Parental thought and feedback are extremely important to us and help us create an Early Learning School which matches your care and educational aspirations. Parents may also be asked, or may ask to, contribute to ERO reports by speaking with reviewers when they are on site. The Manager will announce to the Early Learning School community when these reviews are scheduled to take place. We look forward to ensuring that your child enjoys their time with ACG Parnell Early Learning School. We hope that you gain satisfaction from watching your child develop and learn in a caring, fun and safe educational environment. If you at any time need more information, please speak with the Manager. Jane Dixon Manager ACG Parnell Early Learning School 09-3081656 11
Early Learning School
0800 222 877 | parnellcollege.acgedu.com/els /groups/ACGParnellELS 12
