We offer a number of programs and services to support your child’s early years learning.
Preschool program
Preschool eligibility
All children are entitled to access at least one year of preschool. All children are entitled to 15 hours per week of preschool, the year before they start school.
Start dates
- If your child turns 4 before 1st May, they can start preschool at the beginning of term 1.
- If your child turns 4 between 1st May and 31st October, they can start preschool in term 3 of that same year.
- Children who turn 4 on 1st November to 30th April can start the following year.
If your child is Aboriginal or in care they are eligible to access 12 hours of preschool after they turn 3.
Times
Sessions run every Tuesday and Thursday and alternate Fridays.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
---|---|---|---|---|
– | 8.30am to 3.00pm | – | 8.30am to 3.00pm |
8.30am to 3.00pm alternate weeks |
Fees
Our parent contribution is $85 per term. See our enrolment and fees page for more information.
What to bring
Children need to bring these items each day:
- bag
- hat
- change of clothes
- drink bottle containing water
- a piece of fruit for shared fruit time
- packed lunch
- a big smile.
Please write your child’s name on all their belongings.
What not to bring
Children should not bring these things:
- unhealthy food or drink (lollies, chocolate, chips, fizzy drinks)
- toys from home.
Morning snack and Lunch time
Morning snack generally occurs around 10.00am and lunch around 12.00pm. We follows the Right Bite Strategy which encourages healthy eating.
We ask families to pack a healthy snack which could include:
- fruit and vegetables
- cheese and crackers
- yoghurt
- muffin etc.
Lunches could include:
- sandwiches
- wraps
- crackers
- vegetables
- yoghurt.
The children all sit together to eat their morning snack. Staff sit with the children and supervise them while they are eating.
Lunches are stored inside on a shelf. Cool packs to place inside lunch boxes are recommended. If children are hungry in the afternoon, they can access their lunch box and choose something to eat.
We ask that children come to kindy with a labelled drink bottle with water inside. If a drink bottle becomes empty, we are able to refill a child’s drink bottle.
Bus service
Your child may be able to access the Meningie Area School bus service. Approval is required from the school and is subject to availability. Please contact the school for more information.
Playgroup
Playgroup is an interactive, fun opportunity for children and families and caregivers to play and learn together. Playgroup is currently organised and run by parents for children from ages 0 to 5 years old.
Membership is affiliated with Playgroup SA.
Times
Playgroup is held on Wednesday’s from 10.00am to 12.00pm at the Kindy.
Cost
$1.00 per week for children aged one.
$2.00 per week for children aged two and over.
This is paid on the day.
What to bring
Children need to bring these items each day:
- a piece of fruit for shared fruit time
- hat
- drink bottle containing water.
Transition to school
Our transition program helps your child become familiar with Meningie Area School and their new teacher in the term before they start school. Before your child starts school we will meet with you to discuss their transition and your child's reception teacher will visit our kindergarten. Your child will start visiting the school 1 day a week for 4 weeks in their last term of kindy.
Times
School visits will take place on Thursdays and will start at 8.45am. Each visit will be extended until your child spends a full day at school in the fourth week of transition. As the length of these visits and the weeks in which they take place can vary slightly each year, we will discuss your child's individual schedule with you at the time.
Cost
Included in your parent contribution.
What to bring
Children need to bring these items each day:
- bag
- hat
- change of clothes
- drink bottle containing water
- a piece of fruit or healthy snack
- packed lunch.
Communication
We believe that clear communication is the key to developing strong relationships between families, children, and staff. Children have a named pocket that all notices, newsletters, receipts, term planners etc will be placed in at the end of the day. Please check this regularly. Children are also given a communication book which can be used to write notes to parents or parents to inform staff of any necessary information. Every morning and afternoon a notice is written on the daily whiteboard communicating families about special events or learning experiences that have happened during the day. Bus families will get a photo of the board sent to them each morning and afternoon. Emails will often be sent to families and text messages sent from the Kindy mobile phone are another form of communication. You are welcome to come and chat with educators about any areas of concern, ideas, or questions you may have.
Program
We support families to be involved in contributing to the programs offered in our kindy. We value your contributions and encourage you to be actively involved in your child’s learning. Our program evolves around children’s interests, weekly observations, and parent input and educator reflection. We reflect daily on our program ensuring we are meeting each individual child’s needs. Each child has their own learning journal which is a collection of their learning during their time at kindy. We encourage families to regularly look at these journals with their child as they show each child’s individual progression of learning. The journals are sent home at the end of the year.
Washing Roster
We have a roster for parents to assist us with the Kindy washing. This is usually once per term and requires you to wash and fold the art smocks and tea towels in preparation for the next kindy week.
Working Bees
During the year we have Working Bee at the Kindy. These are to assist with a general tidy up and maintaining the kindy yard. These usually occur once or twice per year. It is fantastic if you can offer your time to help us as many hands can get the jobs done much faster!
Policies
We have a range of policies and procedures for our site. These aim to support the wellbeing and development of children, families, staff and other kindy community members using our site. Please ask staff if you would like to view or ask questions about any policy or procedure.