We offer a number of programs and services to support your child’s early years learning.
Preschool
We invite you to join the governing council, which meets twice a term to make sure the centre runs smoothly. Read through what a governing council does and speak to us to register your interest.
When your child can start preschool
Your child is entitled to access 4 terms (1 year) of government preschool in the year before they start school.
We are introducing a mid-year intake into preschool. This means from 2023 children who turn 4:
- before 1 May are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of the year.
- on 1 May to 31 October can start preschool through the mid-year intake at the beginning of term 3 of that year.
Regardless of whether your child starts at the beginning of the year, or through a mid-year intake they will undertake 4 terms of preschool.
If your child turns 4 after 31 October they can start preschool at the beginning of the following year.
If you are uncertain about the best time for your child to start preschool or feel your child may benefit from starting preschool later, please talk to us about your options.
If your child is Aboriginal or under guardianship (in care) they are eligible for 12 hours of preschool after they turn 3. They will then be eligible for 15 hours per week of preschool in the year before they start school.
Early entry
If you have a child with disability or additional needs, they might be able to start preschool earlier if there are places available. Talk to us if this applies to you. Being given early entry to preschool does not guarantee early entry to school.
Enrolling your child
You can register your interest to enrol your child with us by using the preschool registration of interest form. This form is also available from us.
Try to register your interest by 30 June, but you can do this any time during the year.
Priority will be given to children living in our catchment area. If you don’t live in our catchment area you should indicate at least 2 other preschool options on your form.
To find out more and enrol your child please contact the centre via phone or pop in for a yarn.
If we can give your child a place with us we’ll send you an offer letter in term 3. You can accept the offer by filling in and sending back the acceptance slip by the due date.
Before your child starts
We will contact you in September to confirm attendance at an orientation session, usually held in term 4. This will be a 1-hour session where you can ask questions.
Fees
We ask you to contribute towards the cost of your child attending preschool.
The parent contribution is $400 per year. You can choose to pay the total amount at the beginning of the year or pay $100 each term.
When to pay
We will invoice you in term 1 via your child's pigeon hole.
Payments are due by the end of term 1.
Please contact us if you are having difficulty paying.
How to pay
Cash or cheque
You can pay cash, cheque or EFTPOS at the centre reception.
EFT information
You can pay by direct deposit.
BSB: 065 505
Account number: 00901798
Please put your child’s full name as the reference.
Preschool session times
Your child can attend preschool for up to 15 hours per week.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9.00am to 3.00pm | – | 9.00am to 3.00pm | – | 9.00am to 3.00pm odd weeks |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | 9.00am to 3.00pm | – | 9.00am to 3.00pm | 9.00am to 3.00pm even weeks |
What to bring
Your child needs to bring these items each day:
- bag
- broad-brimmed, legionnaire or sun-safe hat (without chin straps)
- change of clothes
- a piece of fruit
- packed lunch in a sandwich box (sandwich only or traditional food).
Your fees cover additional snacks provided during the day (morning snack and after-lunch snack).
Kindy t-shirts, jackets and hats are for sale at reception.
Please write your child’s name on all their belongings, including socks and shoes.
What not to bring
Your child should not bring these things:
- unhealthy food or drink (lollies, chocolate, chips, fizzy drinks)
- any processed or packaged food items
- toys from home.
From time to time there may be children attending who have anaphylactic reactions to specific food. We will tell you if this affects what food you can give your child to bring.
Bus service
A bus service is provided for families who qualify. You will need to chat with the centre director to confirm whether you qualify.
Occasional care
Occasional care is for children under school age who aren’t in any other early childhood education and care programs, such as preschool, childcare or family day care. It promotes young children’s development by giving them access to high-quality early childhood education.
It may help parents to take part in a range of activities including non-work and casual work commitments.
Priority of access
The education department has a priority of access policy to decide who can get into occasional care. This might mean that some families get more sessions than others.
Talk to us about enrolling in occasional care.
Cost
This program costs $5 per session and $2.50 for siblings.
If you have an Australian Government Pensioner Concession or Health Care Card, the cost is $1.50 per session and 75 cents for siblings.
Occasional care session times
Children generally can go to 1 session a week.
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | 9.00am to 11.45am or 12.30pm to 3.15pm | 9.00am to 11.45am |
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| – | – | – | 9.00am to 11.45am or 12.30pm to 3.15pm | 9.00am to 11.45am |
What to bring
Your child needs to bring these items each day:
- bag
- broad-brimmed, legionnaire or sun-safe hat (without chin straps)
- change of clothes
- nappies if required
- drink bottle containing water
- healthy snack
- a comforter if required.
Please write your child’s name on all their belongings, including socks and shoes.
Playgroup
Playgroup is an interactive, fun opportunity for children and parents to play and learn together. Playgroups are usually supported by an early childhood professional who will give support, information and advice about children’s health, learning and development.
Bush hoppers playgroup
Bush hoppers playgroup is an interactive, fun opportunity for children and parents to play and learn together. Playgroups are usually supported by an early childhood professional who will give support, information and advice about children’s health, learning and development.
Locations may change throughout the term, check our facebook page for details.
Times
You can attend our bush hoppers playgroup every Tuesday each week of term 1 from 9.30am at the Avoca Dell Reserve.
What to bring
You need to bring these things:
- a snack to share
- a water bottle
- hat
- walking shoes.
Additional information
For more details contact us or see our bush hoppers playgroup information.