Information for Parents

Things to remember

• Please name clothing and bags.
• Pack a change of clothing.
• Phone or text us if your child is sick and unable to attend.
• Collect your child’s artwork.
• Return toys accidentally taken home.
• Don’t be late arriving or after preschool has finished at 1pm.
• Just you and your child leave preschool through the gate.
• We are open during school terms.

Parents/whanau, you are always welcome here!

The bag

The size of your child’s back pack is important. It really helps your child if their bag is big enough to carry their:

• change of clothes
• sunhat
• water bottle
• morning tea box
• lunch box.

Coming and going

• Make sure you are always on time, and sign in with the actual time that your child arrives.
• Children need to attend every day they are enrolled for unless they are sick. This, as well as being on time, is a requirement for your child’s funding.
• Always say goodbye to your child when you leave.
• If you are waiting for a session to finish, you are welcome to sit on the mat with your child or chat quietly with other parents/whanau on the deck.
• Please don’t be late collecting your child. It’s not nice being the only kid left sitting on the mat!

Eating time

Morning tea ideas:

• Fresh or dried fruit e.g. raisins,
• Crackers and cheese
• Small muffins
• Homemade popcorn

+ Plus water in a bottle (not a carton)

Lunch box ideas

• Small sandwiches – triangles or rolled up, pita bread
• Vegetables :celery, capsicum or carrot sticks, small tomatoes,
• Hard boiled eggs
• Pot of yogurt
• Fresh fruit

+ Plus water in a bottle (not a carton)

An unwell child?

Please check with us if you are worried that your child may not be well enough to attend.
Sometimes sores and sneezes are a reason to stay home. Sometimes they are not. It always pays to check. Give us a call or a text.

Celebrations

• If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday at preschool, we suggest that a plain cake is much better at this age than a fancy cake which can be tricky for preschoolers.
• Graduating from preschool: Your child may like to give each of the other children a single treat for example, a balloon, a pencil or a lollipop.

Portfolios

Portfolios record children’s current learning and plan their next steps. Each of our children has their own portfolio. This is a record of their learning. It includes:

• photos
• art work
• learning stories
• parent education articles.

You can look at your child’s portfolio at any time.

Keep up to date

• As you enter our preschool, you will find Our Current Learning Focus on the front desk. This and Our Daily Whiteboard will help you to catch up on activities, important notices and events.
• Inside, we have a Parents’ Notice Board with current news, timetables and information on any hazards. We also have a Parent/Whanau Library.
• These services offer a way of keeping communication going with parents/whanau for the benefit of the children.

Puzzled?

• If your child starts singing a song or reciting a poem which you can’t understand just ask the teachers to explain!
• If your child is puzzled by something at preschool and tells you about it, please let us know and we will sort it out.