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The Beehive
The Beehive
Our Policies
Footsteps Community Preschool has a full-day license to cater for 25 children granted by the Ministry of Education according to the Early Childhood Education Curriculum Framework and 2008 Licensing Criteria.
Please inform Preschool staff in advance if your child will be absent from the Preschool. In case of illness please phone office staff as early as possible on the day of absence. If your child is absent for a period of 15 consecutive days, all funding will be removed from your child’s account and could also result in a loss of the child’s position on the roll. To avoid this, please notify us of any extended absences.
As I am doing, I am learning. Because I do not always take something home does not mean I have not been busy. There are things for me to discover and explore, like nature, blocks, the family corner, sand and puzzles, and I learn through all these activities because I want to and it is fun. I may get dirty, wet or even a little hurt, while I am finding out about things – but if I make a discovery, it's been worth it!
Curriculum Assessment & Planning
Physical Activity
God made each child unique and we love to celebrate their lives. Acknowledgement of your child’s birthday will occur as close to your child’s birth date as possible when they will receive a card and be prayed for in an extra special way. We encourage parents to participate. During the graduation ceremony if you wish to provide a small giveaway for each child, non-food items such as pencils, bookmarks, stickers etc are preferred as this is in keeping with our healthy food policy.
Healthy Lifestyle Practises
Settling and Transition
A Work and Income (WINZ) childcare subsidy may be available for children under 3 years who are attending at least three hours per week. Children 3 years and over who are receiving the 20 free hours funding may also be eligible for this subsidy if they are attending longer hours. Please discuss with our Administrator or Manager who will explain the criteria and have the relevant application forms.
Fees Statement
For your child’s protection we must know in advance if someone else is collecting your child. Please inform sthe Office and their name will be added to the child's official record so that staff can safely release your child. These procedures will be strictly adhered to, as the safety of your child is paramount.
Child Collection
Children have a right to have their needs met in a safe, supportive and nurturing environment; it is our role to provide such an environment. Any barriers or threats to child safety will be taken seriously and dealt with in a timely and appropriate manner.
Access for Non Custodial parentChild Protection
Response to Suspected Child Abuse
In the case of a civil defence emergency, staff will remain with the children until the last child has been collected. Information will be placed on the Preschool door if we are evacuated. Regular fire and earthquake drills will occur each term so children will know the procedures.
Health and Safety Policy
We provide many new experiences at the Preschool, so please dress your children in appropriate clothing that is well named. Check lost property daily as children seldom recognize their own clothing. Please provide a spare change of clothes including underclothing for your child, plus a plastic bag in which to put wet or soiled clothes.
If you have a complaint about a staff, Trust or Management Committee member, please approach that person in a caring Christian manner to try to solve the problem. If this is not satisfactory, a meeting between those involved will be organized to work to an agreeable solution. (Please refer to the Compliance statements displayed on the notice board, or the Complaints Procedures document in the Operations Manual in the foyer).
Complaints Procedure
Trips are an extension of our programme. You will be notified of planned excursions into the community. A signed consent form is required for your child to be able to attend. Excursions may incur additional costs and parental help is required for safety. These trips are included in our programme:
To link community with the Preschool
To expose our children to different experiences
To bring living and learning together
To explore our own environment
To stimulate questions and receive satisfying answers
To gain information that we can use while we are creating
To extend our knowledge, experience, thinking and language
To have fun
Curriculum Assessment & Planning
Health and Safety Policy
Fees are payable every two weeks. Payments can be made by eft-pos, automatic payment or internet banking. Overdue fees will incur interest. For early and late casual care between the hours of 8.30am - 9.00am and 3.00pm - 3.30pm there will be an additional charge equivalent to an extra half hour of their normal hourly rate. Unarranged late pick-ups incur a $5 late fee for every 15 minutes on top of the normal hourly rate.
All accounts are required to be kept up to date. Any accounts left unpaid for more than two weeks may result in the loss of the child’s position on the roll. Regular booked hours will be charged regardless of whether your child is absent, arrives late or is collected early. We require two weeks’ notice of termination of booking otherwise two weeks fees will be charged.
Enrolment Procedure
Fees Statement
Implementation of our Enrolment Policy
Children who are staying over the lunch period will be required to bring a healthy lunch in labelled container and a drink bottle filled with water only. Treats like chocolates, lollies, rollups, twisties, cheezels, rashuns, dairy food, sugary muesli bars etc and juice should be saved for home. Our fridge is available for you to store any food that needs refrigeration. Please make sure it is named and inform your child’s teacher. We are unable to cook food but we are able to re-heat any food required for lunch.
Health and Safety PolicyHealthy Lifestyle Practises
As a licensed early childhood Preschool, we receive funding through the Ministry of Education. This money, along with parent fees, childcare subsidies and administration charges is used to pay for staff wages and training, admin expenses, art supplies and new equipment. We value your support with fundraising.
Financial Management
We welcome your attendance any time, for part of, or a complete session. Your child will enjoy your company but please remember they may have difficulty in sharing your time with others. A Parent Notice Board is available and occasional meetings or workshops will be held to discuss topics of interest. If you have any questions or concerns about your child, and teachers are busy during the session, please make an appointment. We will be pleased to meet with you during or after the session. Our aim is to work together with parents for the best education for each child.
Communication Procedure
A visual record of your child’s learning and exploration during their time at Preschool will be developed in the form of a portfolio. These Portfolio folders show the unique 'Footsteps' of your child on their journey through the early years. The learning stories and observations will be linked to Te Whāriki, the Early Childhood Curriculum. An annual $48 ($12 per term) charge will be made to cover folder and printing costs. This will be included on your account at the beginning of each term.
Curriculum Assessment & Planning
At all times children will be treated with respect and dignity and encouraged by use of positive reinforcement. A child will be helped to resolve unacceptable behaviour in a peaceful way, then encouraged to return to some meaningful activity. Prayer will be used as appropriate. Continuing unacceptable behaviour will result in consultation with parents, so that together we can decide on the best management strategies, so the child’s character development remains positive.
Positive Guidance
Planning is initiated by staff observations and evaluations of an individual child or group of children or by what is happening in the community. Regular observations and evaluations will be completed.
The group time programme will be based on the Bible, will promote Christian principles, and will be linked to current interests.
The programme will provide active learning experiences, and challenges to meet the needs of individual children.
The national early childhood Te Whāriki curriculum and current theories in early childhood will be acknowledged.
Curriculum Assessment & PlanningTreaty of Waitangi
Whenever possible, we encourage parents/ caregivers to spend time settling your child in the Preschool. Children will be required to attend three free visits prior to commencement date to help them become familiar with the environment, staff and routines. A parent, or an adult of the parents’ choice, will need to supervise the child for the duration of these visits.
Settling and Transition
Staff members employed at this Preschool are selected for their Christian commitment, integrity, patience and personal qualities of warmth and a love of children. They are qualified in the education field and are committed to continuing education. The classroom has a Lead Teacher who is responsible for leading the teaching team. In co-operation with the team they will oversee the planning, curriculum development, room environment and Christian character implementation.
Personnel Policy
The NZ sun is known to be very harsh and sunburn during childhood can increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life. We want to protect our children from the sun in practical ways that allow them freedom to play and explore. As well as providing shade areas we have a STRICT hat policy during the summer months, terms 1 and 4. Your child must have a named hat to wear during these terms that will be kept at preschool. Please also apply sunblock to your children prior to them arriving at preschool in the summer months. If necessary this may be reapplied by the teachers.
Health and Safety Policy
The Footsteps Preschool is governed by the Footsteps Early Education Trust which oversees the Preschool Management Team made up of annually elected members, including reps from the Preschool staff, parents and from the Papatoetoe Seventh-day Adventist Community Church. The Management Team’s role is to provide leadership and guidance, and to initiate, plan and implement the licensing criteria, special character, policies, curriculum and administration requirements.
Governance and Management
Internal Evaluation
Record Retention
In the course of a Preschool day there are many visitors including parents and whanau, trade persons, educational support, students and sales people that will interact with the staff and children in some capacity. Children’s safety and wellbeing will be the primary priority when granting visitor access.
Visitors to the Preschool
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