Kindergarten Orientation

Kindergarten Orientation Overview

1. "TRANSITION TO SCHOOL ACTIVITY MORNINGS WITH BOTH PARENT AND CHILD" – TERM 3
These 4 morning activity sessions will be held for parents in September.

The purpose of these early transition visits is to familiarise you and your child with the "big school" environment, visiting the Kindergarten classrooms, the school library and the playground. During the 4 sessions, The stage 1 Assistant Principal will conduct story time sessions, getting to know each other activities as well as craft and games activities. This is a wonderful opportunity for us all to get to know each other especially the children, with the support and comfort of Mum or Dad attending as well.

2."GETTING TO KNOW YOU" INTERVIEW WITH BOTH PARENT AND CHILD – TERM 3

This session will be held in September in the school administartion block.

The stage 1 Assistant Principal and kindergarten staff will interview you and your child to help us get to know him/her and to answer any questions you might have.

3. KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION PROGRAM – TERM 4

Conducted over three sessions at the beginning of term 4.

Kindergarten 2011students will meet their buddies [Year 5 2011 students] during the visits to the classroom and participate in Early Learning Activities with their buddies and some 2010 Kindergarten students. Early stage 1 staff will lead these early learning activities with our new students.
Parents are encouraged to attend each information session and participate in activities that will inform you about the Kindergarten curriculum, school uniform, school routines and organisation as well as introduce you to the school librarian – Mrs Riding, the school counsellor – Mrs Allen and representatives from the P&C and School Council. Parent sessions will be held in the school hall.

Year 5 - Kindergarten Buddies

Purpose

To ensure a smooth start to school for kindergarten children and parents Guidelines Year 4 children are paired up with kindergarten enrolments for the kindergarten orientation usually held in November the Year 4 children then become the kinder's buddies when they enrol the following January.

Duties

To meet with the Kindergarten child upon their arrival at school
To eat and play with the child ensuring they know where the toilets are and when to use them
To show the kinder children how to play safely, properly and cooperatively in the correct places

Kindergarten - The first year at school

Children may be enrolled in Kindergarten if they turn five before 1st August in the year of enrolment and if they are enrolled by the end of Term 2. Kindergarten enrolments cannot be accepted after Term 2. Children must be enrolled in school by the age of 6.

The decision as to whether or not to enrol your child in Kindergarten is often difficult if your child does not turn five until well into the year. So, parents need to decide whether their child is mature and self-reliant enough and socially ready for school.

The best idea is to discuss your child with the Principal if you have any doubts. A wise decision now may save problems later in your child's schooling.

How and when to enrol

Each year a Kindergarten orientation program is held to inform parents about school policy and to acquaint the children with school routines and the classrooms.

A letter is sent to parents who are enrolling children telling them about the orientation program well in advance. All Kindergarten children begin school at the start of the school year.

Parents will need to show proof of age for their children when enrolling them. A birth certificate or extract that shows full name and birth date is acceptable, also and Immunisation History Statement from your doctor or hospital.

Kindergarten

Being ready for school – does your child...

Know his/her name, address and phone number well enough to repeat them when asked?
Recognise his/her printed name?
Have a handkerchief and know how to use it correctly?
Know that hands should be washed before meals and after visiting the toilet?
Know how to use and flush the toilet without help?
Know how to tie and untie shoe laces?
Communicate their needs to others?
Participate in group names?
Demonstrate the ability to hold and use pencils and scissors?
Unwrap and eat lunch independently?
Sit in a group and listen to a story?
Follow simple directions?

How a parent can help the kindergarten child

Talk to your child about school. Go for walks past the school where he/she will meet new friends, play games, sing and make things.
Teach your child how to put on and do up shoes.
Buy clothes that are easy to manage. The buttons and button holes should be large. Coats and pullovers should have large loops so that they are easy to hang up.
Label CLEARLY, with FULL NAME, ALL possessions your child will take to school, eg. Raincoat, hat, jacket, pullover, bag, lunch box, plastic bottle.
Send your child to school on time, each and every day if possible. Kindergarten children need to be at school by 8.45am each morning and no earlier than 8.30am.
Give your child simple duties around the home. This will help to foster confidence in the performance of small tasks.
Allow your child to stay with relatives or friends for short periods so that he/she will accept the fact that it is not always possible to stay with parents.
Encourage your child by admiring work when it is brought home. Give paintings and handiwork a place of honour for a few days at least. Give praise for any merit awards received. This will increase their confidence and self esteem.
Select suitable stories, picture books, radio and television programs for your child.
Prepare your child for reading
Read to your child every day
Provide your child with his/her own collection of books
Encourage a positive attitude for learning

Safety on the street

Please ensure that your child knows the safety rules for crossing the street. Be sure your child knows how to conduct himself/herself on our busy streets.

Show him/her how to cross the streets and roads with safety

Look both ways before you cross the street
Use a pedestrian crossing whenever possible
Walk smartly across the street; do not run
Take special care when you get off the bus, wait till the bus moves before you cross the street
Don't step out from behind parked cars or buses
Play games in safe places away from the street
Where there is no footpath, walk on the right-hand side of the street facing traffic
Learn road signs and signals

Warn your child

To always go straight home after school
NOT TO Loiter on the way home
NOT TO Visit friends without permission
NOT TO Go anywhere with strangers