Questions often asked by families...
We believe we've comprehensively answered most questions asked by families, so we would appreciate you taking the take time to read so that you are well informed about our service. We will be happy to answer any additional questions you may have.
Can I visit The Children's Preschool?
Yes, we look forward to meeting you and your child.
We welcome you and your child to view our beautiful program. There’s a few things you need to know beforehand.
The TCP team are hands on in the education and care program with the children daily.
If you wish to place your child on the TCP waiting list, we ask that you attend a ‘Parent Tour’.
Parent Tours are an informative way to get to know our school. They are held weekly Monday, Tuesday and Friday. During this time you will have the opportunity to meet and talk with the TCP team, see the children in their learning environment, meet like minded parents visiting and perhaps chat with a current family member. Book your 'Parent Tour'.
We ask that you prepare for your visit at TCP by reading this website and by viewing our TCP Facebook page.
The best way to contact us is via email at info@thechildrenspreschool.com.au or via our Facebook page during business hours and one of our friendly team members will respond as soon as possible.
The Nitty gritty stuff
How much is the daily fee? $85
How many children attend daily? 39 children each day.
What are the ages of the children that attend? Children are aged 3 years to 5 years.
What time does the centre open and close? 8:00am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday.
How many weeks is the centre open? 49 weeks
When do you close?
We close for 3 weeks, during the holiday period from December to January.
What are the educator to child ratios?
In NSW the ratios for children aged 3 years to 5 years are 1 educator : 10 children. We aim tooffer above the national requirement for educator to child ratios.
Are the educators qualified?
All educators hold either a Certificate III, Diploma in Early Education or a University Degree in Early Childhood.
How long has the centre been open?
The Children's Preschool has been open since February 2015. However, the service and building has a long history in Glenhaven and was established in 1998.
Is the Child Care Subsidy available?
Yes, The Children's Preschool is an 'Approved Service'. Families are responsible for organising their own Child Care Subsidy (CCS) through Centrelink to receive these benefits. Click to see if you are eligible here
Do I have to pay for sick days or when my child is on holidays?
Yes, Fees are payable for everyday of your child's enrolment, including sick days and holidays.
Do I have to pay for Public Holidays?
Yes, Families are required to pay for everyday of their child's enrolment, including Public Holidays. Centrelink provides for 42 allowable absences per year, inclusive of Public Holidays. As a courtesy, if your child's enrolled day falls on a Public Holiday, TCP will offer you a make up day.
Can my child attend one day of preschool?
Our 'Attendance Policy' is that children attend a minimum of 2 days per week, with one of these days being either a Monday or Friday. This enables children to develop confidence in the educational program and build secure relationships with peers and educators.
What days do you have available?
Our attendance patterns are as follows:
Monday, Tuesday
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
Thursday, Friday
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
This offers children consistency and predictability to engage in the learning program with those children who share the same day and develop relationships.
Do I have to provide food?
Yes, families provide lunch and afternoon tea for their children. TCP fosters a "Nude Food Policy" and will guide you in ensuring healthy nutrtious and enviornmentally friendly meals and water is provided.
How do I dress my child for school?
Children need to be dressed appropriately for gardening, painting, physical activity e.g. yoga, aerobic exercise, dancing, painting, water, cooking, sand and mud exploration. We suggest sun safe clothing e.g. shorts and t-shirt, for all children. Your child will be provided with a TCP hat on their first day.
In Summer, pack sun safe swim wear, a towel and wet pack.
In Winter, your child should dress in layers, have a big warm parker and gumboots.
Children will play in all types of weather, including rain. Please ensure a raincoat is packed daily.
What if I do not want my child to get dirty or have paint on their clothes?
Your child will get dirty in their play. It is unavoidable. Research in the early years supports children's engagement with water, mud, clay, sand, gardening, playdough, cooking and paint for their mental well being and development. Our environment provides opportunities for children to choose their experiences independently. Paint smocks are available but children may forget to wear them.
Is there a planned educational program?
Yes, the school program is play based. Children will engage in a range of intentionally planned, spontaneous and child led, inquiry from 9am to 3pm.
These include:
Australian Culture Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies
Environmental studies Biology, Life Science
Earth Science
Physical Science
Technology
Mathematics
Engineering
Literacy (reading and writing)
Creative Art (Dance, Drawing
Socio-Dramatic play
Painting, Sculpture, Designing
We equip children with knowledge to develop their social and emotional intelligence through our play based program that centres around empowering children with life skills to reduce, reuse, recycle, repair be respectful, be responsible and engage in reflection. Incorporated daily are conversations and experiences in nutrition, physical health, fitness and nurturing the children's mental well being.
What School Readiness (Transition to School) activities do you provide?
Transition to school encompasses the subject areas stated above in our educational program. Transition to school is much more than a child being academically ready. Children's social and emotional development should be at the forefront of determining a child's transition to school. Our educators will work with each family and child closely as they prepare for their journey into the schooling years. We want to ensure that your child is happy, confident and loves to learn.
Will my child learn to write?
Your child will learn to write but first they need to have lots of other things happen, like strong fine motor muscles in their fingers for writing and hand eye coordination. They will go through stages of mark making in their drawing development, scribbles, lines, shapes, a person and many more creative drawings. Drawing is the first step towards writing. Each child will develop in their own time.
Do the children spend much time outdoors?
Our program is guided by the weather and children are able to access the indoor and outdoor program from 8:00am to 4:30pm. Our school playground offers lots of learning potential. Firstly, it is a most beautiful and serene natural play space. Every day in the garden provides some form of new learning with the seasons, weather, the plant life and the living creatures that inhabit our shared land. Weather permitting we will spend most of our time outdoors, varied only by the seasons and in response to temperature, wind, bush fires, smoke and electrical/hail storms. We will guide you to dress your child appropriately for play in all types of weather.
My child has an additional need. What support do you offer?
We may be able to access support through the NSW Inclusion Agency to ensure that your child is included in every aspect of the daily program. We can also assist you with referrals to allied health practitioners and early intervention specialists.
Do the staff have first aid training?
Yes. All staff have a current First Aid Certificate, current CPR Certificate and current certification in Asthma, Allergies and Anaphylaxis.
How do you cater for children with allergies?
We are an 'Allergy Aware' centre. Educators apply a risk management plan in collaboration with families to ensure every child's health and safety. A very important step in our plan is educating all the children how to keep each other safe and we provide every child with the necessary knowledge and they are skilled at caring for their friends.
How will TCP communicate with me about my child's day?
We use a digital platform called 'Kinderloop’. It is an app, which enables conversations between TCP and you our family, that is safe, secure, effective and accessible through any smart device or pc. Reflections, observations and evaluation of our programs are published for families to read, respond to and share.
The most important question is.... What are your hopes and dreams for your child's early school experience?