Parent Information
Eligibility for Preschool
Government preschools have two major enrolment intakes each year, beginning and mid-year, where children are eligible to access 4 terms of their full preschool entitlement (15 hours per week).
Where children start preschool in the mid-year intake, they are eligible to begin reception mid-year the following year and undertake 6 terms of reception. See starting school for more detail.
If you’re uncertain about the best time for your child to attend preschool, or feel your child may benefit from starting preschool later, talk to our preschool director about your options.
Preschool Starting Ages
| Child | Age of Child | Eligibility |
| Aboriginal children and children who are or have been in care | From date of 3rd birthday | Eligible to start 15 hours per week at any time, not limited to major enrolment intakes. |
| All children | Turn 4 years of age before 1 May of that year | Eligible to start 15 hours per week from term 1 of the same year (intake 1). |
| All children | Turn 4 years of age between 1 May and 31 October of that year | Eligible to start 15 hours per week from term 3 of the same year (intake 2). |
| All children | Turn 4 years of age after 31 October of thaty year | Eligible to start 15 hours per week from term 1 of the following year (intake 1). |
Aboriginal children and children who have been or are in care, are eligible to attend preschool after their 3rd birthday. In these circumstances, a child may be enrolled at any time after their 3rd birthday and attend a preschool program for an average of 15 hours per week. Their entitlement of 15 hours per week is not limited to 4 terms and can continue up to the child’s 6th birthday.
Children with Disability or Additional Needs
If you have a child with disability or additional needs they might be able to start preschool earlier, for a reduced number of hours, if there are places available. Talk to the director if this applies to you. Contact your local preschool to discuss if your child is eligible for the state wide Preschool Support program. For more information see The child may attend preschool for up to 6 hours per week in the term prior to the child starting their eligible preschool year. Children accessing early entry may be eligible to access appropriate Student Support Services.
Immunisation Requirements Before Starting Preschool
Children cannot be enrolled in or attend preschool unless all immunisation requirements are met (No Jab, No Play).
Early childhood services immunisation requirements has more information.
Session Times
- 8:15am 3:45pm Monday – Thursday
PLEASE NOTE NO SESSION ON FRIDAY
We have two groups:
- Koalas – Monday and Tuesday
- Kookaburras – Wednesday and Thursday
We believe that continuity for children in terms of friendship groups are pivotal to their wellbeing and supports staff to organise teaching and learning programs.
Costs
$200.00 a term, payable by direct bank transfer which includes lunch care, all excursions, fundraising levy as well as materials and a small contribution toward utilities and the maintenance of kindergarten.
Playgroup
Welcome to Playgroup!
Here is some information to help you and your child as you attend our Playgroup.
Playgroup fees are:
A gold coin donation each visit. Your Playgroup Coordinators are:
- Charmaine Suares Howard
- Jenny Goodwin
Our playgroup is very popular , if you are interested in attending, please do call and we will put you on our waiting list. We do have a priority of attendance for families in our local area and children transitioning to our kindergarten.
Playgroup runs from 9.30am – 11.30am fortnightly on FRIDAYS during school terms, please bring one piece of fruit for each child for shared snack time.
Playgroup at Paradise is a great transition if you are thinking about attending Paradise Kindergarten. Please notify your playgroup coordinator if you are unable to attend a session, tea and coffee is available. Enjoy your time at Playgroup!
Recognition and Awards
We believe that children explore their world through play and extending children’s engagement with Mathematics that is meaningful and hands is part of our curriculum. Every year since 2019, we engage with The Primary Mathematics challenge and have been award winners in the preschool category. Some of our explorations are ” Map my world” , “Garden to plate” “Numeracy and cooking” , “Mathematics, Movement and Dance”.
Accepting our 2023 award from Blair Boyer MP. Minister for Education, Training and Skills
The one about the nomination of for Excellence in Collaborative Partnerships award can have a caption .
“Paradise Kindergarten was nominated for ‘Excellence in Collaborative partnerships’, for our work with The Campbelltown Council to ensure child voice is visible in ‘planning around play’ within the local community . We have hosted ‘Street play’ as well as other community initiatives like ‘Play in the Park’ to connect with communities and families.
Music and the Connections to learning
Since 2021 Paradise kindergarten has engaged with Music Education Strategies and in 2022, we were asked to share how we engaged families and children through Music and movement and made the links to literacy, numeracy and self regulation. Using research based evidence and professional learning for educators with the Department for Education Music Education strategy, we shared our journey at ‘Leaders day 2022’ . Music continues to be part of our pedagogical practices. The image is a small snippet of a playful Musical Composition by Charlotte titled ” Caterpillar Caterpillar run away from the Bird”.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I bring to the Kindergarten?
- A kindergarten bag with a spare change of clothes.(We offer and encourage messy/sensory play)
- A hat even in winter as we check the U.V and wear hats when required
- A drink bottle to be placed in your child’s locker. (Water only, no fruit drinks cordial etc.)
- Lunch box placed in the square cubbies
- Two serves of fruit/veg for snack time
- PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING WITH YOUR CHILD’S NAME
What does my child need for lunch?
- Healthy options like sandwiches, wraps, rice, noodles. We are a nut aware centre so please no nuts as we have children who are severely allergic to nuts (e.g. NO peanut butter, Nutella, muesli bars)
- We cannot heat food up at Kindergarten
- We have a healthy eating policy and work in partnetship with families to provide healthy and culturaly inclusive foor for all children. We recommend treats like chips and chocolate to not be put into your child’s lunch box
- Please do send your child with food that they are familiar with and feels like home . Rice, dumplings in a thermos, sushi with appropriate ice bricks to keep lunches cool during hot weather
How do I know what my child has been doing at Kindergarten?
- Please do join our Storypark community which has information about our program and curriculum and is the way we communicate to you about your child’s learning, wellbeing, and development
- Your child has a visual diary which we encourage your child to look through and reflect on their learning. We encourage you to share this with your child and your family
- Have a look around kindergarten to see samples of children’s work
- Make sure you have your email on the enrolment from so that you can be added to our Storypark community
Who can I speak to if I need more information?
- Please see staff and we will be happy to chat with you. If it is busy at pickup and drop of times, please make an appointment after hours to speak to staff.
- Please do check Storypark for announcements and events. Consent Forms will be handed out in hard copy by staff as well
- If you have a complaint, please see the DfE complaint procedure on Contact page.
- We also offer term 1 and term 3 Parent educator- conversations
What happens at drop of and pick up times?
- Please sign your child in on the attendance sheet at the front of kindergarten.
Support your child and encourage them to independently organise them selves to hang up their bags and put their lunch and drink bottle away - Suggest an experience for your child and settle them into the experience and then say goodbye, staff will be on hand to support the farewell
Pick up
- Please sign your child out of kindergarten ( please note that your child can only be picked up by those authorised on the enrolment form or by written consent by parents/ caregivers). Please let staff know if someone else is picking your child up
- Please wait till your child is farewelled by the teacher before taking your child home
What happens if my child is sick/away?
- Please notify staff about illnesses so we can let our community know about contagious illnesses
- If your child is away or having a long holiday please do let staff know as it is important for our staffing
