WELCOME!

We at the Maria Montessori Preschool hope the years you and your child/children spend with us will be both exciting and enriching. Please take a few moments to read through our handbook and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

1. INTRODUCTION
Maria Montessori Pre-school was established in 1977 in Mt.Waverley, after 21 years of successful operation, the Pre-School relocated to Wheelers Hill in the year 2000. We are a registered private Kindergarten. The Pre-School is committed to the true Montessori approach and adheres faithfully to the principles and processes of a Montessori education for pre-school children. It is staffed by qualified, experienced and dedicated teachers. The school year comprises of four terms of approximately 10 weeks teaching in each, starting in late January each year. School terms generally coincide with the school terms declared by the State Government Schools.

2. EDUCATIONAL AND RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS

The Montessori classroom provides a prepared environment where children are free to respond to their natural tendency to work. The classroom accommodates children of mixed ages,. Three , four and five year old children share the same classroom and are encouraged to learn from each other, Children have the opportunities to be both leaders as well as followers, The teacher provides the link between the child and the environment. The childs innate love for learning will be encouraged by giving them opportunities to engage in spontaneous meaningful activities. The children work at their own pace according to their own capabilities and under the guidance of the teacher. Responsibility, care and consideration for others, as well as for the environment are all encouraged and fostered. The individual childs needs, interests and developmental levels are all taken into account. Montessori education provides a stimulating environment, which helps to prepare the child for future learning and living. The environment provides a balance of individual and group work, challenge and support, free choice and independence. It takes the whole child into consideration and prepares the child for learning and living.

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3. CLASS SESSIONS
Children will be required to attend, two and a half-hour sessions per day, five days a week (Monday Friday), either morning or afternoon session, and complete Cycle 1. Cycle 1 consists of a minimum of 8 terms, depending on the childs age. Morning sessions are from 9.00 am to 11.30 am., and afternoon sessions are from 12.30 pm. to 3.00 pm.

4. ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL

Punctuality helps set the tone of the day and reduces confusion in the classroom. Therefore, please arrive promptly at the beginning and at the conclusion of your childs session. Group time is an important part of the children's day. If children filter in after the classroom door is closed, group time is disrupted for the entire class. The childrens ability to concentrate is compromised when their attention is diverted away from the group activity to the late arrivals at the door. Further and, just as importantly, children who are late miss a very important part of their school day. Teachers spend time immediately before and after class handling record keeping, cleaning, preparing the classroom, discussing children's progress and staff meetings. It is absolutely essential that they have this time free for these duties. Therefore, please note the above arrival and dismissal times. We are unable to provide supervision of children outside session times.

5. FEES
There are four terms per year. Term fees are set by the Pre-school Management each year. Statements will be issued in the second week of the term. Payment is due promptly. There will be a late payment fee of $20.00 for every overdue account. One terms written notice is required if your child is withdrawn during the year. We are unable to offer any fee transfer or deductions (e.g. Holidays, sick or leaving school). All fees are non-refundable.

Kindergarten fees Subsidy The kindergarten fee subsidy works to support eligible families by meeting the cost of 10 hours of kindergarten per week.

Eligible families will have one of these cards, visa or documents: Health care card Pensioner Concession Card -2-

Temporary Protection/humanitarian Visa 447,451,785 or 786 Asylum Seekers on Bridging Visas A-F and Refugee and Special Humanitarian Visas Holders 200-217 Department of Veterans Affairs Gold Card If triplets or quadruplets are attending kindergarten in the same year the family is also eligible for the subsidy for each child. Resolution of status (ROS visa, class CD, Subclass 851 All Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children are also eligible for the subsidy. The current policy can be found in the following link http://www.education.vic.gov.au/ecsmanagement/careankinder/funding/subsidy.h tm

6. PRE-SCHOOL POLICY
Written policies have been developed in accordance with our philosophy , principles and identified needs of the children, staff and parents. These policies are required under the new regulations for licensing. The policies fall under the following main categories (Regulation 41:childrens Services Regulations 2009) :

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i) j) k)

Admission requirements and enrolment procedures; Arrangements for the payment of fees; The policy of the service with respect to the employment of qualified staff; The educational or recreational programs provided for children cared for or educated by the service; The policy of the service with respect to behaviour management Arrangements for the delivery and collection of children; Procedures for dealing with illness and emergency care; Procedures for dealing with infectious disease; Provision for dealing with complaints; The anaphylaxis management policy. Privacy Policy

The above polices will be discussed at your orientation visit. A full set of policies is available for your perusal in the office. These documents are subject to constant review & change.

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7. ANAPHYLAXIS/ALLERGIES
A parent of a child diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis or an allergy must: Complete and provide a risk minimization plan in consultation with the preschool . Read the pre-school policy on anaphylaxis and be aware of it Provide a medical management plan (signed by a doctor/specialist) Provide an ambulance contact(with all details) card ( available from Metropolitan Ambulance Service) Provide an Epi-pen(current) to be left at the Pre-school Check Epi-pen regularly for expiry date and replace it before it expires Provide updated information regarding phone numbers, emergency contacts, addresses etc., Provide information regarding any medications, allergies or medical conditions with management plans and risk minimization plans.

Unless the above information is provided to the school, commencement of classes may be delayed.

8. INCURSIONS
The school will organize incursions during the school terms at a cost of approximately $ 10- 15 per child. These incursion will be linked to programs taught to the children. The cost of each incursion will be added to term fee statements.

9. SEPARATION
Children handle separation in many ways. The key to your child's adjustment will be a cooperative effort between the parents and the staff. Children need time to adjust to their '"new"' routine. As a result of this, while your child is adjusting you may see tears and hear "'please, I want to go home." This is simply your child's way of handling a new routine. During this adjustment period, it is very common for the tears to stop within minutes of the parent's departure. For the benefit of your child, please follow through on your departure after saying good-bye. When a parent says good-bye and does not leave, it creates a sense of fear in the child (ie. maybe mummy's not leaving because something is wrong). As your child masters this new routine, the tears will cease. This is all part of the process of growing up, while at the same time helping to build a confident, self-assured child.

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10. TOYS
The many Montessori materials available, are the focus of your child's attention. Therefore, please keep all toys at home.

11. PERSONAL BELONGINGS

Little fingers love to put "things" in little pockets. Please check your child's pockets before arriving to ensure no small ""home" items are making their way into the school. This is for the safety of all children. Also, kindly check upon his/her return home for any unfamiliar objects which might be part of the school's equipment.

12. THINGS TO BRING

Hat Jacket Slippers (for indoors only) no thongs or slip-ons (must be fully covered slippers) Small bag A spare set of clothes Small snack box (serviette/face washer each day) Small water bottle

Please label all the above items with your childs name.

13. SNACK TIME

For snack-time children are allowed to bring only fruits /vegetables and a drink bottle of water. We have a nut free policy at the Pre-school. Please do not send any food containing nuts at any time, during sessions or on any special events. Please label snack boxes and water bottles with your childs name.

14. CLOTHING/TOILET TRAINING

One of the goals of the Montessori method is to develop in children selfconfidence and a sense of independence. Naturally, the first and most important areas are those of dressing and toileting the children. It is important that you dress your child in comfortable clothes that he/she can easily handle alone. This includes boots/Velcro shoes and outer clothing. Your child's day will frequently include painting and/or outdoor play. Please dress your child appropriately for this type of play. It is important that you and your child feel comfortable about -5-

his/her clothing knowing that spills and stains happen. No thongs allowed indoors or outdoors. No shoes with heels nor sandals or slip-ons without a back strap. Children must be toilet trained before starting at the Pre-School. Please label all clothing with your child's name, especially, sweaters, hats, mittens, coats and boots.

15. BIRTHDAYS
We enjoy celebrating your child's birthday at group time . Parents are welcome to join in the celebration of their childs birthday . If a parent wishes to distribute lolly bags, please do so at the end of the session.

16. MOMENTO OF CHILDS STAY AT PRE-SCHOOL

It is customary practice at the pre-school for children to contribute a book before they leave the Maria Montessori Pre-School. These books are used in the school library by both teachers and students.

17. PARENT PARTICIPATION

We understand work/family commitments and we endeavour to keep parent involvement to the minimum. We shall inform you in the way you might like to assist with events. If you are unable to assist a fee of $20.00 will be added on to your term fees.

18. SHOW AND TELL

We encourage children to bring objects of educational value such as books, nature and science objects, current newspaper articles or pictures to school. (please check the notice board for your childs name and date.) We discourage children bringing in toys like dolls, cars, guns or other such fads to school.

19. PARENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR CURRENT INFORMATION

It is your responsibility to keep the school informed as to any change in home address, work phone numbers, emergency phone numbers , authorization to pick up your child or updated immunisation details. The school will not be responsible for notifying you in the event of an emergency if we do not have current information.

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20. MARIA MONTESSORI PRE-SCHOOL EVENTS

Sports Day Mothers Day Grand Parents Day International Day Fathers Day Christmas party End of year Concert

21. THANK YOU

Thank you for taking the time to read this handbook. We look forward to a great school year and are most happy that you have entrusted your child to the Maria Montessori Pre-School.

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