Miranda Kindergarten provides a preschool program for 60 children daily.Miranda Kindergarten has been established by the parents of children in theSutherland Shire as a non-profit making kindergarten.It is administered by parents of children who are attending the kindergarten, and is staffed by qualified teachers and assistants.
Parent Involvement
Parents are welcome in the centre at all times.Parents can be involved with the centre by helping staff or joining one of our committees.Our staff is happy to explain why activities are designed as they are.Parents can also be involved in the management of the centre - developing policies for the Centre, managing the finances etc.
Hours
We are open Monday to Friday 9am - 3pm.The school year as adopted by NSW Education Department applies.
Extended hours from 8am - 9am and 3pm - 4pm are offered, there is an extra fee for this service.
Attendance
Monday/Tuesday-3 year olds
Mon/Tues/Wed-4 year olds
Thursday/Friday-3 year olds
Wed/Thur/Friday-4 year olds
Our annual enrolment in September for the following year is predominantly of 3 year old children.As vacancies occur we follow our wait list procedure in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Community Services.
A child's name can be placed on the waiting list at the time of birth, or in the case of adoption, at the time the adoption is applied for.
No definite place can be guaranteed until placement is confirmed.
What happens in the Preschool with Children
(The Program)
The centre is aiming to provide a homelike atmosphere within a caring and stimulating environment, for each child.The staff are aiming to build a trusting and secure environment for both children and parents.
The children are free to choose the areas of interest in which they will participate throughout the day, both as individuals and as part of a group.
It is believed children learn self discipline by being able to choose their own play activities.Sharing and co-operating with other children is encouraged by the staff.The play activities each day will generally include: painting, pasting, play dough, puzzles, blocks, sand and water play and other outdoor activities.
Philosophy
The staff at Miranda Kindergarten believe in every child's right to quality care and education.Our team of early childhood professionals interact with your child to provide an anti bias program which promotes the development of each child.
We value each child's family background and experiences; we recognise the importance of having families feel part of the centre and encourage involvement where ever possible.
Staff believe in fostering each child's autonomy and self worth in order to develop in each child a positive self image by:
providing respect
encouraging the development of self help skills
appreciating each child's individuality
providing a variety of choices
praising positive actions
encouraging self discipline
helping children work through transition periods, ie death, divorce or beginning school
encouraging children to express their ideas and feelings
helping children to understand and cope with their feelings
following children's interests in our program.
We, the staff, believe that children learn effectively through play.
We will provide:
free play activities in all curriculum areas
structured and programmed group experiences such as music, language, environmental education, movement etc
opportunity to experiment, explore and discover
opportunity to follow through on spontaneous suggestions from the children.
We believe that meal times should be a sociable and happy time.
This will be achieved by:
staff joining children at meal times and encouraging conversation.
The main objectives for meal times are as follows:
to provide for the child's nutritional needs
to encourage the development of healthy eating habits
to develop an open attitude to fool
to contribute to the socialisation of the child through social interaction, opportunities for language development and the development of acceptable eating habits.
We aim to encourage healthy hygienic habits for children by:
role modelling positive hygienic habits
encouraging children to flush toilets
promoting children's handwashing before eating and after toileting and when handling animals
discussing personal hygienic practices with children (including dental).
We aim to provide a service which meets the needs of all families and children by:
providing guidance and comfort
respecting families right to confidentiality
encouraging open communication between staff and parents
involving parents in meetings and centre activities
being open and respectful of parent suggestions and following up
incorporating parents suggestions/input into the program eg food, routines, programming and behaviour management
asking for and utilising parent skills and including those as part of the program
providing information to parents through the parent library
using parents knowledge of child in programming.
We value the antibias approach as we believe it benefits children, staff, parents and the community by:
providing equal opportunities for all children in all centre activities
accepting differences and diversity, by recognising the worth these differences offer
role modelling appropriate behaviour
providing varied resources and an environment that promotes acceptance
respecting family backgrounds and structures.
We believe in providing a sense of security and belonging by:
providing affection and cuddles
a child safe and happy environment
an established but flexible routine
respecting each child's individuality
all staff working as a team.
We believe in providing developmentally appropriate activities by:
keeping individual developmental records on each child which are used to plan activities and experiences
communicating with all parents on their child's experiences
providing an environment which encourages success, independence, confidence and children's decision making skills
regularly evaluating centre activities and policies in consultation with parents
appreciating and fostering individuality of all children including those with additional needs.
We value a team approach where all staff are respected as individuals as well as being a valuable part of the team by:
maintaining open communication
encouraging openness, trust and honesty
maintaining confidentiality
being supportive
accepting the right to hold different points of view
being flexible
acknowledging and accepting strengths, valuing talents and sharing their knowledge and experiences.
Staff handwashing procedures to be followed when:
dealing with accidents (administering first aid)
administering medication
handling food
after toileting children
wiping own or child's nose
staff members will adhere to the centre's infectious disease policy.
Community:
We aim to provide a service which meets the needs of the community by:
using community resources
being a resource for community inquiries
joining in with community events.
Environment:
We aim to encourage the children to respect and value their environment by:
using water wisely and recycling paper and glass
nurturing plants and animals.
We aim to encourage children to be aware of sun care by wearing:
