Information for Parents
Haere mai - Welcome to Rural Scholars
We are excited to foster your child’s/tamaiti learning and development at Rural Scholars, and recognise the importance of connectedness and feeling a sense of security. For this reason we encourage at least two visits before your child’s official start date as first experiences can set the scene for future learning. This enables you and your child to begin developing a reciprocal relationship with the teachers/kaiako and becoming familiar with the environment. It is an important time for us to collaboratively share information for the well-being of your child and support a respectful transition into Rural Scholars.
At Rural Scholars we value and recognise the importance of parent/whānau involvement, and encourage opportunities for you to share special interests, skills or talents with our tamariki. We also regularly review our policies, procedures and practices, and appreciate your feedback on these. As part of our review process we consult with parents on a regular basis, valuing the importance of relationships.
We endeavour to regularly communicate with you about your child’s learning and development during the session but recognise that sometimes it can be busy during pickups or drop offs. We are happy to arrange for times to discuss your child, but also have annual formal parent-teacher/kaiako evenings which are a great time to get Dad or other whānau involved.
What to bring when your child starts Preschool:
· At least one change of NAMED clothes, for both hot & cold weather, coat and woollen hat for winter and sunhat with a brim for summer.
· A named lunchbox with your child's morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea and named drink bottle with water (Full Day)
· Named nappies and wipes if your child/ren is in nappies (we encourage the use of cloth nappies and will support you on this journey)
· Breast milk or formula for babies/pēpi - please ensure all bottles are clearly named
· Any special comforters
· Gumboots are a great idea if your child has a pair to bring along. Shoes are also great in a child's bag if we go on excursions.
· A wet-bag for any dirty or wet clothes
Food: Parent’s/whānau provide all the food for your child’s/tamaiti needs for the day in a named lunch box, along with a named bottle of water. We promote healthy food to support your child’s growth and brain development so they can actively explore and engage in their learning. If you need any support in finding healthy ideas or suggestions we have lots of resources on offer and our kaiako have valuable knowledge that they can share also. Our policies exclude lollies and juice or flavoured milk at Rural Scholars, and suggest these be saved for at home.
Rural Scholars Early Learning Centre is also a glad wrap free zone, as we find the tamariki struggle to open their food and it is also not a sustainable resource which is important for us to promote caring for the environment and role modelling this to our ākonga (learners).
Clothing: Our philosophy promotes and encourages lots of outdoor play and adventures, exploring and peacefully connecting with Papatūānuku (Earth Mother) in all seasons and all weathers. We recognise the valuable learning experiences that are offered by Ranginui (Sky Father), and believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. We suggest lots of spare clothing for all weather types, and a wet bag for any wet or dirty clothing. It is important that your child’s clothes are clearly named also.
Health: If your child is sick please let us know as soon as possible. We would appreciate it if you could keep your child home if they have an excessive runny nose or continual cough or signs of gunky eyes, as we will ring you to take them home if we feel he/she is not well enough to attend. It is important for your child to be well enough to engage in the learning programme and ensure he/she isn’t putting other tamariki at risk of becoming unwell.
Children are not permitted to attend Preschool for 48 hours after their last bout of vomiting or diarrhoea.
There is always a kaiako with the children/tamariki that holds a current first aid certificate and a well-equipped first aid kit is situated in each classroom. Please ensure your emergency contacts are up to date, as we do sometimes need to have children taken home.
Medication can only be given by us if the right name and use-by date is on the medicine and if written permission is given. A teacher can show you the medicine forms that must be filled out and signed in / out by you if you require medication to be administered to your child.
Drop-off and Pick-up: It is important when you drop off and pick up your child/tamaiti that you sign them in and out. This is a Ministry of Education requirement and ensures that we know who is here in the event of an emergency. It is also important that your children/tamariki come at the times you have booked them for – our learning environment is staffed to meet the booked child to teacher ratios to provide quality of care and education. A late fee will occur if your child is not collected upon their booked times.
The safety of our tamariki is paramount, if traveling by car, your children must be brought to the centre in a safety approved car seat.
Written permission is needed for those collecting your child/tamaiti if their name is not on the enrolment form. We appreciate that you let us know of any change of address or phone numbers so we can contact you about your child/tamaiti.
Being Sun smart is important. We ask that all tamariki have a wide brimmed sunhat which must be worn in the summer months. In terms 1 and 4 we require parents/whanau apply sunscreen on your child before they arrive at Rural Scholars - we will then reapply at different parts of the day. We provide sunscreen, unless your child’s skin requires a specific cream, we ask you to supply that.
Philosophy: We encourage our whānau to become familiar with our centre philosophy as it is unique and underpins our practices and learning environment. You can view the Centre’s philosophy on the notice board or share a korero (discussion) with a kaiako.
Sleeping: We have sleeping facilities available for the tamariki to nurture their wellbeing and meet their growing needs. You will find our sleep policy with more details in the enrolment information.
Each child/tamaiti has a Learning Journal that kaiako and parents/whānau can collaboratively share and celebrate the growth and development of their child in, along with documenting their learning outcome. This is a form of communication for parents/whānau to enjoy the rich opportunities their child is involved with at Rural Scholars, and we encourage you to add to these books throughout their learning journey.
When is Rural Scholars closed? Rural Scholars Early Learning Centre is closed on all Statutory Holidays and also for a period of time over the Christmas break, please check with the centre Manager what these dates are as they vary from year to year. Rural Scholars Early Learning Centre does not close for the school holidays. If your child is not going to be attending during the school holidays please let us know. Two weeks written notice is required.
Fees: $5.00 per hour.
Direct credit can be made to: ASB 12 3475 0006282 00.
We offer 20 hours ECE for 3 to 5 year olds: Rural Scholars is a provider of the Government’s 20 hours of early childhood education (ECE) subsidy for eligible 3+ year old children. The 20 Hours ECE subsidy is available for up to 6 hours per day for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
We offer 10 additional hours on top of this for children over three. A maximum of six hour a day applies to this also.
W.I.N.Z subsidies: Ring Work and Income on 0800774004, this MUST be done before starting at the centre. Once you have rung them, they will log you into the system and send you the forms.
Rural Scholars Early Learning Centre offers 30 free hours for three to five year olds (this allows these children up to 6 hours per day). Please see management if you have any questions about this.
Birth Certificate and immunisation records are to be showed to the Manager on enrolment.
Contact number for Waihao Marae: 689 4726.
The Community Dental Service provides free dental care for eligible children living in Canterbury and South Canterbury. Pre-school children (0-4 years) have their teeth checked and treated in a Community Dental Clinic. To book an appointment for a pre-school or school aged child, please call 0800 846 983 or email commdental@cdhb.health.nz.
Evacuation Point: The evacuation area away from the preschool in case of a civil defence emergency is Waimate Event Centre.
Audit: The Annual Audit that shows how funding is used will also be on the notice board. The services operation manual which includes philosophy, policies and procedures can be viewed in the staff room. Parents, families and whānau are encouraged to be a part of the review process for these documents.