The Preschool is run by Erina Baptist Community Care Ltd and its Board of Directors. This is supported by a Teacher/Parent Committee who advise on quality programming and fundraising/social matters. The Preschool is a non-profit community service.
Families are an important part of our preschool. We are keen to have times of parent involvement. We hope that you will enjoy time watching your child play, interact and learn. When you are involved we have valuable opportunities to strengthen our partnership.
On your behalf we endeavour:
- to develop each child to their fullest potential in all areas of development: cognitive, language, social, emotional, spiritual, gross and fine motor skills through the provision of developmentally appropriate activities
- to promote socialisation amongst peers. By providing a social environment, children will interact, sharing knowledge and ability, thus enabling each other to develop socially-acceptable skills and behaviours.
- to provide a safe, secure and hygienic environment for children to explore freely.
- to ensure each child will be respected as an individual and allowed to develop accordingly in relation to their personal stage of development.
- to ensure each child has observations made via a 'focus child system', with activities implemented to meet specific needs. Each child's progress will be evaluated and follow-up activities planned to provide ongoing support for the child.
- to keep individual portfolios for each child, which will be sent home half-yearly for each family to participate in a reflection on their child. These portfolios will be given to parents to keep at the end of the year.
- to develop the overall programme based on the children's needs, strengths and interests. Encouragement will be offered to each child to extend their interests by providing the appropriate resources and learning materials.
- to equip our children for starting their school experience through our 'ReadyStart' school readiness curriculum
- to encourage our children to independently problem-solve in all situations and aspects of play. Materials will be provided for manipulation and experimentation, which are essential tools for cognitive advancement.
- to teach our children through 'play' situations. Play is a preschooler's work. Children will learn in a non-threatening, happy, social environment that together promotes the 'whole' child.
- to teach Christian values, especially in regard to acceptance, care of others, respect and love. Teachers are expected to model this by accepting each other and each child for their special characteristics and uniqueness.
- to support parents and families in the growth of happy, confident children and in their child-rearing role.
- to offer support and advice to families in crisis situations through referral to appropriate professional agencies available.
- to lay good foundations for future growth of each child. Early childood is a time for planting.