Noah’s ArkPre School &Child Care Centre

Our Vision Statement

Noah’s Ark Pre School and Child Care Centre, in partnership with families, seeks to provide a broad range of enjoyable and challenging/engaging learning experiences for children, supporting individual needs and interests in a safe, nurturing, responsive and inclusive environment, with regard for commonly held Christian beliefs and values.

From this, it can be seen that the individual needs of your child, and your desires for their learning, feature highly in our daily program. In the warm, caring environment provided, children are taught how to love and care for one another, reinforcing values learnt at home. The program includes a special time of Christian songs, Bible stories and saying “Grace” before meals.

Our child-centered philosophy has as its basis the following beliefs about children’s needs:

All children need –love and security;new experiences to challenge and enjoy;praise, recognition and encouragement;responsibility and choices

Noah’s Ark Pre School and Child Care Centre

Noah’s Ark Pre School and Child Care Centre is the Early Learning Centre of King’s Christian College and

caters for children from 2* until 5 years of age.Noah’s Ark aims to help bridge the gap between

home and school, easing the transition to Prep – the first phase of schooling. Children are able to start and

finish their education on the one campus.

*2 and a half years from 2013

Children’s Learning And Development

Children develop at different stages, despite their chronological age. Therefore, we observe each child, identify strengths and interests and plan experiences to cater for individual needs.

Children are guided within a mix of planned and spontaneous play experiences.Children learn through play. Play is actually “the work” of childhood.

You will have noticed that your children like to explore, ask questions and generally find out things for themselves. Children are active thinkers and problem solvers using all of their senses: touching, listening, smelling and looking. Our most important goal is for your child to become an enthusiastic learner.

Self esteem and feeling good about oneself is developed when children feel safe and secure in their learning environment. Happy children will learn more and approach tasks with confidence with the ongoing support of family and educators working together.

Non-English Speaking Background

Translators from amongst the school community may be available to assist families whose first

language is not English. Children from a family with a non-English speaking background will be assessed as they enter Prep to determine whether “English as a second language” (ESL) instruction is required

as they proceed into the primary school. ESL instruction involves an additional fee structure.

Details can be obtained by contacting the Head of Primary at the College.

At Noah’s Ark,we believe that the

goal of effective guidanceis to assist children to becomeconfident; to make decisions;

to act responsibly and to demonstrate an increasing capacity for self-regulation.

“Time out” may be used to help a child

move away from the area causing concern - time out to

reflect, rest or calm down. After a short period (maximum 5 minutes)

children are assisted to find a suitable activity and return to the

group, or to play alone if that is more appropriate.

At Noah’s Ark, we like to think that

true discipline is a child happily engaged in play. As

such, staff structure the learning environment to provide sufficiently diverse activities to challenge and

interest children, so avoiding potential problems.

Most importantly, we aim to use a positive approach, establishing ground rules and

where possible, involving the children in the development of such rules.

Effective limits are based on values of social equality, trust, co-operation and

respect for others. As pre-schoolers develop more mature intellectual skills they are able to contribute meaningfully to decision making.

Guidance and Discipline

Staffing

At Noah’s Ark the selection of staff is a high priority, with the selection process including attention to a personal Christian faith, educational qualifications and experience in child care. An enthusiasm for working with young children as well as a supportive, caring nature are also essential ingredients. The selection panel usually includes the King’s Christian College principal, a member of the School Board and the Centre Director. Staff all have current suitability notices, issued by the Commission for Children and Young People, indicating approval to work in child-related employment. In addition to the qualified educators in each group, a part-time teacher aide assists three mornings a week.

A regular staff development program includes staff attendance at in-service training courses and visits to the Centre by specialist professionals. Educators are replaced by qualified relief staff for weekly program preparation time.

During the year, students from both tertiary and secondary colleges may be in attendance as a part of their work experience/course requirements. These people, along with any volunteer workers, will be under the supervision of the Director and the respective educators.

Parent Involvement

Families are most welcome to become involved in the daily life of the centre. This could include assistance in the classrooms – small groups, computer time, cooking sessions, art/craft activities, gross motor activities; sharing of an occupational interest/hobby with children; assistance on excursions; involvement in special centre activities e.g. Grandparent’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Night, class luncheons.

Information sessions are also provided including an evening in February of each year. These sessions outline centre goals and program plans for the year ahead. Other sessions may include health updates e.g. on immunisation, current health alerts or visiting professionals such as speech therapists and updates on centre policies. Other opportunities may be arranged for informal contact among families and staff.

About Your Child’s Progress

Parents are welcome to discuss their child’s progress or any concerns during the year by arranging a

convenient time with the child’s teacher or Centre Director. However, the following times are scheduled during the year: mid-year – interview and “progress

report” with the class teacher along with end of Term Four – follow up interview option with the class

teacher or Centre Director.

Staff and parents working together for children is an important part of early learning and development.

Centre Management

The Pre School and Child Care Centre is owned and operated by King’s Christian Education Ltd, a registered company. At the school level, the company operates as King’s Christian College. This is governed by a board of directors who meet monthly to discuss matters affecting King’s Christian College as a whole, including the financial management of the Centre. The Director is responsible for the day to day running of the Centre.

Enrolment Procedure

1. Submit enrolment application forms for:a. Noah’s Ark; and b. Prep (including a $50 enrolment application fee)

2. We will arrange a time for an interview with the Director.3. Once a position becomes available, a $50 enrolment fee for Noah’s ark entry and a $300*

school enrolment fee (one off payment per family) is payable.4. Orientation to Noah’s Arks program.5. During the year prior to entry into Prep, all children are assessed to determine their readiness

to start Prep.

Fees

Annual Fee - $50. The $50 non-refundable enrolment fee includes registration, student accident insurance, excursions, and entertainment.

Daily Fees

2 – 3 year old $58.00

3 – 5 year old $55.00

Before school care $6.50

After school care $15.00

Combined before and after school care $15.00

Daily fees subject to change. Please contact our office to confirm current daily fees.

Late Fee

A late fee of $15.00 per 15 minutes will apply after 5.30pm. In case of emergency, please contact and enlist our help.

Please Note:Two weeks written notice is required should you wish to withdraw a child from Noah’s Ark.Accounts are issued fortnightly and are due by the end of the week of issue.Fees are due and payable for all children, once enrolled, irrespective of illness or non attendance.

*Entry into Primary School is subject to an interview with the Head of Primary and an assessment of the student’s readiness for Prep.

Government Fee Relief

Families can apply to the Family Assistance Office for Child Care Benefit (CCB) payments to assist with payment of fees. All resident families using approved childcare services are eligible for at least the CCB minimum rate. Application forms are available at our office, or through the Family Assistance Office and once completed should be returned to the nearest Family Assistance Office.

Absences

Once a child is enrolled into Child Care, fees are incurred irrespective of non-attendance. Child Care Benefit is paid for a child’s absences from care up to 30 days per financial year.

Parents must still pay their contribution of the fee. CCB is not paid for any further absences (unless the absences are for the specific reasons not counted in the 30 day limit).

It is possible to ‘make up’ for days absent, but only if a place becomes available and only during the school term when the absence occurred.

Operating Hours

7.30am – 5.30pm Monday to Friday.Closed for four weeks over Christmas / New Year and all Queensland gazetted public holidays. No fee is charged for these days.

Vacation CareWe offer a vacation care program during all Queensland school holidays. Bookings are essential and fees will be charged based on bookings. Prior notice must be given with regard to cancellations in order not to incur a fee. Parents are welcome to enrol other children of their family (9 years and under) during this time.

Priority of placement / bookings

The Commonwealth Government has developed Priority of Access Guidelines which aim to ensure that those families most in need of care are given priority. The main emphasis is on meeting the child care needs of families with recognised work or work related commitments.

Noah’s Ark is a three unit centre comprising a 2-3 year old room and two 3-5 year old rooms. When making placements, first consideration is given to children currently enrolled and to new enrolments who have older siblings attending the Centre or King’s Christian College.

Entry Into Prep

The Early Learning Program at Noah’s Ark prepares children for their entry into Prep – the first year of primary school. To be eligible to enroll into Prep, children must turn 5 by June 30 of the year they intend to start. Noah’s Ark is the preferred point of entry into Prep.

Noah’s Ark teachers work closely with the teachers in the Prep – Year 2 section of King’s Christian College. During the year prior to entry into Prep, all students are monitored to determine their readiness to start school.

Noah’s Ark Pre School &Child Care Centre

68 Gemvale Road, Reedy Creek Qld 4227Locked Bag 70, Burleigh Post Office Qld 4220

Phone No. (07) 5587 7640Fax No. (07) 5587 7645Email: noahsark@kingscollege.qld.edu.au

Regulatory Authority is the Department of Education and Training, Early Childhood Education and Care, Regional Office

East Quay Corporate ParkSouth Building, Level 134 Glenferrie Dr, Robina

Phone No. (07) 5562 4877

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