Dubbo West Preschool News

Parent Committee
Reminders
Tips

Week 2, Term 1
February 2016

Hi,
Welcome to all of our families for 2016 and we look forward to an exciting
year. We begin our year with our front playground upgrade starting in the
coming weeks after some delays during the school holidays. We will be
adding a digging patch and a building area with some seating. We will then
be adding a new enclosed room, making use of the echidna playground,
which will be used for multiple purposes including
hearing testing, specialist work, meetings and
eventually playgroups.
PAPERLESS NEWSLETTERS
As most parents supplied an email address we will no longer be printing the
newsletter and will send via email instead. There will be limited printed
copies of the newsletter available to collect at the office. The newsletter
can also be accessed at our Facebook page. If you haven't supplied the
office with an email address please do so.
Parent Committee
The next meeting will be Monday 8th February 2015. If you have anything
you would like discussed at the meeting you can see the office, any staff
member, Cathryn (Director), speak to any of the Parent Management
Committee members or you can write a suggestion/submission and place it
in the box provided in the foyer. For your written request or suggestion to
be tabled and addressed please provide your name and contact details. This
allows the Committee to provide feedback or a response to the right
person.
Our new Parent Management Committee voted in at a special meeting in
December 2015 is:

Tammy Pickeringreturning President

Lisa Huntreturning Vice President & Fundraising Coordinator

Kim Scottreturning Treasurer

Renee Blacknew role Secretary and Public Officer

Aunty Beth Wrightreturning Member Indigenous Representative

Mick Medlinnew Member

Peta Magannreturning Member

Allison Milling new Member

Allan Smithreturning Council Representative

Term Dates
Term 128th January to 8TH April 2016

Dubbo West Preschool News

Term 226th April to 1ST JULY 2016

Term 318th July to 23RD September 2016
Term 410TH October to 16th December 2016
Dates to remember

23rd February 2016 Ghana Have Some Fun (drumming workshop)

14th March 2016Annual General Meeting (presentation of financial

documents only)

4th April-8th April 2016 Montage Photos (childrens photos)

2nd May-6th May 2016Mothers day celebrations in this week invites

will follow from individual classes

27th June 20161/2 year reports are sent home

3rd August 2016NAIDOC day

18th August 2016Disco

29th August-2nd September 2016Fathers Day Breakfasts held in this

week

1st December 2016Christmas Carols Concert

12th December 2016Special General Meeting (new members voted)

15th December 2016Last Day with children

The above list has some dates to keep in mind for the year and we will add to
this list as the year progresses.
FEES
Fee statements will be in your childs pocket hanging outside your classroom.
If you suspect your statement is wrong or needs adjusting please see Mel in
the office as soon as possible, particularly if there has been a change in your
household combined income. Payment will be due by the 24th March 2016
for term 1.
Claiming CCB
We have a registered carer number at Dubbo West Preschool therefore you can
claim your paid fees through Centrelink. Child Care Benefit for registered care is
paid at a standard hourly rate for up to 50 hours per child per week if: you and
your partner are working, looking for work, training, or studying at some time in
the week that care is provided or you and your partner have an exemption from
that requirement.
The current registered care rate for a non-school aged child in up to 50 hours of
care per week is $0.696 per hour, or $34.80 per child per week. You are paid
Child Care Benefit for registered child care directly if you submit a claim and
provide your child care receipts to Centrelink. You will need to ask Mel at the
front office for a special CCB receipt once you have paid your fees. You also need
to wait for the term to be over before you will be able to claim. You can only
claim backdated for 12 months with receipts.

Dubbo West Preschool News

Just a few reminders about Preschool ~ Please pack a hat for your child all year round and apply sunscreen
before arriving at preschool. If you forget we have sunscreen at preschool PLEASE
ENSURE SUNSCREEN IS APPLIED.
~ Clothing should cover shoulders as a sun safe practice. No SINGLETS OR SINGLET
DRESSES. Pack extra sets of clothes in case of accidents.
~ Please provide covered shoes for your child to wear. No thongs or Crocs.
~ Preschool

is a Egg & Nut free zone (No Nutella, peanut

butter, eggs etc.)

~ We encourage the children to eat their fruit first at morning tea. Please pack
unpackaged fruit preferably.
~ We have a rest period after lunch, please pack cot sheets in 2 pillow cases clearly
labelled with your childs name.
~ Please remember to pack a spoon with your yoghurt/custard and use an ice brick to
keep them cool.
~ We do encourage all children to eat their crusts on their sandwiches, if your child
does not eat them, could you please cut them off.
~ We ask that you only fill your childs drink bottle with water only, poppers are
allowed with lunch.
~ Each morning at 10am we provide the children with one piece of buttered toast as
part of our program (fruit loaf/multigrain/wholemeal or white bread is donated by
Village Hot Bake each day).
~ Please cut up any fruit which your child may have difficulty eating. If your child has
no fruit they will be encouraged to select a piece from our fruit bowl donated by
Delroy Woolworths.
~ We ask that you do not send any Chips or chocolate, choc chip biscuits, choc coated
bars, twisties, rollups, cakes and sweet treats to encourage healthy eating.
Please label everything!!! Names on all belongings helps us make sure everything
comes home.

Immunisation, Medical Conditions and Contact Details.

Please ensure that you provide us with all up to date information
regarding immunisation, medical conditions and contact details.
All children that have had their 4 year old vaccinations are required to
provide the office with a copy of their Medicare print out.

Dubbo West Preschool News

Tears and preschool !!!!!

The next few weeks will be when you will notice that your children and
in particular three year old children may become upset before coming to
preschool and not want to come. This is a normal part of growing up and
learning how to cope on their own.
TIPS TO HELP
*Discuss what they are going to do at preschool with them the night
before and what will happen during the day. Finish your discussion with
And then Mummy, Daddy or Nan etc will pick you up and we will go
shopping or we will go home to feed a pet . This conversation can
continue the next morning before coming to preschool as well. Soon they
will become familiar with the preschool routine and will know what they
will be doing each part of the day. This is when separation will become
easier again.
*Other tips are being firm but happy when dropping off, say goodbye
and leave as children will pick up any hesitation you have to leave. This
shows you are confident in the environment you are leaving them in and
they trust your judgement.
*For children who still struggle, you could make a small photo book for
them to bring to preschool of your family, car and pets. This is a great
transition tool that can begin a conversation with a teacher or assistant
giving parents time to say a quick goodbye and distraction enough to
help with tears. This can also be used during the day by staff to discuss
their family or home and what they will do when they get picked up.
*Staff will ring you if your child does not settle or feel free to ring and
see how they are on 68827144.