Family Participation and Communication
We recognise that families are the first and most important influence in a child’s life. Our educators are here to complement that relationship and aim to stay completely connected with families to share in decisions that affect the child and to incorporate your expectations into our learning goals. Any successful partnership is based on open communication. At any time, you are able, and encouraged, to contribute to the program or learning environment, share ideas or concerns or join in the serious fun that we have daily. Verbal face-to-face communication is important to us and helps to establish our relationship.
Communication will also include emails, newsletters, displays and notices in the centre and digital forms such as Facebook, SMS and Storypark.
Storypark
Storypark is an app that houses your child’s learning and development profile and a space to communicate with your centre and fellow centre families. It is a completely safe and private platform, only accessible by you, your child’s educators, and those you authorise. Educators use this tool to share your child’s achievements and milestones, funny events and photos of their day. The Storypark app is an ideal way of staying connected with families. You can even contribute to the content on the Storypark app, share family interests or weekend events and post photos of your own. Invite other family members or other professionals that work with your child, such as allied health or medical specialists, to join and contribute too.
Family Responsibilities
By enrolling at our centre, you agree to abide by our policies and procedures as outlined in this handbook and in the Affinity policy manual available at your centre.
It is a legislative requirement that you record your child’s attendance by signing in on arrival and departure times using our digital kiosks. On arrival each day, you can place your child’s belongings into a locker and any food or drink into the available fridge. Escort your child to where the children are grouped, and our educators will greet you and your child, assisting with the morning transition into our centre.
Please ensure you leave your child with an educator and never drop them off in a room unattended or in the foyer of the centre. If you arrive and outdoor play is underway, please ensure your child is wearing a hat. Sunscreen is available for you to apply to your child before you escort them outdoors to play.
When departing with your child, ensure you follow the departure procedure, inclusive of collecting your belongings and please inform an educator of your departure.
Our centre is a smoke-free area. Smoking is not permitted in or around a 10-metre radius of the premises including car park and perimeter fencing.
Our Educational Programs
Nursery
Your child's lifelong learning journey starts here! Our nursery provides a warm, safe environment for your baby to learn and grow. Caring and gentle educators will develop nurturing relationships with your baby, so your child will develop trust and a sense of belonging.
Toddler
Our centre provides a stimulating and fun environment to enhance your child’s learning in their early years. Learning starts long before school, with the first five years of a child’s life being crucial to laying the foundations for their ability to learn throughout their later years.
Preschool
Preparing for primary school is one of the most important times in a child’s life. Our Lifelong Learning Curriculum School Readiness program stimulates young minds, builds confidence, resilience and positive self-image, and supports children’s transition to school.