Important information for families using both LDC and Sessional Kindergarten for 3 and 4 YO children - 2010/2011

Historically there has been confusion with regards to using both Long Day Care (LDC) and Sessional Kindergarten for 3 and 4 YO kindergarten at Poets Grove. This letter aims to clarify the situation and make you aware of the centre's policy so you can make your decision regarding which service you require for your child in future years.

Any family using LDC who is offered a place for 3 YO sessional kindergarten can use both services because 3 YO sessional kindergarten is not funded by the government. BUT parents need to look further ahead to 4 YO kindergarten and make a decision about whether they wish to access LDC or sessional kindergarten.

At Poets Grove the policy states that children can only use one of the services for 4 YO kindergarten. Please also note that priority for places in LDC will be given to working families and to children currently attending LDC pre kindergarten only. If you have accepted a place in 3 year old sessional kindergarten you may not be offered the days you are requesting in LDC and then you may find it difficult to continue in to Extended Hours Kindergarten.

The timetable for 3 and 4 YO sessional kindergarten may change annually if the need arises. In 2011 we are offering working families the opportunity to use the Green Group (sessional kindergarten with after care) for two days a week. These days are currently Tuesday and Thursday (8.30am-5.30pm). The group is limited to 15 children. If you require any other day or extra days of care you will need to choose or remain in LDC. If you are using 3 YO sessional kindergarten we cannot guarantee that there will be any vacancies in LDC in 2011.

Poets Grove teaching staff in both services recommend that it would be in the best interest of your child to choose one program for his/her kindergarten year. Having different carers/teachers and being in different groups of children is confusing for children and hinders their learning and development.

Both services for 4 YO kindergarten programs are planned in a similar way. Qualified kindergarten teachers are employed. They will be implementing the Victorian Early Years Learning and Developmental Framework, which links the learning outcomes and pedagogy in the National Early Years Framework to the Victorian Essential Learning Standards to provide continuity for children's learning and development. The Extended Hours Kindergarten program in LDC includes rest time, lunch and snacks.

The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD) provides a per capita grant for every child attending a 4 year old kindergarten program. This funding enables the centre to employ qualified kindergarten teachers, allowing children to receive a minimum 10 hours of kindergarten per week in the year prior to starting school. Each child can access this funding only once! Your child cannot be enrolled in two funded programs and the funding is for only one year although a child who is formally assessed as having significant additional needs may be entitled to a second year of funded pre-school. This does not include children who are delaying entry to school because their parents think that they are too young.

Families are required to sign a form acknowledging that they are aware that the centre is in receipt of this funding for their child and that their child is not enrolled in another funded program at a different childcare centre or kindergarten.

In the event that during the year, places become available in either 4 year old program and the place cannot be filled from the wait list, then a family may choose to use the second program providing that they pay the dollar amount equivalent to the amount the centre receives from the Government. (Approximately $1900.00)

The Committee of Management is aware that some families would like to use both services, however Poets Grove is unable to vary the funding agreement with DEECD.

We hope this information assists families currently looking at options for 3 and 4 YO kindergarten and also assists families with younger children who will need to decide which kindergarten program best suits their work/family needs in coming years.

If you have further questions, please contact Lynne Mohr (Centre Manager) or Theresa Mongan (Enrolment Officer).