Sans Souci Pre-School is a non-profit service funded and licensed by Community Services. The preschool operates in a beautiful environment and is well resourced with extensive indoor and outdoor areas. A variety of stimulating and inviting experiences are provided in a warm, safe environment that is appropriate for all children. The preschool employs well above Community Services requirement for staff:child ratios and qualifications of staff as we believe this enables us to deliver a high quality early childhood education.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Hours of Operation
Sans Souci Community Pre-school follows the NSW Department of Education school terms, closing for School holidays. We also close on Public Holidays and pupil free days which are generally held on the first and last day of the school year. Our licensed hours of operation are from 9am to 3.30 pm.
Attendance
The preschool caters for up to 72 children daily between the ages of 2 and 6 years of age. As per Community Services guidelines, preference is given to 4 year olds so we cannot guarantee placement for a younger child.
There are 3 classrooms with up to 24 children in each class who are guided by a minimum of 3 early childhood educators. Children usually attend 2 or 3 days with a small number attending 1 day per week on a Wednesday.
Enrolments for the following year commence around July or August with letters of offer being posted out until all places are filled. Cancellations can occur at any time in which case the process will continue with an offer of placement to the next eligible child. This may occur by mail, phone or email.
Our transition to preschool program includes an Enrolment Information Night usually held in September. Families are also invited to attend an open morning with their child during Term 4.
Food
Children bring their own food to preschool which includes morning tea, lunch and a drink bottle containing water. We encourage healthy food and therefore recommend fresh fruit and vegetables and nutritious snacks and sandwiches. Due to the serious risk posed to children with allergies, the pre-school is "nut free".
Staff
The preschool teaching team consists of University trained Early Childhood teachers, staff with TAFE Diplomas in Child Studies and experienced Early Childhood assistants.
Each class has a minimum of 3 educators every day enabling us to provide small group experiences and quality interactions with the children.
Along with our administration staff, cleaners and outdoor maintenance staff we aim to provide an efficient, caring and pleasant environment for all the children and families.
Parent Involvement
Family participation has been a feature of the preschool since its establishment. We aim to work in partnership with families and there are many opportunities, both formal and informal, for families to be involved. These may include becoming a member of the Board of Management, assisting with fundraising, participating in preschool functions or contributing to the program in various ways. We understand that parents are busy people so we respect a parent's decision to involve their family in the best way that suits them.
We look foward to answering any questions you may have and look foward to welcoming you to our preschool.
HISTORY
The Sans Souci Community Pre-school Association Incorporated was started by a group of parents who initially approached Rockdale Council in 1951. The land was provided by the Council who also constructed the first room. Between 1953 and 1961 further building took place and funds were raised for extensions and brick veneering during the 1970's. There has been ongoing improvements and additional building work since that time which has resulted in the current, modern, well-equipped buildings and grounds that you see today.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We acknowledge the original custodians of this land and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their cultures in the community.
We believe that children deserve the right to feel safe, secure and supported in a warm, accepting and nurturing environment. Children need time and space to explore, imagine, learn and have fun. We believe that encouraging a child’s imagination and curiosity will inspire the simple joys of childhood and a lifelong love of learning.
Through play, children learn about the world around them, develop their knowledge and skills, problem solve and express their ideas and feelings. We believe in listening to their ideas, their theories and capturing their “magical moments”. As passionate educators, we will provide a play based program that is reflective of the children’s interests and supports the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework. We believe that the pre-school environment should reflect natural beauty with aesthetic appeal and continually respond to the interests and abilities of each child.
We believe that each child is unique, competent and resourceful. We respect that all children have their own abilities, interests and cultural backgrounds and are part of our wider community. We believe children should be supported to be comfortable with diversity and respond to it with openness and confidence. We strive to honour all cultures and traditions within our community. We want children to develop a respect and appreciation for themselves, others and the environment. We believe that fostering positive relationships within the pre-school will support this.
As educators we acknowledge the importance of working together as a team where everyone’s skills, strengths and resources are respected. We value and support the importance of continual professional development and reflective practices. We believe in maintaining a balance between experiences that are initiated by children and those which are supported or facilitated by intentional teaching. We therefore engage in conversations that are meaningful and thoughtful. We also believe that as professionals we need to advocate for children and to educate children
We acknowledge the importance of working in partnership with families to provide the best outcomes for children. We believe that pre-school is a time to make positive and strong connections between the child, family, educators and the community. Our pre-school is well established and respected within the community and we strive to maintain a high quality service where everyone is important and learning is valued.
Waiting List
Children can be placed on the waiting list from birth. The preferred time to visit the preschool is between 10am and 12.30pm. A waiting list application form needs to be completed and a non refundable fee of $15 paid. Placing your child on the waiting list is not a guarantee of placement but the earlier this is done the better chance you have of gaining a place.
Fees
The full daily fee is currently $41. Reduced fees are available to families from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds, families with more than one child attending the service and those on a low income with a Health Care Card being and $19 to $28 reduced fees.
The preschool is a registered service so families may also be able to claim Registered Child Care Benefit (CCB) which is a Family Assistance payment available at your local Medicare office. Families attending the preschool are not, however, eligible for the 50% tax refund available only to "approved services".
The program
Whilst it is essential for children to have routines during the day, our program and routines are flexible and relaxed to meet the individual needs and interests of the children.
We are very fortunate to have a beautiful environment for learning at our preschool. We maintain beauty and aesthetic appeal throughout the centre which invites children to engage and explore. A range of experiences are provided that stimulate decision making, problem solving, creativity, imagination, communication, socialisation, physical skills and cultural understanding. Music, language, drama, science, gardening, cooking and art are incorporated in these experiences which may occur in small groups initiated by the educators or spontaneously brought about by the children's interests. We value both the indoor and outdoor environments equally for children and encourage them to make choices.
We believe children's early learning is particularly significant as it lays the foundation for all learning. Each child has strengths in some areas of development and each child's pattern of development is unique. Children learn through play and this occurs most effectively when experiences are based upon areas which are meaningful, purposeful and related to their lives and interests. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand. This is why play is one of the foundations of the Early Years Learning Framework and why our preschool offers a child focused, play-based learning program.
Additional Needs Program
Some children who attend our preschool may have additional needs. These children are fully included in our daily program as our objective is the same for all children i.e. to support and extend their strengths and interests. A specialist teacher is employed most days to provide them with support and enable them to participate in the program. Staff work in close liaison with parents and any related professional services to ensure each child's needs are met.
