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Bush Kinder Program 2016
Parent Handbook
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Rangeview Pre-‐School Bush Kinder Program Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve, Ashburton Dve, Mitcham
Rangeview Pre-‐School Bush Kinder Handbook 2016
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Table of Contents Introduction ........................................................................................................... 3 Participation .......................................................................................................... 3 Communication ...................................................................................................... 4 Program Overview ................................................................................................. 4 Session Overview ................................................................................................... 4
Arriving at Bush Kinder ......................................................................................... 4 Map of Yarran Dheran Reserve ............................................................................ 5
Session Outlines ........................................................................................................ 5
Staff ....................................................................................................................... 6
Bush Kinder Parent Roster ........................................................................................ 6
Attendance ............................................................................................................ 6 When shouldn’t my child attend? ........................................................................ 6 Others in attendance ............................................................................................ 7 Late Collection Fee Policy ..................................................................................... 7
Sessions ................................................................................................................. 7 Session times: ....................................................................................................... 7 Bush Kinder Session cancellation: ........................................................................ 7
Weather .................................................................................................................... 7
Clothing ................................................................................................................. 8
Change of clothes ..................................................................................................... 9
What Else to Bring .................................................................................................... 9
Location ................................................................................................................. 9 Bush Kinder Site .................................................................................................... 9 Parking Area ....................................................................................................... 10 Pick Up and Drop Off .......................................................................................... 10
Toilets ..................................................................................................................... 10
Medications ............................................................................................................ 10
Training and Awareness Sessions ......................................................................... 11 Risk Benefit Assessment ....................................................................................... 11 Further Policy and Regulations ............................................................................. 11
Emergency Evacuation ........................................................................................... 11
Acknowledgments ................................................................................................ 12
Rangeview Pre-‐School Bush Kinder Handbook 2016
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Introduction Rangeview Pre-‐School is very excited to be part of a Bush Kinder pilot program in 2016, funded through the City of Whitehorse and working together with Lucy Menzies, Whitehorse Council’s ParksWide Education Program Officer.
A series of ‘nature based’ kindergarten sessions will be held at Yarran Dheran Nature Reserve between February and December 2016 for children in our four year old program. The program has been developed in line with the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework, which describe the principles, practices and outcomes that support and enhance young children’s learning to five years of age.
The Bush Kinder Program aims to:
1. Facilitate respect and appreciation of nature through experience; 2. Encourage creative play with minimal use of direct instruction, tools and
manufactured resources; 3. Assist in the development of risk assessment skills in a dynamic environment; 4. Support kindergarten staff to integrate environmentally aware principles and
nature-‐based play into their daily service delivery.
Stakeholders and commitments
ParksWide – Whitehorse Council’s Parkswide Education Program Officer, Lucy Menzies, will prepare and oversee delivery of the program and prepare a preliminary evaluation report for all stakeholder groups by 30 June 2016. Prior to each session a thorough Risk Assessment of the area to be used will be undertaken and attendees informed of potential risks. In the event of extreme weather conditions, the Visitor Centre will be utilised for indoor activities. In the event of a Total Fire Ban sessions will be cancelled.
Rangeview Pre-‐School – Annamaria Bingham, our Waratah teacher, will also collaborate with Whitehorse Council’s ParksWide Education Officer to prepare and oversee delivery of the program and prepare an evaluation report for all stakeholder groups. Kindergarten staff will be present at each session to ensure educator-‐to-‐child ratio requirements are maintained. Rangeview Pre-‐School will be the main point of contact for participants. The supervision of children remains staff responsibility for the duration of each session. This includes any first aid treatment that may be required.
Yarran Dheran Advisory Committee – The Committee supports the Pilot Program on the understanding that activities are co-‐ordinated to minimise impact on the natural environment.
Participation To participate in this program, parents/carers must complete and return to kinder prior to the first session a Bush Kinder Permission Form. This may be downloaded from the Rangeview Pre-‐School website as per the instructions in this enrolment pack.
Parents/carers should also provide any changes to their enrolment forms including updating the list of authorised people to collect your child if you are car pooling.
Rangeview Pre-‐School Bush Kinder Handbook 2016
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Communication We ask parents to always have their mobile phone with them and turned on throughout the duration of their bush kinder session to be easily contactable when necessary and aware of any updates throughout the session. A list of contacts for the nominated supervisor will be provided prior to the first session.
Program Overview This type of pre-‐school session allows the children to engage with nature and their environment in many different ways. The children gain many opportunities to grow and develop skills, a greater respect for their natural environment and a connectedness to local surrounds. The children will also continue to develop strong relationships amongst their peers and adults within their particular group.
Current research shows that children today are spending much more time indoors and in front of screens and participating in structured activities. Being outdoors and exploring nature will help change these trends as children begin to value and appreciate the joy that nature based activities can provide for an overall sense of well being and positive identity.
Our Bush Kinder sessions will promote and encourage a closer connection with nature, develop a greater sense of community amongst our pre-‐school groups, develop a greater appreciation of our environment and nurture creative and resilient children.
Session Overview Prior to the commencement of each session, teachers will scan the bush space for safety and new areas of potential interest. Each Bush Kinder session will begin with the group meeting together with the teachers. A story or songs may be shared whilst we wait for all children to be signed in. We will be guided through a series of topics each week.
Arriving at Bush Kinder Please enter Yarran Dheran Reserve through Ashburton Dve where you will find ample parking. Please follow the path to the Visitor Centre.
Please sign our attendance book when you arrive from 8.45 am (Waratah) & 1.00pm (Banksia) in the courtyard at the rear of the Visitor Centre.
The children will place their belongings in a designated area and join together for welcome time. If parents are staying to be a Bush Kinder helper (see below), they must sign the Visitors’ Book.
