PINJARRA EARLY YEARS PRE-SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
July - September 2011
There has been a lot happening around Pinjarra lately and the stories from each of our rooms are just amazing to read. Many new families have joined us since our last newsletter and I extend a warm welcome to each of you.
As you read this newsletter I may be relaxing on a beach in Italy, but I will be checking in regularly to update the children on my journey around Europe so that it can be a shared learning experience. The children in Yellow Room in particular have shown a strong recent interest in planes and we will try to chat on Skype at least a couple of times while I am away. In my absence Emma, our teacher from Red Room, will be Acting Director Monday to Thursday. Please remember to also use the Pinjarra email address if you have any other issues regarding payments or administration related enquiries and Elizabeth or Johanna will respond as required. That email address ispinjarrachildrenservices@gmail.com I expect my first day back at Pinjarra to be Tuesday November 8, although it may only be for a few hours while I deal with the expected jet-lag.
Please be aware that there have been quite a few near-misses relating to the use of our car park and driveway lately and I wish to remind everyone of the correct procedure when entering and departing from Pinjarra. The driveway at the bottom of the cul-de-sac is forentering only. The only driveway that should be used for exiting Pinjarra is the top driveway after driving under the covered area, past our mail box. In regards to the Babies Centre car park, please be aware that there must be a clear turning circle path left to enable everyone to drive through and exit freely. If you wish to double park in front of our staff we ask that you do so in a straight manner which allows other people to do the same. This option should also be used only if you are expecting to pick up your child quickly, as it may inconvenience a staff member if they wish to leave a few minutes early and you have double parked in front of their car.
Please driveslowlyat all times throughout our car park as small children are difficult to see and can behave in unexpected ways. Similarly, all parents should be holding their children's hands in the car park so that they do not get distracted by a friend in the playground and rush away from your side with dire consequences. The number of children taken to hospital from driveway related incidents is horrifying, and we don't want our children adding to those statistics. One of the local residents also came to see me this week and asked that I remind everyone to pay close attention to slowing down at the roundabout and being aware of the rules regarding who has right-of-way.
Please note, there has been an amendment to the Policy regarding days of attendance at Pinjarra. We put a lot of time and effort into ensuring the days we offer both our current families and those on the waitlist suit as many families as possible. There are many factors to consider in this process as we must comply with ratios set by the government as well as considering space in each room for the children according to their age grouping. This may mean that if you wish to reduce your days of attendance during the year, it is only possible if Pinjarra is able to match that day with at least one other day within the centre as we have a 2 day minimum attendance pattern. If we do not consider this factor when planning, then it may be that we have a number of single days unable to be filled across the centre. This will affect our ability to run our centre in the most efficient manner and may result in other families missing out on a possible position for child care at Pinjarra. Thisdoes not affect your right to receive your 4 week bond refund after you have given us that 4 weeks written notice to withdraw from attending Pinjarra. If you have any extra concerns regarding this policy change, please send an email topinjarrachildrenservices@gmail.comand attention it to Elizabeth, or speak with me when I return from annual leave.
Finally, please mark the following dates in your diary. Our children's Christmas concert and end of year party will be on Thursday December 8 at 4pm. More details to follow later. Also, our final day for the year will beFriday December 23 at3pmand we will re-open Monday January 16, 2012 at 8am.
So I will sign off for now and let you continue to read about the exciting activities going on in each of the rooms. Stay safe and well while I am away and I look forward to seeing you all upon my return.
Ciao!
Jennifer.