Kindergarten - St Aidan's Anglican Girls School

Mission Statement

Educators at St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School believe learning is a lifelong journey and that early childhood is the foundation on which this exciting and important quest begins. St Aidan's Kindergarten acknowledges that parents are a child's first and most important teacher and that collaborative relationships between educators and families are essential for engaging in active learning. As a learning community, we promote an education pedagogy that supports children to learn through play and conversation. We also acknowledge that each young child develops at a different rate and with a different set of dispositions. As such, young children should have a learning environment that is responsive to their individual needs. Due to the fact that children bring with them a pre-existing set of skills, abilities and knowledge bank, what they can do rather than cannot is the starting point in their learning. This process of value adding, through the key concepts of play and conversation, is the fundamental function of Kindergarten at St Aidan's Anglican Girls' School.

Philosophy

St Aidan’s Kindergarten Philosophy:

St Aidan’s Kindergarten strives to provide an educational program of the highest quality for girls and boys. Central to this is the creation of an environment that is nurturing, engaging, supportive and inclusive for both our students and families.

Our Philosophy is based upon several key areas that help make up our unique educational model.

Educators

Kindergarten Educators are highly qualified and committed to working towards the best interests of the children in their care.
We believe educators should facilitate, guide, support, observe, teach and challenge children throughout their time at Kindergarten.
We believe educators should be purposeful in creating unique learning opportunities for the children in their care.

Children

We believe that individuals learn at their own pace and require ongoing opportunities to engage in a range of experiences to learn and grow.
We believe that young children must feel safe, secure and respected in their learning environment and the development of positive relationships is fundamental to the well-being of our students.

We believe that families play an important role in the life of each child.
We value the diversity each family brings to our Kindergarten community.
We are considerate and sensitive to the knowledge that parents and carers have of their child and work together to ensure families feel they have a strong partnership with St Aidan’s Kindergarten.
We believe that family involvement is integral to a high-quality program and welcome the involvement of families at our service.

Curriculum

We believe that learning experiences should be authentic and engaging.
We believe that children learn best when they are supported, happy and relaxed.
We believe that young children benefit from a range of teaching and learning styles.
We believe that all children have the right to participate in a high quality program and support the active participation of all students enrolled at St Aidan’s Kindergarten.

Relationships

We believe that relationships are fundamental to the growth and well-being of children and should be built upon trust and mutual respect.
We value respectful and equitable relationships with all children and support students to develop collaborative relationships with their peers.
We believe that relationships between educators and children are essential for engaging in active learning.

Community

When a strong school community exists, we believe there are positive outcomes for children and families.
St Aidan’s Kindergarten is connected to the wider St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School community and this promotes active participation of all school members in our program and learning experiences.
We acknowledge and are committed to the exploration of our Indigenous cultural history.

Governance

We believe that effective leadership builds and promotes a positive and organised culture where educators are respected and supported in delivering a quality Kindergarten Program.
St Aidan’s Kindergarten is part of St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School. As such, we strive to provide excellence in education, in a caring, friendly environment, where each individual, nurtured and shaped by the values of the Christian Faith, has the opportunity to achieve his or her full potential and develop a passion for life and for learning.
The professional conduct of all our educators is guided by the United Nations Rights of the Child and the Early Childhood Australia Code of Ethics.

Communication

We believe that communication is fundamental to our work at St Aidan’s Kindergarten.
Regular communication between educators and families is important to further developing positive relationships and ensures the child’s developmental needs a constantly met.

Quick Facts

Options: Full time and Part time

Hours: 8.15am - 3.00pm (Term Time)

Class Size: 22 max (current regulations require a ratio of 1:11 for this age group).

The kindergarten class is under the care and guidance of two adults at all times.

Ages: Kindergarten programs in receipt of funds from the Queensland Kindergarten Funding Scheme must ensure they maximise enrolments of eligible-age children. As St Aidan’s Kindergarten receives this funding, enrolment priority will be given to children who turn four by June 30 in the year they attend Kindergarten. Where vacancies exist, St Aidan’s Kindergarten may offer places to children who turn three by the start of the school year. The St Aidan’s Kindergarten program begins to prepare children for their transition to Prep the following year by supporting all children to further develop their knowledge and understanding in areas such as social skills, self-care, literacy and numeracy.

Child Care Benefit: Whilst St Aidan’s Kindergarten is an approved registered child care and delivers a government approved kindergarten program, we are not Child Care Benefit (CCB) approved. To be eligible for CCB approval, the centre that your child is enrolled in must operate at least 48 weeks per year and be open for at least 40 hours per week. St Aidan’s Kindergarten only operates 38 weeks per year and 32.5 program hours per week. More information regarding kindergarten approved programs is available on the Queensland Government website. Fact sheets relating to approved and registered care are available at www.mychild.gov.au.

From 2 July 2018, Australia will have a New Child Care Package. Under the new package, the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) will replace the exisitng Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate. CCS will be the main way the Government assists families with their child care fees.

Please refer to www.education.gov.au/new-child-care-package-families-2-july-2018 for further information.

Outside School Hours Care

After School Care: 3.00pm - 6.00pm

Important information about our Service: St Aidan’s Outside School Hours Care is approved to provide education and care primarily to children over preschool age. At least 60% of children being provided education and care at the service must be over preschool age.

This condition above is applied to before school, after school and vacation care programs. As a result, St Aidan's OSHC is unable to provide before school care to kindergarten students due to the low number of school aged students enrolled. A limited number of places for kindergarten students at after school care and vacation care are available therefore we recommend contacting the OSHC Coordinator, Palu Ingram, to discuss availability by emailing oshc@staidans.qld.edu.au.

Government Rebates: St Aidan’s OSHC is an approved CCB (Child Care Benefit) and CCR (Child Care Rebate) child care/OSHC centre. To be eligible for the CCB or the CCR, families must register with the Family Assistance Office (FAO) to receive a parent and child registration number (CRN). These numbers must be supplied to the Service in order to receive your CCB or CCR. To test your eligibility for CCB and CCR contact the Family Assistance office on 13 61 50. It is your responsibility to provide St Aidan's OSHC with the relevant Customer Reference Numbers (CRNs) for the student attending and the linked parent.

Please refer to www.education.gov.au/new-child-care-package-families-2-july-2018 for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is it located?

Set within the grounds of the St Aidan's Junior School, the Kindergarten is colourful and spacious, with creative design features and kindergarten-specific facilities, including natural play areas that invite young children to explore and investigate while providing special spaces for socialisation. Proximity to the Junior and Senior School facilities facilitates cross-age interaction and valuable links with siblings.

What is the uniform?

Girls – St Aidan's brown polo shirt, tartan shorts, kindergarten hat, kindergarten tracksuit, sandshoes/sandals and small St Aidan's backpack.

Boys – St Aidan's brown polo shirt, navy shorts, kindergarten hat, kindergarten tracksuit, sandshoes/sandals and backpack of choice.

What are qualifications of the Kindergarten staff?

Staff in kindergarten are qualified in the early childhood field. Two highly qualified and dedicated early childhood staff; four-year qualified early childhood teacher; full-time assistant (minimum qualification – Certificate III), specialist teachers for Physical Education, Library, Every Day Music and Every Day Languages.

Kindergarten Documents

Protecting Children and Young People in Anglican Education Policy

Protecting Children and Young People in Anglican Education Guidelines and Procedures

Kindergarten Child Youth & Risk Management Strategy

Kindergarten Handbook

Kindergarten Statement of Fees

Kindergarten Subsidy Policy

Kindergarten Statement of Commitment