OUR PRESCHOOL
Echunga Preschool is a small, school based Preschool set in the Adelaide Hills. The preschool enjoys a lovely park setting with numerous deciduous and non-deciduous trees, easy access bush walking trails including a creek, resident chickens, worm farm and butterfly garden.
The preschool program includes learning Spanish which is used throughout the day. The preschool children enjoy visiting and borrowing from the School library, attend regular assemblies often sharing work including speaking on the microphone, experience events with the school such as excursions, performances, buddy class visiting.
We offer a comprehensive play based program using the National Curriculum Framework, The Early Years Learning Framework, “Being, Belonging, Becoming”.
The 5 Learning Outcomes are designed to integrate and develop the complex learning dispositions, skills, and knowledge of preschool aged children.
PRESCHOOL INFORMATION
Preschool Parent Handbook 2024
STAFF
| Principal | Ella Blake |
| Preschool Teachers | Julie Griggs and Simonne Pfeil |
| SSO | Lisa Warner, Sue Melville and Bronny Ryan |
| PCW | Rebecca Hughes |
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
At Echunga Preschool, positive relationships underpin all that we do.
We believe that by developing close connections with children and families, by embracing their diversity of experiences and by fostering belonging, we create a culture of active and engaged learning.
Children are active and engaged learners when they feel secure to discover, explore, take risks, experiment, create, improvise and imagine. They respectfully interact with each other, they problem solve, they persist, they ask questions and they have fun. We believe that children are best supported in their learning when immersed in play opportunities and a variety of other authentic learning experiences in different settings.
We value the wealth of contributions and involvement from families and the wider school community. In working together we aim to create a rich, respectful and nurturing learning environment.
Eligibility for enrolment at preschool
In South Australia (SA), all children are entitled to access a preschool program over 4 terms the year before they start school. From 2023, there will be two major intakes for children enrolling in preschools, intake 1 for children starting at the beginning of the year (term 1), and intake 2 for children starting mid-year (term 3). Children that start in the mid-year intake will commence reception mid-year 2024 and will undertake 6 terms of reception.
Children can enrol in a government preschool program provided that the child resides in SA and:
• has Australian citizenship or permanent residency, or
• is a child with a relevant specified visa or Immicard.
Children who reside outside of SA may be considered for enrolment where specific requirements are met.
Starting preschool
Government preschools have two major enrolment intakes each year, where children are eligible to access
their full preschool entitlement (15 hours per week). Intake 1 for children starting at the beginning of the year (term 1), and intake 2 for children starting mid-year (term 3).
Intake 1 – Children who turn 4 years of age before 1 May, are eligible to start preschool at the beginning of each year (term 1).
Intake 2 – Children who turn 4 years of age before 1 November are eligible to start preschool midyear the same year (term 3).
Children who turn 4 years of age on or after 1 November are eligible to start preschool in intake 1 the following year.
Eligible children who enrol after the commencement of each intake are able to start at a mutually agreed time between the parents and principal. It is recommended families consider their child’s readiness to commence preschool before enrolling in a preschool program. When a family decide their child will commence school in the year they turn 6 years of age, the child is eligible to access preschool in the 4 terms prior to commencing school.
Aboriginal children
Aboriginal children are eligible to attend preschool after their 3rd birthday. In these circumstances, children
may attend for 15 hours per week. Aboriginal children are eligible to access their full preschool
entitlement (15 hours per week) at the beginning of:
School and preschool enrolment policy – January 2023 | 4
• term 1, if the child has turned 4 years of age before 1 May of that year.
• term 3, if the children has turned 4 years of age before 1 November of that year.
Aboriginal children may either start school when they reach the age of eligibility for enrolment at a
government school (refer to starting school section of the policy), or continue at preschool until they turn 6
years of age.
Children in care
Children who are, or have been, in care are eligible to attend preschool after their 3rd birthday. In these circumstances, children may attend for an average of 12 hours per week.
Children in care are eligible to access their full preschool entitlement (15 hours per week) at the beginning of:
• term 1, if the child has turned 4 years of age before 1 May of that year.
• term 3, if the children has turned 4 years of age before 1 November of that year.
Children who are or have been in care may either start school when they reach the age of eligibility for enrolment at a government school (refer to starting school section of the policy), or continue at preschool until they turn 6 years of age.
PRESCHOOL INFORMATION
Administration of First Aid Policy
Hand Washing Policy
Infectious Diseases and Infestations Policy
Nutrition and Food Safety Policy
Quality Improvement Plan 2024
PRESCHOOL HOURS
Monday: 9.00am – 3.00pm (6 hours)
Fairy Wren Group
Monday, Tuesday and fortnightly Wednesdays (even weeks): 9.00am – 3.00pm (30 hours per fortnight)
Scarlet Robin Group
Thursday and Friday and fortnightly Wednesdays (odd weeks): 9.00am – 3.00pm (30 hours per fortnight)