GENERAL INFORMATION

Kids Interacting with the
Elderly (KITE) Program

As part of our commitment to fostering community connections and developing empathy in young children, Biralee Preschool participates in the Kids Interacting with the Elderly (KITE) Program. Through this program, our children are given the opportunity to visit Finley Regional Care, where they engage in meaningful, intergenerational experiences with elderly residents. These visits are supervised and guided by our educators and involve a range of shared activities such as arts and crafts, music, storytelling, and movement games. The KITE Program supports children in developing social and emotional skills, while also bringing joy and companionship to the elderly members of our community.

Bush Kinder Program

At Biralee Preschool, we offer a Bush Kinder Program that encourages children to explore and connect with the natural environment. During Terms 2 and 3, children participate in one day of Bush Kinder each week at Retreat Hall. This outdoor learning experience provides opportunities for hands-on exploration, imaginative play, and the development of physical, social, and cognitive skills in a natural setting. Bush Kinder fosters resilience, curiosity, problem-solving, and a deep appreciation for nature. Activities are guided by educators but driven by the children’s interests, allowing for spontaneous learning and discovery.

BUS TRAVEL

Families are welcome to utilise the local bus services to transport their child to and from Biralee Preschool.

Please note the following important information regarding bus travel:

Parents are responsible for contacting the bus services directly to arrange travel for their child.
Parents must also inform the Preschool by completing a Bus Authorisation Form on OWNA.
It is important to understand that bus travel is at the family’s own risk.
Biralee Preschool is not responsible for your child’s safety or behaviour while they are in transit on the bus, prior to arrival or after departure from the Preschool.

LOST PROPERTY

A lost property basket is located at the service and contains any unnamed or unclaimed items. We kindly ask families to check this basket regularly for any missing belongings.

To help prevent items from being misplaced, please ensure that your child’s name is clearly labelled on all personal items, including clothing, hats, bags, and lunchboxes.

OUR POLICIES

Our service policies are available for viewing on your personal OWNA app. If you would like further information or clarification about any of our policies, please feel free to speak with one of our educators.

CHILDREN’S RECORDS

All enrolment forms, developmental records, and related documentation are kept strictly confidential and stored securely in accordance with privacy regulations. Families may request access to their child’s records at any time. Please speak with an educator or the service Director to arrange this.

COLLECTION OF CHILDREN

For the safety of all children, only authorised persons listed on the enrolment form are permitted to collect children from the service.

If there is any change to the usual collection arrangement, please notify the office in advance—either verbally or in writing. Any person who is not known to staff will be required to present valid identification before the child can be released into their care. If identification cannot be provided, the child will not be released.

Please ensure your child is collected prior to closing time. Late pick-up fees will apply if a child is collected after hours, in accordance with our Payment of Fees Policy.

PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM

At Biralee Preschool, we follow an emergent curriculum that is guided by the children’s interests, developmental needs, and input from families. Our educators carefully observe and respond to the children’s ideas, using these observations to plan meaningful experiences and learning opportunities. Daily routines and activities are thoughtfully designed to support each child's growth and development.

Educators complete daily reflections, which are linked to the outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). These reflections highlight the day’s activities and the learning that has taken place. The curriculum plan is clearly displayed within the service at all times, ensuring transparency and encouraging family engagement.

PARENTAL FEEDBACK

We value open communication and welcome any feedback, suggestions, or concerns you may have. If you wish to discuss a matter, please speak directly with the Director. We are committed to working in partnership with families to ensure the best outcomes for all children.

NUTRITION

At Biralee Preschool, we are committed to promoting healthy eating habits and supporting children's understanding of nutrition. Children are encouraged to recognise and choose nutritious options from their lunchboxes, such as sandwiches, fruit, vegetables, cheese, and yoghurt. Educators guide these choices in a positive and supportive way during meal times.

Children will place their lunchboxes in the fridge upon arrival to ensure food safety throughout the day.

If your child has any food allergies, intolerances, or specific dietary requirements, please indicate this on your child’s enrolment form so we can ensure appropriate care is provided.

Please note: Our service is strictly NUT FREE due to the risk of life-threatening allergies. We kindly ask that no nut products are packed in your child’s lunchbox.

In line with our Munch & Move Policy and to support allergy safety, we request that families do not bring birthday cakes or food-based treats to celebrate birthdays. We provide safe and inclusive alternative birthday celebrations for children.

NATIONAL MODEL CODE

We’re excited to share that as part of our ongoing commitment to providing a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all children, our service is implementing the National Model Code of Conduct for Early Childhood Education and Care.

To help us maintain this standard, we kindly ask that families avoid taking photos or videos of children while on the premises. We also ask that you do not share photos from the OWNA app that have been shared with families. This helps protect the privacy and dignity of all children and ensures we continue to meet our responsibilities under child safety and privacy guidelines.

Thank you for your continued support in making our service a safe and nurturing place for every child.

FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

At Biralee Preschool, we value strong connections with families and maintain an open-door policy. Parents and family members are always welcome to visit and participate in our preschool community.

Your involvement sends a powerful message to your child—that you support and value their experiences in the preschool environment. We understand that for many working families, time can be limited. That’s why we aim to offer flexible opportunities for involvement that suit your availability and comfort level.

There are many ways you can take part, including: