Serrell Street Kindergarten Association Incorporated
54 Serrell Street Malvern East 3145
Telephone: 95718607 Fax: 95720350
ARN: A10825 ABN: 47154090839
www.serrellstreetkindergarten.vic.gov.au
REGISTRATION FORM
Registrations will be accepted from 01 May provided your child turns 2 years between 01 May and 30 April of the following year, i.e. if they turn 2 in September 2010 you can still register them from 01 May 2010, or if they turn 2 in March 2011 you can still register from 01 May 2010.
CHILD'S DETAILS
First Name:______________________
Family Name: ______________________
Preferred Name: ____________________
Sex: Female / Male (Will be used to refer to the child)
Date of Birth: ________________________
Home Phone: ____________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________ (Please notify us of any changes to your contact details)
_____________________________________________________________________________
Email : ______________________________________________________________________
Does your child have any special needs? (Please specify) ____________________________
Kindergarten required for:
- Three year old group in _____________ (year)*
- Four year old group in _____________ (year)
*Child must be three years of age prior to commencing.
Past sibling's at Serrell Street Kindergarten Name(s)and date of birth:__________________________________________________________
Year of attendance:_______________________________________________________________
PARENT/GUARDIAN'S DETAILS MOTHER'S DETAILS AND FATHER'S DETAILS
First Names:______________________ Family Name/Surname:______________________
Business Hours Phone:______________________ Mobile Phone:______________________
PLEASE RETURN
- This completed registration form
- A photocopy of the child's birth certificate to be retained by the kindergarten
- A non-refundable $10.00 registration fee (cheque or money order)
- Forward to the Enrolment Officer
Serrell Street Kindergarten Association Incorporated
54 Serrell Street Malvern East 3145
Telephone: 95718607 Fax: 95720350
ARN: A10825 ABN: 47154090839
www.serrellstreetkindergarten.vic.gov.au
By completing this form you have taken to read and understand the Kindergartens enrolment policy.
Serrell Street Kindergarten Enrolment Policy
Reviewed 20 August 2009
1. Authorisation
This policy was adopted by the Serrell Street Kindergarten Committee of Management, at the Committee meeting on 7 September 2009.
2. Review Date
This policy shall be reviewed annually in May or as required.
Review Date Sections Modified
- 16th March 2004 Sections 7 and 8
- 18th May 2004 Sections 1, 2, 4, 7 and 9
- 21st June 2004 Sections 1, 2, 6, 7 and 8
- 16th May 2005 Sections 1, 7 and 9
- 13th June 2006 Sections 1,4,7 and 9
- 12th Sept 2006 Section 7
- 16th June 2008 Section 7.1
- 30th March 2009 Section 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
- 04th May 2009 Section 4, 7
- 06th August 2009 Section 7
- 20th August 2009 Section 6, 7
3. Scope
This policy applies to the Committee, staff, and parents/guardians who wish to have their children enrolled at the Kindergarten, or have children already enrolled at the Kindergarten.
4. Background and Legislation
One room has a capacity of 20 children and one room has a capacity of 25 children. The number of places has been determined by the Kindergarten Committee of Management in view of the current legislation and the time and attention to be devoted to each child. A range of selection criteria (stated in section 6 of this policy) is used in selecting children for the Kindergarten programs. The following legislation is relevant to this policy:
- The Children's Services Act 1996.
- The Children's Service's Regulations 1998.
- The Equal Opportunity Act (Victoria) 1995.
- The Sex Discrimination Act (Commonwealth) 1975.
- The Disability Discrimination Act (Commonwealth) 1992.
- The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Act (Commonwealth) 1986.
- Racial Discrimination Act (1975) .
5. Policy Statement Values
This Kindergarten is committed to:
- Equal access for all children, based on the selection criteria set out in this policy.
- Compliance with the Children's Services Regulations 1998.
- Compliance with the Department's funding requirements relating to the enrolment of children in government funded Kindergarten places.
- Maintaining confidentiality in relation to the details on enrolment forms.
Purpose
This policy will outline, for current and future users, staff and the Committee:
- Criteria for enrolment at the Kindergarten.
- The process to be followed when enrolling a child, and the basis on which places within the programs are allocated.
6. Enrolment Selection Criteria
Selection Criteria For Four-Year-Old Children
The following children are eligible for attendance in the four-year-old Kindergarten program:
- Children who will have turned four years of age by the 30th of April in the year they would attend Kindergarten.
- Children who have received funding for a second year of four-year-old Kindergarten.
- Children who were eligible to attend in the previous year but:
- Deferred.
- Withdrew from the Kindergarten on or before the last day of term two.
- Children turning six years of age in their year of Kindergarten who have been granted an exemption from school entry age requirements by their regional office of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (Department).
- Children who are younger than the eligible age, but whose parents/guardians have submitted a written request for their child to attend school the following year to their regional office of the Department. A copy of the written request must be attached with the application. Parents/guardians are advised that very few requests are approved by the Department. If the child attends Kindergarten early, but does not proceed onto school the following year, the child will be unable to access another year unless they are funded by the Department for a second year.
Options when attending 4 year old kindergarten
Department of Human Services (DHS) provides one year of funded 4 year old kindergarten for each eligible child. If your child is attending 4 year old kindergarten and you or the kindergarten teacher does not believe that they will be ready for school the following year you have two options.
- Withdraw from the kindergarten by the end of term 2. Your child is then guaranteed another year of funded 4 year old kindergarten. Serrell Street Kindergarten - Enrolment Policy 3 of 7 Reviewed 20 August 2000
- Continue with 4 year old kindergarten and if it is believed that your child, after one year of 4 year old kindergarten, is not developmentally ready to begin school then an application for a second year of funded 4 year old kindergarten needs to be made. This is not an easy process, as the Department of Human Services will only approve a second year of funded 4 year old kindergarten for children who meet strict criteria.
Selection Criteria For Three-Year-Old Children
The following children are eligible for attendance in the three-year-old Kindergarten program:
- Children who will have turned 3 years of age by the 30th April in the year of attendance. Children must have turned 3 years before attending the Kindergarten. For children who turn 3 years in February, March and April full fees must be paid to reserve a place until the child has turned 3.
Options for enrolling in 3 year old Kindergarten
- Enrol your child for 3 year old kindergarten for the year in which they are eligible. When you receive a letter of offer notify the kindergarten that you wish to defer the enrolment to the following year.
- Withdraw your child from 3 year old kindergarten by the end of Term 1. Your child is then eligible for a second year of 3 year old kindergarten at Serrell street Kindergarten.
- Continue the year of 3 year old kindergarten and if the teacher believes they are not ready for 4 year old kindergarten repeat 3 year old kindergarten at Serrell Street. If it is not recommended by the teacher, but the parent or guardian still wants the child to repeat 3yo kindergarten they would need to repeat at another kindergarten.
Changes to Number of Places
All places in four-year-old Kindergarten are offered subject to State Government funding. For these places the Committee of Management is bound by the Funding and Service Agreement. Should the funding be substantially altered (either increased or decreased) the Committee of Management reserves the right to re-evaluate the services offered and may change the hours and sessions offered. Recent legislative changes mean that by 2013 4 year olds must have 15 hours per week of kindergarten. This will probably result in changes to the timing of some or all of the sessions currently offered at the kindergarten between now and 2013.
7. Enrolment Procedures
- Registration.
Registrations will be accepted from 1 May provided your child will turn 2 years between 1 May and 30 April of the following year. i.e. if they turn 2 in September 2009 you can still register them from 1 May 2009, or if they turn 2 in March 2010 you can still register from 1 May 2009. Applications must be on the standard registration form, with a separate form completed for each child. Applications for three-year-old Kindergarten will automatically be entered into the four-year-old register. Registrations must contain all of the following:
- A completed standard registration form (refer Appendix 1)
- A non-refundable $10 registration fee and
- A photocopy of the child's birth certificate. Serrell Street Kindergarten -Enrolment Policy 4 of 7 Reviewed 20 August 2009
- Offer of Places.
Priority is given to children attending 3 year old kindergarten at Serrell Street for 4 year old kinder providing they are attending by 30th June of the year prior to an offer being made for 4 year old kinder. Siblings of past and current students will be given priority provided they have been registered on the waiting list by 30th April of the year of offer being made. i.e Child must be registered by 30 April 2009 for preference to be given in 2009 for 3yo kinder in 2010. The order of priority will be based on receipt of registration. Please note siblings will not be enrolled if there are outstanding fees. There is no priority based on locality issues. Only one year of 3 year old kindergarten can be offered, unless the teacher recommends that the child repeat and this is mutually agreed with the family. Offers for three and four-year-old groups will be mailed to applicants during the first week of Term 3 in the year preceding attendance. If a mailed offer is not accepted then an offer will be made via telephone to the next child on the registration list (telephone offers must be made due to time constraints). These applicants will be given at least 24 hours to respond usually to 5pm the following day. If no response is gathered then the assumption will be made that the placement is no longer required. On telephone acceptance the letter of offer will be mailed. When all offers for 3 year old and 4 year old kindergarten have been accepted the sessions will be allocated according to the registration date. It will make no difference if an offer is received via the telephone or in the mail. First term fees need to be paid in full by the date specified on the Term 1 invoice otherwise the placement might be reallocated. Applicants who are unsuccessful will be notified by letter that they were not allocated a place and will be asked to indicate whether they wish to remain on the waiting list if a vacancy arises.
- Offer of Places to Children Applying for a Second Year of Four-Year-Old Kindergarten
.
A second year will only be available for children who are deemed eligible through the Department's assessment procedures. Strict eligibility criteria apply to the second year of funded Kindergarten. Families who do not qualify for a second year of funded Kindergarten but wish to return for an additional year should note that: Second year enrolments not approved by the Department will only be offered a position after all eligible children have been offered a place. As these sessions are not funded, the unfunded rate applies (see fee schedule). In view of the above, families need to consider when to send their child for their one year of funded four-year-old kindergarten.
- Offer of Places to Children Applying for a Second Year of Three-Year-Old Kindergarten - It is expected that each child will only attend one year of three-year-old kindergarten. The Department's Pre-school Field Officer (PSFO) may assess any child once they have commenced attendance. The PSFO will make a recommendation in relation to the child's further attendance for that year. Based on this recommendation the Enrolment Committee, comprising the Kindergarten Director, Three-year-old teacher, Enrolment Officer and a member of the Executive Committee, will make a final decision. If it is decided it is inappropriate for a child to continue in the kindergarten program, the child will be required to defer the year.
- Acceptance of Places and Enrolment.
To confirm the place an enrolment form with a non-refundable $100 fee is required by the date specified in the letter of offer, otherwise the position will be reallocated. This fee is non transferable and non refundable. If you defer or withdraw after the deposit is processed the fee is forfeited.
- Preferences and Allocation of Group Times.
Serrell Street Kindergarten has two rooms, offering three groups of 4 year old kindergarten and three groups of 3 year old kindergarten. At the start of Term 3, offers are sent to parents/guardians of children who are registered for the following year. They will be advised via letter, of the available group times and fees and requested to submit their preferences. Every endeavour will be made to meet the child's first preference, however, this is not always possible, and allocation will be made according to the child's placement on the registration list. Sibling priority only ensures a 1st round offer, not day allocation priority. Children receiving a second funded year of four-year-old Kindergarten will be placed at the top of the waiting list. Special consideration will be given to families with children in both 3yo and 4yo kindergarten to ensure that the children attend on the same day, but this does not ensure the 1st preference. The allocation of days will not be made until all positions are filled.
- Withdrawal of Enrolment.
Parents/guardians wishing to withdraw an enrolment must notify the Enrolment Officer as soon as possible in writing. ? The registration and enrolment fee is non-refundable. The Committee may consider a partial refund in exceptional circumstances. Applications for a refund must be in writing and the reasons for the withdrawal must be clearly stated. ? Non-compliance with this policy may result in the withdrawal of an enrolment.
- Attending Casual Sessions.
Casual sessions may be available from time to time for children currently attending the Kindergarten. For availability of sessions, parents/guardians must check with the staff on duty. Casual rates apply.
8. Key Responsibilities and Authorities
The Teachers are responsible for:
- Secure storage of the completed Enrolment Application Forms.
- Maintaining the confidential status of the completed Enrolment Application Forms.
The Committee is responsible for:
- Implementing this policy.
- Approving any changes to this policy.
- Dealing with any questions/concerns that arise in relation to any aspect of the policy. Serrell Street Kindergarten Enrolment Policy 6 of 7 Reviewed 20 August 2009
The Enrolment Officer is responsible for:
- The day to day implementation of this policy; which includes:
- Providing Registration and Enrolment Record Information forms at the Kindergarten in compliance with the Regulations.
- Passing on to staff the completed Enrolment Record Information forms for secure storage.
- Maintaining the confidential status of Enrolment Record Information forms and the information contained within the enrolment correspondence.
- Collating enrolments.
- Collecting and receipting enrolment fees as well as sighting birth certificates.
- Offering places in accordance with this policy.
- Sending letters to unsuccessful applicants and advising them of their placement on the waiting list.
- Sending Enrolment Forms and relevant information to families on their acceptance of a place.
- Providing a monthly report to the Committee regarding the status of enrolments and any difficulties encountered.
- Providing relevant information from enrolment data for use by teachers and committee as required.
The completion of some of these tasks may be delegated to the Enrolment Assistant but the responsibility remains with the Enrolment Officer.
9. Resources and Support Related Documents
Kindergarten policies on Fees, Complaints and Inclusion of Children with Additional Needs.
The Department's Kindergarten funding criteria.
The Department's Children's services guide.
KPV information sheet Enrolment Record Information.
Phone Numbers
Enrolment Officer Letecya Stacey - (03) 9809 2093
Children's Service Adviser at the regional Department office - (03) 9213 2035
Kindergarten Parents Victoria - (03) 9489 3500
Evaluation
In order to assess whether the policy has achieved the values and purposes set out under section 5 Policy Statement, the Committee will:
- Assess whether a satisfactory resolution has been achieved in relation to issues relating to enrolment procedures.
- If appropriate, conduct a survey in relation to this policy, or incorporate relevant questions in the general parent/guardian survey. Take into account feedback on the policy from the Enrolment Officer or designated person and staff.
- Monitor complaints and incidents regarding the enrolment of children.
Serrell Street Kindergarten Hours of Operation 2010
MONDAY, 4YO Blue Group 8.45 - 3.15, 3YO Red Group 9 - 3
TUESDAY, 4YO Red Group 8.45 - 3.15, 4YO Yellow Group 8.45 - 3.15
WEDNESDAY, 4YO Blue Group 8.45 - 3.15, 3YO Blue Group 9 - 3
THURSDAY, 4YO Red Group 8.45 - 3.15, 3YO Green Group 9 - 3
FRIDAY, 4YO Blue and Red Group mixed 8.45 - 3.15, 4YO Yellow Group 8.45 - 3.15