FAQ’s

• We recommend a large backpack that is easy to open and close, with enough space to fit everything your child needs for the day.

  Inside the bag, please include:

  • Healthy food for snack time and lunch (if applicable)
  • A drink bottle filled with water (cordial, juice, and soft drinks are not recommended)
  • A coat and warm hat during Terms 2 and 3 or as needed for the weather
  • A spare change of clothing – an extra set of clothing is always helpful, and children are much more comfortable in their own clothes if a change is needed
  • Space for artwork and other belongings your child may bring home

During sun protection times (when UV levels are forecasted to be three and above), all children and participants at the service must wear:

• An appropriate sun-protective hat (provided by Gembrook Preschool, individually labelled, and stored in your child’s locker)
• Sun-protective clothing that covers as much skin as possible
• Sunscreen before participating in outdoor activities

In Victoria, UV levels are typically three or higher from mid-August to the end of April. Please check daily local sun protection times using the SunSmart app.

Gembrook Preschool provides Hamilton Sensitive sunscreen. If your child has sensitivities to this sunscreen, families may supply an alternative sunscreen that meets our requirements. This must be labelled and kept in your child’s bag.

For more information, please refer to our Sun Protection Policy.

We understand that everyone has different communication preferences. To keep families informed and connected, we use a variety of methods, including:

• Storypark – A secure online platform where educators share updates, photos, and learning experiences. It helps keep parents, extended family, and specialists involved in your child’s journey. Visit www.storypark.com for more details
• Facebook – For general updates and community engagement
• Phone calls – When direct communication is needed
• Regular newsletters – Keeping families informed about events, important dates, and news
• Parent interviews – Opportunities to discuss your child’s progress

If you have any other preferences for communication, please let us know; we are always happy to connect in ways that work best for you!

If your child is unwell, they should not attend kindergarten until they have fully recovered. For guidance on when to exclude your child, please refer to the Department of Health – School Exclusion Table – https://www.health.vic.gov.au/infectious-diseases/school-exclusion-table

In the case of gastroenteritis outbreaks, children should remain at home until they have not experienced vomiting or loose bowel motions for at least 48 hours. For other diarrheal illnesses, exclusion is required until there have been no symptoms for 24 hours.

We also recommend reviewing the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines for preventing infectious diseases – https://www.nhmrc.gov.au/about-us/publications/staying-healthy-guidelines

For more iformation, please refer to our Dealing with Infectious Disease and Hygiene Policies

A medication record must be completed prior to administering any medication.  Please ask one of our staff members for a copy of this form upon enrolment.

Medication can only be administered:

• if it has been prescribed by a registered medical practitioner, from its original container with the original label including the name of the child for whom it is prescribed, before the expiry or use-by date, or
• from its original container, with the original label and instructions and before the expiry or use-by date, and in accordance with any instructions attached to the medication or provided by a registered medical practitioner, either verbally or in writing.

For more information, please refer to our Dealing with Medical Conditions and Administration of Medication Policies

Your child’s safety and wellbeing is our top priority. It is essential for us to be informed about any asthma, allergies, or anaphylaxis before your child begins kindergarten. Please disclose any relevant medical conditions on your child’s enrolment form. Additionally, you will need to provide a copy of your child’s Action Plan prior to their attendance at our service.

For Action Plan templates, you can visit Asthma Australia or ASCIA, or contact us for a blank template that your medical professional can complete for your child.

Parents/guardians are required to supply any necessary medications, such as an EpiPen, asthma puffer, and spacer, which will be kept onsite along with the Action Plan for your child. Please ensure that all medications are clearly labelled with your child’s name.

The staff at Gembrook Preschool follows established procedures to minimise risks related to asthma, allergies, and anaphylaxis, which includes developing a risk minimisation and communication plan in collaboration with parents.  For more information, please refer to our Dealing with Medical Conditions, Administration of Medication, Asthma Management and Anaphylaxis and Allergic Reactions Policies

Our kindergarten operates as a multi-age program, with group sizes that vary depending on session times. We always adhere to government regulations and staffing ratios to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment with qualified educators.  Please contact our friendly staff for more information.

At Gembrook Preschool, we recognise that each child is unique and has their own set of strengths and needs. We work closely with families to understand your child’s specific needs, whether they relate to developmental, medical, or other areas. This partnership helps us create a learning environment that’s responsive and supportive.”

We also collaborate with external professionals and agencies that may be involved in your child’s care to ensure we provide a consistent approach to their development. This can include adapting our teaching strategies, using specialised equipment, or making modifications to the classroom environment to meet your child’s needs.

If additional support is needed, we can explore various options, including providing extra training for staff, arranging specialised resources, or assigning an additional support assistant. Our goal is to ensure your child has access to the tools and assistance they need to thrive in their learning journey.

We encourage you to reach out to us to discuss your child’s specific needs, so we can ensure the right support is in place and explore all available resources to benefit their development.

At Gembrook Preschool, we recognise and support each child’s unique developmental journey. While we encourage families to have started toilet training before attending kindergarten, our staff will continue to support and nurture this development to promote a positive outcome.  If your child has an accident, we will respond with care and sensitivity. Please ensure that a spare change of clothes is packed in your child’s bag to manage these situations.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us with any concerns or queries regarding your child’s toileting. Our staff are dedicated to supporting both children and families to ensure a smooth and positive transition to kindergarten.

Please check with your teacher or educator, as we are often looking for recyclable items to use in the rooms. Clean and empty food containers, small boxes, ribbons, fabric, wrapping paper, towel tubes, paper, or any interesting items from your work are always appreciated.

For hygiene and safety reasons, we kindly ask that donations do not include toilet rolls or egg cartons.

We value the involvement of families in our kindergarten program, as it strengthens the connection between home and preschool. Family-inclusive practice allows you to see firsthand what your child is experiencing, meet their friends, and build relationships with other parents and educators.

Please note that a Working with Children Check is required for anyone wishing to work directly with the children during sessions. This check is free for volunteers, and our staff are happy to assist you with the application process if needed. For more ways to get involved, please visit the Family Participation section under the ‘Our Story’ tab on our website.

For more information, please refer to our Participation of Volunteers and Students Policy.

• • Participating in working bees
  • Supporting fundraising efforts
  • Collecting recyclable materials such as milk cartons, boxes, ice cream containers, etc.
  • Sharing special skills or talents with the children
  • Assisting during sessions

    Grandparents are always welcome to be involved in our kindergarten program and can contribute in a variety of ways, including:

  Please note that anyone wishing to work directly with the children during sessions, including grandparents, will need a Working with Children Check. This check is free for volunteers, and our staff are happy to assist with the application process if needed. For more ways to get involved, please refer to the Family Participation section under the ‘Our Story’ page on our website.

  For more information, please refer to our Participation of Volunteers and Students Policy.

Please speak with the educators to discuss how you would like your child to celebrate their birthday at kindergarten. If you wish to distribute invitations to your child’s birthday party, we kindly ask that you place them in the children’s notice pockets rather than handing them out individually. This ensures no child feels left out if they do not receive an invitation.

While it is not a requirement, some families choose to provide a treat to share for their child’s birthday. We encourage non-food items where possible, such as a balloon, party hats, or bubble blowing. If you would like to provide cupcakes or other food items, please notify the staff in advance so we can ensure alternative treats are available for children with specific dietary requirements.

Gembrook Preschool is classified as a Category 3 service on the Department of Education’s Bushfire At-Risk Register (BARR), which guides our closure decisions based on the Fire Behaviour Index (FBI) rating. We will close on the following days:

• On Extreme rated days when the FBI is rated 75 or above
• On all Catastrophic rated days
• As directed by the Department of Education and Training (DE)

Please be aware that this closure requirement may differ from other local organisations (e.g., schools or childcare centres), as each follows its own policies, procedures, and Emergency Management Plans (EMPs). Additionally, as a sessional kindergarten service located in a building owned by Cardinia Shire, our closure requirement aligns with Cardinia Shire Council’s policy.

In the event of a closure, we will make every effort to notify families as early as possible. However, fire risk information is typically available only a few days in advance, and the ratings can fluctuate frequently. Notifications of closures will be made via phone, email, SMS, and Storypark. Please ensure your contact details are up to date to receive timely information.

We strongly encourage all families to have their own fire plan in place. If your plan is to leave the area, please follow it and do not attend kindergarten.

It’s important to note that Gembrook Preschool does not have a relocation plan in the event of a bushfire. Given the geography of Gembrook and limited road access, remaining within the township is considered safer than attempting to leave, unless emergency services advise otherwise. Relocation would only be considered if emergency services, or the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) recommends it.

An information session will be held for all families, where we will discuss our emergency procedures. These procedures are reviewed annually, and families will have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback. We also conduct practice evacuations each term, so children and educators are familiar with the process in the unlikely event of an emergency.

If you would like to review our Emergency Management Plan, please feel free to speak with a member of staff.

For more information about the BARR and FBI ratings, visit:

https://www.education.vic.gov.au/about/programs/health/pages/bushfirerisk.aspx
http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/fire-danger-ratings.shtml

For more information, please refer to our Emergency and Evacuation Policy.