Parent Assistance
The Preschool needs parent assistance and participation to operate. The Council owns the land and building, but we the Preschool community manage and maintain the Kindergarten and its facilities. Also, the success and the quality of our programmes depend upon parents, children and staff working together.
You can participate, and show your commitment, in many ways.
Session Assistance
One or two parents are rostered on to share some time with us and assist us each session. Helping at Kindergarten gives you an opportunity to:
- Spend valuable time with your child (Children enjoy their parents’ involvement and often look forward to these occasions)
- Get to know your child’s friends and your centre staff
- Read stories
- Prepare and assist with snacks
- Share special skills (cooking, music etc)
- See the program in action
Operations:
- Playground tidy-up. 1-2 hours on a weekend once or twice a year.
- Social/fund-raising team. To contribute ideas and help with social occasions and fund raising events.
- Maintenance. May be called upon through term to perform minor repairs and maintenance. It would be especially useful if you are handy or have some particular skills such as carpentry, IT or electrical know-how.
- Working Bees - One per term usually to carry out more major outdoor projects.
Program Help:
- Playing a musical instrument, singing or dancing.
- Sharing your hobby, work or culture.
- Making dress-ups, costumes etc.
- Covering books.
East Ivanhoe Preschool Committee
Our Kindergarten is managed by a Committee of interested parents with the assistance of Try Youth & Community Services Inc., who manage a range of administrative items and hold the Licensee responsibilities for the Preschool under the Department of Human Services regulations. Some of the Committee responsibilities include enrolments, finance, maintenance and physical improvements, fundraising and social events.
The kindergarten program is a specialised professional matter and is the responsibility of our teaching staff. The Committee works closely with both Try Youth & Community Services Inc. and the Teachers, acting as a support group to staff, as well as a link between parents and staff. The Committee comprises of both mums and dads, with a mix of new and continuing members. It is an advantage to have some members with experience in administration, accountancy and the building field, but more important is a willingness to contribute.
The Committee meets monthly (in the evenings) during the year, with an Annual General Meeting in November, and a handover meeting to follow. The Kindergarten Constitution stipulates that all Committee members are required to attend the monthly Committee meetings.
