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Welcome to GRACE!Grace Kindergarten was started by?Onslow Community Church as a community venture in May 1994.? The initial vision was to build a kindergarten that catered for all aspects of a child’s development. Grace Kindergarten was officially opened on 6 July 1994 by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Her Excellency Dame Catherine Tizard.Grace Kindergarten is uniquely Christian with its Board of management and staff all committed to living authentic Christian lives and to the objectives of the kindergarten.Dear parents and friends,Thank you for your interest in Grace Kindergarten. Key items included in this prospectus are:Staff, hours and costsPhilosophy and valuesCurriculumThe policy of entry into Grace KindergartenIf you would like your child to attend Grace Kindergarten we encourage you to enrol him or her on the waiting list as soon as possible. In order to do this, please complete the enrolment form and return it to our office.For further information you are welcome to contact Mrs Pip McGee, the Head Teacher of Grace Kindergarten. You are welcome to visit the kindergarten while we are in session. Please call to make an appointment first as we need to keep all staff informed.The Board of Management sincerely thanks the Grace Kindergartencommunity for their wonderful support. We look ahead with excitement as we continue to develop and enhance Grace Kindergarten.Yours sincerelyBlair MacdonaldChairpersonSTAFF AND BOARD OF MANAGEMENT StaffPip McGee (Head Teacher)Nicola GoodmanPansy WeeAndrea Boult (Support teacher – Part-time)Current Board MembersPeter van der Voorn (Treasurer) Blair Macdonald (Chairperson)Rhys MussonMichael MachinHelen Musson Bianca EvesMegolin HumphriesClass of LicenceGrace Kindergarten holds an All Day Licence for over 2 year olds for up to 30 children.On average twenty-five children attend the morning and afternoon sessions (1:8.3 ratio)HOURSThe kindergarten operates during primary school terms.Younger session: Ages 2 ? to 4 approxWednesday and Friday 8:30am to 1 pmOlder session: Ages approx 4 to 5Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 8.30am to 3.30pmDONATIONS AND COSTSGrace Kindergarten is part of the “20 Hours Free ECE” scheme. Children over 3 years old can have up to 20 hours in an Early Childhood Centre funded by the Government.The level of donation or fee requested depends on a child’s age, the session the child attends and whether the 20 hours Free ECE is attested to Grace Kindergarten as outlined in the table below.Age20 hrs free ECE at GraceDonation levelFeeUnder 3 years in younger sessionn/a$13 per sessionn/aOver 3 years in younger sessionYes$75 per termn/aOver 3 years in younger sessionNo$75 per term$13 per hrOver 3 years in older sessionYes$100 per termn/aOver 3 years in older sessionNo$100 per term$13 per hrGRACE KINDERGARTEN’S PHILOSOPHYTo honour God by providing a caring, Christ-centred pre-school education for children and families in our community.Our values:We believe each child is created and uniquely gifted by GodEvery child is a precious gift from God. God has good plans for every child. We desire to see each child:Develop respect, kindness and compassion for each otherGain the knowledge that they are unique and special to GodRecognise and develop their God given strengthsExplore and gain wonder and curiosity for the world God has createdWe believe in the importance of the familyWe consider ourselves as partners with parents and family in their role in raising and educating their children. We value:Parent and family engagement in the planning of their children’s education programmeParent and family involvement in the day-to-day activities of the KindergartenFamilies building relationships with other Kindergarten familiesWe believe Christ is central to all we doManagement and staff strive for excellence because we serve for God’s glory. We are committed to:Living authentic Christian lives that point to Jesus Christ – our saviourSeeking God’s power and guidance as we approach our workBuilding respectful and positive relationships as we work togetherBeing prudent and above reproachWe believe in serving our communityGrace Kindergarten is an outreach to our local community. We desire to serve our community by:Sharing faithfully the love and truth of God through word and actionEmbracing the bicultural nature of New Zealand’s heritage and the multicultural nature of our community.CURRICULUMThe curriculum teaches “Te Wh?riki” the national curriculum for early childhood centres through a Christian world view and includes Biblical themes and stories at a level appropriate for early childhood.The programme provides a balance between spontaneous play and structured activity. Individual children’s needs are gauged through observation and assessment and taken into account in the general programme and through individual and small group work. Easter and Christmas are eventful times in the kindergarten, and children’s birthdays are acknowledged as special.At Grace Kindergarten we aim to develop the children’s social, emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual lives to their potential. The curriculum is designed to help fulfil this aim.The spontaneous play includes a wide range of early childhoodexperiences such as sand, water, ‘messy’ play, carpentry, blocks and construction, art, music and movement, storytelling, cooking, puzzles and mathematical games. Children are encouraged to resolve conflict peacefully, and clear behaviour limits are set.The structured times include music and movement, art, storytelling(including Bible stories), games, prayer, and extension activities. Lunch and snack times are taken as a group as part of the session’s routines, and we say ‘grace’ beforehand. The content of group times in the older session follows a thematic approach designed to enrich and widen all aspects of the children’s development and experiential learning.Outings are a regular occurrence in the older session.A Transition Group for 4? to 5 years old age group is run assisting in the transition from kindergarten to school. Activities include recalling and retelling stories (both verbally, written and with drawings); numeracy and alphabet games. The focus is on fun, enthusiastic approach to learning, and an introduction to some strategies, resources and routines that are commonly used in junior classes of primary schools.POLICY OF ENTRY INTO GRACE KINDERGARTENThe minimum age of entry is two and a half years. Entry to Grace Kindergarten will normally be based on age. Once an enrolment form has been received by the office, the child’s name will be entered on our waitlist database. When a place becomes available in the younger session, the next oldest child will be offered a place.There will be times, however, where the demand is too great to admit everyone. When the age of entering the younger session exceeds 3 years or when the age of moving into the older session is predicted to be 4 years or over the following priority system will be applied.Priority of access shall be given to children of parents who are members of Onslow Community Church.Next in order of priority will be children who have or have had an older sibling attend Grace Kindergarten.As Grace Kindergarten is part of the ministry to the community of Onslow Community Church, preference will be given to families within the Johnsonville-Crofton Down areas, ensuring a balance of church and non-church families is maintained.Parents intending to use Grace Kindergarten as their main means of Early Childhood Education until their child is of age to start school shall have priority.Special cases of need shall be taken into consideration by the Head Teacher and the Board of Management.It is not usual for children to be admitted to the older session if they have not already been attending the younger session. ................
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