February Newsletter

A few things to know if you are new to Preschool

The following reminders may assist if your child is new to our Preschool environment:

·      Make sure all immunisation records and your child’s birth certificate have been delivered to the Office prior to beginning preschool.

·      If you have a health care card, ensure that the Office has a copy to allow you to receive the reduced rate.

·      Your child will need to bring lunch and morning tea to Preschool and this can be stored in the fridge in your child’s room

·      Send water in your child’s drink bottle to drink.

·      If your child has a sunscreen allergy, please give appropriate sunscreen to your class Educators.

·      If you have any concerns about your child's transition to Preschool, such as worries about toilet training, let the Educators in your room know.

·      Make sure your child is wearing comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes for playing (no thongs please).

·      Label everything – bags, lunchboxes, drink bottles, clothing.

·      Don’t hesitate to contact us at any time to check on your child or just to see how their day is going

·      Preschool hours are 8.30am - 4pm.  You are welcome to drop off and collect your child any time in this window. We kindly ask that you ensure that  you have collected your child and left preschool by 4pm to allow our staff to leave on time.

• All children are required to have a wetbag or two (available in the office) in their backpack.

A Healthy Lunchbox Contains:

1. A good helping of fruit and vegetables. Fresh fruit is easy to pack. You can also try a tub of canned fruit or chopped fresh strawberries, pineapple or melon. Raw vegies such as carrot sticks, cherry tomatoes, cucumber or capsicum strips are popular as a snack or in a sandwich.

2. Starchy food like bread, rice, potatoes and pasta. Have a variety to choose from such as wholegrain, wholemeal or high fibre breads such as seeded rolls, Lebanese bread, pita, lavash, bagels; brown and white rice; or tricolour pasta.

3. Lean protein like tuna or salmon (fresh or canned in spring water or oils such as canola, sunflower or olive oil); boiled eggs; beans; or lean meat such as beef or chicken.

4. Reduced fat dairy food like reduced fat yoghurt, reduced fat cheese or reduced fat milk (remember to pack with a bottle of ice).

5. A bottle of water to keep your child hydrated all day. Freeze on hot days to keep the lunch box (and your child) nice and cool.

Look at food labels to help you choose the products that are lowest in saturated fat, total fat, sugar and salt. Avoid high fat spreads and try a little avocado, low fat mayonnaise, mustard or ricotta cheese instead.

Nutritious snacks such as a small box or bag of dried fruit, rice cakes or unsalted and unsweetened popcorn.

And remember: Treats like chocolate or are not for preschool.