Back to Blog

PARENT PARTICIPATION

Olive Shoots warmly welcomes families and whanau and is committed to partnership with parents, encouraging input and feedback on any aspects of our programme.We welcome parent participation. We encourage you to visit and to share your thoughts and talents with us. We are always keen to listen to parents and to involve you where possible.Please feel comfortable to talk to the Managers regarding further information or concerns over the care and education of your child.We love parent/whanau attendi...

NEWSLETTERS AND NOTICES

Olive Shoots aims to make communication with parents as open, regular and informative as possible.Regular newsletters are sent out by email and provide parents with relevant information. Email is used to communicate with parents. Please check the blackboard at our main entrance and the signs on the desk at Reception for notices.Messages are also sent to parents about upcoming events though Educa- an online portfolio software we use at Olive Shoots....

MEAL TIMES

We encourage healthy food at Olive Shoots.For  morning tea, fruit that has been brought from home is cut up and children are able to choose from the fruit platter.Suggestions and ideas for the lunchbox are included in the enrolment form.Small conical jellies are not permitted as they are a known choking hazard. Please keep chocolates and lollies as a treat at home.Water is available at all times. Fizzy soft drinks, colas etc are not permitted. Please supply your child with sufficient food a...

INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES (ICT)

At Olive Shoots we enhance learning opportunities through the meaningful use of ICT. While supervised by teachers, children are given opportunities to experience:digital and video camerascomputersmicroscopesiPads...

HEALTH, MEDICATION & IMMUNISATION

Because of the risks of infection, we are unable to take care of sick children. You must keep your child home if he/she has any of the following symptoms: high temperatureinflamed throat, ears or eyesunidentified rashinfected soresupset stomach, vomiting or diarrhoea (until 24 hours after the last episode)any sign of general ill health that staff feel would warrant a doctor’s visit. If your child requires Paracetamol we would prefer they stay at home. If antibiotics are prescribed the child mu...

ENROLMENTS, FEES & FUNDING

ENROLMENTS All children wanting to attend Olive Shoots need to be enrolled and will be placed on a waiting list. Parents will be notified by phone when there is a vacancy for their child.As part of the enrolment process you will need to provide a copy of a birth certificate or passport.Notice of withdrawalA two weeks’ notice is required when withdrawing your child from the centre.FEESWe do not charge fees for (a) statutory holidays, (b) Teacher Only Days, (c) when the centre is closed for...

EMERGENCY EVACUATION

Fire and Earthquake and Lockdown Drills are practiced regularly  and supplies are on hand in the event of a disaster.  In the event of an emergency closure during a session, all families will be informed by telephone and text services of the emergency and that they need to collect their child/ren from Olive Shoots. Registered staff will remain on the premises until all children are collected. If the closure is due to an emergency where Olive Shoots needs to be evacuated, the children w...

CENTRE POLICIES & COMPLAINTS

Take time to view the centre policies which are available at Reception. These documents are reviewed regularly by the teachers. Reviewed policies are emailed out to parents and whanau for your comments.Should you have a complaint, please follow the complaints procedure on the Reception  information board or policy folder....

CENTRE EVALUATIONS

Internal Evaluations are undertaken regularly by the staff  and are driven by the motivation to improve our practice and processes here at Olive Shoots. Parents are informed about these evaluations in our newsletter or on the Reception Info board.An external evaluation is undertaken by ERO (Education Review Office) approximately every 4 years. We currently are in a VERY WELL PLACED position to provide positive learning outcomes for children at Olive Shoots.You are able to view our two most ...

BIRTHDAYS / GOING TO SCHOOL

We always enjoy celebrating children’s birthday. A time and date will be discussed with you and you are very welcome to attend this celebration. At a mat time we provide a playdough birthday cake and sing Happy Birthday. On their 4th birthday your child will receive a Children’s Bible. Parents sometimes ask about a leaving present for when their child goes to school. You are very welcome to donate a book or a plant. Please ask for suggestions. Thank you....

BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

We aim to manage children’s behaviour in a respectful, positive and effective way by:positive guidanceclear expectationsconsistent handlingproviding a safe and interesting environmentoverall supervisionbuilding self-controlbuilding self-esteemgiving encouragementstaff role modellingWe are committed to partnership with parents and the need to manage behaviour is discussed openly and honestly with parents. Please refer to our Social Competence Policy....

ATTENDANCE

On arrival and departure please sign your child in and out by scanning your child’s barcode at the front desk.Please be on time when collecting  your child. We keep accurate records of bookings and attendances, and your cooperation enables us to be fully aware of who is here and who isn’t. We ask you to keep within your booked times as we provide staff to meet these booking requirements and to avoid a late fee.Each month parents are to sign a monthly attendance summary sheet locate...

ALLERGIES AND SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS

Any allergy is managed through an allergy plan in accordance with medical instructions from your health care provider. Staff have current first aid certificates and take allergy issues seriously. The Centre has a strict NO NUT POLICY. Please do not include any nut products in your childs lunchbox i.e. peanut butter, nuts of any kind, nutella, muesli bars with nuts.We ask that NO WHOLE EGG OR EGG SANDWICHES are brought to the Centre because of children with egg allergies. ...

CLOTHING

Please provide at least 2 clearly labelled complete changes of clothes.Please dress you child in comfortable play clothes that you don't mind getting wet or dirty.Children need to wear clothes and shoes they can manage themselves.Please name all clothing. ...

NAPPIES

Please provide disposable nappies and wet wipes for your child. Please ensure you provide enough for your child each day/week and where possible name the nappy.It is our policy that we do not use cloth nappies in our centre....

MEDICATION

When your child is on medication from a doctor, you will be required to sign a form each day, authorising teachers to administer the medication. Non-prescribed medicine will not be administered, nor will medicine be given that doesn’t have your child’s name and a current date on the label.Arnica and Hypercal are provided by and used at the centre. Permission from you is gained on the enrolment form.Long term medication will be administered based on your child’s action plan. Medication...