Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn
Catholic Education Office

Kindergarten Induction

Related Policies:

Length of School Day

Purpose:

This policy provides guidelines for the induction of Kindergarten children into schools in the Archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn.

Policy:

Schools must develop an appropriate induction program for Kindergarten students in keeping with the following procedures.

Definitions:

Nil

Procedures:

1. Kindergarten Class Groups

1.1 Kindergarten class groupings should be arranged to suit local circumstances.

1.2 The guiding principle in establishing class groups is that there should be a maximisation of teaching and support staff resources provided for the Early Stage One (Kindergarten) classes in order to:

• facilitate induction of these younger students into formal schooling; and
• ensure there are effective teaching and learning programs in place.

1.3 No Kindergarten class should exceed 30 students.

1.4 Multi-age or composite classes containing Kindergarten students should be less than this number.

2. Kindergarten Hours

2.1 It is acceptable practice for Kindergarten children to attend for a half day for the first fortnight of term one.

2.2 Permission to alter hours of attendance is to be sought from the Director, stating clearly the reasons for the alteration and the explanatory information that will be provided to parents concerning the arrangements for the shortened school day for the kindergarten students. (Refer to Length of School Day Policy.)

2.3 When Kindergarten classes end early in the day, teachers are expected to supervise the children, until they are collected.

2.4 If deemed appropriate by the local School Board, Before and After School Care Program staff could be contracted by parents to provide the necessary supervision of Kindergarten students.

2.5 After the agreed 'induction' period, Kindergarten students should attend classes or the same school hours as other year levels for all days of the week.

2.6 Schools can determine at the local level whether Kindergarten students commence classes on a separate day in week 1 of term 1, and whether different recess / lunch times are arranged for Kindergarten students during the induction period.

3. Information for Kindergarten Parents

3.1 The Principal must set up procedures to encourage children to attend school regularly;

• help parents to encourage their children to attend school regularly

3.2 School communities are encouraged to organise a Parent Information session for parents of prospective Kindergarten students in conjunction with the official enrolment period and associated interview process. This type of meeting allows:

• school staff to present the ethos, administrative practices and Key Learning Area policies of the school; and
• parents to make informed choices about the Catholic education being offered by the school.

3.3 School communities are encouraged to schedule parent meetings or gatherings at the beginning of the school year to outline:

• the curriculum (especially literacy programs);
• school routines;
• pastoral care/student management policies; and
• specialist support programs operating for the benefit of their children.

3.4 In organising these activities the opportunity for social interaction and community building amongst new and existing parents should be featured.

3.5 School communities should make every attempt to gather detailed information on the social/emotional and academic needs of children about to commence Kindergarten from appropriate pre-school or child-care centre staff. This data will provide information for teachers to:

• organise transition programs; and
• be proactive in addressing the emergent needs of students entering formal schooling.

3.6 Induction procedures for new Kindergarten students should be designed to ease their transition into formal schooling and such activities as “Buddy” programs, “Meet the Teacher” sessions and “Parents as Tutors” activities are considered highly desirable.

References:

ACT Education Act 2004 102(1)(a)(b)
NSW Education Act 1990 No.8

Forms:

Nil

Last updated on December 2, 2006