OUR STORY
WELCOME TO GEMBROOK PRESCHOOL
Since September 1968, Gembrook Preschool is proud to be an independent, community run kindergarten service. Our educators, administrative staff and Committee of Management work in partnership to provide early childhood programs which engage children in quality learning experiences in a community and centre based environment.
Committed to excellence, we provide a child and family centered practice, with educators working in partnership with parents and carers to maximise learning and development for each child.
Nestled among established gardens, is our newly renovated centre featuring a hand painted bushland mural, welcoming all on arrival. Upon entering our centre you will discover a warm and engaging learning environment, filled with rich timber materials and innovative educational resources. Sliding glass doors open up to allow an abundance of fresh air, natural light, and a seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor areas.
Our state-of-the-art kitchen features a child friendly cookery centre where produce harvested from our herb and vegetable gardens is regularly incorporated in cooking experiences.
STRIVING TOWARDS OUR FUTURE
We strive to support all members of the Preschool Community to experience physical, mental emotional and social wellbeing. Our service aims to reflect the values of the community in all it’s diversity, and to foster strong community connections for all service users.
Gembrook Preschool encourages and promotes inclusion, fairness and respect for everyone. We acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are Australia’s first peoples. We embrace and support children of all skills and abilities, acknowledging children’s personal, family, and cultural histories shape their learning for development. We view the whole child as an active citizen, capable of learning and contributing to their world.
To view our complete Vision, Mission and Philosophy statement click here.
Warm and Inclusive environment embracing the whole child.
Reflect values of the community in all of its diversity.
Creative Indoor and natural outdoor spaces used all year round.
INCLUSIVITY
At Gembrook Preschool we pride ourselves on providing a welcoming, caring, inclusive and supportive environment for our children, families, community, and educators based on the beliefs and principles outlined above. Together with our community we aspire to establish strong foundations for children’s lifelong learning.
As an inclusive center we strive to:
- Recognize the valuable resources families possess and invite them to share their skills and knowledge with our kindergarten.
- Welcome children with additional needs and their families. We help to identify children who may need extra support for their development and offer links to targeted support services to ensure children receive this assistance as early as possible.
- Work together with families to achieve high expectations for every child.
- Encourage the involvement of families in developing plans to meet the needs of their children.
- Encourage the involvement of parents and extended family in our daily sessions either through parent participation rosters, planned events or incidental visits, in accordance with our Covid safe plan.
OUR STRUCTURE
The collaborative partnership between the Committee of Management, administrative staff, educators and parent community ensures the daily management and operation of the kindergarten is in accordance with all regulatory requirements.
The Gembrook Preschool is managed by a committee of parents; elected by parents attending the Annual General Meeting held in November each year. Our voluntary and dedicated committee works passionately in fostering extra revenue for resources through fundraising and grants, enrich community engagement and involvement through community events and communications, and behind the scenes maintenance to support Gembrook Preschool and Educators.
Committee meetings are held at the kindergarten at a regular monthly date, agreed upon by the current committee. These meetings provide a forum to share ideas, contribute to discussions and decision making about the management of the pre-school and develop an understanding of what is happening within the preschool, with educator’s reports also presented. All parents, whether Committee members or not, are welcome to attend these meetings to gain an understanding of the management process.
The Preschool educators are responsible for planning and implementing the educational program for the children who attend the centre and together with the committee, ensure the Children’s Services Act and Regulations are being upheld. A copy of these documents is available together with the policy booklet in the centre foyer. The successful operation and administration of the kindergarten depends on the Committee of Management working together with the Centre Manager and Educators for the benefit of the children and families attending.
Families are welcome to “stay and play” particularly at the commencement of the year when the children are familiarising themselves with the kindergarten setting and getting used to separating from parents and carers.
We encourage and look forward to including your family in our kindergarten program and sharing the experience with you and your child. Family inclusive practice provides the opportunity for you to experience firsthand what your child is doing at preschool, meet their friends and get to know the parents and educators.
When parents are active in a child’s education, the child’s achievement is elevated,
and parents are more able to scaffold their children’s learning at home.
There are many different ways to be involved and we look forward to enriching the children’s lives with other cultures, experiences and ideas for the program. We welcome parents and grandparents to stay and assist with the program through a parent duty roster, on excursions, or to visit and share a special skill or interest, such as musical instruments or cooking. Please talk with our friendly staff to organise such a rich contribution.
As we are a community ran kinder, we invite and rely on your participation and involvement in our working bees, fundraising and committee of management to ensure the best possible program. Smaller jobs such as collecting recyclable materials and undertaking washing are also a valuable contribution.
Please talk with our friendly staff for other ideas.