Prior to enrolment, parents/guardians are welcome to visit our preschool with their child.  Children from any area are eligible for enrolment.  Orientation and settling in to our programs is tailored to meet the individual needs of each child and family.  This can be negotiated with our program educators.  Places are allocated according to our enrolment policy, with priority given to children closest in age to school entry, children of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island descent, children with additional needs and children with primary carers working and/or studying.

Please click on this link to complete our online waitlist form

On enrolment, the following information must be completed & given to staff:

• Enrolment Form & Bermagui Preschool Application Form 2024
• Immunisation History Statement from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR)
• Copy of Birth Certificate
• NSW Transition to School Consent Form
• NSW Department of Education Consent Form – Child
• 2024 Start Strong NSW Government – Fee relief declaration
• Copy of Health Care Card (if applicable)
• Copy of Health Plans e.g. asthma, allergy, anaphylaxis, diabetes (if applicable)

Families are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the signing in/out procedure, daily timetables/program, their child’s locker, notice boards etc.  Please inform educators/staff if any of your details change throughout the year.

Fees

Our preschool has a commitment to all children being able to access affordable, quality early childhood education and care. With this in mind the following fee structure will apply to children enrolled in our preschool.

NSW Start Strong Affordable Preschool (Start Strong fee relief available for families who choose Bermagui Preschool)

Option 1	Non-Equity 3-year-olds	$62.00 per day
Option 2	Non-Equity 4/5-year-olds and Equity 3-year-olds	$42.00 per day
Option 3	Equity 4/5-year-olds	$37.00 per day
Option 4	First Nations/Torres Strait Islander/Exceptional Circumstances	$10.50 per day

Long Day Care & Vacation Care (Child Care Subsidy available for eligible families)

Option 5	All Children	$105.00/day
Option 6	Casual Attendance – All Children	$116.00/day

Please Note: You will be billed for non-attendance due to illness or other absences unless prior arrangements have been made with the Preschool Director.  You will also be billed for Public Holidays if you are normally enrolled to attend on those days as per our policies.

Payment of Fees

Fees are billed in advance for each term for both the Preschool and Long Day Care programs. Fee statements are issued in the second week of term and payment is due two weeks after statements have been issued. Fees must be paid at this time unless a payment plan has been negotiated with the family and the Preschool Director.  Fee statements for Vacation Care will be issued in the fortnight following the Vacation Care period.  We prefer fees to be paid directly into our bank account using one of the following options:

• Direct Transfer into our Horizon Credit Union account

Account Name: Bermagui Pre School
BSB: 802 124
Account Number: 100 040 522
Please use your child’s name as the reference

• Credit/Debit Card facilities at Preschool (transaction fees apply).

• Families can organise a regular direct deduction of Bermagui Preschool fees from their nominated bank account through CentrePay. Please use Bermagui Preschool’s CentrePay reference number 555 111 288S. For further information, contact Centrelink.  Non-payment of fees will result in a review of your child’s placement at our preschool by the Board of Directors. If fees remain unpaid your child’s placement will be terminated and your non-payment will be referred to a Debt Collection Agency.  If you have any questions or difficulties paying fees, please see our Administrator or the Director if you need to negotiate a payment plan to suit your needs.

Outstanding Debts

The Applicant/Parent/Guardian agrees that all expenses, costs and disbursements incurred in recovering any outstanding monies, including costs involved in debt collection by the supplier’s commercial agent and solicitor’s costs on an indemnity basis will be paid by the Applicant/Parent/Guardian as determined by the parent signing the child’s enrolment form. We look forward to a happy association with you and your family at Bermagui Preschool.

Fee Reductions

NSW Start Strong Affordable Preschool
The NSW Government is providing fee relief to families through the Start Strong Affordable Preschool initiative as part of the Early Years Commitment.  Families with eligible children who are enrolled in a community or mobile preschool service may save up to $4,220 each year. The funding for your child’s fee relief will be provided to our service, directly from the NSW Government, and we will pass this fee relief on to you as a reduction to your fees.  You cannot receive fee relief at more than one early childhood education service.

Equity Children
Equity children are those whose family hold a low income Health Care Card.  Families must provide a copy of their Health Care Card to prove eligibility.  If this information is not provided you will be charged full fees.  Please notify us if your circumstances change during the year so your fees can be amended accordingly.

Claim for Child Care Subsidised Care
Bermagui Preschool is an Approved Child Care provider.  Some families may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government.  Families will need to apply for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) in person or online through myGov – Centrelink.   Families who meet the eligibility requirements will be required to provide us with their child’s Customer Reference Number (CRN) and the claimant’s CRN and claimant’s date of birth.  The Child Care Subsidy System will then determine your eligible hours and percentage of subsidy and this will be paid to the preschool on your behalf, you will then only be required to pay the gap after the CCS reductions have been made.  Families are welcome to see the preschool Finance and Administration person for further assistance with these claims.

Partnership with Families

Families can be involved with the preschool by helping educators for a few minutes or a few hours. Families are under no obligation to do voluntary work, however, any amount of time given is much appreciated and greatly needed as we are a non-profit community preschool.

Voluntary time allows families to observe their child in our preschool environment as well.

Families are invited to share their skills and interests with us. Families have visited to show the children how to make ice-cream, play the mandolin and even how to shear sheep. We’ve also had visits from the local Police and Rural Fire Service.

Each month a board meeting is held to discuss the ways we can improve our early education and care for our children, families and community. The meeting lasts approximately one hour and is held at our preschool.

Preschool newsletters, noticeboards and social media posts are also used to communicate information between our preschool and families. Please check these regularly.

Off to Preschool…….A Happy Beginning!

Leaving home and going to Preschool can be a traumatic experience for both children and their parents. Here are some things you can do to help lessen or even remove the trauma:

• Talk to your child about Preschool where they will meet new friends, learn, play, create and discover (and lots more!!!)
• Prepare for separation – “We’ll be waiting to hear about your good day at Preschool.” You are welcome to stay as long as you like to help your child settle in. When you are ready to leave, let educators know, say goodbye quickly and calmly and then leave. It can be normal for a few tears, but usually children settle quickly once their parents have gone. Educators will contact you if your child does not settle and discuss further separation strategies to support your child.
• Take your child to the local park or playgroup whenever possible to socialise with other children.
• Leave your child for a day or two with family, friends or some other likeable person to experience separation as part of life.
• Practice eating lunch “picnic-style” like at school. Use reusable containers rather than plastic wrap for sandwiches, etc. Make sure your child can operate their lunch box and drink bottle, etc. Please label your child’s lunchbox and drink bottle.
• Have your child practice opening, closing, packing and unpacking their school bag.
• Make sure your child can turn taps on and off and that they can flush a toilet properly.
• Teach your child how to put shoes on and take them off.
• Purchase clothing that is easy to do up. Label all your child’s belongings including shoes and socks.
• Be willing to accept advice from professional people, i.e. speech therapists, paediatricians etc.
• Have your child’s eyes and ears and general health checked.
• Immunisation records need to be kept of file and up to date.
• Give your child simple duties around the house to encourage responsibility.
• Teach your child to sit quietly and calmly while you or another adult reads to them. Join the local library if possible.
• Select suitable picture books, video and television programs for your child.
• Encourage good eating and exercise habits in your child.
• Send your child to school on time each day.
• Visit the Preschool regularly. You will always be welcome.
• Think positive thoughts about your own school days and share these with your child.

ON THE FIRST MORNING….

Smile and know that your child is in caring hands