Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Kindy?
A Kindergarten (Kindy) is a part-time educational program for children in the year before school. Kindy is a safe and supportive place, where your little one will make friends, have fun learning through play and prepare for starting school. Enrolling your child in a Queensland Government Approved Kindy program provides a safe and fun atmosphere for them to learn, make friends and grow accustomed to a more structured routine. As your child’s first teacher, you are in the best position to support a positive start. Kindy can lead to a lifelong love of learning. Click here for more information.
2. What will my child do at Kindy?
At Kindy your child will:
- Make friends, share and play with others
- Express themselves through art, dance and dramatic play
- Learn through new experiences
- Become more confident, resilient and feel strong
- Communicate ideas and feelings
- Build on your knowledge and explore new ideas, helping their confident transition to school.
Our dedicated teaching team follow the QKLG and EYLF for your child’s learning, please click here for a summary.
3. When can my child start Kindy?
Your little one can start Kindy in the year they turn 4 by 30 June, the year before they start school. Click here to see which year your child can attend Kindy. (Link to website on Waitlist and Fees Page)
4. How do I know my child is ready to attend Kindy?
Sometimes parents may be unsure if their child is ready to start Kindy. This might be for a number or reasons. If you have any questions regarding your child’s readiness to attend please contact the Kindy where the teachers would be happy to meet with you and work out the best option for your child, which may be delayed entry.
5. Is Tannum Sands Kindergarten a Queensland Government Approved Kindergarten Program?
Yes, Tannum Sands Kindergarten is a Queensland Government Approved Kindergarten which has been rated as ‘Exceeding’ on the National Quality Standard.
6. What will my child need at Kindy?
- Fresh food in a lunch box
- Reusable water bottle
- Spare clothes
- Broad brimmed hat and shoes
- Sleep sheets and pillow
7. Are Parents welcome to stay at Kindy?
Sometimes coming to kindy can be a little daunting for kids and their parents. Parents are encouraged to stay with their child as long as it takes to settle their child into the day where both child and parent feel at ease. There are many opportunities for parents to assist the teachers at Kindy with helping with preparing for art and crafts.
8. What is the teacher child ratio?
The Teacher child ration at Tannum Sands Kindergarten is 1:8 which is in line with the National Quality Framework.
9. How many children are in each group?
Tannum Sands Kindergarten has two groups with 24 children enrolled in each group.
10. Does my child have to be immunised to attend Kindy?
It is encouraged that all children who attend Tannum Sands Kindergarten are immunised when attending however it is not compulsory. If you are a conscientious objector you will be advised when there is an outbreak and be asked to keep your child away from the Kindergarten until the outbreak appears to have ceased. For immunised children, a copy of your child’s immunisation history certificate is required at the time of enrolment and after the 4year immunisation occurs. Please click here for the immunisation schedule. Exclusion periods will apply to contagious illnesses.
11. What hours is the Kindy open?
Our Kindergarten operates between 8:30 am-2:30 pm daily during regular Queensland State School Terms.
12. What days can my child attend Kindy?
The Kindy operates two groups;
Group A: Monday, Tuesday and alternate Wednesdays
Group B: Thursday, Friday and alternate Wednesdays
Upon registering on our waitlist you will be asked for your preferred group. All steps are made to accommodate your group preference request however this is dependent on your waitlist position and balance of groups.
13. How much does it cost to attend Tannum Sands Kindergarten?
As of 2024 Kindergarten will be free for all children attending a government approved kindergarten program. This is 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year (41 weeks for 2024) for children ages at least 4 years by 30 June in the year before they attend prep.
A non-refundable deposit of $110 is to be paid before you receive your enrolment pack. This payment also secures your child’s enrolment with Tannum Sands Kindergarten.
Tannum Sands Kindergarten is community not-for-profit organisation. This means the Kindergarten is supported by parents who volunteer for the Management Committee.
14. How do I enrol at Tannum Sands Kindergarten
You can register your interest in enrolling at Tannum Sands Kindergarten by joining our waitlist. The waitlist open two years before the child’s kindergarten year commences. The opening of waitlists are advertised on our Facebook page. Families will receive placement offers around the middle of August in the year prior to their child’s enrolment. These offers are made in numerical order from the waitlist.
15. How do I know that my child has received a placement at Tannum Sands Kindergarten?
Families will receive placement offers around the middle of August in the year prior to their child’s enrolment. These offers are made in chronological order from the waitlist. An email will be sent out to all families prior to the first round enrolments offers asking for confirmation of contact details and whether a placement is still required. It is the responsibility of the families to advise Tannum Sands Kindergarten if their contact details have changed.
16. I missed out on an offer at Tannum Sands Kindergarten
Due to the high interest in Tannum Sands Kindergarten sometimes children do not receive a placement offer in the first round. If a placement offer is declined the next child on the waitlist is offered the placement, in the group that was declined. This process continues until all 48 places are filled. Your child’s name will remain on the waitlist until you advise us that you no longer require a position.
17. What level of parent involvement is required at Tannum Sands Kindergarten?
Tannum Sands Kindergarten is a Community Kindergarten and as such relies on the participation of parents to operate the Management Committee and perform maintenance around the kindergarten.
Management Committee: Each year the Kindy holds an Annual General Meeting AGM where a new committee is formed. One member from each family is required to attend the AGM. At the AGM an Executive Team is elected to manage the kindy. The Executive Team is made up of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. The Kindy cannot operate unless there is an office bearer in each of these positions. This Executive team works with the General Committee (Grants Coordinator, Enrolments Coordinator, Maintenance Coordinator, Fundraising Coordinator and Workplace Health and Safety Coordinator) to form the Management Committee which governs the Kindergarten. These General Committee positions are also elected at the AGM. The Executive and General Committee meet once a month to ensure that the Kindergarten is meeting all of its statutory requirements. Each Coordinator can form a sub-committee to assist with tasks.
Working Bees: Every now and again a working bee may be scheduled to tackle some larger maintenance jobs. Working bees are a great way for Kindy families to get to know each other.
General Help: The teachers also appreciate any help you can provide with preparing art and craft materials and general help.