Lower Kinder 2023 starting information

We welcome you to Mount Scopus Memorial College. 

As we start to prepare for the 2023 academic year, please review the following information carefully regarding your child commencing at a Mount Scopus Memorial College Early Learning Centre. There is a lot of information so ensure you diarise event dates and information deadlines.

Please click through on each topic to access the information that you will need.

All parents in all year levels need to ensure they are familiar with the policies and information outlined in the Parent Handbook, on our website. The College's Child Protection Policy is also available on the same page. Any change to our policies is issued via the Scopus App and updates noted in the handbook. 

ELC hours and College calendar

The school and kindergarten year commences on Wednesday 1 February, 2023.


Kindergarten program only

Monday to Thursday                                  8.30am – 3.00pm 

Friday                                                           8.30am – 12.00pm 


Casual care

Beforecare                                                     7.30am - 8.30am

Aftercare  Monday to Thursday                   3.00pm - 6.00pm 

Aftercare  Friday                                           12.00pm -5.00pm (Summer) / 4.00pm  (Winter)

Holiday program                                           8.00am - 6.00pm Mon-Thu / Fri - 4.00pm or 5.00pm per above


Long day care 48 week program 

Operates 48 weeks per year* - includes kinder program, beforecare, aftercare and holiday program per hours above.


Further information on these options is available by clicking here or you can register your selection directly by clicking here.

*In line with department regulations, 48 weeks per year indicates that the program will operate at least one day in a week. The number of operational days may vary in line with the calendar each year and the days of the week that Chagim and public holidays fall on. 


Drop off and pick up

At the start of the year as children settle into their new routines and become familiar with their new learning environment parents are required to walk into the room with their child to sign them in and drop them off in the mornings. As your child settles, if you wish to transition to using the drop off bay, where your child will be greeted by a staff member who will escort them to their room and sign them in, then please discuss this with your teacher to see if they feel the timing is right to do so. Children need to be completely settled to use drop off bay. We will not take crying children out of cars as this is traumatic for both your child and the educator. 

In the afternoon all children must be collected directly from the room; this cannot be done via the pick up bay. 


Calendar

Complete information regarding school dates for the coming two years can be found on the Mount Scopus website which can be viewed here.

The kindergarten program operates in line with the school terms in the calendar with the following exceptions:

  • The kinders are closed on staff development days in Terms 2, 3 and 4, but the holiday program is available. 
  • Holiday program is available during term holidays.


Eligibility to commence and required documentation

The eligibility criteria are listed below for entry into in 2023:

1. A child entering Lower Kinder will turn three years of age no later than 30 April, 2023.

All children will be able to commence at the start of the year, including those who have not yet turned three. Children must still be turning three prior to 30 April, 2023 to be eligible to commence. Please note we do not take into consideration a child’s date of birth when assessing whether a child should progress or repeat so your child should not commence if you are doing so with the intention of repeating them in Lower or Upper Kinder. 


2. Expectation of day time continence

There is an expectation that a child entering a Mount Scopus Memorial College Early Learning Centre (ELC) has achieved the acquisition of independent toileting skills by the time they begin Lower Kindergarten. Please see the next tab for further toileting information; support is available from a toileting specialist. 


For any queries or support in this area, please contact the ELC Director, Shana Upiter on 9900 4648.


3. All required information must be completed and submitted by the date advised. 

Mount Scopus ELCs utilise the Xplor ELC management system. This consolidates and simplifies the collection of all the mandatory information that is required from our families, and makes it easier for our educators to access and use when caring for your children.

Please click on the relevant campus link for 2023 to register your child. If you select the wrong campus it cannot be changed. 


FKI


GBH

NB: If the required documentation is not received in time, your child will not appear on a class list nor be invited to the welcome function. No child will be able to commence kinder until all required details have been submitted.

Even if your child has attended Little Learners or is repeating kinder in 2023 the information will need to be resubmitted as the previous information will no longer be accessed. 


4. ELC policies

When completing the required documentation you will be asked if you have read and accept the policies an procedures of the ELC. You can find them listed below.

Early Learning Centre (ELC) Specific Policies

Kinder readiness, deferring and repeating

Once a child commences the College will assess whether a child should repeat a year, in consultation with parents, based solely on the child’s development. A child’s date of birth is not a factor considered by the school when recommending whether repeating a year level is necessary or not.

If parents wish their child to repeat when the advice from the school is not to do so, then we cannot guarantee there will be a place for a child to repeat either of the kinder levels. 

Some children with specific learning difficulties such as those with autism, speech issues and the like, would not necessarily benefit from repeating a year. Targeted support strategies may better assist with the child's development. 

The following lists some developmental pointers a child might show when they are ready to come to kinder. Children who are ready may not be able to demonstrate all of these skills.

If your child can do most of these things they are ready for kindergarten:

  • Follows simple instructions in daily activities and routines.
  • Performs some self care tasks independently such as pulling up undies, feeding themselves, washing hands.
  • Is toilet trained during the day.
  • Does not become too upset when things don't go their way. 
  • Understands simple questions (who, what, where).
  • Responds and speaks in short sentences rather than single words. 
  • Engages in play independently or with others.
  • Shows an interest in varied activities.
  • Responds to adult guidance in order to participate in new activities.
  • Manages transitions from one situation to another.
  • Can manage a full time program.
  • Is able to separate from caregivers.

Therefore if you are already concerned about your child being ready to progress into Prep after one year of Lower Kinder and one year of Upper Kinder you may need to consider deferring their start in Lower Kinder until the following year. 

To guarantee a place in Lower Kinder in 2024 written confirmation of your wish to defer your child is required to be sent to dkain@scopus.vic.edu.au by Friday 14 October, 2022. Once the place offer process for Lower Kinder 2024 is underway then space cannot be guaranteed for late deferrals. 

If you do have any issues concerning you about your child’s readiness or support that you believe will be required then please contact Enrolments so we can discuss strategies with you. 

Kinder fee offset

As part of the 'Free Kinder' initiative the federal government has introduced a kinder fee offset (see the tab on Kinder program options and fees, government subidies and funding for full details) for children enrolled in kindergarten in a long day care setting, as our ELCs are categorised. 

However, the government will only provide this funding offset for one year of Lower Kinder. 

As children develop significantly in the early years, and at different paces, a child can progress to Upper Kinder where they will be monitored to determine if they are ready to progress to school, or whether they would benefit from an extra year of play based learning in kinder. 


In line with these changes children will not be allocated a place for a second year of Lower Kinder although the 'Free Kinder' funding offset is available for a child requiring a second year of Upper Kinder.


Toileting skills and expectations

We expect that all children starting kinder will be toilet trained during the day, including at nap time. Having children who are not yet toilet trained affects the quality of the program as the educators are taken away from the children’s learning and development. In a class of up to 25 children, an average of five to ten minutes per accident has an ongoing impact on the learning of the child leaving the group, as well as the entire class as learning  activities are interrupted.  

  • If your child has not acquired independent toileting skills when commencing Lower Kindergarten please discuss this with your child's teacher as early as possible so a support plan can be put in place. 
  • Parents will work in collaboration with staff and the Director of the ELC to ensure your child is supported.
  • If you are concerned or need support with toilet training please contact your maternal child health nurse, Continence Victoria or your general practitioner for advice. 


Class placement information and child profile form

At Mount Scopus we want to see our children flourish. Our aim is for children to not only develop their intellectual skills but also their social and emotional wellbeing. This is the time that they begin to learn valuable social skills and use them to build meaningful relationships. We want children to become resilient, sociable and confident learners.

When considering class placements, we take a long term approach. We know from experience when a group of familiar children start together, the first few days are comforting but this can often lead to social exclusivity and the inability to make new friends in the long term. For this reason we do not seek to place cousins in the same class.

With this in mind, we ask you to complete a child profile form and include the names of up to three children your child is familiar with (if available) who will be entering Mount Scopus in 2023 in the form. 


Please click here to access the form for FKI.

Please click here to access the form for GBH.

You will need to complete this prior to Friday 14 October, 2022 for Lower Kinder in order to have your child's information taken into account during the class placement process.  We shall endeavour to put your child with one familiar friend, but where possible, shall not place entire social groups together. 

Requests for a specific teacher, even based on experience with an older child, will not be considered. Parents can write an e-mail to the ELC Director, Shana Upiter stating relevant information that may include not being placed with a relative, any specific learning requirements needed for their child or any information relating to the social/ emotional needs of their child.  

Our aim is for our children to develop their resilience so that as young adults they will have the skills to adapt to the ever changing challenges of life, coping with inevitable setbacks, losses and disappointments, but be able to return to a state of emotional well-being.

In November you will be advised of your child's class and receive the class list if all required documentation has been received. This will determine which date your orientation session is scheduled for. You will also be given a pack which will include your child’s specific starting details along with a comprehensive information booklet about how the kindergartens operate. 

Commencement schedule

In order to facilitate a smooth start to the year each class is split into two groups. The smaller groups allow the teacher and children to get to know each other in a calmer environment which has proven to benefit all involved. The groups are then staggered in their starting schedule with half days over the first week. 

Please note: Parents have the option of having their child attend full time from the first day if required. Please advise your class teacher of this at your pre-commencement meeting in January.

The official start date for Lower Kinder is Wednesday 1 February with the first group commencing that day, and full day kinder for all children commences Tuesday 7 February. See the note below if you require your child to attend full time from Day 1.

Group A

Wednesday 1 February               Arrive 8.30 - 9.00am                Finish 12.00pm (no lunch)

Friday 3 February                       Arrive 8.30 - 9.00am                 Finish 12.00pm (bring lunch*)

Group B

Thursday 2 February                Arrive 8.30 - 9.00am                 Finish 12.00pm (no lunch)

Monday 6 February                   Arrive 8.30 - 9.00am                 Finish 12.00pm (bring lunch)

 * although children will not have lunch at kinder on Friday, we would like to introduce them to the routine of using their lunchbox and having lunch at kinder.

Please note

  • If you have a preference to start your child on the Wednesday as opposed to the Thursday or vice versa please email ewallace@scopus.vic.edu.au with your child's full name and your preference.
  • Aftercare is available from Day 1 for each group, that is if your child is in Group A they can attend aftercare from Wednesday and beforecare from Friday.  If your child is in Group B they can attend aftercare from Thursday beforecare from Monday. If beforecare is required from Thursday 2 February then please email Shana Upiter directly on supiter@scopus.vic.edu.au.
Out of School Hours Care
Beforecare and aftercare (cost included Long Day Care program option)

The school offers casual beforecare and aftercare. Aftercare sessions include activity workshops which operate on a term by term basis.

Beforecare runs from 7.30am; aftercare is available until 6.00pm Monday to Thursday and 4.00pm or 5.00pm on Friday depending on the time of year. 

A late collection fee is payable per block of 15 minutes if the child is still on the premises after the stated closing time. We encourage parents and carers to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to closing to allow for handover and collection. 

Casual bookings can be booked in via the parent resources section of the App from mid-January; ensure you have downloaded the app by this time. Bookings must be made or cancelled no later than 2pm on the day of care in the case of last minute changes, but of course, earlier notice is appreciated and bookings can be made for the term ahead. 

Activity workshops are ordinarily run every day in aftercare and are advertised prior to the beginning of each term break . These include activities such as  Soccerwise, musical theatre or yoga. Even if your child would not ordinarily attend aftercare, you can book them in, noting that workshops need to be booked in for the whole term. 



Holiday program (cost included in Long Day Care program option)

Mount Scopus offers holiday programs for ELC children after they have commenced kinder.

These are generally held at GBH, although at times may be held at FKI depending on the maintenance work needs of the College. Children are placed with other children who are familiar to them. 

Holiday programs open for bookings approximately two weeks prior to the holidays. Our OSHC Coordinator works hard to provide a wonderful variety of activities and incursions for our kinder-aged children each holiday.

The holiday program complements our kinder program to ensure that our ELCs are open for 48 weeks per year. The ELC is closed for two weeks over the Summer break, all Chagim including the whole of Pesach and gazetted public holidays. Outside of school term, the holiday program operates at all other times including all staff development days. Refer to the College calendar by clicking here.

Prices for casual OSHC bookings are available on the relevant fee schedule each year.  The fees for the school year will be finalised early in December, approximately six weeks prior to the year commencing.


Health and wellbeing

Health Centre, iIlness and medication

FKI and GBH each has a Health Centre staffed by Registered Nurses during normal school hours throughout term time. 

Nursing staff are contactable per the details below. 

FKI -  8554 4758 or fkinurses@scopus.vic.edu.au

GBH - 9900 4677 or gbhnurses@scopus.vic.edu.au

Outside of normal operating times, staff operating activities before or after school have undergone first aid training.

The health and well being of your children is our priority. Mount Scopus has a focus on a risk minimisation approach to infection prevention and control principles in daily care activities. By practising effective hygiene practices we help minimise the spread of illness and infectious diseases and promote good health.

Children in kindergartens are at particular risk of transmitting infectious diseases because of: 

• close contact with other children and staff

• lack of previous exposure to common infections

• lack of toilet training

• lack of control of other body secretions, mouthing behaviour, such as licking, biting or chewing on toys or their own clothing.


Unfortunately it is not possible to prevent all infections and illness. If your child is unwell and going to be absent then please notify our kinder staff. 

If your child becomes unwell and is unable to remain at kinder the school nurse or teacher will call requesting that your child be taken home within a reasonable time frame. By keeping your child at home whilst they are unwell you aid in their recovery and also prevent others from being infected. 

The Public health and Wellbeing Regulations (2009) contain several statutory obligations relating to school exclusions for infectious diseases. The exclusion period are the minimum times a child must be excluded from childcare and school. The list is available in each of our kinder rooms.

Please consider these general guidelines before returning your child to our ELCs:

• Children who have a fever are requested to stay home until they have been without a fever for 24 hours (without medication) and are well enough to return.

• If your child was sent home from school the expectation is that they do not return to school or kinder the following day.

• If your child has vomited or has had diarrhoea, they are to stay home for 24 hours after the last episode as per the Department of Health ‘Minimum Periods of Exclusion’ Guidelines. If there are more than two cases of vomiting or diarrhoea in the classroom, this minimum period of exclusion will be extended to 48 hours exclusion after the last episode.

• Children who require Panadol or similar medication before they commence the day are obviously unwell, and we ask that you respect the needs of the classroom as well as your child’s wellbeing, and keep your child at home.

• If your child has post-viral symptoms then they will need to provide a medical certificate from a doctor before your child can return to the classroom.

Medication

Emergency medication such as an Epipen and Ventolin can be administered by any staff member in an emergency.

Our teachers DO NOT administer medication. If your child requires other medication then please discuss this with the Health Centre at your campus at the start of the day. 

Medical conditions

For the safety of your child at kinder you must inform the health centre if your child has been diagnosed with any medical condition.

You will be required to supply any emergency medication (eg Epipen, Ventolin) and a current action management plan for your child in consultation with the school nurse.


Injuries

All injuries at kinder are recorded and parents are informed at the end of the day. 

If it is of a more serious nature you will be notified by the school nurse. Serious injuries may require notification to Worksafe and to other governing bodies and an incident form will be submitted.


Lice

Your cooperation is an important part of the efforts being made to control the spread of head lice in the school.

Whilst parents have the primary responsibility for the detection and treatment of head lice our school community will work in a cooperative and collaborative manner to assist all families to manage head lice effectively.

Parents can clearly help break the cycle of head lice by doing the following:

• Weekly check of your child’s hair using the method known as ‘conditioner and combing.’ This allows early detection of head lice and will limit the establishment of large outbreaks.

• Encourage your child to avoid head to head contact with other children.

• Tying back and braiding long hair can help prevent the spread of head lice.

• Ensure your child does not attend school with untreated head lice as per MSMC school policy and the Public Health and Wellbeing regulations 2009.

• Notify the health centre if head lice is detected in your child’s hair.

 

Nut policy 

The College has an ‘Allergy Aware’ policy. Staff and students are strongly encouraged not to bring nut or nut based products onto the College Campus, however this cannot be guaranteed. All anaphylactic students are strongly encouraged to question the ingredients of all foods they eat.

Allergies

Please ensure that any allergies, including hayfever, are noted in the medical section via Parent Lounge, so symptoms are not unnecessarily confused with other symptoms.

Smoking 

Parents and staff are not allowed to smoke in the grounds as well as within four metres of the entrance to the centre, in accordance with the law.

Communicating with parents

Parent communication

  • Communication between parents and teachers is vital and commences prior to children starting kinder.
  • Any information on a child’s special needs must be advised well in advance so teachers can plan to meet those needs. Information should include both verbal communication and copies of any external testing a child has undergone, such as developmental assessments, speech therapy, occupational therapy or any other relevant medical issues. Student Services on each campus will also meet with you to discuss your child’s needs along with a planned support strategy.
  • Your child will be involved with various staff for their pastoral care as well as their education. For pastoral care, your first point of contact is your child's classroom teachers who you will meet at the pre-commencement interview in January.  
  • Overseeing the pastoral care of all students is the ELC Director, who liaises closely with the classroom teachers and Student Services. The Deputy Principal - Primary, is also at the campus regularly throughout each week. 
  • For educational queries, please contact the classroom teacher directly.  Teachers are available to answer any queries about your child throughout the year and are best contacted by email or via a phone message which will be returned when they are not teaching. 
  • Orientation Evenings at the start of the year will familiarise you with the day to day running of your Kindergarten.
  • Contact details of all relevant staff caring for your child will be provided at the start of the school year however information is also available in the Useful Contact Information section below. 
  • The parent / teacher meetings are held in Terms 1, 2 and 4 for ELC students.
  • In Upper Kinder, teachers write a transition report for their child's prep teacher. You will be asked to contribute to this report. This assists in passing on any useful information from both you and the kinder teacher to your child's prep teacher.

If you have any concerns about your child which you feel you need to advise prior to commencement then please contact Enrolments.


Confidentiality

Our records are confidential and governed by our Privacy Policy, which is available on our website.

Staff will not disclose or discuss personal information concerning children and their relatives with any unauthorised person. Confidential information will be seen and discussed only by staff who need the information to provide services. 

Children’s records are available to parents at all times.


Communicating with separated parents

  • All communication with parents is predicated on the basis that, unless there are court orders in place to the contrary, parents share responsibility for the long term welfare of their children and have the right to be involved in, and communicated with about all relevant issues. 
  • Parents are responsible for advising the College of any changes in their family situation. If parents separate and then reconcile, this information should also be passed on to the College.
  • If there is a court ordered collection schedule in place then both parents are responsible for submitting a copy of a schedule noting which parent should be collecting on which day for the entire school year. This can be done by one parent copying the other in when emailing the schedule to the Enrolment Director. The College is not a party to court orders and is not responsible for working through the orders to determine the collection schedule. 
  • The College maintains systems which clearly show the details of both parents to teachers and other relevant staff who are responsible for communicating directly with individual families. Teachers and other staff are trained in how to read and act on this information.
  • The vast majority of information regarding students' activities and learning is posted on the Scopus App (and Toddle for ELC and school-aged children).
  • Emails or phone calls are only used for individual and private matters.
  • Consent is required from both parents for their child/ren to participate in some activities however if one parent does not respond, then it is presumed that they will abide by the response of the other parent. If one parent provides consent and the other withholds it then the student will not be able to participate in the activity.  
  • We understand that in some cases, communication between separated parents and sharing of details can be a sensitive issue. We urge all parents to understand that the procedures developed by the College are designed to place their child/ren's welfare as the top priority and allow the staff responsible for their well-being to proceed with clarity. Ensuring the information we have remains current is vital to achieving that outcome. 
  • Most tools used by the College (Scopus App, FlexiSchools, Toddle, Xplor Home) are based on individual rather than family user so the processes do not differ for split families, However, for  the key tool, Parent Lounge, separated parent/guardian users of these apps may have different or additional procedures when using them from other families - please click here to access.
Lower Kinder orientation opportunities


Please diarise the relevant dates outlined below. More detailed information will be sent in advance of each event. 

Children

The orientation opportunities are designed to ensure that by the time they commence kinder next year, children feel comfortable in the environment and have been provided with the chance to make social connections. Information will be provided in due course on each of these, but they include the following, the details of which are elaborated upon below:

●    Chanukah welcome session 

●    Pre-commencement interview 


Towards the end of the current school year we shall invite you and your child to visit the campus and enjoy some Chanukah fun at the kinders. This will be an opportunity for you and your child to meet the kinder teachers, and for your child to familiarise themselves with the general environment and garden. 

This will be a drop-in session; you are not expected to remain for the whole time, so if you need to collect a school aged child we suggest you arrive at the start of the session as school aged siblings are not able to attend. 

FKI - Monday 5 December, 3.15pm - 4.00pm

GBH *- Tuesday 6, Wednesday 7, Thursday 8 December, 3.15pm - 4.00pm

*The actual date and will depend on your child's class allocation and all details will be advised in November. Only children for whom all required documentation has been received will be invited to attend.


Prior to the start of kinder next year, an appointment is scheduled for each child individually to come with their parent/s to meet their general and Jewish studies teachers. This provides the time for teachers to learn about each child and any specific likes or dislikes that they have. Allowing time for this meeting helps to smooth the transition into kindergarten. These will take place on Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 January 2023.  This information will be included with the class list information. 

You will also be given a College sunhat (and kova for boys) at this interview, which will be kept at Kinder. If these are lost then parents will need to purchase a replacement from the campus office.


Booking the pre-commencement interview

Kinders will be utilising the online booking system to assist you in securing your preferred interview times with teachers. Families are asked to access the system through the Parent Lounge area on the Mount Scopus Memorial College website www.scopus.vic.edu.au

Bookings will be open from 6.00am on Wednesday 18 January 2023 and will close on Wednesday 25 January 2023 at 4:00 pm.

When you log into Parent Lounge, you will see the module button flashing green indicating you can ‘Book Now’. Prior to that date the module will appear as ‘Scheduled’.

Please see the Websites, Apps and Portals section for more information on Parent Lounge. Your login credentials will be sent later in the year.  

NB: If you have problems logging into Parent Lounge please try from a desktop, laptop or tablet, rather than from a mobile phone. You can use the Parent Lounge link on the top bar of this page. For any further problems call Nicki at GBH on 9900 4600.


Parents

Nor are parents forgotten. If you are a first time kinder parent you may have many queries about the day to day program and logistics. Please diarise the dates and information will follow closer to the time for the following opportunities  on offer for parents:

  • Lower Kinder parent information evening:    Monday 14 November, 2022, 7.45pm - 9.00pm
  • New Parents Welcome:                                   Thursday 2 February, 2023

     

  • Information and orientation session:            Monday 13 February, 2023

                                                         

Once the year commences teachers and the school communicate with parent through a number of digital Apps:

The Toddle App is a digital portfolio showing both group and individual learning. 

Teachers and admin post notices to the Scopus App regularly updating them on upcoming events, giving vital information.

Each campus posts a newsletter weekly which can also be found on the App.

It is important for parents to keep up to date with these notices as this is a main communication forum. 

See the Websites, apps and portals tab for more information.


New Parents Welcome

First time parents at Mount Scopus in all year levels will be invited to our New Parents Welcome dinner scheduled to be held just prior to school commencing. In 2023 this is scheduled for the evening of Thursday 3 February. This allows the opportunity to meet some of the College Leadership Team, as well as other new parents. Invitations will be sent in December. 

Websites, apps and portals

The following guide outlines the details of tools used across the College. Some will be relevant for all year levels and some will be for specific year levels or campuses.

College website

The College website hosts a range of information, including:

Campus details

Primary and Secondary curriculum handbooks,

College calendar

Parent handbook

Parent Lounge access,

Our Scopus Family - donations; volunteering; Parents Association, alumni, grandparents and friends

The Scopus Facebook page is also accessible via our website. Please note: in line with cyber safety guidelines we ask that photos are not tagged, nor any names of children in the photo divulged. You can ‘friend’ this page in order to access regular posts of photos and other information from across the College.

Two of the key tools that are used at Scopus are the Parent Lounge and the associated Parent Orbit app, the parent communication portal.


Parent Lounge

Parent Lounge is used for students in Prep and above 

You will be issued with the login credentials to access Parent Lounge in the lead up to your child commencing. It is accessible in the header menu on the College website. 

Parent Lounge is used for a range of purposes, primarily:

  • maintaining your current contact details, 
  • sharing them via the Parent Directory with other parents in your child's year level,
  • *health and emergency contact information for children;
  • organising parent teacher interview times, 
  • accessing school academic reports for Year 7 onward,
  • accessing your child's ongoing assessment results and dates, and their daily timetable for Year 7 onward,
  • paying school tuition fees. 


Parent Orbit app

The key features available via Parent Orbit are:

  • All parent general communications (this will replace the previous Scopus App) from Little Learners to VCE
  • All parent notifications, including bus notices
  • Advising of, and acknowledging student absences
  • Booking Parent Teacher interviews
  • Access to your child/ren’s individual timetable (LFSS students only) and calendar; and
  • Links to commonly used tools, such as Operoo, Flexischools and Bus bookings
  • Download and access instructions are available by clicking here.


Xplor

Xplor is used only for students using the ELCs and for primary school aged students using OSHC (including after care and holiday program) services for:

  • *collection of information in line with the national regulations specific to these services including medical and emergency contact details,
  • Kinder only - casual bookings for before care, after care, rega care and holiday program,
  • Little Learners - ad hoc 'extra days' bookings,
  • room sign in and out process,
  • and information required to claim the government child care subsidy, 
  • payment of ELC casual usage (OSHC) fees.  

No child can commence at Scopus or attend any OSHC program prior to this information having been submitted and confirmed.

* Parents of school aged children who attend OSHC programs will need to submit information both via Parent Lounge and Xplor.

Operoo

Operoo is used to provide information and collect consent for excursions and activities across the College. 


Flexischools 

Cafeteria orders can be made via Flexischools. It is accessible via the Parent Resources section on the Scopus App or via a web browser - www.flexischools.com.au

Parents set up an account for each child and then can place orders ahead of time, or up to 9.30am on the morning that lunch is required. Orders can also be changed or cancelled.  

There is a range of daily specials, both hot and cold, that vary from day to day.

This is particularly handy if students have left their lunch at home and are not carrying cash with them.  

Some Parents Association lunch orders in the primary school are also made via Flexischools.


Toddle (ELC to Year 6)

Toddle is an online learning journal and digital portfolio used at Mount Scopus from ELC to Year 6. 

Toddle is a simple way for teachers and students to record and share their learning and what's been happening in the classroom.

The access information and links will be made available to parents after the start of the school year.

Kinder program options and fees, government subsidies and funding

Our ELCs  are licensed as Approved Long Day Care Centres through Mount Scopus Memorial College Early Learning Limited (ABN 44 611 377 881). By submitting the Centreink CRN (Customer Registration Number) for you and your child when requested via Xplor we are able to process the government subsidy for eligible families at the level assessed by Centrelink. All subsidies are paid directly by Centrelink to a child's ELC which reduces the out-of-pocket fees paid by families. 

If your child has not yet attended child care you may need to apply to Centrelink to determine your eligibility so factor this into your lead time.

The  Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is not payable by Centrelink before the first day of physical attendance or after the last day of physical attendance either in the Kinder only or Long Day Care programs. Refer to Centrelink for full details of eligibility.  

As well as the CCS, families suffering temporary financial hardship or have a child at risk, amongst others, may also be eligible for the Additional Child Care Subsidy (ACCS). Further information is available via Centrelink


Tuition fees and fee policies

Fees and the fee policy are always available on the College website - click here to access - and will be updated each December for the following year.


Kinder program selection

In 2024 you will have the choice to select from two options irrespective of which campus your child is enrolled at; 

     Kindergarten program only  - 40 weeks

     Long Day Care  (LDC48) - 48 weeks

If you select the Kindergarten program only then you will be able to book into Out of Hours School Care (OHSC) on a casual basis as needed. 

If you select LDC 48 then this is fully inclusive of beforecare, aftercare and  holiday program for all operating days. 

If your family is not eligible for the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) then you will need to pay the Tuition Fees in full to the College.

Both programs attract the CCS and ACCS for eligible families. 

Select your preferred kinder program option by clicking here, otherwise more indepth information on these programs is available here

The government CCS estimator tool can be accessed here


Direct debits, pre-payment and the CCS

If you are unsure as to the level of CCS that you will receive and wish to set up a direct debit for fees, then our Accounts department will work with you to determine a suitable direct debit payment, which can then be adjusted if necessary, once the subsidy amount is known. 

This can only be done until after the fee statements have been issued in January, so although we will claim the CCS on your behalf and apply it as a credit against your fees your fee statement will reflect the full fees being charged. A direct debit form will be sent with the fee statement where you can indicate the dollar amount of the CCS you expect to receive over the calendar year. That can be amended during the course of the year if there are any discrepancies or changes to the level of CCS you expect to receive. 

Families who are pre-paying their fees will need to phone Accounts after their statement has been received and advise them of their expected CCS amount, which will be factored in when calculating the pre-payment discount. 

Any enquiries regarding your family's eligibility or subsidy level should be directed to Centrelink. 


Government funding offset / 'Free Kinder' program

The Federal Government will provide further assistance to families for children enrolled in a kinder program in a long day care setting to help with the cost of providing quality early learning. Mount Scopus kindergartens operate a kinder program in a long day care setting. 

This is known as the 'Free Kinder' program, although the offset is $2000 per child per year for kinder programs in a long day care setting. 

This offset applies for all children enrolled in our Lowr and Upper Kinder programs in either campus, unless the offset is being claimed for a child at another centre. Parents/guardians will be required to complete a declaration form confirming they are not registered to receive the offset at another centre as part of the starting documentation.

The offset will be paid directly to the centre and applied as a clearly labelled credit on the fee statement in four quarterly instalments of $500 each (or on a pro-rata basis for children who are not enrolled for the entire year). The offset will be credited after the CCS has been applied (for eligible families), thus maximising the benefit. 

Free Kinder payments will not impact the CCS payments; it is additional to them. Families who are not eligible for the CCS will automatically receive the $2000 offset unless they fall into the exception noted above.

Other than completing the declaration form there is nothing that families need to do; the credit will automatically be applied. 

Summary checklist

Summary checklist:

  • complete and submit child profile form by Friday 14 October; 
  • once requested, complete the enrolment record including all required information by the date advised at that time;
  • download Toddle App by 13 January 2023;
  • download Scopus App and subscribe to groups from 9 January 2023;
  • book parent teacher meeting time on 30 or 31 January via Parent Lounge between 18 January and 25 January 2023;


Useful contact information

ELC Key Contacts

Once your child commences, the following are the key contact details you may require.

ELC Director:                                                       Shana Upiter                                   03 9900 4648     OR       0407 726 272      

OSHC Coordinator:                                                   Beny Zimberg                             bzimberg@scopus.vic.edu.au

Fink Karp lvany Campus:                                                                                              03 8554 4700

To contact campus administration

To contact all teaching staff

To contact all student support  staff

OSHC FKI                                                                                                                           0411 560 380

Szalmuk Family ELC at Gandel Besen House:                                                             03 9900 4600

To contact Campus  Coordinator                           

To contact campus administration

To contact all teaching staff

To contact all student support  staff

OSHC GBH                                                                                                                          0450 565 024 

Accounts:

Child Care Subsidy enquiries                                  Nikki Epstein                                   03 9834 0041

Tuition fee payments                                                                                                   03 9834 0026

Main Reception - Gandel Campus, Burwood:                                                              03 9834 0000  

For general enquiries at the College  

To contact financial and clerical administrative staff  

Principal’s Office:                                                                                                          03 9834 0005  

To contact College Principal only:                         Rabbi Kennard

 

Deputy Principals:  

Deputy Principal, Primary:                                   Greg Hannon                                  03 9900 4602

Deputy Principal, Director of Alter Family School of Jewish Studies and Ivrit

                                                                                 Matti Borowski                              03 9834 0003

Parents Association                                                                                                     03 9834 0160

                                                                    

Useful tips on preparing your child for kinder

• Start talking about Kinder to your child. If they been attending Gan Gani this year tell them they might be at kinder with some of the children from their group.  

• When you receive your teachers' photos with your class list, put them up where your child will see them and use their names often in conversation. Let their names and function become part of your regular conversation at home. 

• If you haven’t already, encourage your child to sleep without a nappy during their daytime nap. Remember to ask them to use the toilet beforehand. 


Practice skills that children will need at Kinder

o Encourage them to toilet by themselves, first with supervision, and then checking, and then gradually allow them to master the whole process, including undressing, sitting, wiping, dressing and handwashing. 

o Let them practice eating lunch from the lunchbox they will have at Kinder; unwrapping their sandwich, opening their yoghurt, drinking from their water bottle unassisted. 

o Allow some time to practise opening and closing their Kinder bag. 

o Encourage them to start dressing themselves, particularly being able to put on a jacket and jumper.