Rules & conditions of enrolment

Arrival and departure

Staff members are on duty to receive children from 06:45 (6:30 by arrangement), but teachers arrive and the school day starts from 7:00. Children must be walked to the classroom and handed over to their teacher or the person on duty, and may not be dropped at the gate. School closes at 17:30 (6pm by arrangement). Please ensure children are at school by 08:30, as this is when group lessons start.

Please notify the office if you plan to collect your child earlier than usual, or if someone else will be collecting your child. Your child will not be permitted to leave with any person whose name is not on your application form without prior notification from the parents — even if your child knows the person. Half-day parents can make arrangements for aftercare on a daily basis if required.

Parents who are late collecting their children are requested to notify the school; please try not to be late, as this causes children unnecessary upset and stress. The staff at school work a very long day caring for your children; parents who are late will need to compensate the staff member on duty. Half-day children collected after 14:30 will be charged for aftercare.

School terms

Wonderland stays open throughout the year, with the exception of the few weeks from 16 December to the week the government schools open in January. The school follows the government school terms. A more relaxed holiday programme with fun activities each day is followed during the school holidays, at no extra charge. We close for two long weekends during the year.

Fees

Fees are all-inclusive so parents know exactly what to expect — we very rarely ask parents for anything extra.

• Fees are payable in advance by the 5th of each month, by cash or directly into the school bank account. Cash payments should be made at the school office.
• Fees can be paid monthly, annually or per term.
• Discounts are offered for siblings and for annual payments.
• There is a once-off registration fee of R1000, which includes a Wonderland t-shirt and two mattress covers. Fees increase annually.

Notice period

There is a one calendar month's notice period for children leaving the school. Notice is to be given in writing, and parents are liable for the full notice period. Parents giving notice in the fourth term are liable for the full December fee.

Kinderkinetics

Gross motor development in the preschool years is vital for mastering several skills at primary school, including neat handwriting. Kinderkinetics is a specialised field comprising programmes that address the progressive development of children from birth, differing by age, skill and need, and all based on the principles of movement.

Activities have a preventing, improving and/or therapeutic nature to meet each child's specific needs, as determined through professional assessments by registered Kinderkinetici (with a minimum of a three-year Human Movement Science degree and an Honours degree in Kinderkinetics), who present the classes each week. Parents receive a detailed assessment twice a year, along with activities designed specifically for your child to do at home. The programme is filled with fun and lays a firm foundation for academic success. Visit kwandakinetics.com for details. Parents are billed monthly for this activity.

Music

A music development programme is presented weekly as part of the school's curriculum for children over the age of two. This is an additional activity.

Mattress covers

Should your child sleep during the day, we require parents to either purchase two mattress covers from the school, or make them in the style of a pillowcase measuring 125cm × 60cm.

Snacks and meals

Sandwiches and fruit juice are provided mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Children wishing to bring their own snacks are welcome to do so for the afternoon snack. A small snack such as biscuits or ice lollies is provided in the late afternoon. Fruit juice is colourant- and preservative-free, and fresh drinking water is available in the classrooms and on the playground.

Lunch is a tasty, nutritious, balanced, cooked meal every day. Breakfast is served at 07:45 — children are welcome to join us for porridge or bring cereal from home. Please discuss any special dietary requirements with us.

Toys

Toys are not allowed at school unless the teacher asks the children to bring them. We cannot take responsibility for lost or broken toys. Please do not allow children to take school toys home, and please return any you find in your child's school bag. Deliberate damage to school property will be charged for.

Illness

Infections and illness are easily transmitted from one child to another in a school environment, and the only way to eliminate this is to keep your sick child at home for the duration of the illness. We would greatly appreciate your co-operation in ensuring a healthy environment for every child.

Please do not send your child to school if they have been ill during the night. Children who are recovering from illness, or who are lethargic and listless, have no appetite, or are weepy and tearful, should be kept at home until they have fully recovered. The school reserves the right to send children who do not appear well home.

If your child needs to take medication at school, please inform the class teacher, fill in the medicine book in the office, and leave the medication in the office for safekeeping.

Clothing

Please send your child to school in practical, comfortable clothing that will in no way inhibit their development. Children learn through their senses and by experimenting in their environment — please allow them to play and learn freely without being overly concerned about dirt or damage to their clothes.

• Send a spare change of clothing in your child's bag every day, plus a jersey for cooler weather.
• Hats are compulsory in summer.
• Children are learning to be independent — please ensure your child can easily take off their own clothing.
• All clothing should be clearly marked with your child's name.

We have a lost property basket, so please check it if something goes missing. Lost property is emptied at the end of each term and the contents donated to charity. The school cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged clothing.

General

Please send a small blanket to school for younger children to use at sleep time, and remember to take it home every Friday to be washed.

We always need spare paper for drawing — even if it's printed on one side (no confidential information, please). We also welcome unwanted cardboard, boxes and craft materials. Periodically we'll ask parents to send unwanted items from home, such as empty ice cream tubs or cereal boxes; your assistance is much appreciated.

Security

Our school has 24-hour contact with Beagle Watch Armed Response, who will respond within minutes in an emergency. A staff member is on the pavement at the gate between 7:00am and 8:30am, and the gate has controlled access with a tag system. Staff are trained in basic First Aid, CCTV cameras are installed, and we are part of ER24 Toddler Care for emergencies.

Extra-murals

The school offers several extra-mural activities, including karate, ballet and swimming. Please enquire at the office — or see the full list on our Programmes page.

Professional consultants

We make use of professional services such as a play therapist, speech therapist, occupational therapist, school readiness testing, and hearing and eye tests when needed. Parents will be notified in advance to decide whether they would like to make use of these services.

Reports and communication with parents

All children receive a progress report at the end of the year, and individual meetings are set up with parents mid-year to discuss progress. Regular newsletters keep parents updated on what's happening at school, and teachers send weekly class notes and daily WhatsApp messages so parents are always fully informed.

Events and functions

We hold a concert at the end of the year, as well as a graduation ceremony for the children leaving. We have a picnic in the playground once a term during school time, and once a term we arrange a show at the school (such as a visit by reptiles or creepy crawlies). Parents will be advised about other events such as Grandparents' Day, Mother's Day and our annual treasure hunt, Dads and Darlings — we encourage family participation, but we're aware of how important your free time is to you too.

Appointments

You are most welcome to discuss any concerns with us. A meeting can be arranged so that you and the teacher or principal can speak privately with no interruptions. Please do not discuss problems in front of your child.

Birthdays

Birthdays are a very special event in a child's life and we'd love to celebrate with your child. Parents are invited to send cupcakes to school on their child's birthday, and the teacher will organise a special birthday ring which parents are welcome to attend.

Parents are requested to donate a book to the school library on their child's birthday, labelled with the child's name and the date. This teaches children the value of both giving and receiving, and instils a sense of pride that they are doing something for their school and friends.

Bakerman

Every week each class holds a cake sale. Each child has a turn to be the Bakerman — wearing an apron and hat and "selling" cake to the other children. Children learn to handle money and to share, and it gives quieter children the opportunity to be in control and build confidence.

Parents are requested to send R5 to school for the children to buy cake on that day; the money is used by the teachers to buy something fun for the classroom. Each child will have a turn to bring cupcakes or other eats on the day they are Bakerman — parents are notified in advance.

Notice of absence

Please let us know if your child will be absent, and please notify the school if your child has a contagious illness.

Library

Library takes place every two weeks for each class, giving your child the opportunity to choose a book to take home and read with you. Your child will be supplied with a School Library Bag to protect their library book. Book replacement is at Wonderland's discretion: if a book is damaged or lost, R80 per book and R50 per library bag will be invoiced to the parents.

MySchool supporter cards

By joining MySchool you can raise funds for Wonderland without it costing you a cent — and as a cardholder you also get exclusive discounts and special offers. Ask us for an application form and we'll organise you a MySchool card.