Mudgee Preschool

Mudgee Community Preschool acknowledges National Sorry Day and the ongoing impact on members of the Stolen Generation, their communities, families and children.
Today we not only reflect on what has happened, but also what is required of us all, now and in the future in working towards healing for our people and nation.

LEARNING ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT
This week our preschool classes participated in Red Hill Environmental Education Centre's outdoor learning programs, in Gulgong and at Mudgee Wetlands, to learn more about our native animals, the importance of our waterways and the natural environment. Did you know the platypus is crepuscular? - it mostly comes out of it's burrow it makes at the edge of the river at sunrise and sunset - Thank-you Karen, Aimee, Greg and Mitch for a wonderful day of adventure and learning!

A reminder to our families that next Wednesday 6th May, Mudgee Community Preschool will be closed until 10am as we show our support and take part in the Start Strong, Pay Fair campaign and advocate for adequate funding for NSW Community Preschools.

Come along an join us on Tuesday 28th April.

We hope to see you all there.

Mudgee Community Preschool’s AGM is being held on the 28th April at 6.30pm and all positions on the board will be declared open.
Do you have an interest in finance, business or HR? Do you have 2 hours per month to attend an after work meeting? Are you passionate about helping our preschool thrive and continue to provide an exceeding service for the children and families of Mudgee?
If you answered yes to any of the above, we’d love to hear from you.
What is the board? Mudgee Preschool is governed by a voluntary management board that supports preschool to
• make decisions which reflect their community and its culture
• be well connected to their community
• be responsive to their community
• adjust service delivery quickly
• develop social capital by building connections, relationships and networks for families
• contribute to the development of capable, healthy communities.
Members of the board are elected by members of the organisation at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The board’s role is to govern the organisation for the following twelve to 24 months. The board is ultimately responsible for meeting the organisation’s legal obligations and ensuring its on-going viability.
A voluntary board of management allows Preschool to provide exceeding services and experiences for children, higher staff to children ratios and higher qualified teachers and educators and we would love your help to be able to maintain these qualities.
If you would like further information please reach out to our director Ange at [email protected] or via phone on 6372 1460.

The first day of preschool for children for term 2 is WEDNESDAY 22nd April. We look forward to seeing everyone!

This years Easter raffle was a huge success with $2793 raised.

We thank the parent Fundraising committee who worked hard gathering donations, wrapping gifts and contacting the lucky winners and our parents and families who donated lots of easter goodies.

A special shout out to Blue Wren Farm, Flynn's Solicitors and Gavin and Laura Power for their very generous donations for the raffle.

SUPPORTING CHILDREN THROUGH SEPARATION ANXIETY

Starting preschool can be an exciting time and it is also normal for children to feel nervous. Below are some ways you can support your child if they are experiencing separation anxiety or big feelings during morning drop off time. And of course, please don’t hesitate to speak with your child’s educators if you would like more information about how we can best support you and your child.

Some things to try:

1. Read through the 'Í am going to Preschool' booklet that was sent home in your welcome pack and talk with your child about what to expect.

2. Take some deep breaths, your calm matters. Emotions are contagious and your child will take their cues from you. Using a calm, confident and positive tone will help your child to trust that everything is okay and to feel secure.

3. Be curious about what your child is worried about and help them to name their feelings.

4. Slow down, get down at your child's level and acknowledge your child’s feelings for example “I can see your feeling nervous, that makes sense when doing something new”. When children feel seen and understood it lessens the intensity of the emotion a little.

5. Make a plan together with your child for what the morning routine and your goodbye ritual will look like and role play this at home.

6. Reassure your child that their teachers will be there to look after them and keep them safe.

7. Believe in your child. Our children need us to believe they have got this. Sometimes they need us to remind them that we have seen them do hard things and we know they will be able to handle this.

8. Avoid trying to sneak away. Although it seems easier in the moment, leaving without saying goodbye can increase anxiety and make it more difficult next time.

9. Try not to linger once it’s time to say goodbye. Make the process short and predictable. You are very welcome to call the preschool if you would like to check in with how your child has settled.

10. Small connection rituals, such as drawing a love heart on your and their hand, as a symbol to remind your child you are thinking of them throughout the day, can provide comfort and a sense of safety.

11. Arrange a playdate with a classmate

12. Remember to take care of yourself too, catch up for a cuppa with a friend or reach out for support if you need it.

Separation anxiety eases when children feel emotionally safe, connected and understood. Trust the process, it takes time to build connection and a sense of security, and some children need longer to adjust.

Photo by Gen Muir (Connected Parenting). Gen’s book ‘Little People Big Feelings' is available at both preschool campuses for families to borrow if you would like to know more about navigating your child’s emotions.

We are looking forward to welcoming all our 2026 children and their families to preschool next week. The first day of preschool for children is Thursday 29th January.