About the Centre

The centre is licensed for 38 children from 0 to 6 years old.
The groupings are as follows:
– 0-2 years – 8 children
– 0-3 years – 10 children
– 3-6 years – 20 children

Trading Hours

Our Centre is open from 6.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday. The Centre is closed on public holidays. A late pick-up fee will come into effect after 6.00pm and will be charged at $1.50 per minute. This fee is not eligible for fee rebate through Child Care Benefit and is the parent’s responsibility. If parents/guardian has not contacted the centre by 6.30pm the matter will be referred to the appropriate authorities.

Priority of Access

Children who are third priority in the Priority of Access Guidelines may be required to alter their days or give up their place at the Centre in order to provide a place for a higher priority child. The priorities are as follows:
First Priority: Children at risk of serious abuse or neglect
Second Priority: children whose parents satisfy the work/training/study test. (Under section. 14 of the Family Assistance Act)
Third Priority: Any other child

Staff

Staff members employed at the Centre:
– Centre Manager
– Administrator
– Food Coordinator
– 4 qualified caregivers
– 8 assistant caregivers

All staff are required to hold a current Childcare First Aid Certificate and are required to attend professional development and in-service training to enhance their skills for working with young children. Relief staff may also be employed when permanent staff are on rostered days off, sick leave or holidays.

Students and Volunteers

Throughout the year we have visits from students attending school, TAFE and University along with volunteer workers interested in the field of Children Services. Making the centre available to interested parties heightens the children’s awareness of the community in which we live. Children enjoy the company of new and interesting people in their lives and therefore we feel it is an important part of the program to include students and volunteers where possible. The Management believes that the centre is a learning environment for all.

Our program

Our program can be found on display in each child’s room where parents are able to see them. Parents are encouraged to have input into the program development especially in relation to multicultural issues, music and storytelling. The centre provides a nurturing environment with programs that are developmentally appropriate and enable children to learn, grow and live creatively.
We recognise the importance of the parental role and our primary focus is on the individual child within the context of his/her family. In order to meet the needs of the individual child as well as the needs of the group, programs are largely unstructured supporting the importance of play and encouraging children to select materials and experiences.

We endeavour to provide as wide a selection of developmentally appropriate materials and resources as possible and children are encouraged to participate in all areas of the program.

We recognise that children learn through playing. We endorse the concept of cross-cultural and non-discriminatory programs.

Our main aims and objectives are:
– To provide a safe, comfortable and caring environment directed towards meeting each child’s development needs
– Support and enhance the child’s home life by respecting the needs, composition and relationships with family groups
– To encourage and plan for interaction among all age groups within the centre, to support sibling relationships and to promote caring and tolerance both individually and as a group
– Promote the development of positive attitudes towards self and others
– Maintain regular communication with parents, including the exchange of information concerning the child’s development
– Encourage participation by parents and the community in the activities of the centre
– Hold regular staff meetings, open discussions and informal communication sessions, so that all staff members interact and participate in planning and evaluating the program
– Provide opportunities for staff to argument and further their own skills and abilities in relation to preparing, planning and implementing developmentally appropriate programs for children
– Integrate learning and education about human diversity which includes culture, ethnicity, gender and disabilities and guide children towards valuing and respecting such diversity
– Help children realise their full potential.

Birthday’s

Your child’s birthday is important to us. We will celebrate this important day by organising special birthday activities. It is our Food and Nutrition policy that only food purchased and prepared by the Centre Food Coordinator is offered and available to children. This protects children from exposure to food that may cause allergic reaction, or hamper cultural and religious requirements.

Nutrition Policy

Our resident cook, qualified and Cert III staff hold relevant food safety and nutrition qualifications. Only nutritious meals are served. Only food purchased and prepared by centre staff will be available to children

Centre Routine

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The daily timetable is a guide for staff and is very flexible according to the children’s needs and the weather. Individual room routines are displayed on notice boards in your child’s room, and may be varied from the above.

Meal Times

Morning Tea: 9.00am
Lunch: 11.00am
Afternoon Tea: 2.30pm
Late Snack: 5.15pm

All meals are served with drinks. Our weekly menu is displayed on the information boards and in the kitchen. Parents must inform the centre in writing of any allergies your child may have. We strongly encourage families to supply the centre with an effective action plan endorsed by your doctor.

Parents’ Participation Suggestions

Suggestions are always welcome from all parents and may be verbal or given in writing and placed in the suggestion box near the entrance.

Arrival and Departure of Children

It is a requirement of the Family Assistance Office and Department of Communities that all children must be signed in (on arrival) and signed out (on departure). All sick, holidays and occasional absences must be signed for. Failure to sign your child in and out each day may result in the cancellation of the Child Care Benefit. These records are used for CCB attendance reviews and in emergency evacuation drills.
Each child must be personally handed over to a staff member. Please let us know what time you will be picking your child up so that we can prepare them for home. Only authorised persons can collect your child, unless prior arrangements are made with Senior Staff. The centre must be advised of this.
Our centre will only accept children from 6.00am to 6.00pm. We would appreciate that parents arrive five minutes before 6.00pm to collect your child.