Major Policies

We aim to guide your child in becoming an effective learner through creating an environment that is challenging and stimulating. The overall aim of our programs are designed to help your child in developing all areas necessary for success now and in later years.

Remember, children learn through play, and the daily program includes creative experiences, both indoors and outdoors.

The centre has many policies and rules to reflect legislative requirements and current best practice recommendations. They are written and reviewed in consultation with staff and families using the centre to reflect our philosophy and the needs of our community. These policies include policies on child protection, health and safety and the general management of the centre. They are available at the centre in our Parent Policy Handbook - on display in the foyer.

A brief overview of our general policies and procedures is as follows:

Initial Separation and Settling In
Arrival and Departure
Rest and Relaxation
Storage and Administration of Medication
Health, Sickness and Infectious Diseases
Hygiene
Safety, Emergency and Evacuation Procedures
Staffing
Students and Visitors
Birthdays
Non- Discriminatory Access
Procedures for dealing with concerns

Initial Separation & Settling In

Staff encourage orientation visits to our Centre to familiarise both children and parents before the first day. The separation anxiety to both children and parents is quite a normal feeling that may continue for a while. Parents are welcome to stay as long as possible.

We suggest that, before their first day of attendance, you explain to your child about childcare and the wonderful, happy times they will have there. Please feel free to stay and participate on your child’s first day, even if it means staying for 30 minutes to an hour.

Upon enrolment you will also receive further information on tips for settling your child into the centre.

We would like you to ask our staff if you have any apprehensions or are unsure of what to do.

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Arrival & Departure

It is the Centre Policy that all children are to be at the centre by 10.30am to enable them to settle into their routines and participate in educational planned activities for the day.

Please remember to sign your child in and out each day and if there is to be a variation in arrangements of who normally collects the child, please advise us in writing or make sure the person is authorised to collect.

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Rest & Relaxation

All children are encouraged to rest during the day for a period of time depending on their needs. Some will rest or sleep on beds or cots, while others may participate in quiet activities such as yoga, relaxation or simple stretches, listening to story tapes.

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Storage & Administration of Medication

All medication brought to the centre must be handed over to a staff member who will place it in an appropriate cabinet which is not accessible to children. The staff, in accordance with the directions noted by you in the medication book will administer the medication.

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Health, Sickness & Infectious Diseases

Children who are unwell are not to attend the centre - they will be miserable, and may spread their illness to others. Signs of obviously unwell children are: raised temperatures, runny noses etc.

Children with a temperature will not be allowed to attend the centre, nor will children who have been given Panadol or Nurofen prior to coming to the centre, or those who have just started antibiotics.

We have an extensive medication / illness / exclusion policies that we encourage you to read (a summary is provided in our Parent Handbook)- and you can always call the centre for clarification before coming in.

Your child’s health is of paramount importance to us.

Please ensure that your child’s immunisations are kept up to date. Children with infectious diseases or children not well enough to undertake normal routine will not be permitted to attend the Centre.

Parents will be notified if their child becomes sick and may be asked to come and collect their child. If unable to contact persons, the emergency contact phone number will be utilised.

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Hygiene

The Centre aims to achieve a high standard of hygiene and therefore strict hand washing and drying practices will be followed especially before and after meals, after using the bathrooms and after messy activities. Parents, of course, need to comply with the relevant health and hygiene policy of the Centre.

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Safety, Emergency & Evacuation Procedures

Emergency evacuation procedures will be displayed on the wall in each room and these will be practised every quarter. Fire equipment is checked twice a year and the staff are given professional training on the use of fire equipment.

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Staffing

Staffing ratios and qualifications are governed by Statutory Requirements. It is the aim of our Centre to exceed these requirements and the staff are expected to attend professional in-service training or workshops for continued development.

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Students & Visitors

At different times during the year, students and visitors will be present in the centre for short periods. A staff member is present in the room at these times.

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Birthdays

The Centre encourages the celebration of your child's birthday. For this occasion, we ask that you bring a basic cake (no nuts!) with candles, so it can be shared with the other children in the room.

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Non-Discriminatory Access

This Centre welcomes children with special needs, children of all races, religions and cultures, treating these with quality, respect and consideration. All children have an equal right to use the Centre with our non-discriminatory access policy.

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Procedures for dealing with concerns

If you have any concerns regarding the care of your child please talk to the Director, Group Leader or Centre Management.

We are only too happy to help!

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