BOOKING A CHILDCARE PLACE:
Families may access a maximum of 15 hours childcare, per child, per week. The number of places available on any given day or week is dependent on the number of children already booked in. To ensure the ongoing viability of the service, parents are required to pay when booking. If a childcare place has been booked but no payment made, we cannot guarantee that the place will remain available. Please notify staff as early as possible should you not require your place. This will enable someone else to use the childcare program.
Please Note: No refund or transfer can be given if you do not notify childcare staff of your cancellation.
EXTREME DISTRESS:
If a child is still distressed due to separation from their parent or guardian after half an hour or becomes distressed and can’t be consoled, the parents or guardian will be contacted.
CUSTODY & ACCESS:
Staff must be given a copy of any current court orders relating to your child. Please notify staff of any changes. Children will not be released into the care of any adult not identified on the child’s enrolment form without prior notice from the parent / legal guardian and they must provide proof of identity.
CHILDRENS TOYS:
We do not encourage children to bring special toys to the centre as they may be broken or lost, or may cause arguments among the other children. Of course, exceptions are made for children new to the centre or babies who may need something familiar to help with settling. We ask that children leave guns and other war toys at home.
ILLNESS AND MEDICATIONS:
If your child is feeling unwell (has runny nose where the mucus is not clear, persistent cough or vomiting) they should not attend the centre. It is in the best interests of a sick child to be at home. If your child becomes unwell and unable to cope in a group situation, staff will contact you or your emergency contact.
Should your child be required to take any medications while in care (including asthma medication), this medication must be in it’s original container, must be prescribed for that child, be clearly labelled and handed to a staff member. The Medication Book, with details of dosage etc., must be completed by the parent or guardian prior to leaving the child.
CENTRE POLICIES:
The Anglesea occasional childcare has a range of policies, which support and guide the provision of a quality childcare program. The policies include the following areas:
Safety Emergency Procedures
Communication Health
Illness Medications
Accident Behaviour Management
Confidentiality Complaints
Sun Smart Staffing
SUN SMART POLICY:
The Anglesea Occasional childcare is a Sun Smart centre and has a strict policy to ensure maximum sun protection. Children must wear a hat when outdoors, and t-shirts and dresses with sleeves are encouraged. Outdoor programs will not be conducted during the hottest times of the day. Childcare staff model appropriate sun smart behaviour by wearing hats and sunscreen outdoors at all times.
In summer we ask that sunscreen is applied before arriving at the centre. Parents must provide a suitable hat to shade child’s head, face and neck. Children must wear a hat when outdoors. Any child without a hat must play indoors. Baseball type hats and those with small brims are no longer acceptable headwear.
HEALTHY SNACKS AND LUNCHES:
Parents are requested to send with their child clearly labelled containers providing enough food for the time the child will be in care. The centre encourages parents to include a healthy range of food choices for their child; (chips, twisties etc. and sweets are not encouraged) parents may also include a drink of juice or milk. Children will be offered cool tap water at snack times. Children will be encouraged to eat together at the tables and to clear their places after finishing their food.
BIRTHDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS:
The children enjoy celebrating special occasions. Should you wish to bring in a birthday cake for your child’s birthday, the staff will be happy to share it among the children at morning tea! The staff welcomes parents wishing to participate in celebrating other occasions.
GENERAL BEHAVIOUR:
It is common for parents to worry about their children being bullied. As children are closely supervised, there is no opportunity for bullying. At ADC Occasional Care, all children are encouraged to respect others. If their behaviour is not caring of others, they may be removed from the group for a short time. A leader will speak to them about what is the correct way to behave, they will then return to the group.
Older children are always encouraged to be considerate of younger children. Children are assisted in taking turns, in sharing equipment and being careful not to hurt others.
It is our experience that the children follow the example of adults. Our leaders always demonstrate an excellent role model. If any parent has concerns regarding children’s ability to share and to play co-operatively, or concerns in general, they should speak to the team leader.
PARENT COMMENTS:
The staff and Management Committee are strongly committed to providing a high quality childcare program, which meets the needs of the children, and parents who use the service. We welcome and encourage parent feedback and suggestions about how to improve our service.
Should you be concerned about any aspect of care provided at the Anglesea and District Community House Occasional Childcare, we encourage you to bring it to the attention of the childcare staff or a member of the Committee of Management where the issue will be addressed in an appropriate manner .
ACCIDENT AND INJURY:
If your child has an accident while at the centre, the staff will record the incident in the incident book. Upon your arrival at the centre, staff will inform you of the incident and will request you to view and sign the incident book. Should an emergency occur, you or your emergency contact person would be notified immediately. Please ensure you keep your emergency contact details up-to-date. A doctor or ambulance will be called in cases of serious injury where the parent or caregiver cannot be contacted.
