We see children as unique and capable individuals, who come to our Service with their own interests, talents, skills, and ideas. We value, respect and appreciate this uniqueness. We as Educators are well trained and passionate. We feel children have a right to be active participants in their own learning and must be empowered to express their views and ideas. A child’s opinion must be valued for its validity to their perspective and their autonomy and initiative needs to be respected. We as Educators will protect and cherish the innocence of children and thus provide a safe and secure environment. As we unpack the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) we will work alongside your child to actively promote children’s learning through worthwhile and challenging experiences and interactions that foster high-level thinking skills. We are committed to fostering all areas of children’s development, providing a holistic approach which includes mental health and wellbeing and fostering of a growth mindset in all children.

We acknowledge that family is the most important and influential aspect in the lives of young children and the significance of their relationships cannot be underestimated. We aim to ensure we involve parents and families into all aspects of the programs development and implementation. We strive to develop positive, mutually respectful relationships with each family member, as we work in partnership to achieve the best possible outcomes for all. We believe that working in partnerships with families is central to ensuring continuity and progression in a child’s learning, development and future success.

In Early Childhood Education the curriculum is not the focus, the children are. We feel that a meaningful, integrated, emergent curriculum using EYLF as the Framework is the most beneficial to children’s learning across all developmental domains. A curriculum in which children are active participants and collaborators allows for a more individualistic and meaningful involvement by the children. We believe children are unique individuals who develop at their own rate, and thus by providing enriching, meaningful and realistic opportunities children will explore, create, discover, and imagine. Our programs reflect planned and spontaneous experiences designed to support children’s development in all domains. Through the EYLF, the program will see Educators use intentional teaching, (it’s deliberate, purposeful and thoughtful). Educators who engage in intentional teaching recognise that learning occurs in social contexts and that interactions and conversations are vitally important for learning. They actively promote children’s learning through worthwhile and challenging experiences and interactions that foster high-level thinking skills (EYLF).

For the Educators In any early childhood setting, team work and effective communication are essential requirements for positive outcomes across all aspects of the Services’ functioning, for ‘together everyone achieves more”. Educators are responsive to all children’s strengths, abilities and interests. We will value and build on children’s strengths, skills and knowledge to ensure their motivation and engagement in learning (EYLF). We aim to create an environment of trust and respect, where we work towards achieving a shared goal. Ongoing education and training is a critical aspect of staff’s professional development. It is through accurate evaluation and assessment, which occurs when we critically reflect on our actions, that we are able to identify areas which may be considered a skill and those which may need further development. We recognise Educators/Staff as our Service’s most precious resource and aim to provide them with a satisfying and safe working environment. Further we also appreciate the experience and skills of all Educators/Staff. We appreciate their dedication as an integral element of the success of our Service.

We strive to be seen as a Service of Excellence within our community, a Service that values community involvement in all aspects of our program. We are Service where community resources are utilised effectively, to enhance the growth, and development of individual children, families, and Educators/Staff. We believe that effective partnerships with the community will contribute towards a positive outcome for all children. We believe it is important to share and accept Australia’s history to move forward into true reconciliation.

Children have an inherit connection to the natural world and, as Educators/Staff, we understand that children often develop their ideas and understandings of the world around them from the information presented to them by the significant adults in their lives. As we are one of these significant adults, we have a responsibility to present a positive approach to the environment. We will aim to educate children on the important part that sustainability plays in our world and the interconnectedness of humans and our environment. We also embrace diversity within our Service and the wider community, so that children view this diversity with a sense of appreciation and wonder rather than misunderstanding and fear. Through respect, acknowledgement, appreciation and acceptance of diversity within our Community, our Service will embrace, celebrate and share traditions and cultures throughout our program. We are committed to embedding First Nation’s perspectives in all areas of learning, regardless of children’s backgrounds and nationalities. Learning environments are welcoming spaces when they reflect and enrich the lives and identities of children and families participating in the setting and respond to their interests and needs. Our Service will cater for different capacities and learning styles and invite children and families to contribute ideas, interests and questions (EYLF).

• Please contact the Family assistance office on 136150 or www.humanservices.gov.au to register your child for child care subsidy. You will need to provide your family and your child’s reference numbers on the enrolment form. If these numbers are not provided full fees will be applicable. For further information regarding this process please see www.mychild.gov.au or ask our Nominated Supervisor.

• start strong funding: This funding is available at one nominated service only for 3 and 4 year old children. Please ask for a form if you would like to nominate our service for this funding.

• Obtain a copy of your child’s immunisation history statement. This must be provided before your child commences. It must be in the form of the letter from medicare, not the blue book.
Please see www.humanservices.gov.au

• Complete the enrolment form online - follow the link under our forms and info section.

• Bring any applicable court orders to the service

• If your child has asthma, allergies, anaphylaxis or any other long term medical condition please contact the service directly as there will be additional documentation required and we will arrange meeting to discuss how to best meet your child’s needs.

• For educators to be able to meet your families and child’s needs please inform us of any concerns or additional needs you feel your child may have including behaviours, speech, development, English as a second language. We pride ourselves in being an inclusive and diverse service, by disclosing this information we can work out what support will be needed to best help your child succeed.

• Please contact the service to arrange some orientation visits. We cater this to the individual needs of children and their families but would like all children and families to attend at least one orientation session.

• A nutritious lunch

• A labeled morning and afternoon tea. Unhealthy foods will be returned home and a healthy alternative offered. We are also a NUT FREE service.

• A bottle of water. Cordial and juice is not allowed

• Please label everything, including all food, clothing, blankets etc.

• please bring a broad rimmed hat labelled with your child’s name every day, we provide sunscreen, however if you prefer you can provide a labelled bottle of your child’s own sunscreen for use at the service.

• If you want your child to sleep please supply a fitted and flat cot sheet, and a pillow and blanket if you wish.

• Feel free to bring any comforters such as dummies, blankies or soft toys, but try to keep other toys at home. Special items can be brought in to share with the children occasionally.

• If your child is in nappies you must supply these, and if your child is toilet training pack plenty of spare clothes.

• All children require at least one change of clothes in their bags.

We have a direct debit facility for payment of fees, families can enter and make changes to these details through the service app. Families will be given access to this on enrolment.

• Make up days are available for sick days if you have notified the service of your absence and have provided a doctors certificate.

• It is up to the director’s discretion to provide make up days for public holidays, as this will depend on availability.

• If you are going on a long holiday we can try to fill your position, but this cannot be guaranteed.

• Otherwise, all absences must be paid for. They will still be covered by benefits, providing you don’t reach the limit on allowable absences. These are noted on your invoice.

• If your child has a pre-existing condition such as anaphylaxis or asthma a long term medication form and appropriate plans will need to be filled out prior to your child’s first day.

• If your child needs medication such as antibiotics a medication form needs to be filled out for each day your child requires this medication.

• ALL medication that is given to your child MUST clearly state your child’s name and date medication was prescribed. We are unable to administer any medication that is not prescribed by a doctor.

• Please do not leave any medication in your child’s bag.

• Please keep your child at home if they are unwell as illnesses can quickly spread in a childcare environment.

• If your child vomits, has a temperature above 38 degrees or has two loose stools while under our care we will call you to come and collect them.

• For more information regarding this please see Parent Information Handbook.

• You provide your child’s meals so we are confident in the food you are providing. Please discuss any dietary requirements and also place these on the enrolment form, so that we can assure all educators apply these and we can share this with other families if needed.

• Two weeks notice is required to terminate your position. Notice should be provide in writing in an email or letter.

• The 2 weeks will begin from the date of the letter.

• If you require a change in days, this will be subject to availability, therefore the time period will vary. However if you are reducing days 2 weeks written notice is also required.

• You must add anyone who you wish to pick up your child to the enrolment form.

• Children will not be released to any person not on the list.

• This list can be amended by parents at any time.

• When a new person is picking up your child for the first tme we will need to sight their license to identify them.