Suncare:
At our centre, we appreciate the importance of protecting children’s skin from the damaging effect of the sun and educating children about “sunsmart” behaviour. Our sun care policy recognises that both parents and staff have a shared responsibility in relation to sun care. With that in mind, it is recommended that you apply a 30+ sunscreen to your children in the morning. Should you forget sunscreen, is always available at the centre, please sign the sunscreen section of the sign in/out sheet to confirm sunscreen has been applied to your child. Our playground provides plenty of shade and staff will act as positive role models as well as actively ensuring that sun exposure is minimised throughout the day, especially during the hottest times. Children must wear a sunsmart hat and clothing that provides adequate protection from the sun and is cool, comfortable and practical for outside play.
Remember – No Sunsmart Hat, No Outdoor Play
Arrivals & Departures:
Our policy in regard to the matter is outlined below:
As a matter of safety, children must be brought into the centre and collected from the centre by a responsible adult at least 18 years of age.
The adult must sign the child “in” and “out” on the tablet provided to record the time of arrival or departure and notify the teacher that the child has arrived/is departing.
Our sign in/out system issued for fire drills and lockdown so please ensure you child is signed in each day.
Children can only be signed in and out by custodial parents or people authorised in writing on the child’s enrolment form under emergency contact.
Staff must be informed if an adult other than the custodial parent will be collecting the child.
Duty of Care:
During the Kindy contact hours the children are in the care of the educators. Before Kindy starts and when Kindy finishes is the Educators non-contact time when they prepare the environment for the children, document the children’s learning and complete other paper work and tasks as necessary to the provision of a quality program for your child. Once your child is signed out, your child is under your supervision and is your legal responsibility.
We appreciate and understand that families like to gather after children’s collection at the end of the day, and we welcome this community and family spirit. We kindly ask that you are diligent in your supervision of your child and any child siblings. Please respect that the play space has been tidied up and organised for our end of day.
The Centre operates 40 weeks of the year with the same holidays as the Education Department. Each group will have 2 scheduled staff professional development days; the dates of these will be advised throughout the year.
Rest Times:
Rest time is an essential part of the day’s programme, giving children an opportunity to rest their bodies and be alone with their thoughts after a busy morning. The Education and Care Services Regulations 2011 requires Early Childhood Services to provide rest and relaxation times for individuals. Children who do not sleep during this time will be encouraged to ‘chill-out. Our educators support children’s needs in this time, and promote quiet, mindful, and restful experiences. A child who has learned to relax, will become an adult who is able to deal more adequately with the stress, and strain of normal living.
Medication:
All medication is to be given to the Director and will be kept locked away from children’s access. Only medically prescribed medication will be administered, and all particulars are to be witnessed and signed by staff and parents in the medication book. Parents with children on nebulisers are required to sign extra forms if they are to be used during school hours.
Absences from Kindy:
Parents must notify staff if the child is to be absent for the day, and the reason. Parents must also notify the staff if a mid-term holiday is planned.
Emergency Evacuation & Procedures:
It is mandatory that the children participate in fire drills and lockdown drills every 3 months in the year. This is an important safety process for children and our educators to have the understanding and be prepared. In case of an emergency the staff will evacuate all children to the front gate, and if required to the vacant lot adjacent to the kindy. The roll will be called and the appropriate emergency services contacted.
Toilet Training:
Toilet training in early childhood is a developmental milestone that requires readiness, patience, and a child-led approach rather than strict age expectations. We understand that children enter our service with varying experience and skills with ‘self-help’. They are learning, trying and practising, and we will support this process, as we would expect you are at home too. We encourage all children to wear underwear (as opposed to nappies and pull-ups) and for families to communicate your child’s needs with us.
‘Accidents’ can and will happen, so please ensure you provide ample amounts of labelled spare underwear and easy to dress (loose fitting/elasticated) shorts/pants/skirts. Tight bike shorts, leggings, zippers and buttons can be problematic for a toilet training child.
