WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page1of7

HOURSOFOPERATIONBeforeSchool:7am–8:45amAfterSchool:3:10pm–6pmVacationCare&PupilFreeDays:7am–6pm

BEFORE,AFTERSCHOOL&VACATIONCARESERVICEWallsendPublicSchoolPlattsburgPublicSchoolElermoreValePublicSchoolWallsendSouthPublicSchool

ABOUTOURCENTREWallsendPublicSchoolOOSHisanotforprofitcommunityorganisation.WallsendPublicSchoolOOSHisanincorporatedentityinitsownright,runbyavolunteerCommitteeofusers.IfyouwishtobecomeinvolvedintheManagementCommitteeorattendCommitteemeetings,pleaseseetheCoordinator/NominatedSupervisor.Thecentreisrunbyqualifiedstaff/educatorsthathavecomprehensiveexperienceandtraininginthechildcarefield.Ourcentreoperateswithappropriatestaff/educatorstochildratiosof1:15whenatthecentreand1:8whenonexcursions.Allstaff/educatorsarescreenedthroughtheWorkingwithChildren’sCheckfromtheNewSouthWalesCommissionforchildrenandyoungpeople.FromJanuary2012,WallsendPublicSchoolOOSHbecamepartoftheEducationandCareServicesNationalRegulations.OurQualityImprovementPlanwillbebasedontheseregulationswhichincludetheNationalStandardsandourschoolagedframework:MyTime,OurPlace.A.C.E.C.Q.A(AustralianChildren’sEducationandCareAuthority)willberesponsiblefortheguidingoftheNationalQualityFrameworkattheNationallevel.WewillbeassessedaccordingtotheNationalStandards,consistingof7QualityAreas:

1. EducationalProgrammeandSafety2. Children’sHealthandSafety3. PhysicalEnvironment4. Educator/staffingArrangements5. Relationshipswithchildren6. CollaborativePartnershipswithFamiliesand7. LeadershipandServiceManagementCommunities

PHILOSOPHY

Weaimtoprovideasafe,healthyandcaringenvironmentforchildrenatanaffordableprice.Weaimtocreateacomfortableatmospherethatoffersacceptanceandsupportinanenvironmentthatnurturesthe

children’sdevelopmentandvalueseverychild.Weaimtoprovideactivitiestoenhancechildren’sdevelopment,encourageindividualinterestsandfosterindependence,wherechildrenhaveopportunities

forself-expression,self-directionandself-disciplineandplayduringtheirmiddlechildhoodyears.Weencourageparentinvolvementinalldecisions.Weaimtobesupportivetoourparents/guardiansandstriveforopencommunicationandpositiverelationshipsbetweenstaff/educators,children,families,

management,schoolstaffandmembersofthelocalcommunity.AIMS&OBJECTIVESThefollowingisalistofouraimsandobjectives,whichwehavewritteninrelationtothecentre,theparents/guardians,thechildren,thestaff/educatorsandthecommunity.AtWallsendOOSH,webelieve:

• InRESPECTforourselves,otherpeople,theirbelongingsandtheenvironment• IndividualsshouldtakeRESPONSIBILITYfortheirownbehaviour• IndividualsneedtomakeSAFEchoices

WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page2of7

CoreRulesforStudentsatWallsendPublicSchoolOOSH

EventhoughtheCentrerulesmaychangeduetostudentandparent/carersuggestions,belowisalistofthegeneralruleswhichapply:• Behavesafely,consideratelyandresponsibly,includingwhentravellingtoandfromOOSH• Showrespectatalltimesforstaff/educatorsandhelpers,includingfollowingOOSHrules,speaking

courteouslyandcooperatingwithinstructionsandactivities• Treatoneanotherwithdignityandrespect• Careforpropertybelongingtothemselves,theschoolandothers• Runningoutsideonly• Co-operatewithothers• Ballplayisforoutside• AlwaysstayinsideWallsendpublicschoolOOSHboundaries• Cleanupafteryourself• Careforothers• Obeyschoolrules• Nostandingonfurniture• Careforallequipment• Putlitterinbins• Nopersonaldevisesoftechnology• Alwaysuseyourmanners• Treatothersthewaythatyouwouldliketobetreated• ListentotheWallsendpublicschoolOOSHstaff/educators• Listentoandfindpersonwithemergencywhistle• Nohat,noplay• Havefun!

Theserulesencourageacaring,safe,inclusiveandwellmanagedenvironmentwheretheindividualisvaluedasapersonandhastheopportunitytobeactivelyinvolvedinthedecision-makingprocessesofthecentre.TheconsequencesforbreakingtherulesatWallsendOOSHwillbediscussedwithstudents.Staff/educatorswillfollowupallbehaviouralissuesbydiscussingthesituationwiththechildandworkingtogethertoproblemsolvebettersolutionsforfuture.Staff/educatorswillusearangeofwellbeingtechniquesincludingmodelling,redirection,positivereinforcementandrewardprograms.Staff/educatorswillensureparents/guardiansarepromptlyinformedofanybehaviouralconcernswhencollectingtheirchild.ThisisdoneusingaBehaviourReportwhichwillbesignedbytheCoordinator/NominatedSupervisororEducatorwhowitnessedthesituation.Informationcollectedwillbesavedandkeptforfuturereference.Whereachilddemonstratesconsistentunacceptablebehaviourstaff/educatorswill(inconsultationwithparents/guardiansandotherprofessionalsasrequired)willassess,planandimplementanindividualBehaviourManagementActivePlanwhichreflectsthechild’sneedsandabilities.Shouldunacceptablebehaviourcontinueandindividualstrategiesarenotworkingthestaff/educatorswillinformManagement.Managementinconsultationwiththestaff/educatorswilldiscusstheissue.Where,intheinterestofthechildandotherchildrenatthecentre,suspensionorexclusionisseenastheonlysteptobetaken,thiswillbedecidedbyManagement.

WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page3of7

TheCentre:• toprovideacomfortableandsupportiveenvironmentforparents/guardians,staff/educatorsand

childrentostriveforopencommunicationandgoodrelationshipsbetweenallparties• toprovideasafeenvironment• toprovideacleanenvironment• toprovideaninclusiveandcaringenvironment• toprovideafriendlyandwelcomingenvironment• toprovidehighqualitycareforchildren• tohaveequipmentandfacilitiesthatissuitabletotheneedsandabilitiesoftheschool-agedchild• toencouragegoodnutritionthroughtheprovisionofnutritioussnacksandbymodellinghealthy

eatinghabitsTheParents/Guardians:

• toprovidefortheneedsofparents/guardianswhoareworking,lookingforwork,studyingorwhoneedcareonanoccasionalbasis

• toopenforhoursthatallowparents/guardianstotraveltoandfromthatplaceofemploymentorstudy

• tomakeparents/guardiansfeelwelcomeandvalued.Toacceptandvalueeveryparentregardlessofrace,culturalbackground,religion,sexorability

• tohelpthemfeelconfidentinthecentre’squalityofcarefortheirchild• tokeeptheminformedandupdatedinissuesrelatingtotheservice• toencourageparentinvolvementindecisionsonpolicyandprogrammingissues• toencouragefeedbackandinputfromparents/guardiansinrelationtotheprogram,policiesor

otherissuesrelatingtothecentre• toencourageopencommunicationbetweenparents/guardiansandthecentre• tomaintainpositiverelationshipsbetweenparents/guardians,staff/educatorsandmanagement• tomeetthecurrentneedsofparents/guardiansthroughcontinualupdateandreviewofrelative

issueTheChildren:

• toacceptandvalueeverychildregardlessofrace,culturalbackground,religion,sexorability• tomaintainpositivecommunicationandrelationshipsbetweenstaff/educatorsandchildren• toencourageindividualinterests• tofosterchildren’sindependenceandself-helpskills• toprovidechildrenwithopportunitiesforself-expressionandself-direction• toprovideanenvironmentthatwillfosterthechild’sselfesteem• tohelpchildrendevelopself-disciplineskillsthroughpositiveexampleanddirection• tohelpchildrenappreciateandcareforeachotherandtheirsurroundings• toencouragechildrentobeinvolvedintheplanning,implementationandevaluationofactivitiesin

thecentre• todevelopandimplementabalancedprogramthatisstimulating,interestingandexcitingwhich

allowsforopportunitiestoexploreanddevelopnewskills• todevelopamixedprogramthatisappropriatetothedevelopmentalandleisureneedsofall

individualsandreflectsthecentre’sculturaldiversity• toprovideaplaceforchildrentoplaywithfriends• toencouragechildrentoparticipateindecisionsaboutthecentre

WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page4of7

TheCommunity:• toprovideforthechangingneedsofthelocalcommunity• tobesensitivetotheneedsofresidentsaroundthecentreinrelationtoparking,noiseandother

considerations• toensuretheculturaldiversityofourcommunityisvaluedandrespected• todeveloppositiverelationshipswiththeschool,localcouncilandgovernment• tomaintainopencommunicationbetweentheschool,neighboursandotherrelevantcommunity

groups• tokeeptherelevantgroupsinformedofanymajorchangeswithinthecentre• tokeepuptodatewithanycurrentissuesinthelocalarea• toparticipate,wherepossible,incommunityevents

TheStaff/Educators:

• tocreateanenthusiasticandpositiveatmosphereforthestaff/educatorswhichencouragespersonalinitiativeandco-operation

• tohelpdevelopmutualrespect,courtesyandunderstandingforall• toprovidesupportandassistancewhereneeded• toproviderelevanttraininganddevelopment• toensurestaff/educatorsareawareofallexpectationsandduties• toabidewithchildprotectionlaws–alleducatorsareamandatoryreporter

CENTREPROCEDURESPlacementOffers&PriorityofAccessThepriorityofaccessplaceswillbegivento:

• 1stpriority–arechildrenwhoareatriskofabuseorneglect.• 2ndpriority–arechildrenofworkforceparticipants,whereasingleparentorboth

parents/guardiansareemployed,seekingemploymentorstudying/trainingforfutureemployment.• 3rdpriority–arechildrenofparents/guardianswithacontinuingdisabilityorincapacity.• 4thpriority–arechildrenwithparents/guardiansathomeandsingleparents/guardians.

ShouldapriorityoneplacementberequiredonanygivendaywhichwouldexceedthenumberofchildrentheOOSHisapprovedtoprovidecareforchildrenstartingfromthelowestprioritygroupsonthosedayswouldbeaskedtoforegocareuntilotherarrangementscanbemade.ExtremeWeatherInthecaseofextremeweatherthechildrenwillbeisolatedinthehallortheschoollibrary.Forexample:extremehotweatherorflooding.SunSafeAllchildrenarerequiredtowearahateg.broadbrimmedwhenevertheyareoutsidethroughouttheschoolyear.AminimumSPF30+,broadspectrum,waterresistantsunscreenwillbemadeavailableinthecentreandstaff/educatorsandchildrenwillbeencouragedtoapplybeforeandduringexposuretothesun.PleaserefertoSunProtectionPolicyforfurtherdetails.SigningInandOutChildrenattendingBeforeSchoolCareshouldbesignedinbyaparent/guardianonarrival.Childrenarerequiredtogotoschoolafter8.45amandwillbesignedoutbyanOOSHeducator.Oncethechildrenare

WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page5of7

droppedoffattheirschool(whereapplicable)andsignedout,thechildrenaretheninthecareoftheirrespectiveschools.Signinginandoutbyparents/guardiansneedstobedoneeverydayasthisisaRegulatoryrequirement.Thenotingoftimeofarrivalanddeparturemustalsobecompletedeachdayincludingasignature.Non-completionofthistaskcausesamarginoferrorinouremergencyevacuationprocedure.Signin/signoutbookgivesusanaccuratenumberofchildrentobeaccountedfor.SickChildren&AccidentsRefertotheCentre’sIncident,Injury,IllnessandTraumaPolicyandFirstAidAdministrationPolicy.WallsendOOSHpoliciesareavailabletoallparents/guardiansforviewandareavailableuponrequest.Ifforanyreasonachildbecomesdistressedparents/guardianswillbecontactedatthediscretionofstaff/educator’smemberseg.head/facial/spinalinjurieswillreceiveacall.Ifachildisunwellathome,theywillnotbepermittedtostayatWallsendOOSH.Childrenwhoappearunwell(lethargic,hasafeverover38oC,vomitsetc.)whenbeingsignedinbytheirparent/guardianwillnotbepermittedtobeleftatWallsendOOSH.Educators/Staffmayrequestadoctor’sclearancetoensureotherchildrenarenotexposedtoinfectiousdiseases.IfachildbecomesillwhilstatWallsendOOSH,theparentswillbecontactedtotakethechildhome.Wherethefamilyisunavailable,emergencycontactswillbecalledtoensurethechildisremovedfromWallsendOOSHpromptly.Ifachildisinjuredwithinthecentreorwhilstonanexcursion,staff/educatorswillofferfirstaidtopreventtheinjuryfromworseningandcontacttheparentsoremergencycontactswheretheaccidentisofaseriousnature.ParentswillbeaskedtosignanIncident,Injury,IllnessandTraumaReport.NewVaccinationLawsfromJanuary2014ThePublicHealthAmendment(VaccinationofChildrenAttendingChildCareFacilities)Act2013cameintoeffect1January2014andrequiresachild’simmunisationstatustobeprovidedtoaservicebeforeenrolment.Allfamilies(new&existing)needtoprovideevidencethattheirchildiseither:

• fullyvaccinatedfortheirage• hasamedicalreasonnottobevaccinated• hasaconscientiousobjection,includingreligiousbeliefs,tovaccination,or• isonarecognisedcatch-upscheduleiftheirchildhasfallenbehindwiththeirvaccinations.

Accreditation/RegistrationAccreditationbyACECQA.Mytime,Ourplace.StudentWellbeingPolicyThecentresPoliciesandProceduresareavailableuponrequest,pleaseseetheCoordinator/NominatedSupervisorifyouwouldliketoviewthesedocuments.WallsendPublicSchoolOOSHaimstoprovideasafe,supportiveandcaringenvironmentwhereallstudentsarefreefrombullying,harassment,discriminationandintimidation.Students,withstaff/educatorsdirectionareencouragedtobeinvolvedinthedevelopmentofpositivestrategiestoensurethewellbeingofallpersonsusingthecentre.Thesestrategieswillencouragestudentstodevelopthequalitiesofself-discipline,responsibilityandcourteousbehaviour.

WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page6of7

InclusionSupportSubsidyOurprogrammaybeeligibletoreceiveanInclusionSupportSubsidy(ISS)whichcanassistwiththeinclusionofchildrenwithadditionalneeds.ForfurtherinformationconcerningISSpleasespeakwiththecentreCoordinator/NominatedSupervisor.HomeworkAquietspacewillbeprovidedtoencouragechildrentodotheirhomework.Staff/educatorsmayremindchildrenuponrequestofparents/guardiansorthechild’sinterest.Duetostaff/educatorsbeingrequiredtosuperviseallchildren,staff/educatorswillbeunabletooffereachchildindividualassistance.Staff/educatorswillnotforceormakehomeworktimecompulsoryforanychild.Thefocusoftheprogramisrecreation/leisureinasafe,funandsupervisedenvironment.PersonalItemsStaff/educatorsmayaskchildrentoputbackintheirbagsorhandincertaintoys/itemsshoulditbeatriskofbeingdamagedetc.WallsendOOSHtakesnoresponsibilityforbelongingswhicharelost,brokenorstolen.TechnologywhichisnotsuppliedbytheOOSHwillberequiredtobepassedtostaff/educatorsatthebeginningofthesessiontobeplacedinthesafelocatedintheofficeandreturnedtothechildattheendofthesession.FoodWallsendOOSHprovidesbreakfastandafternoonteaeveryday.Ourmenusvarywiththeseasonsbutalwaysincludeavarietyoffruitorvegetableseachday,andanoptionofahealthysnack.Thefoodprovidedisnotalwaystoeverychild’stasteandassuchparents/guardianshavetheoptionofsendingahealthysnackwiththechildtoallowforthis.Weeklymenusareondisplayatthecentre,acopyisalwaysavailableuponrequest.WallsendOOSHstaff/educatorswillendeavourtoprovideassistanceandsupporttoanychildwithadditionaldietaryrequirements.Parents/guardiansmustinformstaff/educatorsuponenrolmentaboutsuchrequirementsandprovideallnecessaryinformationwiththeenrolmentform.Discussionregardingafternoonteawillbemadeinconsultationwithparents/guardiansandstaff/educators.WherefoodrequirementscannotbemetbytheWallsendOOSH,parents/guardiansandstaff/educatorswilldevelopstrategiesthatwillensurethechildreceivesappropriatesnacks.WallsendOOSHwillalsoendeavourtomeetreligiousbeliefs,regardingfoodforindividualfamilies.CommunityAdversityWeadoptanattitudeofrespectforallfamiliesandstaff/educatorsregardlessofbackground,physicalcapabilityorculturaldiversity.Thisisencouragedbyfosteringhighself-esteemandapositiveself-conceptinchildrenbyexploringsimilaritiesratherthandifferences.Theprogramwillpresentpositiveexperiencesforthechildrenwhicharebasedongenderequity.Weaimtocreateanatmospherewhereallchildrenfeelcomfortable,secureandhappy.SmokeFreeZoneOurserviceisstrictlytobacco,drugandalcoholfree.Inordertokeepchildren,staff/educators,familiesandvisitorsfreefromthedangersofdrugs,alcohol,tobaccosmokeandothersmoke,includingillegalsubstancestheconsumptionofthesesubstancesisprohibitedinallareasoftheservice.Undernocircumstanceswillanypersonattendtheserviceiftheyareaffectedbyalcoholordrugs.

WALLSENDOOSHFAMILYHANDBOOK

FamilyHandbook Reviewed09/09/18 Page7of7

ParentCommunicationOurcentrerecognisestheimportanceofparentinvolvementwithintheprogram.Werealiseformanyworkingparents/guardianstimeislimitedandthereforeweaimtoprovideavarietyofopportunitiesforparents/guardianstoparticipateaccordingtotheiravailability.Someofthewaysinwhichyoucanbecomeinvolvedarebycompletingsurveys,attendingP&Ccommitteemeetings,socialfunctions,inputintoweeklyprograms/menus,policiesandproceduresandfundraising.Parents/guardianswillreceiveupdatedinformationalongwiththeirweeklystatement.ConfidentialityWallsendOOSHacknowledgesandfollowsconfidentialityguidelinesasoutlinedinlegislativerequirementsbytheDepartmentofCommunityServicesCentre-BasedandMobileChildCareServicesRegulation(No2)1996,TheAustralianEarlyChildhoodAssociation(AECA)CodeofEthicsandthePrivacyAct.GrievancesAllgrievancesshouldbedirectedtotheCoordinator/NominatedSupervisorandifnotsuitablyresolvedthenthegrievanceistobedirectedtotheOOSHConvener.ThiscanbedonebyputtingthegrievanceinwritingandhandedtotheCoordinator/NominatedSupervisorandaddressedto‘TheOOSHConvener’.ForseriousgrievancesboththeCoordinator/NominatedSupervisorandP&CExecutiveCommitteewillreviewthegrievanceandmakemutualrecommendationsfortheresolutionoftheissue.Atalltimes,WallsendOOSHiscommittedtothetimelyandpositiveresolutionofconcerns,complaintsandgrievances.

• WallsendOOSH:oosh@wps-pnc.org.au• WallsendPublicSchoolP&CAssociation–ExecutiveCommittee:wps_pnc@mail.com

Ifyouneedtotakefurtheraction,contact: NSWOmbudsmanPh:1800451524Address:Level24,580GeorgeSt,Sydney,NSW2000FeesPleaserefertotheWallsendOOSH‘FeesPolicy’.Thispolicyoutlinesthecurrentfees,administrationfee,andproceduresforoverdueaccountsorlatecollectionofchildren,failuretonotifyandChildCareSubsidy(CCS)information.FeedbackProcedureFamiliesareencouragedtotalktocentrestaff/educators.ACommunicationbookisavailable,andallfamiliesareencouragedtowritefeedbackofthecentre,programandstaff/educators.Aquestionwillbeaskedeachweekhoweverifyouhaveanyfeedbackoutsidethequestionaskedforthatweek,youarewelcometoaddyourownonthesamesheetofpaperoremailusyoursuggestion.Wearehappytohearanyideasandconstructivecriticism.WallsendOOSHunderstandsandrespectsthateachfamilyisuniqueintheirculture,homelifeandcommunitywewouldliketosupportandcelebratethisbyincorporatingfamiliesintoourroutine,activitiesandlearning.

Welookforwardtohearingfromyou!