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ST. BERNADETTE’S OOSHC CENTRE PHILOSOPHY

The staff and management of St. Bernadette’s OOHSC believe in valuing and supporting parents/guardians as primary carers of their children by providing quality care to the children, in a safe caring Christian environment.

We emphasise the importance of play in middle childhood development and offer creative, social and recreational opportunities for primary school children.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• To provide a safe and healthy environment which is nurturing and non-threatening.
• To provide a place where children feel they are special.
• To offer a program which encourages participation and co-operation.
• To provide a variety of planned, active and passive recreational activities, relevant to the children’s needs.
• To provide opportunities for children with special needs to participate in the program where possible.

CONFIDENTIALITY

All information given to St. Bernadette’s OOSHC Centre Inc is considered to be strictly confidential. We are committed to protecting the private information of our clients, and adhere to the National Privacy Principles.

FUNDING

The centre is predominantly self funded by attendance fees paid by members of St. Bernadette’s Out of School Hours Care Inc.

MANAGEMENT

The centre is managed by a Management Committee elected annually between May and June from the members of St. Bernadette’s Out of School Hours Care Centre Inc.

The management committee is responsible for:

• Preparing an annual income and expense budget;
• The management and accounting of finances;
• Making policy decisions;
• Employing staff who are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Centre.

All members are encouraged to attend meetings of the Management Committee whenever possible; however, non-committee people will be excluded from discussions which the chair person of the meeting feels should be confidential, eg. discussions pertaining to the fee relief for parents in financial hardship. Minutes of all Management Committee meeting will be placed on the notice board, but confidential matters will be censored eg. discussions pertaining to fee relief for parents in financial hardship.

Any complaints or problems are to be expressed in writing and are to be directed to the Management Committee only, or tabled for discussion at meetings of the Management Committee. Under no circumstances are parents to address any complaint in writing or verbally to any member of the Centre Staff.

CENTRE STAFF

Co-ordinator             - Jan Megna
Assist. Co-ordinator - Linda More
Accounts Officer       - Dianne Lawson
Senior Staff              - Eunice Yeates, Juliana Kearney

The centre has a pool of trained junior staff who rotate throughout the week as numbers require.

CENTRE HOURS

Before School Care: 7.00am - 8.20am during normal school days
After School Care:     2.50pm - 6.00pm during normal school hours

Parents/Guardians MUST advise the Centre by telephone if they are running late, and alternative arrangements for child pick-up will be the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian.
Please refer to the Parent’s Handbook for more information at the Centre website.

NOTE: A late fee will apply after 6.00pm

The centre will open during school pupil free days during school term from 7am – 6pm. (Numbers permitting).

Signing in and Out Procedures

Before School Care:

Parents must accompany their child onto the premises and sign the “PARENT SIGN IN BOOK” including the arrival time, located near the office at centre.

At the completion of the morning session, the children will be signed out by the supervisor, dismissed, and sent to their school assembly area.

After School Care:

Children attending after school care will be taken across from school by the teacher, and then signed in by the centre supervisor.

The child/children must be signed out, and departure time noted, by the person/s authorised (as stated on the enrolment form) to collect the child/children.

Before School Care Timetable

7.00am   - Centre opens;
              - Breakfast is served until 8am.
              - Children may play quiet games, view television, craft activities;
8.10am   - Roll call;
8.20am   - Children proceed to school;

There are 2 staff members in attendance at all times.

After School Care Timetable

2.15pm   - Preparation and setup of afternoon tea and day’s craft activities;
2.50pm   - Children arrive;
2.55pm   - Roll call;
3.00pm   - Afternoon tea and drinks served;
     to      - Outdoor activities (weather permitting)
5.00pm   - Games
              - Indoor activities
              - Puzzles - Drawing
              - Story time - Craft themes
              - TV/Videos - Board Games
              - Cooking - Computers
              - Homework.
5.00pm   - Indoor activities only
              - Find a word - Dancing
              - Group games - Mazes.
6.00pm   - Centre Closed.

School Pupil Free Days

The centre will be opened (numbers permitting) from 7am until 6.00pm.

Breakfast and afternoon tea will be provided by the centre. We ask that the children bring their own lunch. Activities are as per Before and After School Care.

Children are encouraged to participate in daily activities and to offer suggestions on how to spend their time with the emphasis on providing a safe, fun, informal and relaxed time.

Late Pick Up

Children attending After School Care or Pupil Free days, must be collected by 6.00pm.

Please note: Late fees of $5 per 5 minutes apply to late pick-up of your child/children. This fee will be invoiced to you for payment.

Parents/Guardians must advise the centre by telephone if circumstances arise for being late to pick up your child, and alternative arrangements for pick up will be the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

Should there be no contact by the parent/guardian by 6.00pm, the procedure is:

1. Parent/s / guardian contacted by 6.00pm;
2. Emergency contacts will be notified;
3. If no reply from 1 & 2, the police will be called.

ENROLMENT PROCEDURES

Permanent Bookings

Permanent places are filled as vacancies in permanent bookings become available.
The maximum number of permanent places for Before School Care is 25 students.
The maximum number of permanent places for After School Care is 60 students.
The minimum number required for Pupil Free Day Care is 25 with a maximum of 30. Bookings are essential.
Please Note: Permanent booked days must be paid for whether or not your child attends on that day. This includes public holidays, pupil fee days etc. ‘Fill-in days’ are not offered – therefore, there is no swapping of days.

Parents will need to complete an enrolment form for new enrolments and re-enrolment form each year after that.

Casual Bookings

Casual bookings are accepted only upon 24 hours prior notice either by informing a staff member in person or by phoning the Centre on 9899 4948, and only if there is a vacancy on the day requested. They must be paid for in advance. Parents will need to complete an enrolment form the very first time they use the centre on a casual basis.

Absences

Where a child is absent because of illness or family holidays, the Centre must be notified in advance. It is not sufficient to only notify the school. A message can be left on the answering machine on 9899 4948.

NB: Full fees are still payable in event of non-attendance by your child due to sickness, family holidays etc.

Cancellations

In the event of your child/ren commencing care and then cancelling, one week’s notice in writing is required. Fees must be paid up to the time of cancellation at any time during the year.

Custody Details

The centre will need to be notified of access/custody arrangements via enrolment form.

The appropriate court order will be sighted and a copy made and kept with the enrolment form.

Medical Details

Parent/s / Guardian must complete the medical information section on the enrolment form to ensure the program staff are aware of any medical condition/s your child/ren suffer from. Parent/s/Guardian are required to provide the centre with a management plan for any child/children who suffer from asthma or allergies etc. This can be obtained from you doctor.

If your child/children have any physical/sensory impairments that staff need to be aware of, please ensure you have stated the above on the enrolment form.
In the event of an accident or illness requiring emergency medical treatment, every effort will be made to contact parents before such treatment is sought. However, should contact prove impossible, it will be necessary for authority to be given for the treatment to be undertaken.

Parents are therefore asked to complete and sign the authority form on the enrolment, giving permission for staff to seek medical attention for your child/children in the event of an accident/emergency. It must be understood that relevant information on this form will be passed to hospital/ medical staff if required.

FINANCIAL PROCEDURES

Fees

The following rates apply:

• Before School Care              - $ 6.00
• After School Care                 - $14.00
• Casual Before School Care   - $ 7.00
• Casual After School Care      - $16.00
• School Pupil Free Days        - $28.00
• Late Collection after 6.00pm - a late fee will apply.

Accounts/Invoices

Invoices will be issued in Week 2 of each School term.
Invoices will be found in the Invoices/Receipts box located near the sign-in book located near centre office.

Fee Payment/Collection

If paying the term amount this should be paid immediately on issue of account. If paying monthly the payment must be made 2 weeks before the end of the due month, therefore receipt of payment will always be 2 weeks in advance.
NB: Full fees are still payable in event of non-attendance by your child due to sickness, family holidays etc.

Fee payment can be made personally to Supervisor who will issue a receipt, or by post to centre.
Payment of fees can now also be made by Direct Credit BPAY: transfer funds directly to St. Bernadette’s OOSHCC Inc. using your computer.

To pay your fees by this option you must:

1. Deposit funds into:
St. Bernadette’s OOSHCC Inc
BSB: 062 315
Account No: 901486

2. To identify your payment you must put the following in the description box:
Account Name: 1970familyname
(eg. 1970Baker)

3. Print payment receipt and forward copy to centre for marking off. If this copy is not received your account will not be credited with the payment.

If paying by cheque, it will need to be made payable to:
St. Bernadette’s Out of School Hours Care Centre Inc. Please attach invoice slip to payment.

However, if paying cash, please assist by paying the EXACT AMOUNT. Please attach invoice slip to payment.

Overdue Accounts may jeopardize your child/children’s position at the centre. Casual bookings for a child/children with overdue accounts will not be made.

All attempts will be made by the centre staff, management committee and or Accounts Officer to inform parents of outstanding amounts prior to cancelling and/or refusing attendance.

Receipts

Receipts will be issued and may be collected from the Invoices/Receipts box located near the sign-in book located near centre office.

Child Care Benefit (CCB)

Child Care Benefits is a payment made to families to assist with the costs of childcare. All Australian residents using child care provided by approved child care services are eligible for the Child Care Benefit.
This can be received as received as reduced fees through the child care service or a lump sum payment direct to families at the end of the financial year in which the service is used.
Parents can register with the Family Assistance Office of 13 61 50 alternatively a form is available at the Centre upon request.
Before School Care CCB No: 555007156V
After School Care CCB No: 555007027K
Please direct any account enquires to
Dianne Lawson – Accounts officer.

ILLNESS

No child is permitted to the centre if suffering from an infectious disease.
If your child becomes ill while at the Centre, a staff member will call parent/guardian and ask them to make arrangements to collect the child immediately.

MEDICATION

Staff will ONLY administer medication provided it has been:
• Prescribed by a doctor;
• Child’s name, date, and dosage details are printed on the bottle on pharmacy label;
• The medication remains in the original bottle/container;
• Medication is written up on the Medicine Chart Register:
• Parent/guardian will need to fill in an Authorisation to Administer Medication Form available from staff;
• Medication is handed to a staff member.

If there is a discrepancy between the bottle instruction and the parents instructions, then the lesser amount will be given.
For children with a chronic allergy/asthma, then the Authorisation to Administer Medication Form must clearly state at what symptoms the medication can be given and state ‘as required’ on the instruction as to ‘when to be administered’.
Over the counter medication will NOT not be given (eg. Panadol, cough medicine etc).
THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS POLICY. PLEASE DO NOT ASK.

ACTIVITIES

Each week there is an organised activity. These activities include art and craft, cooking, indoor and outdoor games and videos are sometimes played.

Children have access to games, books, puzzles, pencils and paper, colouring sheets and sports equipment.

The program is developed and evaluated regularly. We aim to allow for structured and unstructured activities. We include activities to enhance the individual child’s development skills as well as the group as a while. The program reflects gender equity, is inclusive and is culturally relevant and sensitive.

As mentioned previously, both children and parent input to the program is greatly appreciated.

FOOD PROVIDED

Before School Care:
Children are provided with toast, muffins, spreads, water and juice.

After School Care:
Children are provided with a variety of nutritious and good quality food eg. sandwiches, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, cheese, crackers, water etc.

Safe, hygienic facilities for the preparation, storage, heating and cooking of food are provided.

If your child has any special dietary food needs or allergies, please let us know/ and advise on enrolment form, so we can cater for them.

SUN SMART POLICY

The Before and After School Care will promote positive attitudes and behaviours towards sun protection.

Children must wear wide brimmed hat and shoulders must be covered at all times.

NO HAT NO OUTSIDE PLAY.

The Centre provides sunscreen.

FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT

The centre is a smoke free environment.

The centre is cleaned daily, and all equipment is safe and well maintained.

A well maintained first aid kit is readily accessible to childcare workers (but inaccessible to children) in an emergency. There is always one staff member present who is currently qualified in First Aid.

Fire Extinguisher is available and is checked regularly by the NSW Fire Department.

All cleaning / dangerous products are stored in an appropriate locked storage area.

BEHAVIOUR / DISCIPLINE

Emphasis is placed on reinforcing positive behaviours. We believe in teaching the children to recognise the logical and natural consequences that occur as a result of their choice of behaviour.

Discipline will be the responsibility of staff while your child is at the Centre. At no time are parents to take disciplinary matters concerning another child/children into their own hands.

Staff are to inform Coordinator of any difficulties regarding the children and the Co-ordinator will follow through with the appropriate action.

RULES FOR CHILDREN

Children are expected to abide by the safety rules, listed hereunder:

• Children must not run whilst inside the centre;
• Toilets are not a play area;
• We always play safely;
• We are friendly to each other. If there is a problem, we talk to Staff;
• Fighting, teasing, bullying and swearing will not be tolerated;
• We respect each others’ property and creative items;
• Children must share the Centre’s equipment and treat it with care;
• All craft cupboards are for Staff only;
• Kitchen areas are for staff only, unless requested to enter by staff member.

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. All changes to information provided on original registration forms are to be formalised in writing.
2. Suggestions from parents are important in ensuring that services are continuing to meet parents’ needs and for planning appropriate services. An important form of feedback if parent suggestions and these are welcomed and encouraged by St. Bernadette’s OOSHC.
3. Parents have the right to complain and to suggest change to the services they receive. Parents are welcome to put your complaint in writing and forwarding to the Centre, marking it to the attention of the committee.
4. If you are not happy with the outcome of your complaint, you can take your complaint further by contacting:
The Commissioner for Community Services
Level 3, 128 Chalmers Street,
Surry Hills NSW 2010.
Within five working days, both you and the committee will be informed of the result of the complaint by letter.
This letter will assure you that no retribution will follow the complaint and that confidentiality is guaranteed to the parent/guardian.
5. A program of activities and menu is displayed each week on the Parent Information Board at the Centre. New information and notices are displayed at the Centre – please look out for these and read regularly for important notices.
6. The Annual General Meeting is held between May and June each year. Parents are encouraged to become committee members and to assist with decisions and direction of services by St. Bernadette’s OOSHC Centre at management level. If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact committee President. Name and number available upon request.
7. Assistance from parents is always welcome. Your help in supplying us with a variety of materials, which can be utilised in our craft programs is greatly appreciated. The centre will accept any pre-loved toys in good clean condition.
8. Emergency Evacuation Procedure is practiced each term.

The Committee at St. Bernadette’s OOHSC Centre hopes that the information provided in the handbook will be of assistance to you.