Bourke Street and Crown Street Public School Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) HANDBOOK. Contacts. The Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre

Transcription

1 Bourke Street and Crown Street Public School Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) HANDBOOK Contacts The Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre OSHC Coordinator: OSHC Bourke St: OSHC Crown St: SHNC Phone: Fax:

2 Table of Contents 1. About OSHC... 1 Management Committee... 1 Outside School Hours Care... 2 OSHC STAFF Communication with Parents... 2 Staff Hiring and Ratios... 3 Hours of Operation and Services Provided by After School Care: Children s Program Philosophy Fees and Payments... 4 Payment of Fees... 4 Receipts... 5 Late Fees... 5 OSHC Membership/Administration Fee... 5 Non-payment of OSHC Fees... 5 Child Care Benefit Enrolment... 6 Enrolment Procedures... 6 Change of Enrolment The OSHC Program... 7 Routine and Activities... 7 Homework... 8 Food...8 Discipline and Reward Collecting Children from OSHC and the School... 9 Staff Collection of New Children to After School Care... 9 Vehicular Access to OSHC... 9 Signing Children Out of OSHC Late Collection of Children Collection by Another Person Missing Children: When your child does not attend OSHC Health and Safety... 11

3 Emergencies OH&S 11 Hygiene Illness and Medical Emergencies First Aid / Medication / Allergies Sun Care and Hats Accident, Incident and Hazard Reports Emergency Evacuation Policy and Procedure Confidentiality Grievances and Complaints Other Important Information to Note Parking Lost Property Photography Joint Custody of Children... 13

4 1. About OSHC The Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) Service is a program of the Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre (SHNC) which is a non-profit community based organisation. The OSHC service is operated by Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre and employs an appropriately qualified Co-ordinator and child care staff to provide daily care for the children. The aim of the service is to assist families through the provision of OSHC in a safe and friendly environment that reflects the philosophy and practices of SHNC. This service is for students from Bourke and Crown Street Public Schools. Students from other schools, including secondary schools, are not eligible to attend OSHC, with the exception of vacation care. The OSHC program incorporates recognition of the importance of developmental play in children aged We make available a variety of structured activities for children to develop fine and gross motor skills, imagination, lifestyle learning, social interaction and awareness of the diverse backgrounds of others. Children are also given ample freedom to explore their own modes of play, thus encouraging independence and personal creativity. Activities within the program are carefully considered to ensure inclusion of children with special needs, differing levels of age, ability and diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Children are encouraged to make suggestions towards program planning and these suggestions may then be incorporated. Please feel free to speak to the OSHC Lead Child Educator if you have any issues, questions or feedback about our OSHC program. OSHC staff members Outside School Hours Care Co-ordinator Outside School Hours Care Lead Child Educator Outside School Hours Child Care Educator Casual Staff Staff formation is displayed in the OSHC rooms. Management Committee The SHNC Management Committee meets monthly or as required to discuss matters relating to the centre including the OSHC service and its operation. You may communicate with the Management Committee via the OSHC Co-ordinator.

5 Outside School Hours Care Bourke St Public School Address: 590 Bourke Street Surry Hills OSHC Mobile: Co-ordinators Mobile: Crown St Public School Address: 356 Crown Street Surry Hills OSHC Phone: Co-ordinators Mobile: OSHC STAFF Communication with Parents Newsletters will be issued to all parents/guardians each term. Surveys will be distributed for families and a suggestion box is available for children s day to day ideas. A communication/enquiries book will be placed on the sign-in desk for the use of all parents. All personal & confidential information will be kept in a secure area. About Your Child All communications about your child will be kept private and confidential. Approaches to you will be personal and private. You may be invited to meet with the Co-ordinator &/or Lead Educator at a convenient time in the OSHC room to discuss issues of importance. If you require information about your child, records will be made available to you by the Lead Educator upon request. Only the OSHC Co-ordinator, Lead Educator, or SHNC Assistant Manager can communicate with you on behalf of OSHC program. Staff will refer you to the Coordinator to discuss the details of any issues that have arisen. Behavioural Management issues will be recorded in the Behaviour Management Book, which the Lead Educator holds and will share with you when or if needed.

6 Accidents, Incidents and Hazards, including minor injuries, will also be recorded and will be brought to your attention by the Lead Educator when or if needed. Accident, Incident and Hazard Reports must be counter-signed by parents. Staff Hiring and Ratios All staff must have recent references, complete a formal interview process with the Management of SHNC and complete a Working with Children check. All staff must have childcare qualifications, directly related qualifications or extensive relevant experience. The Co-ordinator rosters staff according to the size and diversity of the group of children attending each day session. One (1) staff member per fifteen (15) mainstream students, plus one (1) staff member for up to two (2) students from the Support Unit. OSHC is registered with the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services to care for up to forty-five (45) children at Bourke OSHC and thirty (30) at Crown OSHC. Hours of Operation 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday (school term only) 7.30 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday (vacation care, Crown St only) Kindergarten children will be collected at 2:30 pm only in the first week of Term Children s Program Philosophy To recognise the importance of both structured and unstructured activities (including play) for 5-12 year olds and to provide a quality experience of these activities for each child. To provide a high quality service in a safe, supportive, stimulating, caring and positive environment for each child. To provide an environment where families with different values, backgrounds and opinions are recognised and encouraged to be part of the service. For children to have freedom of choice in their selection of experiences. To provide a range of developmentally appropriate experiences and recreational opportunities that are responsive, support children s individual needs and interests, assist in their overall development and enhance their self-esteem. For the programs to operate within clearly set rules for acceptable behaviour that are determined by staff and children alike.

7 To provide an environment where children feel safe with each other, their carers and the wider community and to ensure all the interactions between staff, children and service users are positive and remain so through open communications and active conflict resolution. For evaluation of the service to involve staff, parents and children. To participate in building support networks that are inclusive of community 3. Fees and Payments Fees After School Care: $20.00 per child per day session (2013) Please Note: Fees are current at time of publication, but parents should check the current fees at time of enrolment. Fees are per day session regardless of the amount of time spent at OSHC in that session. If your child is booked into OSHC, you must pay for that day session even if your child is absent. The Child Care Benefit gives you 30 sick days per year, where you can access your benefit. After the 30 sick days are used; parents are expected to pay full fees. Please ask the Co-ordinator if you need more information. Payment of Fees As we are a non-profit organisation, your fee payments are required to continue running OSHC. Payments can be made by: Direct Deposit Bourke Street Commonwealth Bank Account: Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre BSB: A/C No: Direct Deposit Crown Street Commonwealth Bank Account: Surry Hills Neighbourhood Centre BSB: A/C No:

8 If using Direct Deposit please identify lodgement reference i.e. Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) and name of child/parent. Receipts Receipts will be issued at the completion of each term or upon request. Late Fees Late fees will apply if your child is collected after 6.00 p.m. If you know you are going to be late, please telephone ahead and inform the staff. Late fee charges are $1 per minute per child and will be added to your fees. These fees are charged to cover the costs of the staff having to work overtime until all children have been collected. OSHC Membership/Administration Fee From January 2011 every new family enrolling with OSHC is required to pay a twenty five ($25.00) dollar OSHC Administration Fee before the commencement of the term. This fee is a single, one-off payment for each family. Non-payment of OSHC Fees Parents are encouraged to discuss difficulties in paying fees with the OSHC Co-ordinator who will advise of suitable arrangements for payment and other avenues of support. If no arrangements have been made regarding overdue fees SHNC will request payment immediately. Parents who do not pay outstanding fees will no longer be able to use OSHC. Permanent booking will be given to the next child on the waiting list. SHNC reserves the right to take the necessary action to recover debts owing to OSHC. Child Care Benefit OSHC is registered for the Child Care Benefits (CCB) for forty-five (45) and thirty (30) children for OSHC. You will need to apply to the Family Assistance Office (FAO) on to participate in this benefit scheme. If you participate in the benefits scheme, the FAO will pay the benefit to OSHC and your fees will be reduced by this amount. The amount you see on your invoice is the amount you pay.

9 If you do not participate in the CCB scheme, you will pay full child care fees to OSHC and can claim a lump sum from the FAO after the end of each financial year. 4. Enrolment Enrolment Procedures Each year OSHC enrolments for the following year can be made: From Day One (1) of Term Three (3): Children currently enrolled in OSHC and their siblings even if those siblings have not yet started school. From Day One (1) of Term Four (4): Children who are new to OSHC From Day One (1) of Term Four (4): Children who are enrolled to commence at school the following year. Prior to attendance at OSHC an OSHC Enrolment Form must be completed in full for each child and forwarded to the OSHC Co-ordinator The OSHC Co-ordinator will write/ you to confirm your place for the following year and provide an invoice of your fees for the term. These fees must be paid before your child can attend OSHC. (Please refer to Section 3 above: Fees and Payments for more information). Every new family enrolling with OSHC is required to pay a twenty five ($25.00) dollar OSHC Administration Fee before the commencement of the term. This fee is a single, one-off payment for each family. Enrolment Forms provide essential family and emergency contact information for each child. It is the caregivers responsibility to immediately notify the Lead Child Educator of any changes to the emergency contact information. These records will be held in a secure location for reference by staff on a needs basis only. Under usual circumstances only the Co-ordinator & Lead Child Educator will have access to a family s personal information. Note: OSHC must be informed of all court orders relating to the custody of a child. The Lead Child Educator must view the original court order and a certified copy of this must be kept at OSHC in the child s file. The enrolment procedure is as follows: Permanent Bookings: Parents must enrol their child for required days with the Co-ordinator. Please note that fees are payable for all enrolled days regardless of whether your child attends or not. Casual users: Must call OSHC at least the day before care is required to confirm if a place is available. To ensure a spot is allocated for your child you must be enrolled to attend each of the day sessions you require as some sessions are booked out before the start of the school year. Additional requests for permanent places will be placed on a waiting list.

10 Casual places can only be made available if vacancies exist for a particular day session. Change of Enrolment Changes to enrolment must be made in writing, addressed to the Co-ordinator and left with staff at OSHC. Please note that verbal advice of changes will not be accepted. Until day session changes are confirmed by the Co-ordinator in writing, parents are still liable for fees for all day sessions previously enrolled. 5. The OSHC Program Routine and Activities The OSHC Program is designed to provide a range of indoor and outdoor age appropriate activities that are safe, fun and stimulating. Activities include art and craft, cooking, play, games, homework and sports. Children are given both choice and encouragement to participate in all activities offered although activities are not mandatory. After School Care Daily Schedule Time Activity 2:30 pm For one week in Term 1 Kindergarten children collected from class room. Children then collected from classroom throughout year. 3:00 to 3.30 pm Children arrive. Roll Call 3:30 to 4:30 pm Afternoon snack 6:00 pm Home time Homework, Games, Inside activities (including craft, cooking and computer games), Outdoor activities and Playground play Vacation Care Daily Schedule Time 7.30am 7.30am to 9.am 9.00am to 11.00am tea 9.00am to 2.00pm Activity Centre Open Quiet activities Preparation for excursions, morning Excursion or incursion time, Lunch,

11 times vary. 2.00pm to 6.00pm indoor/outdoor play. 6.00pm Afternoon Tea, craft activities, Centre close. Homework OSHC will provide a suitable environment for the completion of homework however this does not include providing tuition for your child. Food Children will be provided with nutritional snacks when attending OSHC. A menu is displayed in the OSHC room. Staffpractice safe food handling practices and take great care to work within safe and hygienic guidelines. Children are sent to wash their hands before eating. After School Care Menu: We provide sandwiches, crackers, vegetable sticks, pizza, pasta, noodles, muffins, yogurt, fruit and water. On hot days fruit based ice-blocks are occasionally provided. Food will be provided with respect to the cultural diversity program and with food allergies in mind. Please note that the snacks provided at this time are meant to supplement, not replace, a healthy lunch. We find it is satisfying for most of our children providing they have had lunch that day. Children who are hungry after eating the snack will be encouraged to eat their remaining food in their lunch box. Please ensure your child has lunch each day. Children s lunches should be secured in a lunch box or other sealed container and perishables can be placed in the canteen refrigerator. NOTE: We are working towards a nut free environment so we urge parents to provide children with nut free meals when attending. Discipline and Reward OSHC s Behaviour Management Policy states that we respect and ensure the rules promoted by OSHC and the school, thereby ensuring a safe environment for all. Staff will promote positive behaviour by modelling appropriate behaviour, supplying positive reinforcement, and by encouraging pride in the achievement of all our

12 children. We display children s work and discuss their positive achievements frequently. Staff are available to children at all times to ensure they feel safe and to help them negotiate social situations effectively. Children are encouraged to include others in play and discouraged from displaying bias or bullying behaviour. The consequences of inappropriate behaviours commence at a level dependant on the impact of the behaviour on others, and will escalate as needed to ensure a safe environment for all. Children may be gently reminded of appropriate behaviour, encouraged to review and make amends for their own actions, placed in time out when needed, required to fill out a responsible thinking sheet, discuss incident/s with staff and other children involved and ultimately may be suspended briefly or permanently from OSHC. A Behaviour Book records all incidents of note for discussion with parents where necessary. We believe in helping children take responsibility for their actions and negotiate solutions. The OSHC rules are: 1. Work and play safely; 2. Respect others, their property and the environment; 3. Listen to and obey instructions from the Lead Child Educator, Child Educator and others in authority; 4. Follow the OSHC routines 5. Leave inappropriate or unsafe items at home. If you require further information on the management of your child s behaviour please speak with the Lead Child educator. 6. Collecting Children from OSHC and the School Staff Collection of New Children to After School Care OSHC staff will collect all newly enrolled children for OSHC from their school teachers for the first week. Kindergarten children are collected until both the Lead Educator and the child s parents are comfortable the child is familiar with and confident about the routine and location of OSHC. If you have any concerns at all please discuss your child s specific requirements with the Lead Child Educator. Vehicular Access to OSHC Access to OSHC will be by the gates on Mort Street (Bourke) and Crown or Denham Streets (Crown). There is no vehicular parking access to the Bourke Street OSHC and Crown Street parking is in the teachers parking area only. You will be expected to personally collect your child from inside the building; children will not be permitted to wait outside of the school on the footpath.

13 Signing Children Out of OSHC Parents must sign their children out of each afternoon OSHC day session. This is completed on the attendance sheet which will be available in the Sign Out folder. It is vital to the effective running of OSHC and is mandatory for insurance purposes. Children must be accounted for at all times. The safety of all children in the care of OSHC is important. Late Collection of Children If you have not collected your child by 6.00 p.m. the Lead Child Educator will begin to contact parents, guardians and emergency contacts. If alternative arrangements have not been communicated to the Lead Child Educator by 6.30 p.m. they will contact the relevant departments for further advice and action NOTE: It is important to keep all contact telephone numbers up to date in case of an emergency. Please note also that a late pick up fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged. See Section 3 Fees and Payments. Collection by Another Person You must contact the Lead Child Educator to advise them if you cannot collect your child and have arranged for someone else to collect them. You will need to provide the name of the person, if this person has not previously been listed by you as an Emergency Contact and a description of the person. That person will then need to show identification before the child can be released into their care. Missing Children: When your child does not attend OSHC When a child is missing when we call the roll, the staff will search for them by checking with the class teacher, speaking to their friends who may have seen the child or know where they are, search the playground, calling the parents at work and home, calling emergency contacts etc., until OSHC finds the child. Almost always the child is with a parent who has forgotten to notify us that the child would not attend OSHC that day. This process, even if resolved simply, has taken staff out of OSHC at the busiest time of the afternoon. It is our responsibility to care for each enrolled child and we take it very seriously. If your child will not be attending on a usual day, including on days your child is absent from school, it is essential that you inform OSHC on (Bourke), or (Crown).

14 7. Health and Safety Emergencies OSHC is committed to the safety of all children and staff. In an emergency every effort will be made to continue to provide childcare, but only if this can be done safely. In the event of a localised fire or emergency all staff members are required to check and vacate the kitchen, OSHC room, toilets and playground, then assemble the children at the Safe Zone at School and check the roll. If it is then considered that childcare can no longer be provided safely, parents will be contacted and asked to collect their children. Work, Health & Saftey (WH&S) Staff make regular WH&S checks regarding the OSHC and respond to safety needs promptly. Children may go to the toilets in pairs or groups to ensure their safety. Hygiene Hygiene and safe food handling are important to us and we work within the required guidelines. Illness and Medical Emergencies Infections and illnesses may be spread amongst staff and children in the child care environment. Children may only attend OSHC when well enough to do so. SHNC s exclusion policy is followed by OSHC. If a child becomes ill while at OSHC, staff have a legal and professional responsibility to isolate them from other children, pending medical advice. The Lead Child Educator will observe and make decisions regarding any action to be taken. Parents must collect their child if the Lead Child Educator determines they are too ill to remain at OSHC. If the Lead Child Educator cannot contact the parents or nominated emergency contact, and the child requires professional medical treatment, the Lead Child Educator will seek medical advice. An ambulance will be called in the event of any situation where urgent medical treatment is perceived to be required. First Aid / Medication / Allergies First aid will be administered to any child who requires assistance. A staff member with first aid qualifications is present at each day session. If your child takes regular medication, you must include this on their enrolment form and provide detailed information to the Lead Child Educator.

15 Administration of medication will not be performed without parents written authorisation. The parent must provide the medication, clearly labelled with the child s name and all necessary information e.g. dose, frequency and preferred time of administration. As there are a number of children in the school with serious allergies to various products we ask that parents do not include high risk food items in the children s lunches. OSHC is working towards a Nut Free Zone. Sun Care and Hats OSHC has a No Hat No Play Policy. Hats are to be worn outdoors at all times during the warmer weather months of the year. Hats can be left with the Lead Child Educator. Sunscreen will be provided. Accident, Incident and Hazard Reports OSHC s Accident, Incident and Hazard Report Policy and Procedure are designed to ensure: Accidents, incidents and hazards are reported to parents and Management of SHNC on the day they occur. The Reporting is consistent and compliant with the relevant Acts and Legislations. Accidents, Incidents and Hazards that require a written report include those that result in bleeding, bumps to the head or needing a cold-compress to be applied. Incidents resulting in grazes and small marks are considered a basic injury and may be verbally reported to parents on arrival. Should an incident require documenting, the parent will be required to sign it upon collection of the child and this will then be filed. Emergency Evacuation Policy and Procedure OSHC has an Emergency Evacuation Policy and Procedure that is clearly displayed in the OSHC room. An evacuation drill will be carried out at least once a term. 8. Confidentiality All information about children, parents, families and staff is private and confidential and will not be disclosed to unauthorised persons under any circumstance. Information may only be discussed in appropriate forums and on a need to know basis and is stored securely.

16 9. Grievances and Complaints OSHC & SHNC welcomes information and feedback from service users which will enable us to improve the quality of our services. All service user grievances and complaints will be dealt with confidentially in a fair and prompt manner. Please discuss any concerns you have with the Lead Child Educator or OSHC Coordinator who is able to provide you with a copy of SHNC s grievance and complaints policy and procedures upon request. 10. Other Important Information to Note Parking Parents collecting children are required to observe all parking restrictions and safety procedures around the school zone. Lost Property All items of school clothing and personal belongings left behind after each OSHC session will be placed in the school s Lost Property Box. Please check for missing clothing before leaving each day. OSHC takes no responsibility for personal property. If you don t want to lose it please ensure it does not come to OSHC. Photography OSHC staff use photographs of the children in collages to demonstrate activities undertaken and record history. Parents are asked to indicate on the Confirmation Form whether they will allow photographs of their child to be taken. No other person will be allowed to take photographs of any child within the OSHC precinct. Joint Custody of Children In situations where there are parents with joint custody arrangements each parent seeking to make use of the OSHC services will be required to have an individual contract with the Centre. Failure to abide by the OSHC policies and procedures may result in a parent being excluded from accessing the service. In situations where each parent is required to pay for OSHC on the day(s) a child/children has residence with them and difficulties are encountered in paying for the OSHC fees, Centrelink can be contacted to determine eligibility for Child Care Benefit (CCB) as either parent may be eligible to claim.