Parent Information on this page:

• About Our Centres
• Rooms, Routines and Programs
• Wait List, Enrolments, Starting Care
• Communication
• Administration
• Policies and Procedures

About Our Centres

Open Door Policy

Our centre has an 'Open Door' policy as follows:

Our centre is open at all times for families to drop in; you don't need to ring and tell us you are coming - you are welcome at any time.
Please come and join in our programs - your participation is welcomed.
Entry by you at any time is your guaranteed of continuing quality to our work practices and protection of staff and management reputation.
Never feel there is a question you can't ask or a suggestion you can't make.
Do come and visit us at any time.
Our centre is proud of the care and education we provide.
Our staffs are qualified, trained, experienced, dedicated and talented.
Rather then take our word for it.

Security

Access to our centre is by use of a swipe card obtained at the time of enrolment. Please refer to information sheet in this folder for individual centres cost. This payment is refundable when the card is returned. We believe security is essential to allow families to have peace of mind. We remind families of the importance of this security and your card should be kept in a safe location at all times.

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Rooms, Routines and Programs

Our Daily Educational Program and Routine

Our educational programs are designed to assess the strengths and challenges of each child and offer experiences through opportunities to develop and refine these skills. These experiences and opportunities are structured into our routine throughout the day both indoors and outdoors, but provide choice and flexibility for all children in our care.

Our program offers an anti-Bias curriculum that incorporates multiculturalism and the diversity of our community.

Our Educational Playrooms

Our centre has three different playrooms that reflect the ages and stages of each group of children!

Nursery & Toddlers - 0-2 years

Our focus in this room is nurturing and interactions.

Our nursery provides a soft home like environment that supports the staff in the nurturing of our babies. Each child in our nursery will have a communication book where staff and parents share information about the child's day.

The nursery also has a separate cot rooms providing a sleep area for babies that is cosy, relaxing and comfortable. Individual routines will be implemented as per each child's individual needs; staff will discuss this with parents at enrolment.

Our babies have their own outdoor play area, which encourages them to explore in a safe environment.

Junior Pre-School - 2-3 years

Our aim in this room is Interaction and Play.

This room is our first stage of the 'Pre-School Education'. The education program in this room extends from the Nursery & Toddlers room, but now providing children more choices, challengers, focusing on first stage literacy, mathematics and self help skills.

Senior Pre-School - 3-5 years

Our aim in this room is Interaction, Play, and Pre-school learning.

This room is the final stage of the 'Pre-School Education'. Our education programs aims to prepare the children for a Kindergarten and life with skills such as self-thinking, problem solving, independence, confidence and social skills.

The children in this room will experience structured and more complex play, they will have group projects each term on topics such as weather, the human body, road safety etc.

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Wait List, Enrollments, Starting Care

Waiting List

The waiting list is kept in order of the date of application and is updated once a year. If you do not return the updated wait list form, when it is sent to you, your name will be removed from the waiting list and we will assume that your child no longer needs care. We suggest to families to contact the centre 6 to 8 weeks prior to your required start date to confirm a placement.

Vacancies occur in our centre for a range of reasons; families moving house/workplace, children moving to an older room, children starting school, changes in child care requirements. So stay in contact with us we will always endeavour to meet your requirements for care.

Enrolments are offered according to the Priority of Access Guidelines set by the Australian Government. Details are on the Wait List form.

Enrolling Your Baby and Child

When you enrole your baby or child you will be given an Enrolment pack from Kids Korner which will contain a number of forms and information. We have a continuing enrolment process rather than starting all our new children and babies on the same day.

You will be asked to return the completed forms, pay a two weeks bond, an Administration fee, deposit for security swipe card and Bottle and Hat fee. This is a good time to confirm times for orientation visits also. There are a number of legal requirements to this process, but more importantly it gives Kids Korner the opportunity to start building a relationship with you and your child. At anytime, but especially when you are starting Child Care, please ask many questions. By helping us understand your concerns, you'll be helping us help you and your baby/child. We know it is important for families to feel secure and confident in the decision they have made - and it's important for us too!

Orientation Visits

We encourage all parents to visit the centre at least once - twice is preferred - for orientation visits. The visit:

• Lasts at least 1 hour.
• Gives parents a chance to meet the room staff.
• Provides an opportunity to discuss important details about their baby or child.
• Allows babies and children to explore their new environment with their parents for support.
• Allows staff to start to establish a relationship with the baby or child.
• Allows parents the opportunity to see how children are playing happily, what action staff takes to support play and learning and help children resolve disputes.
• Shows how our daily routines naturally flow through the day.

What Parents Should Expect in Group Care

Caring for babies and children in groups has many benefits and some limitations for families. For some families other types of care may be more appropriate for their baby and child. Before you make your decision, ask lots of questions and spend some time in our centre - we want to support parents in their choice of care for their baby and child.

Things you should be aware of and expect include:

• Babies and children are in happy, friendly, relaxed environments.
• An experienced team of staff who genuinely enjoy their days with babies and children supports their development, growth and learning.
• There are lots of "rules" and procedures - all of which are there to ensure quality care, education and safety of children.
• Accidents are common in young children in all settings. Sometimes, some babies and toddlers do bite their peers.
• The spread of germs and infections is a higher risk once babies and children start to mix with peers outside of their home environment.
• Each room in our centre works as a mini team - so even if your favourite staff member leaves, both you and your baby/child will have other staff with whom you have built a relationship.
• There is flexibility in our routines to meet individual needs, but we do not run individual programs and routines - there are some common routine times for all age groups.

At Kids Korner Early Learning Centre we have an ongoing commitment to supporting families in their childcare choices.

Use our Centre checklist at the back of this book to rate each centre you visit.

Tips to Help Settle into Care

Starting childcare is a new experience for families and children. Like all new experiences in life, they can be exciting, but often leave us a little worried and anxious. Most babies and children need between 4 to 6 weeks to settle into their new surroundings. So we hope these helpful tips might just make transition a little less stressful.

• Every baby, child and family are individual - so lots of patience is needed.
• Attend at least one, hopefully two orientation visits with your baby.
• Organise your kindy bag the night before.
• For the first three weeks, keep days as short as possible.
• Don't leave home in a rush - make sure you have time to change your baby's nappy on arrival, talk with staff, write information specific for your baby onto their Daily Routine page. For older children spend some time reading a book or doing a puzzle.
• Always say good-bye - tell them you will be back in the afternoon.
• Ask the staff about anything - no matter how small it might be.
• Call us as many times as you like - we know how reassuring this is.
• Be positive when talking about day care.
• When you arrive in the afternoon give your baby and child a big cuddle before you worry about their daily routines. Tell them you have missed them and that you love them.
• Encourage your baby and child to wave good-bye to their carers and say we'll see you tomorrow.
• On your journey home, talk about what you did today, about their day and what's going to happen when they get home.

It takes time and trust to build relationships, so let's make sure we have lots of both. And of course, call us, make an appointment, whatever it takes; just ask questions, so you don't go home and worry.

What to do each day

• On arrival sign your baby/child in immediately.
• Say hello to at least one staff member
• Change their nappy, wash their hands and wipe down the change mat - toileting for older children.
• Write their routine into the Daily Routine Folder (Babies and Toddlers only)
• Put bottles and food into the fridge with your child's name labeled or written on.
• Hand any medication, nappy creams to staff member and fill in the appropriate forms.
• Check for notices in the Communication Book from staff.
• Leave a notice in the Communication Book for staff, if required.
• Return completed survey or other forms.
• Play with your baby/toddler before you say goodbye.
• Check parents pocket on the way out
• Ring us during the day if there is anything you are unsure about or would like to know how your baby/child's day is going.
• Arrive at the centre no later than 15 minutes before our close time.
• Say hello to your baby/toddler/child.
• Talk to staff about their day.
• Change your baby/toddlers nappy before going home.
• Check your child's Daily Routine book or Communication chart, for any notice from staff or leave a message for staff regarding your child.
• Collect bottles, dummies, favourite cuddly toy, and clothing.
• Check the lost property basket - it's always full of surprises.
• Sign your baby/toddler/child out.
• Say goodbye and have a nice evening at home with your baby/toddler/child

What to Bring Each Day

How many times do we say - if only we were more organised! Here's a list to help you - don't forget you can involve your baby and toddler in this too. What to bring in your baby/child's bag each day.

• Changes of clothing, extra if your child are in the process of being toilet trained
• Empty Bottles for fresh milk or bottles with formula made up
• One special cuddly toy or dummies
• Cot size fitted sheet set and blanket
• 5 Nappies if your child is still in nappies

Remember, no medications, creams or food to be left in your baby/child's bag - they are all hazards - choking, poisoning and anaphylactic shock are all real threats to baby and children's safety.

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Communication

Parent Communications and Children Progress Journals

Our aim is to create a partnership based on mutual respect between parents and staff for the benefit of the child.

Our centre provides the following forms of communication to parents:

• Half yearly reports - individually designed for age appropriate assessments
• Daily Communication Books - a summary of the group activities
• Daily Communication Charts - a chart recording eating and sleeping information for each child
• Individual parents pockets - allow any notes or news to be left for pick up by parents
• Monthly newsletters - updating parents on issues relating to centre, staff and children

What Parents do can do help Communicate

• All our staff are ready to give you feedback and information, so please ask
• You will also have information you would like to share with staff regarding your baby/child.
• Our staff's first priority is your baby and child - even if they are busy, they welcome your conversation and questions.
• Occasionally, there may be information one staff member is unsure about. In that case they will direct you to the right team member or get that team member to contact you.
• Introduce yourself to staff.
• Try to learn the names of the staff in your child's room - you can find them displayed adjacent to the entrance.

Your questions are not negative - they provide valuable feedback.

The following table will help you find the right staff member.

When would Families expect Staff/Centre to contact them?

You may receive a phone call from the centre when:

• Your baby/child has had an accident that may require medical attention and they need to be collected from the centre ASAP.
• Your baby/child has had an accident or has been upset and the staff would like to let you know what's happened.
• Your baby/child is unwell.
• Your fees are outstanding.
• Your contact details need clarification.
• There has been a change in your Child Care Benefit
• You have forgotten to sign-in or sign-out your baby/child.
• We need to clarify authorisation for another adult to collect your baby/child.
• Informing you that your child is having a great day.

Feedback on the Daily Routines, Programs and My Child's Developmemt

We use a variety of methods to help families know what's going on:

• Daily slide shows on the computer - photos of your babies and children playing and learning with their friends.
• Daily diary in each room - information written up by staff each day as a brief overview of the day.
• Displays on notice boards of children's play and learning.
• Child profiles distributed yearly and ongoing individual profiles distributed yearly and ongoing individual portfolios which are available for you to read and also write information about your baby/child

Family Participation in our Program

Families are encouraged to participate in our programs by:

• Sharing their skills and time within the rooms.
• Making suggestions to be incorporated into the program.
• Providing feedback specifically about their child's room
• Providing feedback about the centre through surveys.

Information and Parent Evenings

Kids Korner Early Learning Centre Organises a number of evenings throughout the year where parents are invited to participate in sessions where a guest speaker or our Director leads a discussion on various topics. These can include: Speech Development, Occupational Therapy, Health and Nutrition, Child Development, Early Literacy and Numeracy Development, Transition to School Programs, Parenting Skills.

The purpose of these evenings is to provide parents with information and the opportunity to share and discuss their experiences. They are not to discuss individual children, but general information about babies and children.

These informal evenings allow parents to meet and exchange ideas - enjoyed with light refreshment

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Administration

Child Care Benefit (CCB)

Child Care Benefits (fee relief) is available. Now your child is starting Child Care you need to make sure that you register and assessed for Child Care Benefits with Centrelink. Ensure that Family Assistance Office has submitted a CCB Eligibility Assessment for your child, once completed we ask that you provide us with your CRN number and your child's CRN number as this will allow us to formalise your enrolment and to receive the CCB percentages for your child. The telephone number for the Family Assistance Office is 13 61 50.

Calculating your daily fee is done by a formula set by the Family Assistance Office. The FAO will advise you by letter or over the phone what percentage you will receive off childcare fees.

What they don't tell you is that percentage is off their schedule daily fee for childcare. It's similar to the Medicare system - there is a schedule fee and then the actual fee.

Our administrator staff can give you an estimate of what your daily fee will be, if you know your Child Care Benefit percentage.

Child Care Rebate

Families should contact their tax agent or the Australian Tax Office for details of the 50% Child Care Tax Rebate. The centre will issue yearly receipt statements for this purpose.

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Policies and Procedures

The following Kids Korner policies and procedures cover the most commonly needed information for family's reference.

Emergency Procedures

• We will conduct a fire/evacuation drills at Kids Korner four times each year.
• Staff will display a notice on the days these drills are practiced.
• Staffs also evacuate the building whenever the alarm sounds, even in the event of it being known it is a false alarm. We need to show consistency and role model the importance of alarms to children.
• There are smoke detectors in all rooms, hallways and the Kitchen.
• Our building is linked to a back to base alarm and Fire Department are contacted whenever the smoke alarm is raised.

Health and Hygiene Policy

Minimising cross infection and the spread of germs in our centre can be achieved by families ensuring that on arrival each morning and at departure each afternoon:

• Change your baby/toddlers nappy - including washing their hands and yours when you have finished.
• Take your older child to the toilet and wash their hands and yours when you have finished

This one simple procedure reduces the risk of cross infection significantly and reinforces to babies and children the normality of nappy change and toileting from all adults.

We appreciate your support in keeping Kids Korner Early Learning Centre a healthy and safe environment for all babies, toddlers and children.

Sickness Policy

• Sick children must not attend the centre in order to minimise cross infection.
• Children who become sick during the day will be required to be collected from the centre and taken home.
• In the case of known infectious disease a notice will be displayed in the centre.
• Details of infectious diseases and the relevant Period of EXCLUSION are displayed on notice boards in playrooms.
• There may be situations where Kids Korner and Management may feel a baby or child is contagious or too ill to attend the centre and families may be asked to obtain a Doctor's Clearance Letter before their baby or child may return to the centre.

Immunisation Policy

• Parents enrolling children in the centre must provide approved evidence of immunisation.
• If no evidence is shown, then the child considered not to be immunised against any of the vaccine preventable disease.
• Non-immunised children will be excluded from the centre for the duration of the outbreak according to the NSW Department of health.
• Parents are required to keep their child's immunisation up to date and supply details to the centre.

Medication Policy

• Only medication in its original container. With Child's name, dosages and times and has been prescribed by a Doctor will be administered.
• Parents are required to complete all details on the Medication Permission Form.
• Parents MUST NEVER LEAVE MEDICATION IN THEIR CHILD'S BAG - HAND IT TO A PERMANENT STAFF MEMBER.

Nut Free Centre

Our Centre is a nut free zone - other foods must not be brought into the centre in children's bags.

• Families are required to strictly adhere to our Anaphylaxis Policy.
• We may have children who would experience a severe (and potentially fatal) reaction to nuts.
• Food that is bought into the centre must me approved by the Director or Supervisor.
• Please do not bring any junk food for your child
• Please do not allow children or other family members to leave food in children's Kindy bags.

Sun Protection Policy

In order to keep children safe from harmful sunrays we ensure that:

• Children are wearing hats during outdoor play. Kids Korner supplies hats for all children attending the centre. Parents will be charge a small fee for the hat and water bottle, for each child.
• Protective clothing should also be worn. Singlets and sleeveless shirts and dresses are not recommended.
• The centre will supply and use SPF30 sunscreen to exposed areas of the skin all year round. Parents are required to apply sunscreen when they arrive with their child in the morning (during Spring, Summer, and Autumn months).

Guiding and Supporting Children's Development and Behaviour

• Guiding children's behaviour will be supportive and non-threatening in all cases. Physical force or punishment will not be used at any time.
• Children with unsuitable behaviour for a particular situation will be directed to another activity to divert their attention from their behaviour and encouraged to verbalise their feelings.
• Consistent, clear rules are well established in the centre. These rules will be explained and well known to the children (appropriate to the ages of children).
• Children will be encouraged to resolve their own conflicts through role modeling and support by staff. Our goal is to help empower children to become responsible for and to better manage their own actions.

Rest and Sleep Policy

• As we cater for children early morning to late afternoon we have a rest period. Each room has a period of time after lunch for rest and sleep. This is a relaxing time when children are given an opportunity to rest.
• Staff plays a range of music and creates a quite, relaxing atmosphere for rest time.
• After a period of time, children who are not asleep are able to do a quiet activity such as reading and drawing.
• All children are required to supply a set of fitted cot sheets and light blanket everyday.

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