Procedures

Absences

Each child is entitled to forty two (42) allowable absences per financial year (including public holidays).

Please notify the centre of all absences.

Holidays

Written notification of holidays is required at least two (2) weeks in advance.  Regular fees are charged if notice is not given.  A 50% holding fee applies.

Change of Booking

Written notification is required at least two (2) weeks in advance.  Changes to bookings are dependent on availability of places.

End of Care

Written notification is required at least two (2) weeks or more, prior to the child’s last day.  If your child is commencing Transition at St Francis of Assisi Catholic Primary School, please complete a school enrolment form and return to the school office.

To ensure that children arrive and depart safely and happily we ask that:

1. Parents/ Caregivers escort children to a staff member on arrival;
2. Parents/ Caregivers acknowledge the child’s arrival and departure with a staff member
3. Parents/ Caregivers sign children in and out on the register each day (this is a most important legal document, and also ensures that we have an accurate roll in case of an emergency evacuation)

If you are unable to collect your child from the Early Learning Centre, please call The Early Learning Centre on 89882821 or The School on 89881212 to inform staff as to who will be picking up your child.  This person should be an authorised person noted on your child’s enrolment form and will be asked for identification on arrival.

Please note that the Centre is not legally open until 7.00am, therefore you cannot drop your child off any earlier than this.  If you are going to be late any time, would you please contact The Early Learning Centre on 89882821. The Centre closes at 5.45 pm.

Late fees of $1.00 per minute will apply if parents are picking up after 5.45 pm.

Car Parking

Car parking specifically for the Centre is available in front of the Centre.  No parking is allowed in the BUS zone. Please exercise considerable care as there are many pedestrians and children can be very unpredictable.  Please observe speed and direction signs.

Medicine Administration

Prescription medicine will only be administered to your child whilst they are at the centre. No other medicine will be administered whilst your child is attending the centre.

If your child requires prescription medication, the medicine register must be completed and signed by the parent.  Once the medication has been administered, the staff member doing so will sign to indicate that it has been carried through.  This procedure is to be completed on a daily basis, even if medication is to be administered for more than one day.  The medication must be in the original named container.

Sick Children

Protecting the health of all children attending the Centre is one of our primary concerns.  Parents are asked to collect children in the event they are sick.

Condition	Exclusion From The Centre
Chicken Pox	Exclude until fully recovered or for at least five days after the spots (eruption) first appear. Please note that some remaining scabs are not a reason for continued exclusion.
Conjunctivitis	Exclude until discharge from the eyes has ceased.
Diarrhoea and vomiting (gastroenteritis)	Exclude until bowel motions have returned to normal and at least 24 hours after the last abnormal bowel motion.
Diphtheria	Exclude until a medical certificate of recovery is received following at least 2 negative throat swabs, the first not less than 24 hours after finishing a course of antibiotics and the other 48 hours later.
Head Lice	Exclude until the day after appropriate treatment has started.
Hepatitis A	Exclude until a medical certificate of recovery is received, but not before seven days after onset of illness or jaundice.
Impetigo (School Sores)	Exclude until treatment has commenced. Sores on exposed surfaces should be covered with a watertight dressing.
Influenza	Exclude until child feels well. No coloured discharge from the nose.
Measles	Exclude for at least four days after the onset of the rash.
Mumps	Exclude for nine days or until swelling has gone (whichever is sooner).
Ringworm	Exclude until the day after appropriate treatment has started.
Rubella (German Measles)	Exclude until fully recovered or for at least four days after the onset of the rash.
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)	Exclude for 14 days after onset of illness, or after completing five days of antibiotic treatment, and a doctor certifies that the person is no longer infectious.

Accidents/Incidents

Staff members record any accidents on an Accident/ Incident Form.  When children are hurt during the day, parents are asked to sign an incident form at the end of the day, to ensure you are aware of any incident involving your child throughout the day.  If necessary, you will be contacted to collect your child. If you cannot be contacted, your emergency contacts will be called.  If they are unable to be contacted, we will seek medical attention for your child. Any medical expenses incurred will be the parent’s responsibility

Hygiene

Strict hand washing procedures are implemented.  Children are encouraged to wash and dry their hands, before and after meals, after using the toilet and after messy activities.  We encourage you to promote this practice at home.

Nutrition

The Centre provides healthy meals at morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea.  Drinks are available at each mealtime and cold water is freely available.  Children are encouraged to drink regularly from the bubbler and personal water bottles during the day.

Meals are prepared in the School Canteen by our qualified Chef.  The Centre aims to provide a nutritionally balanced menu.  These meals and snacks are appropriate to the children’s developmental needs.  If you have any concerns regarding your child’s nutrition, the meals provided or allergies your child may have, please let us know.  A weekly menu is posted in the room.

Sleep/Rest Times

If your child usually has a sleep during the day, please advise staff of sleeping requirements and times.  Our quiet rest/relaxation time is from 12:00 – 2:00.  If children ask for a sleep/ rest, it is provided.  Rest or sleep is offered if the child appears particularly tired or grumpy.

Mattress are provided for rest/ sleep times, Parents are asked to supply a sheet in a draw string bag (clearly labelled with your child’s name) which is sent home on Fridays for washing.

Changes to Information

Please notify us promptly of any changes to information regarding your child.  Change of contact numbers, address, employer and persons authorised to collect your child are most important so that we are able to contact you at all times.

Parent Participation

Parental input and suggestions are always welcomed. This assists us with programming and our Quality Improvement Plan (QIP).

Parents are always encouraged to participate in the program by sharing special skills, eg: cooking, puppet making, music, etc and also by collecting junk for art and helping with social functions.  Your involvement helps us provide an enriched learning program for all.  It is important to share relevant information about your child with the staff.

NB: polystyrene cups, meat trays, toilet rolls cannot be used due to safety and health regulations. Please read the Parent Information board for notices and updates.

The school newsletter is sent home each Thursday. The Early Learning Centre newsletter will be sent home every 2 weeks.

The Parent Communication box is situated next to the sign in/ out register.  Please use this book to communicate information to staff at Saint Francis of Assisi Early Learning Centre.

Excursions

Excursions are an integral part of children’s learning. School excursion forms are provided to parents on enrolment, giving staff permission to take children to the library, assemblies, school oval etc all of which are within the St Francis’s School premises. Excursions out of school premises require parents to sign a permission slip before children can attend.  Parent participation is highly appreciated when taking groups on excursions to assist with supervision and to share in the learning.

Children will be expected to wear the Early Learning Centre’s uniform on excursions.

Clothing

We have Early Learning shirts and hats available for purchase at the School. Children are required to wear sun smart clothing.  Please include two spare sets of clothes in your child’s bag. Children must wear a hat and sunscreen at all times when outdoors.  Please inform staff if your child is allergic to any sunscreens.  Please provide a hat with your child’s name clearly written on it.

Birthdays

We encourage parents to let children share their special day with friends.  Please check with a staff member before organising to bring any special food in case of allergies.

Treasures from Home

Children are not permitted to bring toys from home to the Centre.  Toys from home cause unnecessary conflict between children and they tend to get lost or broken.  If toys are brought in, they will be taken away on arrival and put in the “Toys from home” box, for parents to collect later.