Family Handbook

Absenteeism – Please notify YECCA when your child will be absent, preferably in the morning or prior to the day if possible. This can be done by email: admin@yecca.net.au, director@yecca.net.au or by phone 6226 1560

Allergies/Illnesses/Medical Conditions – For your child to receive the best possible care is it important to communicate to the centre any known allergies/illnesses or medical conditions that your child suffers from. If your child does have any conditions you will be given the appropriate forms before commencement at our centre. If your child has an allergy, we encourage you to bring some cupcakes to leave in our freezer for those times when we celebrate birthdays.

Anti-Bias Policy – The centre management and staff of this centre endorse the concept of cross-cultural and non-discriminatory practices and believe that this perspective should be implemented throughout all Centre programs. Our educational programs support the child’s self esteem and pride in family, community, ethnic and linguistic origins. We also follow the Australian Early Childhood Code of Ethics.

Behaviour Guidance Practice – Positive guidance of behaviour is the teaching of what is a good thing to do and what is not, what is safe, what pleases other people and what angers and hurts other people. Positive guidance of behaviour helps children understand the difference between what acceptable behaviour is and what is not. When children are stopped or re-directed, the reason is explained to the child which will assist them to make judgements about what he/she can and cannot do. All teachers will utilise a number of guidance strategies to promote positive behaviour including indirect, direct, verbal and emotional. If a child’s behaviour escalates and poses a risk to themselves, other children or staff, parents will be contacted and requested to collect their child. Each of these strategies are detailed in the Positive Guidance of Behaviour Policy in the Centre’s policy folder.

Birthdays – Birthdays are an important time in a child’s life and we welcome the opportunity to be a part of such a happy day. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate with those close to them at the Centre. Please feel free to bring a birthday cake or individual cupcakes to the Centre. The staff handle any allergies within the Centre, however we do ask that cakes are nut free.

Child Development – Our qualified and experienced room leaders will approach you if they believe your child may not be developing as they should be or if they notice any type of behavioural issue with your child that requires further support. This can be a difficult time for parents, but your child’s wellbeing and development is in our best interests. We will be able to offer support and recommendations for you to help deal with any arising issues during their time at YECCA.

Child Protection Information – The Centre’s aim is to promote safety and well being of all the children within care, which is each child’s “Human Right”. The staff are mandatory reporters, are all trained in child protection and are aware of the processes to follow if they suspect risk of harm to a child in our care.

Communicating With Staff – Infants and young children are spending more time than ever before in non-parental care. We aim to: communicate regularly with families to share information about each child’s health and development; strengthen the partnership between staff and families; increase the opportunities where staff and families can communicate and share information. Please feel free to talk to the educators in your child’s room at drop off and/or collection time. You are also able to start a conversation with them on Storypark if you are unable to meet face-to-face. These are important times for sharing information to ensure your child’s needs can be fully met. If you would like to talk to your child’s room leader in more detail, please arrange a meeting time with them to discuss your child’s progress and development.

Community Links – YECCA works closely with a number of organisations that assist families access a variety of Early Intervention therapies such as Speech and Occupational Therapy and Community Health. In addition to this we also have contact with the NSW Fire Brigade, Police, Ambulance and our local Hospital, who provide valuable verbal and written information as well as visiting the centre to give informative talks. YECCA supports the local high school by welcoming the Community Studies students regularly and having students undertake work experience. We accommodate work experience students from locals attending Canberra schools, TAFE and University students undertaking Early Childhood Education related studies. **Please see the back of family handbook for a list of community support groups

Custodial Orders – If a custodial order is in place in relation to your child and the denial of access by a person or persons and/or the collection of your child, please provide the centre with a copy of documentation to allow for this to be implemented. The Centre’s privacy policy will be enforced in relation to all child information.

Delivery And Collection of Children – There are strict guidelines relating to the signing in and out of children for parents and authorised persons to collect and must be adhered to so that an accurate record of attendance is maintained. This is an important and emotional time for all children. Handled correctly this can become a positive experience for both parent and child. To ensure the greatest emotional security is developed for your child, always say goodbye. That way the staff can assure them of your return. Authorised collectors need to be specified on your enrolment form and must be over the age of 16. Our hours of operation are 8.30am until 4:00pm; please drop off and collect your child within these times.

Emergency / Accidents – Whilst every effort is made to provide children with a safe environment, accidents do occur. If this is the case and your child hurts themselves during the day, staff will complete an Incident/Injury/Trauma report and ask you to sign it when you pick up your child. If the child needs to be collected, or the injury is around the head, parents will be contacted. If you can not be contacted and medical attention is necessary staff will take the required steps. Any medical expenses incurred will be the parent’s responsibility.

Enrolment/Orientation Procedure The Centre management will strive to ensure that the enrolment process is an easy and effective one for you and your child. All families are encouraged to use an orientation period before commencing at the Centre which consists of visiting the Centre for short periods of time and helping to familiarise your child with the centre’s surroundings. On arrival at the centre the Director/Administration Manager or Room Leader will orientate you and your child through the Centre and every effort will be made to show parents every aspect of the Centre’s operations and answer all your questions. We encourage you to complete the application form as soon as possible so that every effort can be made to satisfy requests for individual days. Your child’s enrolment is confirmed after the Centre receives the completed enrolment form and associated documents.

Ending Enrolment – Families are required to give two weeks’ notice when they wish to finish at YECCA. Accounts will then be finalised and are required to be paid in full before the child’s last day. If families do not attend preschool for two weeks and have not notified the preschool of their absence, we will attempt to contact the family by phone to query the child’s absence. If the family is not contactable by phone, a letter will be sent to the family notifying them that their child’s place has been forfeited to the next person on the waiting list. Families are liable for all fees incurred and debt recovery will be put into place to claim any outstanding fees after a child finishes at the Centre.

Evacuation Procedure – Due to the age group of the children the importance of routine is essential in managing serious issues such as an evacuation. With this in mind, evacuation and fire drills take place in the Centre every term, with an evaluation process identifying areas of improvement. Located throughout the Centre at all exits is an evacuation procedure that is strictly followed by Centre staff at all times.

Excursions – Excursions are offered to give children opportunities that are not available at the Centre. These may include walks around the local area, NAIDOC Week celebrations, Storytime at the Library, visiting the aged care facilities, Post Office visits, etc. All excursions will be appropriate to the children’s development and permission will be sought from all parents/guardians prior to the commencement date. We make the most of having the community library just across the park and attend monthly for Storytime. Upon enrolment and at the beginning of each subsequent year families will be asked for approval for their child to be able to go to the library and the surrounding areas throughout the year, by signing a regular outing authorisation form.

Facebook – YECCA has a Facebook page where we post information, notices and pictures of what’s happening from time to time. We rarely post pictures of the children, however at times we do. If you would prefer your child not to appear on our Facebook page, please let us know. This also applies to any media articles that may be published by the Library or visiting performers.

Fees – Our base fees at YECCA for 2024 are:

Day Care Room (Mon, Tues, Fri) Under 2 year old: $50 per day

Over 2 – 3 year old: $45 per day

3 & 5 year old Preschool: If you have ‘opted in’ for the affordable preschool subsidy from YECCA, 1-2 days = $3 per day. Subsequent days (or non-subsidised days) = $45 per day

3 & 5 year old Pre School casual day: $47 per day

‘Equity’ children: $23 per day (equity children are children from low income or indigenous families)

Enrolment Fee (one off): $40

YECCA Association Fee (one off): $3

YECCA Association membership Fee (annual): $5

Roster Fee (3-5yr Preschool): $2.50/day – Max. $60/term

*Fees are reviewed by the Board 0f Management as required.

Families will be invoiced on a term-by-term basis and fees are due within 14 days of receiving the invoice, unless prior arrangements have been made with the Director or Administration Manager.

Payment of Fees The Centre provides a number of options for payment including cash, cheque and direct deposit. Sorry no EFTPOS. Our preferred method of payment is direct deposit into our bank account.

Electronic Banking Information – National Australia Bank

Account Name: YECCA

BSB: 082 939

Account Number: 515062059

Please use invoice number or child’s name as reference.

Centrepay – Is a payment option available through Centrelink. Centrelink can directly pay YECCA from any benefits you may receive. Please see the office staff to discuss this option.

If you are the holder of a health care card you are eligible for fees assistance. Please see office staff for further information about the required documentation to obtain fees assistance.

Overdue Fees – If there has been no request for an extension for the payment of fees and fees are overdue, the following procedure will be implemented:

2 weeks overdue – A reminder letter will be sent requesting the payment of fees within 7 days

3 weeks overdue – A final notice posted to your home address requesting fees be paid in full Within 7 days or your child’s position will be made vacant.

Fees not received– Legal action will be sought and all costs incurred will be added to the original fees account.

Grievance with the Centre – Our Child Care Centre fosters positive relations between all management, parents and staff. Every parent has the right to a positive and sympathetic response to their concerns. Solutions are sought to resolve all disputes, issues or concerns that impact or affect the day-to-day well-being of the Centre in a fair, prompt and positive manner. For a full explanation of our Grievance Policy please refer to the Centre policy folder located in the office foyer.

Group Ratios – At YECCA our group ratios are in accordance with the Education and Care Services National Regulations. We abide by these regulations at all times. To assist us to abide by the ratio requirements, please ensure your child is not dropped off or picked up out of our normal operating hours (8.30am – 4.00pm).

Birth to 2 year old (0-24months) 1:4 – one educator to four children

2 year old to 3 year old (24 months – 36 months) 1:5 – one educator to five children

3 year old to 6 year old (36 months – 72 months) 1:10 – one educator to ten children

Source: Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011

Guidelines for Visitors – All visitors to the Centre are required to report to the front office for identification by the Director or Administration Manager. Once identification has occurred, the visitor’s details and reason for the visit is logged into the visitor’s book. On completion of the visit, they must be signed out. In some instances, visitors may be required to have a Working with Children Check. On occasions where the visitor will be interacting or observing the children they will be introduced to the children where an opportunity will be given for any questions and discussion. These procedures are in place to ensure the utmost privacy and protection of the children.

Hours of Operation – Our operational hours are 8.30am to 4:00pm. All children in the care of the centre are to be picked up and dropped off between our operational times.

Hygiene – The Centre ensures that the highest levels of hygiene practices occur within the Centre at all times. Food safety, storage practices, cleaning, hand washing and toileting procedures are just some of the concerns for staff and procedures are in place and enforced daily. Please assist your child to wash their hands or sanitise on arrival at the Centre.

Illness – Symptoms – Sometimes, children and adults need to be away from the Centre for the safety of others. Excluding sick children and adults is an important way of preventing the introduction of infection in to the Centre. In general, if a child is so sick that he/she:

Sleeps at unusual times
Has a fever of 38C or higher
Is crying constantly as a result of discomfort due to illness
Is reacting badly to medications
Is in need of constant one to one care
Is vomiting and/or has diarrhoea

Parents will be contacted and asked to take their child home, as our Centre does not have the staff resources to adequately care for the children in these conditions.

Immunisation – Immunisation is the safest and most effective way of providing protection against early child diseases. From 1 January 2018, a child cannot be enrolled unless the parent/guardian has provided an approved immunisation form that shows the child:

Is fully immunised for their age or,
Has a medical reason not to be vaccinated or,
Is on a recognised catch-up schedule if the child has fallen behind with their immunisations

Upon enrolment all families will be required to provide a copy of their child’s Immunisation History Statement (available through your Medicare online account via myGov or the Express Plus Medicare mobile app). Non-immunised children are not permitted to be enrolled at the Centre. Children who are not immunised due to their parent’s conscientious objection cannot be enrolled.

Late Policy – Collection of all children is to be completed by 4.00pm on any given day. If an approved collector of the child has not arrived by this time a phone call will be placed to the parents and if unsuccessful, the emergency contacts will be phoned. Late Fees will apply if this becomes a regular occurrence. If neither the parents or emergency contacts can be reached the NSW Department of Communities and Justice, and Police will be contacted 30 minutes after closing time. Failure to collect your child is classified as a Critical Incident by our Regulatory Authority

Meals And Nutrition – Childhood is a time of growth and activity, which results in increased nutritional needs. It is also a time to form life-long habits of good nutrition and healthy eating. The amount of food required each day varies with age, size and activity level of the child and a good diet is important for the normal growth and development of the child. It is important for staff and families to work co-operatively to ensure the Centre plays a part in meeting each child’s nutritional needs. We encourage all parents to follow the centre policy and information provided to parents through newsletters and brochures, when providing lunch for your child. Our centre policy does not allow nuts or eggs (cooked into food is ok) due to allergies and we strongly discourage chocolate, chips and lollies in lunchboxes. The Centre Management and staff are always available to assist with ideas for healthy nutritious lunches.

Medication – Administering medication to children at the request of their parents is a task that requires attention to detail, meticulous record keeping, teamwork and common sense. It is a responsibility that must be taken seriously, due to the potential health risks, and litigation issues that may arise as a result of incorrect administration. Completion of the daily medication table will need to take place and be signed by the parent on arrival. Instructions for dosage, storage and time frames will all need to be written down and explained to staff members. Medication (including any over the counter medication) requires a current pharmacy label with child’s name, dosage and valid expiry dates and must be in original packaging. Parents need to consider if medication is required by the child, keeping their child at home may the best and safest option.

Parent Roster – A Roster fee is charged to your fees invoice at the rate of $2.50 per day of attendance in the preschool program, up to a maximum of $60.00. The Roster is to encourage parents to come into the Centre and help with activities and see how your child’s room operates. If it is not convenient to attend a roster session at YECCA, please see the Room Leaders as there are often jobs that can be taken home, such as book covering or cutting out etc. If you choose to complete your Roster this fee will be deducted or credited to your next term’s fees.

Personal Property/Toys – Families are encouraged to leave children’s toys and valuable belongings at home unless they are being used for comfort, news or special events. With children wanting to show friends, toys can become broken or lost, which inevitably results in your child becoming upset. Although comfort toys are more than welcome, we ultimately want children to understand that there are home toys and Centre toys. Staff will encourage toys brought to the Centre, be given back to Mum or Dad on departing. We seek your assistance with this matter.

Priority Of Access – As part of our agreement with the Department of Education, we have a Priority of Access policy for children attending our centre. YECCA complies with all guidelines around priority of access initiatives under Start Strong NSW.

Professional Development of Staff – With Early Childhood being a changing landscape of procedures, research and information, staff are constantly reading and learning new information and skills to keep abreast of the latest developments. Our staff at YECCA have embraced becoming lifelong learners and are at varying levels of further education and personal development. We are proud that all our staff are qualified in early childhood education; many of them hold qualifications higher than the minimum requirements. The Centre provides opportunities for all staff to attend training in a variety of areas throughout the year.

Program – The program we offer at YECCA is based upon the Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 (EYLF v2.0). This is a national requirement as part of the National Quality Standards. This is a wonderful framework that allows each centre to program in a way that is unique and relevant to individual children with in it. Our programs are a mix of emergent experiences and intentional teaching experiences, based upon children’s individual and group interests. Your child’s development during their time at YECCA is recorded in relation to learning outcomes which are part of the EYLF. Staff are continually evaluating and observing the effectiveness of the program and linking these findings to each child at the centre. All activities and experiences are linked to centre goals, group goals, individual goals, philosophy, group and individual evaluations. Parents are encouraged to comment on and provide ideas to enhance the program based on their child’s current interests.

Rest And Sleep Procedure – Time to rest is extremely important to young children who are exposed to a very full and busy day. Sleep and rest periods are adapted to meet the individual needs of the children and their families and are put in place in consultation with parents. Staff are sensitive to children’s needs and identify when children are tired. For children who do not sleep quiet activities such as reading a book, puzzles or drawing are made available. Children are fully supervised when resting or doing quiet activities.

Storypark – As a part of our documentation, YECCA uses Storypark – a secure, private online space to ensure your child receives the best support possible and that you are involved and up-to-date with your child’s development. Storypark provides each child with an online community which you (their parent/guardian) own and control who has access to, at no cost, for as long as you wish. An invite will be sent to one parent after your child starts. After accepting, that person is then able to invite others to share in your child’s learning journey. If your child attends another Centre that uses Storypark, the accounts can be linked. If you DO NOT wish your child to be included in group observations, that other families will see, please let us know. Observations are a National Regulation requirement. We will be posting observations, notes, etc. of which you will be able to view and comment on. Please be aware that we will not necessarily be posting on a daily or even weekly basis, and that some posts may appear some time after the event and outside operating hours…spending time with your child is our number one priority.

Sun Protection – Skin damage, including skin cancer, is the result of cumulative exposure to the sun. Much of the damage occurs during childhood and adolescence. Research suggests that sunburn is a contributor to skin cancer and other forms of skin damage such as wrinkles, sunspots, blemishes, and premature aging. Most skin damage and skin cancer are, therefore, preventable. The aims of the Cancer Council Sun Protection Policy are to promote among children, staff and parents:

Positive attitudes towards skin protection
Lifestyle practices which can help reduce the incidence of skin cancer and the number of related deaths.

Personal responsibility for and decision-making about skin protection.
Awareness of the need for environmental changes in schools to reduce the level of exposure to the sun.

General protection strategies include protective clothing, 30+ sunscreen, play in shaded areas and play in cooler parts of the day.

We use Cancer Council sunscreen at YECCA and request that parents bring sunscreen from home if your child has particular needs.

Waiting Lists – A waiting list for positions will occur when licensed places are filled for each given day. Upon availability arising the position will be offered based on the priority of access initiatives under Start Strong NSW guidelines and this process will occur until the position is filled.

What To Bring – To assist with your child’s first day there are several items your child will need. Please include the following and ensure all belongings are clearly marked with your child’s name:

School Bag – a backpack that will be big enough to hold the following items:
Spare set of clothes – in the case of an accident or if they get wet during play.
Lunch box – something that they can open and that includes a healthy lunch. Suggestions include a sandwich, fruit, yoghurt, cheese, vegetable sticks, dried fruit. Please refer to the nutritional policy at the Centre for further information.
Drink bottle – water is preferred. This can be refilled throughout the day at our Neverfail station.
Broad-brimmed, sun-smart hat – will be required for children all year round. Those children who do not have a hat will not be allowed to play in un-shaded areas (sunscreen is provided).
Shoes – are to be comfortable and supportive suitable for running and climbing. Thongs are not suitable.
Bedding – we always offer a rest/quiet time for all age groups during the day; please supply cot size sheets and a blanket for the cooler months. If children rest with a comfort toy of any kind, they are welcome to bring it for rest time. We suggest placing all items into a separate labelled, bag which can be placed in your child’s locker
We suggest that clothing for your child should be old play clothes as they may become marked or soiled. Please send a warm coat in cooler months as we aim to get outdoors in all-weather types.

PLEASE ENSURE THAT ALL ITEMS ARE LABELLED WITH CHILD’S NAME

Work Health & Safety Issues – Our Centre protects the health and safety of children, staff, parents and visitors by keeping informed about the Occupational Health and Safety Act and ensuring appropriate codes of practices are followed at the Centre. For more detail please refer to the Policy & Procedure folder.

Tips For Parents First Days – It is not unusual for children to cry when their parents leave them at childcare for the first day or even weeks. Settling in time is different for all children. Below are some vital tips to help your child settle into childcare life…

Take your child to staff in the morning and say hello
Have your child put their bag and belongings in the locker, and put their lunch and drink bottle in the designated spot
Take a few minutes to show your child around and for them to choose an activity to play at either indoors or outdoors (depending where the group is)
When your child is playing well, tell them you must leave but you will be back in the afternoon to pick them up
Smile (even though you may feel like crying yourself) and confidently give your child a hug and a kiss, say goodbye and leave.
If your child becomes upset, take them to a staff member to say goodbye.

We will comfort your child; we will not let them cry all day. Telephone the Centre at anytime to check how your child is doing. Staff will call you if we are unable to settle your child.

Please – never leave without saying goodbye. While it may make it easier for you to sneak out when they are not looking, it makes it harder for your child when you just disappear. By saying goodbye, the staff are then able to offer reassurance that you shall return. This makes for a consistent and predictable routine which will be best for your child in the long run.

Helpful Websites – Below is a list of helpful websites that offer parenting advice and tips for many different areas of a child’s development. There are lots of resources on the internet.

www.raisingchildren.net.au

http://www.startingblocks.gov.au/

http://www.childdevelopment.com.au/

https://healthykids.nsw

https://nsw.gov.au/initiative/brighter-beginnings

https://thrivebyfive.org.au https://suelarkey.com.au

Yass Community Support Services

Yass Community Health Centre 145 Meehan Street Yass Ph: 6220 2111

Services available: