HALLETT COVE COMMUNITY CHILDCARE CENTRE

STRATEGIC PLAN – 2011-2012

Version 1.0FINAL

June 2012.

Due for revision June 2013.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The Hallett Cove Community Child Care Centre would like to thank the Governing Committee for their preparation of this document. A special mention goes to Tammy Kronawitter for her work with the Strategic Plan.

HISTORY

The centre was opened on 17th March, 1986, and was established by the Federal and State Government. Originally the centre was called Hallett Cove Child Care Centre, a not for profit community based centre. The name changed to Hallett Cove Community Children’s Centre on 3rd October 2010 when it amalgamated with other community based childcare centre.

On Sunday 4th March 2007, the centre celebrated it’s 21st birthday, inviting families to a community celebration. This celebration provided families, past and present, to reflect on the progress the centre has made and the support families have given.

A grant was provided to establish the gardens and the play areas (this was completed by the families of the centre. In March 2008 a grant was used to upgrade the garden for the benefit of the children. In 2011 the Government approved a School Pride Grant for $27,225 for maintenance and upgrading facilities.

TODAY

Hallett Cove Community children's centre is a 53 place not for profit centre .We provide quality care and education for all children from 6 weeks to five years .The centre is managed by a Director and operated by a governing council of voluntary parents and staff representatives.

We have three rooms

  • Infants 6 weeks -2 year
  • Toddlers 2 years-3.5 years
  • Kindy 3.5 years - 5 years

MISSION

To receive accreditation under the new NQF guidelines.

To be recognised as a leader in child care provision by delivering high quality programmes that are both economically and environmentally sustainable.

Hallett Cove Community Children’s Centre provides children and families a high quality, education and care service within their community which is tailored to meet the individual needs of children and their families in a nurturing and inclusive environment.

We believe that the provision of high quality education and care during early childhood provides a solid foundation for children’s future wellbeing and development.

Our professional team is dedicated to maintaining and providing up to date practices, while acting in a supportive, inclusive and sensitive manner.

VISION

Our vision is to provide a community hub that meets both care and educational needs of children and parents.

Your child’s day can change their future.

We provide quality childcare which ensures the emotional well-being, physical safety and security of children. We also develop a sense of identity for each child.

We offer individual experiences in accordance with the educational, developmental and emotional needs of each child.

We support and foster the development of children through building strong relationships with families.

We promote and encourage environmentally sustainable practices throughout the Centre.

VALUES

• RESPECT

•INCLUSIVITY

• SUSTAINABILITY

PHILOSOPHY

The aim of the centre is to provide:

  • High quality educational care that meets the needs of the children, parents, staff and the community.
  • A quality educational curriculum for children in a safe, secure environment.
  • Outstanding staff that are friendly, caring and committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all and who are sensitive to the needs of parents and children.

For the Children

We believe that all children:

  • Have the right to feel safe and secure at all times.
  • Learn through play – play that is supported, not directed, by educators.
  • Have the right to develop to their full potential in all areas, in a non sexist/non biased environment.
  • Must be recognized as individuals, with their individual and cultural needs being respected.
  • Learn best when parents/guardians and caregivers work in partnership with each other.
  • Have the right to be offered a curriculum that fosters their curiosity, initiative, independence and life skills.
  • Have the right to nutritious, well balanced meals.

Therefore staff will:

  • Offer a stimulating curriculum that focuses on play, self esteem, interests, independence and life skills.
  • Foster stable, caring relationships with all children and their families through appropriate care giving practices.
  • Offer a curriculum that meets the individual needs of children and families using the centre.
  • Respect family and cultural values.
  • Provide experiences and environments that are inclusive, non sexist and non biased.
  • Maintain the quality of food offered under “Start Right Eat Right”.
  • Ensure that they are abreast of industry standards and that this is reflected in their practices with the children.

For the Parents/Families

We believe that:

  • In order to have a healthy, active centre, a high level of parent involvement is vital.

Therefore we will:

  • Encourage parents and families to participate in all aspects of the Centre; e.g. Governing Council, Sub Committee’s and Social events.
  • Work together with parents to support children.
  • Encourage our families to provide feedback about different processes within the Centre.
  • Encourage our families to be actively involved with and contribute to centre curriculum and planning.

For The Staff:

  • The Governing Council is committed to employing, developing and maintaining a highly skilled and professional team.
  • The Governing Council understands the influential work that staff do regarding them as professionals within the Early Childhood sector, with specialized knowledge and skills.
  • Hallett Cove Community Children’s Centre is a clean, safe and friendly place for staff to work in.
  • The Governing Council is committed to ensuring staff are able to maintain work life wellbeing.
  • Staff are encouraged to express ideas, share in group discussions, and participate in professional development. Staff are active learners, seeking new ideas and sharing these with their peers.
  • Staff are encouraged to be active members of the Governing Council .
  • Staff are encouraged to contribute to the development of policies.

For the Community

  • Community involvement is important to Hallett Cove Community Children’s Centre. We aim to make the centre a part of the larger community by taking an active interest in other group’sactivities, working closely with our local kindy and also being involved in community events and reciprocally, we invite the community to be involved in ours.
  • We aim to provide social opportunities for children, families, staff and the wider community to get to know each other in order to strengthen our position within the community.

We aim to create a community within the community, to which children, families and staff belong.

SWOT Analysis – Governing Committee

Strengths
  • Staff commitment to the children and their wellbeing
  • Diversity of the centre
  • Outdoor play area
  • Community based location
  • Start right eat right program
/ Weaknesses
  • Current website
  • Current policy and procedures
  • Current accreditation rating
  • Lack of documentation
  • Lack of communication to parents

Opportunities
  • Staff development
  • New website
  • New director’s commitment to centre and accreditation
/ Threats
  • Finances
  • Staff leave for other opportunities
  • Not meeting accreditation
  • Perception of the centre
  • Child quota
  • Not enough parent volunteers for governing body

SWOT Analysis – STAFF

Strengths
  • Planning for training, staff meetings
  • Training for finance
  • Integrity in our work ethic
  • Regular newsletters
  • Very good Governing Council
  • Staff work well as a team
  • Great outside area in over 2’s
  • Staff communication with parents/families/children and each other
  • Staff’s flexibility and dedication
  • Researching and problem solving skills of staff
  • Work ethics
  • Knowledge of children
  • Programming
  • Observations
  • Staff’s skillset
/ Weaknesses
  • Physical office environment
  • Need for private space for staff performance reviews, coaching sessions, professional development area and private conversations (with staff and parents)
  • Lack of offsite storage for records etc
  • Policies and procedures
  • Programming
  • QIP (needs to be written by April 2012)
  • Lack of resources
  • Lack of programming times
  • Lack of knowledge for documenting and programming
  • Current filing system
  • Learning stories
  • Observations

Opportunities
  • Professional development of staff including the cook
  • Fundraising
  • Developing professional relationships with Hallett Cove Pre-School
  • Team Leaders to write newsletter for their rooms
  • MYOB
/ Threats
  • Finances
  • Not achieving the NQS
  • Building maintenance
  • Under 2’s numbers
  • Staff burning out/lack of motivation
  • TAFESA no longer wanting to send students here
  • Banking methods not fool-proof
  • Time management
  • Lack of continuity of staff throughout the day

RESOURCES FOR THE STRATEGIC PLAN

Funding required to satisfy objectives set out in the Strategic Plan will be derived from fees and fundraising.

Fee increases will be considered by the Governing Committee as per its usual annual budget planning meetings.

Staff time and costs will be at the discretion of the Centre’s Directors.

External funding opportunities will be sought wherever possible.

STRATEGIC GOALS

The Centre has established goals consistent with its values that allow it to fulfil its mission:

Strategic Goal 1 – To ensure HCCCC is recognised as a leader in quality child care provision

This goal emphasises the Centre’s efforts to provide a stimulating, safe and nurturing childcare experience.

Strategic Goal 2 –To recruit, develop and retain high quality Staff at all levels in the Centre.

This goal recognises the value of the Centre’s staff in its provision of quality care.

Strategic Goal 3 – To foster and maintain strong relationships with families of the Centre.

This goal reflects the importance of open communication at all times, where care-giving outside and inside the home are part of an interrelated process.

Strategic Goal 4 – To operate the Centre in a sustainable manner that protects the natural environment wherever possible.

This goal reflects the Centre’s intention of becoming a waste neutral operation.

Strategic Goal 5 – To become financially viable and sustainable.

This goal reflects the importance of being able to financially cover all expenses and emergencies.

PATHWAYS TO THE GOALS

The goals will be realised with measurable objectives. Strategies, responsibilities, resources and timelines will be detailed, with appropriate indicators in order to measure our success. A separate document outlines these.

UPDATES TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN

This plan is a working document. As a matter of course, it will be revisited annually (July), though ad hocchanges may be made in light of changing circumstances.

Hallett Cove Community Childcare Centre / HCCCC © 2012 / Page |1
E: / T:08 8387 2374 / A: 5 Ramrod Ave
Hallett Cove SA 5158