Macgregor Primary School
Outside School Hours Care
Parent Handbook
2010
This handbook has been compiled to give you information relating to Out of School Hours Care service, so that you will be familiar with the regulations in relation to the running of the service and so that you and your child, as part of the community, can also be a part of the services continuing improvement.
Please take time to read the handbook and if you should have any questions or concerns feel free to discuss them with the Director of our Service. Further to the information supplied in this handbook, you can access our policies and other relevant information both at the service and on our website as listed below. Policies are continuously reviewed. Your input is welcome and can be given by direct discussion with Staff, emails, letters, surveys and via the Service’s suggestions box.
Where to find us Macgregor Primary School Hall
Hirschfeld Crescent
Macgregor 2615 ACT
Postal Address MPS OSHC
PO Box 372
Kippax 2615 ACT
Contact Numbers 02 6254 4141 or
Mobiles numbers 0431 684 070 & 0422 572 313
7.30-9.00 am or
2.00-6.00 pm Mon to Fri during school term.
Operating Hours Monday to Friday during school terms excluding public
and school holidays.
Before School Care 7.30 am to 9.00 am
After School Care 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm
Website www.mpsoshc.com
Email address
Inter agency Links -National Childcare Accreditation council -Australian Institute of Sport
-ACT Inclusion Support
-Macgregor Primary School -Children’s Policy and Regulation Unit
-Nuskills
Statement of Philosophy
We believe our Service provides Safety and fun,
With a program tries to cater for everyone,
Affordable prices for Quality Care,
A Community achieving common goals that we
Share.
v Centre management and staff are committed to providing a safe, happy and friendly environment for unstructured play and offer a wide range of attractive age appropriate activities.
v Staff will always encourage children to be co-operative and respectful towards others.
v Centre Staff will interact with the children in a mature and friendly manner and communicate and work openly with each other, parents and children.
v Parent participation in the operation of the Centre is very welcome, through membership of the Management Committee, by offering ideas for activities and routines and by volunteering to share a special skill with children and staff. Parents will be kept informed of programming and administrative issues through newsletters and the monthly public record reporting at General Meetings of the P & C.
v The Centre is a non-profit organisation managed by volunteers from the P & C Association at Macgregor Primary School as a service to the local community. We aim to offer high quality childcare at the lowest cost possible.
v The P & C Association, as the Operator, will ensure that the rights of children, parents and staff are protected and that a high quality of care is maintained.
v Each Client and Staff member has the right to make a complaint of voice a concern without worrying that access to services or employment might be jeopardised.
v Staff Selection at the Centre is conducted in a fair and consistent manner which reflects Equal Opportunity Legislation and OSHCQA criteria. Staff selected are deemed to have the appropriate knowledge, character and ability to associate in a caring manner with the children at the Centre.
A short History of the Service
v Macgregor Primary School OSHC has been operated by Macgregor P & C association since 1981 beginning with Carol Middleton as Director and employing local people. Maudelyn Timmiss took over as a much loved Director and remained in that role for 17 years, until 2004. Maudie still remains as a Carer with the service. Ms Chris Baker was employed for a short time, before Eileen Nilsson was given the permanent appointment in 2004. In 2006, Sharon Hooper joined the team as co Director.
v Many of the Centres employees have been ex students from Macgregor Primary School, with quite a few studying teaching while working at OSHC. The P & C sees the continuation of the service as an important contribution to the continuing strength and integrity of the Macgregor Community, being one of the few P& C administered Childcare services left operating in West Belconnen.
v The P & C is able to operate the Centre because of the dedication of the Coordinator, Committee members, P & C Treasurer and President who are parents willing to volunteer their valuable and considerable time to help run the program.
Macgregor P & C Association and OSHC Structure
P & C Council
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MPS P & C Executive
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P& C OSHC Committee
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OSHC Directors
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OSHC Carers
Healthy Habits at OSHC.
Food
We encourage children to wash their hands before handling food. We also request that tongs are used in food distribution wherever possible.
Understanding that early mornings can mean a lot of rushing around, we provide a basic breakfast of toast and spreads at Before School Care sessions. You can send fruit or cereal from home if your child requires more. Water is always available to drink.
On arrival to After School Care your child will be offered a drink of milk, fruit based cordial on occasion or water. After roll call a selection of healthy choices such as sandwiches, fruit and vegetables, cheese and dips are put out for children to select their own afternoon snack. In cooler months we provide a variety of warmer foods, such as nachos, pasta and rice dishes or soups.
Due to some severely allergic children within the school community, we are unable to offer nuts as a food choice. We would appreciate your support in this matter to avoid any negative reactions. If your child is anaphylactic to any foods or even food intolerant, you are required to note this in the medical section of the enrolment form and provide us with documentation from your doctor together with a current action plan to help us manage your child’s condition.
We try to cater for all children, however if you are concerned about your child not getting enough food variety due to allergies, you are able to leave healthy choices appropriate to their diet at the service.
A second small snack is served at approximately 4.45pm and will not be given out to children leaving the service earlier.
Keeping safe
Children are required to wear a broad rimmed hat each day if they are outside in unshaded areas. (unless during winter and at the discretion of the Director, UV levels are recorded at under 3), . Parents can send sunscreen for their child’s use. More information is available in our Sun Smart policy.
Playing can be thirsty work and so it is necessary, especially during the summer months, to drink plenty of water. Encourage your child to stay hydrated by sending along their water bottle. Water is always available to the children while in attendance, but it is better to have a bottle for outside activities. .
Shoes should always be on children’s feet whenever children are outside.
The Active Afters program provides funding and ideas to help keep your children active and fit. Children are strongly encouraged to participate in activities on offer and at no extra cost to parents.
A separate enrolment form must be filled in. Please see the Director for more information.
Management of unwell Children at the Service
v If a child becomes unwell whilst at the Service, the parents/guardians will be notified and asked to take the child home. The child will be made comfortable and separated from other children until he or she is collected.
v All illness at the Service is recorded in the accident/illness record which should be signed by parents on collection of the child.
v Should your child be ill before school in the morning please do not send him or her to the service and risk infection spreading. This is particularly important if a child has vomited or had a high fever. Sick children are best kept at home for their own comfort and wellbeing and to reduce the risk of infecting others.
Exclusion due to outbreak of infectious diseases
v The service follows the guidelines of the National Health and Medical Research Council with regard to infectious disease outbreaks. (Information available at the service and on our website)
v A medical certificate is required after contracting diseases such as diphtheria, hepatitis A, polio, tuberculosis, typhoid and paratyphoid before the adult or child can be re-admitted into the Service.
v Non immunised children will be excluded during an outbreak of specific diseases such as measles and whooping cough at the Service.
v The Service will display a notice on the noticeboard informing staff members, parents of enrolled children and visitors to the premises of the exclusion due to the infectious disease.
v In the case of serious ill health or hospitalisation the child will require a medical certificate verifying that their recovery is sufficient to enable their return to the Service, from their medical practitioner or specialist.
v The service will keep a supply of current Health Department resources on common infectious diseases, which are available to parents and staff. (OSHC QA Principle 6.3)
Head Lice
v Should it become evident that a child has head lice, the child will be kept separate from other children and parents will be asked to collect their child and keep them at home until appropriate treatment has been given and lice have been removed.
v The child can return to the Service the day after treatment has commenced and all live head lice have been removed. Children should be treated again approximately 10 days later to make sure all lice have been eradicated. More information is available on our website and at the Service.
v When an incident of head lice occurs at the service, a notice will be displayed to advise parents to check their children. Please ask for more information if you are not sure how to treat a lice outbreak effectively.
v Children and Staff are encouraged to wear hair tied up whilst they are at the service as a preventative measure.
Accident/Illness reports
Parents please remember, in the event of an accident or illness, (you may be advised firstly by phone); you are required to sign a notification sheet on collection of your child. Discuss with staff if your child’s name is highlighted on the sign out sheet.
Who has access to the Service?
Philosophy- Equal access; meeting community needs.
Legislation- Children and Young People Act 2008; DEEWR Child Care Service Handbook; Community Services Regulations 2002; Privacy Act 1988.
Policy Statement
Access for families and children to the centre will be non-discriminatory, will ensure the safety and care of all children at the service, and will protect the rights of parents &/or guardians. Enrolment will be subject to the Commonwealth Government priority of access guidelines. Other members of the community will be provided access to the centre where it enhances the quality of the program, protects the welfare and rights of children and staff and provides training and experience to members of the children’s services field.
Policy Implementation
Equal Opportunity principles will be observed in relation to access to the Service for children, parents and staff.
Enrolments
· Enrolments will be accepted according to the Commonwealth Government “Priority of Access” Guidelines.
· If a place is not immediately available at the centre the family may be put onto a waiting list
· Enrolment forms will be updated annually or when a family’s circumstances change, to ensure information is current and correct. Enrolment information will be kept in a confidential file. Access to this information is available only to the Director, Centre Staff, Parent, Commonwealth Officers and Licensing Officers.
· Committee members’ children will not be given special consideration above their own priority of access.
· Exclusion of children from the service will only occur after all other avenues of communication and support have been exhausted and /or when:
- a child puts other children at risk through inappropriate behaviour.
· Subject to any State or Federal Equal Opportunity legislation, the Centre reserves the right to exclude a child from the Service for any reason connected to the welfare of the child and the welfare of staff and other children or parents who use the service.
Orientation
We invite new families to visit the service with their child at a time that suits them. Families can be shown around the service and children can see the service in operation. Older or more familiar children can act as a Buddy, to help new children settle in.
Although it is expected that children attending the service have good toileting skills, accidents can happen. We suggest kindergarten children or children with a history of toileting accidents have an extra change of underpants and shorts/tracksuit pants in their bags. Children are less anxious about such instances if they can change quietly into their own clothes.
Evacuation Drills can be a bit scary for small children, but are necessary to equip children to leave risk areas in emergency situations. We practice such drills at least once per term. You may like to discuss this procedure at home with your child to reassure them that they are only drills to help them know what to do ‘just in case’.
Guiding Children’s Behaviour
Philosophy – Staff will undertake to provide a secure, caring, stimulating environment with consistent expectations and clear guidelines about acceptable behaviours, which will be actively promoted.
Legislation – Commonwealth OSHCQA principle 2.3
Policy statement
Children attending Before and After School Care are expected to follow the rules of the service and the BRICK principle of the school. Belonging, Respect, Individuality, Cooperation and Kindness. When a child continues to behave in an unacceptable manner, parents/guardians will be consulted and asked to work with staff to ensure discipline techniques are consistent and clear.
Policy Implementation.
· Limits to behaviour will be clearly expressed in positive terms and reinforced consistently in a developmentally appropriate way. Children will be encouraged to express their feelings in acceptable ways and to settle their differences in a peaceful manner.