OSHC Parent Handbook 2012 - Nailsworth Primary School

CONTENTS
Directors Welcome 2
Philosophy 3
Service Goal 3
Communication Objective 3
Children’s Program Policy 3
Behavior Management 4
Management Committee 4
Hours of Operation 4
Sign In / Sign Out of Children 5
Confidentiality 5
OSHC and Vacation Care Staff 5
Nailsworth OSHC Fee Structure 6
OSHC Bookings/Absences 6
Cancellation Policy 7
Child Care Benefit 7
Payment of Accounts 7
Late Fee 7
Priority of Access 8
Illness / First Aid / Contagious Diseases 8
Medication 9
Sun Protection 10
Asthma Friendly 10
Healthy Eating 11
Nutrition Policy 11
Grievance Procedures 12
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Nailsworth Primary School
2 Balfour Street
Nailsworth SA 5083
Telephone: 83449700
Facsimile: 82695330
Email: nailsworthoshc1@bigpond.com
Website: www.nailps.sa.edu.au
Principal: Chris Cesco
Director OSHC: Leith Stace
I would like to welcome you to Nailsworth Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and Vacation Care.
At Nailsworth OSHC we believe that every child is special and every child has the right to feel safe.
While your child is at Nailsworth OSHC / Vacation Care they will be provided with plenty of opportunities to
participate in outdoor play, sport’s crafts, complete their homework and relax.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to one of the OSHC/Vacation Care
staff members.
We are currently accredited with the National Child Care Accreditation Council. We recently received High
Quality in all eight areas.
A copy of our centre’s policies is available at the Sign In / Sign Out area.
I hope you and your family enjoy your time at Nailsworth OSHC / Vacation Care.
Leith Stace
Director
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The following information is provided for all families attending Nailsworth Primary School OSHC Program.
PHILOSOPHY
At Nailsworth OSHC we will support the lifestyle choices of families by creating a Friendly, Caring Environment
that respects each person’s life experiences.
We aim to provide an atmosphere where children are able to be themselves, and accept others for the contributions
they make. We acknowledge the differences in each other and utilize these strengths to broaden our own interests.
We also acknowledge the importance of each stage of children’s development (early years, primary years, middle
years). The programmed experiences in both OSHC and Vacation Care will reflect these stages in a child’s
development process. Children will be given the opportunity to experience play appropriate to their age groups.
SERVICE GOAL
The goal of our service is to provide a high level of care at all times.
To achieve our goal we aim to provide a centre that has high quality in the following areas:
- Respect for children
- Staff interactions and relationships with children
- Partnerships with families and community links
- Programming and evaluation
- Play and development
- Health, nutrition and well-being
- Protective care and safety
- Managing to ensure quality.
COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVE
Our objective is to offer an inclusive communication approach to new ideas and diversity by accepting a level of
participation from every family that is made in their own way. We use this to enhance the partnership that exists.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME POLICY
Nailsworth Outside School Hours Care will provide a program developmentally appropriate to the needs of the
children attending the service, and will provide for the development of each child’s social, physical, emotional,
language skills and creativity.
The Program policy will be implemented by completing the following:
� A program will be developed for all aspects of the service.
� The program will be balanced, providing a range of indoor / outdoor experiences, quiet / active times,
structured / unstructured activities and opportunities to learn and practice life and social skills.
� Programs will include opportunities that foster and enhance:
o Friendships between children
o Individual child / staff interactions
o Co operative and responsible behavior’s among children
o Individual and group interests
� We recognize the importance of play in the development of children (early years, primary years, middle years)
and provide equipment and experiences to promote this development.
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� Programs will be flexible enough to allow for spontaneity, enjoyment and the unexpected.
� Programs will be displayed where parents are able to see them.
� A copy of the Vacation Care program will be provided for each family.
� The children will be encouraged to take an active role in the planning of all aspects of the programme.
� The service will provide a variety of equipment, toys and materials for all children to play with. Age and
gender appropriate equipment will be supplied.
� Children will be actively involved in programming processes through discussions and conversations, group
sessions and planning; their suggestions and opinions will be listened to and acted on.
� Children will be supervised at all times.
� Staff will join in the children’s activities where appropriate and encourage them to try new experiences.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT POLICY
Aim:
To manage Children’s behaviour in a respectful manner within a safe and caring environment.
Strategies:
The following strategies are used:
� remind children of the correct behaviour
� time out – 5 minutes
� time out – 15 minutes
� meeting with parents / caregivers
� should a child’s behaviour not change a behaviour record is filled in by the child, signed by leadership and
sent home for signing by the parent / caregiver.
� during the process ongoing discussions will occur with the Child, Director / Staff member / Principal.
After all avenues for a positive resolution have been exhausted the child may be suspended from the centre.
MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
OSHC and Vacation Care is the responsibility of a committee of Governing Council. The Management Committee
consists of the School Principal, OSHC Director and parents who have been elected at the Centre’s AGM.
HOURS OF OPERATION
Before School Care 6:45am – 8:45am Monday – Friday (School term)
After School Care 3:15pm – 6:15pm Monday – Friday (School term)
Pupil Free Day 8:00am – 6:00pm School term
Vacation Care 8:00am – 6:00pm School Holidays
This programme does not open on Public Holidays or between Christmas and New Year. Occasional extra closed
days may occur, in consultation with families.
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SIGN IN / SIGN OUT OF CHILDREN
It is the parent’s responsibility to sign the Attendance Sheet when their child/ren arrives at Before School Care and
when they are picking up children from After School Care. If somebody else apart from a parent is picking up your
child, you must notify an OSHC staff member prior to the day.
Confidentiality
Nailsworth OSHC protects the privacy and confidentiality of individuals by ensuring that all records and information
about individual children, families, staff and management are kept in a secure place and are accessed by or disclosed
to those people who need the information to fulfill their responsibilities at the service or have a legal right to know.
NAILSWORTH OSHC / VACATION CARE STAFF
Leith Stace Director OSHC / Vacation Care
Sharon James Assistant Director OSHC / Vacation Care
Robina Crampsas Assistant Director OSHC/Vacation Care
Simon McIntyre Children’s Services Professional OSHC / Vacation Care
Adele Pepper Children’s Services Professional OSHC / Vacation Care
Nick Papadopoulos Children’s Services Professional OSHC/Vacation Care
Nicole Michael Children’s Services Professonal OSHC/Vacation Care
Maree Papadopoulos Children’s Services Assistant OSHC/Vacation Care
Christina Sianis Children’s Services Assistant OSHC/Vacation Care
Thomas Maglaris Children’s Service Assistant OSHC/Vacation Care
Lisa Howell Children’s Service Assistant OSHC/Vacation Care
Ellie Katsaparas Children’s Service Assistant OSHC/Vacation Care
Joshua Fielder Children’s Service Assistant OSHC/Vacation Care
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FEE STRUCTURE
Session Cost Hours of Care
Before School Care $8.50 2.00
After School Care $15.50 3.00
Vacation Care $45.00 10.00
Pupil Free Day $45.00 10.00
Fees are current as of 5 th September, 2011.
OSHC BOOKINGS / ABSENCES
Permanent or Casual Bookings can be made for Before School, After School and Vacation Care. The Director can be
contacted before 9:00am or after 2:30pm each day on 8344 9700. Messages may also be left on the Centre’s
answering machine during the day.
If your child is required to attend After School Care but is unaware that they are attending, please notify the School
(8269 4622) so that the message can be relayed to your child.
If you fail to contact the centre of any cancellations your child will need to be marked as absent and you will be
required to pay the full fee.
Child Care Benefit is paid for up to 42 allowable absences for each child per financial year. Each child receives a
new set of 42 allowable absence days at the beginning of each financial year. Once the 42 absence days have been
used parents will be billed for the full fee. We are required to comply with the absence guidelines as set by the Office
of Early Childhood Education and Child Care.
There are two types of allowable absence days as explained below:
Approved Absences are those that are taken for specific reasons, including:
� Illness (with a medical certificate)
� Outbreak of an infectious disease which the child is not immunized.
� The child is absent from the session of care on a day when the school normally attended by the child or his or
her sibling is closed for the day (other than school holidays)
� Public Holidays.
We are required to have a copy of the child’s medical certificate if the child is absent due to illness longer than 2 days.
There is no limit on the number of approved absences taken, providing relevant supporting documentation is
supplied.
Allowable Absences are those that occur where the child is absent for any reason that does not met the criteria for
an approved absence, and it is a day on which care would normally be provided. There is a limit of 42 allowable
absences per child in each financial year, regardless of the number of services used.
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CANCELLATION POLICY
Please be aware that if your child is booked into childcare on any given day and you do not cancel you are liable to
pay for this place, even if your child does not attend. After School Care cancellations will only be taken before
8:45am of that day. Notification must be given to the Director or Leader of the session. If your child goes home sick
from school it is the parents’ responsibility to contact Nailsworth OSHC.
Bookings for Vacation Care will need to be accompanied by a $5.00 per day booking fee. This booking fee will be
taken off of your fees. (Bookings will not be accepted unless the $5.00 per day fee is paid). This payment can be
made at the School’s Finance Office or at the OSHC Centre. If your child does not attend on the day the booking
fee will not be refunded unless notification of cancellation was received by 6:00pm on the previous day.
CHILD CARE BENEFIT
When enrolling at this service parent / Guardians are required to provide the Director with Parent’s / Guardians
Birthdates and both Parents and Children’s CRN numbers. We are required to have this correct information to ensure
that Child Care benefit can be applied to the account. Failure to provide this information correctly will result in parents
/ Guardians in paying full fees.
It is the parent’s responsibility to notify the centre if a child attends this service and another form of approved child
care.
Centre link will then supply us with your entitlement percentage. It is the parent’s responsibility to contact the
Family Assistance Office 136 150 to receive a CRN number if the parent currently does not have one. You are
required to have a CRN number even if you do not want to receive Child Care Benefit. If you do not have a CRN
number and provide birthdates you will be unable to receive the 50% Child Care rebate.
PAYMENT OF ACCOUNTS
The accounts are sent home on a fortnightly basis through the School’s Internal Mail. Your eldest child will receive
the accounts. You can pay your accounts with the Director/OSHC Staff members or with the Finance Officer at the
School. We accept cash, cheques or credit card. Direct debit onto your credit card is available for the payment of
your accounts.
LATE FEE
If children are not picked up at 6.15pm a $1.00 per minute per child late fee will be implemented. If children are still
present at the centre at 6.30pm a $5.00 per minute per child will be implemented until the child / ren are picked up
from the centre.
If a child is picked up at 6:00pm from Vacation Care parents will be charged $1.00 per minute, if a child is still not
picked up from the service at 6.15pm a $5.00 per minute per child will be implemented until the child/ren are picked
up from the service.
Should the Parents/Guardians not pick up their child by 6:15pm the Director will attempt to contact the
Parents/Guardians, however, if this is not possible the police will be notified of the situation.
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PRIORITY OF ACCESS
The Australian Government funds childcare with a major purpose of meeting the childcare needs of Australian
families. However, the demand for child care sometimes exceeds supply in some locations.
The Australian Government has determined guidelines for allocating places in these circumstances. They set out the
following three levels of priority, which child care providers must follow when filling vacant places:
1. A child at risk of serious abuse or neglect
2. A child of a single parent who satisfies, or of both parents who both satisfy, the work/training/study test
under Section 14 of the Family Assistance Act
3. Any other child.
ILLNESS / FIRST AID / CONTAGIOUS DISEASES
The centre aims to provide a healthy environment in which children will grow and learn about the world around them.
The application of preventative measures through an infection control process aims to prevent the spread of infection
and will be followed by all people in the outside school hours care centre at all times.
Strategies and Practices
� All staff and children are required to observe and maintain high standards of hygiene in the provision of the
Outside School Hours Care Service.
� Staff will be provided with information regarding infection control and regular updates will be provided at staff
meetings.
� Hand washing is considered to be the most effective way of controlling infection in the centre.
� Notices, which clearly explain effective hand washing procedures, will be displayed next to hand washing
basins.
� The centre will ensure that toilets and hand washing facilities are easily accessible to children.
� Surfaces will be cleaned with detergent after each activity and all surfaces will be disinfected with Milton
solution each day.
� Each child will be provided with their own drinking and eating utensils at each mealtime. Staff will encourage
children not to use drinking or eating utensils, which have been used by another child or dropped on the floor.
� Food will be prepared; kept and served hygienically.
� The principles of hygiene will be included in the child’s program and staff will initiate discussion about these
subjects with groups and individual children at appropriate times.
� Parents / guardians will be encouraged to immunize their child against all diseases appropriate to the child’s
age.
� Children who are not immunized will be excluded from care during outbreaks of some infectious diseases
such as measles and whooping cough.
� Children or staff members with infectious diseases will be excluded from the centre until the infection clears.
� Parents / Guardians are required to notify staff at the centre of any infectious disease that their child may
have contacted.
� The centre will display a notice on the front door and sign in area to notify staff members, parents of enrolled
children and visitors to the premises of exclusion due to an infectious disease.
The following table shows the exclusion period that must be followed:
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Chicken Pox Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 5 days after eruption first appears. Note that
some remaining scabs are not a reason for continued exclusion
Conjunctivitis Until there is no discharge from the eyes
Diarrhea Exclude until diarrhea ceases
Slap Face Exclusion is not necessary
Hand, Foot & Mouth Disease Exclude until blisters have dried
Head Lice Until treatment has rid hair of all nits and lice
School Sores (Impetigo) Until the sores have healed or are properly covered with a dressing.
Influenza Exclude until well
Measles Exclude for at least 4 days after the onset of the rash
Mumps Exclude for 9 days or until swelling goes down (whichever is sooner)
Ringworm/ Tinea Exclude until the day after appropriate treatment has commenced
Rubella (German Measles) Exclude until fully recovered or for at least 4 days after the onset of the rash
Whooping Cough Exclude for 5 days after starting antibiotic treatment
Worms Exclude if diarrhea present
All staff leaders have their Senior First Aid Certificate. Other staff have BELS First Aid. The staff member will
provide first aid and complete the Accident/Illness Book. Parents will be notified and need to sign the Accident/Illness
Book located at the Sign In area.
If your child becomes ill while at the Service, the Director will notify you that your child needs to be picked up. If we
are unable to contact the Parent/Guardian, the emergency contact will be notified.
MEDICATION POLICY
� The following strategies will be followed at Nailsworth Outside School Hours care concerning medication.
Strategies and Practices
� The giving of medication to children will be strictly monitored to ensure children’s safety and welfare.
� Whenever possible medication should be administered at home.
� Parents are asked to consider whether children who require medication are well enough to be at the centre.
Children need to be kept home if unwell.
� Only prescribed medications, or medications accompanied by an explanatory letter from the child’s doctor will
be administered. This is to ensure an appropriate medicine is given to children at all times.
� Medication will be stored at the centre in a secure area away from children access. If medication needs to be
refrigerated the medication needs to be in a secure place in the fridge.
� Medication will only be administered by the centre staff if:
1. It is prescribed by a doctor and has the original pharmacist’s dispensing label, or a letter from the child’s
Doctor, detailing the child’s name, name of medication, dosage, frequency, the way it is to be
administered, date of dispensing and expiry date.
2. The parent / guardian has completed and signed an authority to give medication form on the day on
which the medication is to be administered.
� Medication must be given directly to a staff member and not left in the child’s bag or locker.
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ASTHMA FRIENDLY
All OSHC and Vacation Care staff members have completed an Asthma First Aid course. The Nailsworth OSHC is
recognized as an Asthma Friendly Centre. Can you please make sure we have the most up to date information on
your child’s Asthma plan.
SUN HATS
Please note we are an Asthma Friendly Centre.
As part of our Sun Protection Policy we have a ‘No Hat, No Play’ Policy. Can you please make sure a hat is in your
child’s school bag at all times. Alternatively, you can supply a hat that can be left at the OSHC building. The OSHC
programme provides a limited amount of spare hats for children.
Sun Protection Policy
Policy Statement
Nailsworth OSHC has a duty of care to ensure that all persons are provided with a high level of sun protection during
the hours of the services operations.
It is understood by staff / carers, children and families that there is a shared responsibility between the service and
other stakeholders that the sun protection policy and procedures are accepted as a high priority.
In meeting Nailsworth OSHC duty of care, it is a requirement that management and staff implement and endorse the
service’s sun protection policy and ensure a level of protection to all persons who access the services facilities and /
or programs.
Strategies and Practices
� The peak UV radiation periods are 11.00am – 4.00pm during daylight saving and between 10.00am – 3.00pm
at other times of the year. Activities in direct sunlight will be limited during these times or when UV levels are
3 and above. (advised by weather reports)
� The service will consider the availability of shade when planning and programming for outdoor play
experiences or excursions.
� Outdoor equipment that is not fixed will utilize the shaded areas of the outdoor environment at all times of the
day.
� The service will plan and program for outdoor play experiences and excursions during non-peak UV radiation
hours of the day.
� All children must wear an approved sun protective hat that is either: a broad brimmed, bucket or legionnaire’s
style, when outdoors.
� It is recommended that a sun protective hat adequately cover the face, back of the neck and ears according
to sun smart guidelines .
� Children who do not have a hat will be asked to play indoors, however this may not always be possible due to
staffing ratios. Therefore, children without hats will be restricted to shaded areas when outdoors if children
cannot be supervised indoors.
� If the forecast at 6.00pm the night before is above 33 degrees and the planned excursion is based outside
the excursion needs to be cancelled. If planned excursions are inside based, the excursion can still go
ahead.
� Longer style tops and shorts are acceptable items of clothing to protect children from the sun.
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� Sleeveless Dresses and singlet’s are not considered as appropriate clothing to protect children from the sun.
Sun safe attire is essential.
� SPF 30+ broad-spectrum water resistant sunscreen is applied to exposed skin of children.
� The service supplies sunscreen.
� Permission will be sought at enrolment from the family for the service to apply sunscreen.
� In warmer months sunscreen will be encouraged to be reapplied every two hours (or as per manufacturers
instructions).
� Some children may present with an allergic reaction to sunscreen. In this situation, the service will stop
applying the sunscreen, notify the family as soon as possible, and request that the family supply appropriate
sunscreen.
� Children will be encouraged to apply sunscreen themselves.
� Water will be offered to children throughout the day regardless of indoor or outdoor play settings.
� Children are able to bring in water bottles from home and are encouraged to access water to drink through
out the day.
� Children learn through example and role modeling is an important strategy in encouraging the children to be
sun smart.
� Staff, children and volunteers must comply with the sun protection policy.
Staff and volunteers must wear a sun protective hat and clothing, apply 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen, and seek
shade whenever possible when supervising outdoors or facilitating children’s play experiences and excursions.
HEALTHY EATING
Please note we are a Sun Smart Centre recognized by the Cancer Council SA.
The aim of our Nutrition Policy is to provide healthy and varied food choices and to encourage healthy eating habits in
children. We ask that you provide your children with a healthy lunch each day of Vacation Care. Please limit the
amount of unhealthy food and drinks you provide.
We provide a healthy after school snack each day for children in the program.
A healthy breakfast is offered to all children who attend Before School Care. Healthy morning and afternoon snacks
are provided for the children in Vacation Care.
NUTRITION POLICY
Food provided at Nailsworth OSHC will be nutritious and varied. Snack times and activities involving food preparation
will provide positive learning experiences for children, who will be encouraged to develop healthy eating habits.
We will ensure:
� Food is prepared and stored hygienically.
� The service provides children with balanced snacks that meet the recommended nutritional needs of
children.
� Where possible snacks and drinks will reflect a wide variety of cultures, especially the cultural backgrounds
of families within the local community.
� Children’s food activities will be chosen from a variety of cultures.
� Snacks and drinks will be appetizing and provide variety. Where possible, fresh produce will be used.
� Menus will be planned with input from children, parents and staff.
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� Drinking water will always be available and accessible to staff and children.
� Snack and meal times will have a regular time. Small, nutritious snacks will be available throughout the
session.
� Staff will demonstrate healthy eating habits to children.
� If a child has special food needs (eg cultural requirements or food allergies), the service will work with
parents to develop a plan to meet the child’s needs. (Parents need to inform the service of any changes.)
� The importance of good, healthy food will be discussed with children during snack time, as appropriate.
� Parents/Guardians are provided with suggestions for healthy food and drink choices.
� Staff are encouraged to attend professional development on food and nutrition related issues.
� The Rite Bite Food and Drink Spectrum are followed when planning breakfast and snack menus.
GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
Objectives
� To be free of all forms of harassment.
� We are committed to providing a working and learning environment. All staff accept the responsibility to
demonstrate high standards of conduct, be well informed on harassment issues and grievance procedures.
� The Centre will implement and maintain a harassment policy.
Harassment is any unwanted, repeated or unwelcome advance or action – verbal or non-verbal.
� All employees of have a right to be treated equally as professional people.
� The school aims for a healthy and positive climate for staff and student relationships.
� Forms of harassment between children (child to child) will be responded to with sensitivity, always
considering the rights of children.
For Students
Harassment makes you feel angry, sad, embarrassed and unsafe. If you are being harassed you can:
1. Tell the person to stop.
2. Talk to your friends, staff member or parents/guardians.
3. Get your friends or teacher to help you talk to the person and give them a warning.
If the person harasses you again:
1. Tell the Staff Member, / OSHC Director or Principal.
2. The person will go to Time Out.
3. The Director will inform parents/guardians.
For Parents / Guardians
For any concern about a matter relating to your child, make an appointment to talk over the issue.
� If the matter is still unresolved speak to the Director / Deputy / Principal/Grievance Contact Personnel
� If still concerned about the outcome, contact DECS through the East Metro District Director.
� Should all of the above fail, raise the matter with your local Member of Parliament.
For Staff
� Make an appointment to talk over the issue with the staff member concerned.
� If the matter is unresolved speak to the Director / Principal / Deputy Principal /
School Grievance Contact Personnel.
� Should the matter still not be resolved within two working days either by way of an agreed resolution or by
negotiating an agreed method and timeframe, refer to the District Director.
�
A person who is harassed has the right to lodge a complaint directly with the Commissioner for Equal Opportunity.
Implementation Date 23/2/2011 – To be reviewed 23/2/2012
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