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Jigsaw Childcare Perth :: Carrington Childcare :: Centre Programs
Our Childcare Program
Our staff are supportive and encouraging, and communicate with the children in a friendly, positive and courteous manner to establish a warm and caring relationship with each child in their care. Each day, the staff member responsible for your child will discuss your child’s day with you. Please take advantage of this time to discover your child’s highs and lows for the day.
Staff Staff/child ratios are as per state government “Child Care” regulations.
Child: Staff Ratio Licensed per Room 0-2 years 1:4 8 Children 2-3 years 1:5 10 Children 3-5 years 1:10 30 Children 5-12years 1:10 Total of 48 children in the centre
Staff Selection Carrington Child Care strives to achieve a consistency within the staff that we employ. Our full time carers have been with us for many years and remain with the same age groups to provide stability and familiarity for the children. Our part-time and relief staff are familiar with the centre and its daily operation, as they have also been with us for extended periods. All staff have the flexibility to work within all rooms and age groups of the centre with confidence and appropriate knowledge to meet the children’s needs. All staff have provided the centre management with medical and Working with Children Checks. (A requirement of the Child Care Regulations). The majority of our staff have current First Aid qualifications.
Qualifications The first staff member in each of our rooms has a Diploma in Childrens Services (Childcare) or equivelant. The second carer in your childs room will have their Certificate 3 in Childrens Services. All staff are encouraged and given the opportunity to continue their education and maintain current pratices through ongoing training and inservices. Training attended by staff will be displayed at the main entrance at the time of training to inform parents.
Students/Volunteers The centre offers student placements to high school students who wish to gain work experience as part of their school program. Places are also offered to students attending Early Childhood or Childcare training at college or university. All placements will be negotiated with the Supervising Officer and students will be provided with clear guidelines in relation to their responsibility and code of conduct whilst in the centre. Students will not be left unsupervised with children and if over 18 years of age must have a “Working with Children” check.
Developmental Program The centre will provide a program that is developmentally appropriate to the needs of the children attending the service, and stimulates and provides for the development of each child’s social, physical, emotional and intellectual potential, including language skills and creativity, without substituting for the care they receive from parents/guardians. The program is child centered, and takes a “hands on approach, with staff acting as facilitators who create an environment and experience which are stimulating, safe, nurturing and fun. The program will be balanced and provide for; - indoor/outdoor learning experiences - quiet/active times, - individual/small/large group time, - time for individual staff/child interaction - children’s individual and group interests - children with special needs, and - be flexible to allow for spontaneity and the unexpected. Programs will be displayed in each room. Parents/guardians are encouraged to discuss and have an input into the program. The programs are based on individual and group observations. Each child will have their own progress record file with general information, child’s profile, observations, art work, photos, program plan and developmental summary. Families are encouraged to look through their child’s file and comment on their progress. For detailed discussions with the Qualified caregiver of your child, please make an appointment.
Diversity and Inclusion The centre aims to provide an environment which is free from bias and prejudice in which children learn the principles of fairness and respect for the uniqueness of each person. Differences in backgrounds, culture and abilities are valued and families are actively encouraged to share their experiences with staff, carers and other families. The centre will ensure that appropriate inclusion support services are accessed and referred to families in order to support childrens well-being and full inclusion into the program
Centre Routines The activities that happen at the centre are built around the daily routines. Children need routines to help them to settle and feel comfortable in the Centre. Please discuss your child’s routines with their caregiver. Routines are built around the regular events of the day, i.e. arrival, snacks/drinks, toileting/nappy change, main meals, washing, dressing, sleeping and departure, and take into account the developmental needs of individual children, children’s attendance patterns, climate and physical environment, the number and ages of children within a group, children with special needs, new children entering the group and parent expectations. Each room has their own individual routine, which are flexible to allow for weather, child dynamics within the room and staffing. A general guideline is as follows;
6.30am Centre Opens – Family time in babies room 7.30am Children and staff begin to move to their own rooms and prepare for the days experiences. 9.00am Morning Tea 9.30am Planned Program in individual rooms, either indoors or outdoors 11.00am Babies and Toddlers have lunch 11.30am 3-5 room has lunch Babies and Toddlers settle down for sleep/rest time 12.00am 3-5s settle down to sleep/rest time 1.00pm- 2.00pm Children awake, staff prepare for afternoon experiences 2.30pm Babies and Toddlers have afternoon tea 3.00pm 3-5s have afternoon tea Planned Program in individual rooms, either indoors or Outdoors. 5.00pm Children and staff begin to re-group for family time, as parents are collecting children 6.00pm Centre Closes
*Babies routine is flexible to allow for individual children’s home routines
Daily requirements for your child Things you will need to remember to bring with your child for their day: - A bag to keep their belongings in - A hat that can be kept at the centre for outdoor play - Suitable footwear - A change of clothes that allows for toileting accidents, spillages and changes in weather - Nappies (if needed) - Bottles and formula (if needed) - Comforters e.g. dummies, rug, teddy
Mealtimes The centre has a Food Preparer who cooks home-style foods on a daily basis. The menu aims to reflect a wide variety of cultures, and provide children with at least 50% of their recommended daily dietary intake (as recommended in the “Start Right, Eat Right” program). Menus will be displayed at the front entrance of the centre and parents /guardians of infants and toddlers will be advised of their child’s food intake each day. Mealtimes will be treated as social occasions. Caregivers will sit with the children and interact with them to encourage good eating habits and an appreciation of a variety of foods. Children will be assisted where required but will be encouraged to be independent and to help themselves wherever appropriate.
Rest Times Staff will consult with families at all times in regard to their child’s sleeping/rest patterns and will provide a comfortable place for sleep/rest at all times. Staff will encourage children to sleep in order to meet their individual developmental needs. Quiet activities will be made available for children to experience whilst other children sleep. Comforters and/or security toys may be brought in for sleep/rest periods, however such items must not impact on the safety of children whilst sleeping. Where possible staff will implement recommendations from SIDS within the centres sleep/rest routines. Other factors such as age of child, cultural needs and requests from parents will also be considered when tailoring individual sleeping patterns. Information on safe sleeping practices from SIDS is available at the centre.
Babies Bottles We take particular care to ensure that babies bottles are hygienically prepared and stored. We ask parents to assist us in this by complying with the following requirements. You are asked to ensure your babies bottles are fully made up with formula and the child’s name is clearly written on them. Please also mark name on caps, tops and dummies. If you require staff to make up your child’s bottles please ensure that staff have accurate measurements and instructions, as most formulas have different directions. It is a good idea to leave extra milk as, from time to time, a growing baby’s needs change and more milk is required. If your baby is not on formula, you are required to bring in an empty bottle and the centre can supply the cows milk. Mothers who are breastfeeding are welcome at the centre throughout the day to be able to feed their baby.
Toilet Training It is important that we work in partnership with parents in meeting children’s toileting training needs. Consistency and continuity is important for children learning to use the toilet. Please communicate with the staff in the room your child attends so they can follow the routines you have in place for toilet training. Staff will discuss sighns of toileting readiness with you and work with you to develop a consistent approach to toilet training. Please bring in sufficient jocks/undies and spare clothes when your child is toilet training
Sun Protection Carrington Childcare encourages a Sunsmart approach to sun protection. To ensure that all children are protected from sun damage and high ultra violet rays, the centre implements the following;
What should your child wear? It is important that children are dressed in comfortable clothes that do not restrict their enjoyment o participation at the centre. Please dress your child suitably for play activities in clothes that you do not mind getting grubby with paint, mud, sand or glue. We do provide aprons but clothes can still get stained. Children need to have a pair of shoes and a hat, clearly marked with their name. Parents are asked to provide footwear that is suitable to being active. Staff will assess outdoor environments for safety issues such as insects (bees) before sending the children outside without shoes. If you have a preference as to whether your child does or does not wear shoes please inform staff. You will also need to provide an extra set of clothes in your child’s bag to change into should the need arise. We recommend at least two pairs of spare undies are included. Babies need at least three spare nappies. If your child goes home in day care clothes we ask that you wash them and return them to the centre. Your child's bag and all personal items should be clearly labeled with your child’s name. This will help to minimize loss of items. If your child is accidently sent home with something that does not belong to him or her, we ask you return it next time you attend the centre.
Personal Toys We understand that many children like to bring toys to the Centre, however “sharing” these with other children can be a difficult concept for a child to grasp. We believe it is better to leave personal toys at home. Our Pre-school program does have a “news time” where children can show or tell something to their friends. If toys are brought into the centre for this purpose children are reminded that they are to be kept in their bags or with the carers until it is News Time. Please speak to the carers for more details. Please let your child bring a security toy (i.e. dummy, rug, teddy etc). Ensure these toys are clearly labeled with your child’s name. Toys from home can cause children great distress if it is lost, broken or played with by another child. Whilst care is taken the centre will take no responsibility for broken or lost toys that do not belong to the centre. Children can sometimes, accidently put Centre toys in their bags and take home. Please bring these back, it can become very expensive to keep replacing lost items.
Special Events We consider that special events which during the year provide an excellent learning and socializing opportunity for the children. Programs will reflect the cultural differences of all families using the service. The Centre will celebrate special events with the children that reflect the cultural heritage and ethnic origins of children attending the service. The following are examples of events celebrated each year;
The Centre understands that some parents may not wish their child to participate in some celebrations. When your child starts at the Centre please inform staff of any special occasions that you would or would not like your child to be apart of.
Supervision The Centre will maintain high levels of supervision of children at all times. The staff:child ratios contained within the Children & Community Services (Child Care) Regulations 2006 will be strictly adhered to at the Centre. Children will be appropriately supervised at all times. Staff will position themselves where they can see all children under their supervision, listen carefully to what is happening and know the children individually so they can anticipate their needs. Staff will join in the children’s play and encourage them to try new experiences
Guiding Children’s Behaviour
The centre will provide a secure, loving and stimulating environment which encourages children to co-operate, enhances their self esteem and encourages their ability to interact with others, and where acceptable behaviour is promoted and any recriminations are kept to a minimum. You are encourage to discuss your child’s behaviour with the qualified staff in your child’s playroom to ensure consistent behaviour expectations between home and the Centre. Limits to children’s behaviour will always be clearly expressed in positive terms and reinforced consistently in a developmentally appropriate way. Children will be encouraged to settle their differences in a peaceful manner. The staff will focus on positive behaviour, providing praise and encouragement where appropriate. Wherever possible, problems will be prevented before they arise by using methods such as diversion and providing enough equipment for all. Limits We find the following limits necessary to protect the safety and wellbeing of every child and we ask parents to reinforce these with their child.
Developing a supportive relationship with the children encourages them to learn skills in self-discipline. Punishing a child stops the negative behaviour for a while but does not teach a child self restraint. The consequences of negative behaviour will be discussed with the child and will be consistently followed through. No further punishment will be given and the child will be reminded of in positive terms of the expected behaviour. A “coolng off” period may be needed so the child can calm down before discussing what happened and share their feelings with the caregiver. At no time will a child receive any form of corporal punishment. If children consistently display unacceptable behaviour the senior staff member in the child’s playroom will ensure;
Biting and hitting are normal behaviours in the development of most childre , usually caused by frustration through lack of verbal communication skills. These behaviours will be dealt with using the same positive behaviour guiding strategies that staff use to deal with other unacceptable behaviours. Members of staff are always available to discuss such issues with you and will work with you to address any persistent behaviour problems.
Alternative Care After the child has been given every chance to respond positively and parents have been provided with responses regarding the strategies used to improve their child’s behaviour., and if all methods fail to result in a positive change, the Supervising Officer will discuss alternative care with the parent, in consideration of the health and safety of other children in care.
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