About the Centre's Conditions of Enrolment
All profit is reinvested in children and the community - children always come first!
Fees
- Fees are payable in advance, on a weekly basis.
NON-PAYMENT OF FEES WILL RESULT IN EXCLUSION FROM THE CHILDREN’S CENTRE UNTIL THE ACCOUNT IS PAID IN FULL.
Statements will be forwarded to families at the end of each month. This is not a reminder to pay, merely a service to facilitate monitoring of your account.
The Centre Committee determines fees. These fees are subject to alteration by the Children’s Centre Committee (during the current year).
The compulsory payment period for staff and students is between the first day of first semester and the official end of the second semester examination period. If a booking is not used, for any reason, fees are still payable at the rate determined by the Committee and displayed on the Centre’s notice board.
Community users will be charged fees for their booked care each week, excepting periods when the Centre is closed.
- University Recurrent Allocation (Students) (URA-Students)
The purpose of this recurrent allocation to the Centre by the University is to support the cost of child care for those families whose parents are students of La Trobe University.
Definition of Student:
A student user is defined as a person who:
- is currently enrolled to undertake study at La Trobe University; and
- is the holder of a University Guild Membership Card for the year of usage.
This recurrent allocation is used to support student families using the Sessional Care service. If you withdraw from your studies the Centre must be notified immediately in writing of the effective withdrawal date.
If, through periodic checks, the Centre discovers you are no longer a student according to the above definition, the Centre’s Committee will reclaim all such monies.
This allocation (URA – Students) is only used to subsidise student use. The URA-Students monies will also be applied to cover the cost of student places vacated during the non-academic year in the Sessional Care Service. It will be known as URA – VAC.
Additional support is provided through government agencies to assist you in meeting the cost of care.
VARIATION OR TERMINATION OF ENROLMENT
Two (2) weeks notice of variation to enrolment or termination of enrolment is required in writing. Fees will continue to be payable until such notice is received.
ABSENCES AND YOUR CHILD CARE BENEFIT (CCB)
“Under the Child Care Management System (CCMS), CCB is paid for up to 42 days absences for each child per financial year without the need to provide documentation such as medical certificates.” Important information for families on the introduction of the Child Care Management System brochure DEEWR0846.0803
The2008 CCMS Reference Manual, Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations (DEEWR), provided to the Centre, states that CCB cannot be claimed after a child’s last day of actual attendance.
For example: if a family provides the Centre with two weeks notice terminating their child’s place (as required), and consequently do not use this child care, they will be charged full fee.
The Centre has been advised by DEEWR that it is best practice for parents to continue to:
- sign or initial attendance records for absences;
- continue to provide documentary evidence in the form of medical certificates, court orders or work related documentation to assist in the monitoring of absences throughout the year.
The CCMS online statement for parents provides details on absences and attendances: http://www.familyassist.gov.au/Internet/FAO/fao1.nsf/content/online_services
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HOLDING FEES
The following ruling will apply between the first day of first semester and the official end of the second semester examination period.
Holding fees (equivalent to the normal weekly fee) are fees charged to reserve a place in the Centre when your child/ren is/are not actually in care during a period that they would normally use.
Holding fees are charged during short-term absences.
For any continuous absence up to five (5) weeks the fees will be charged in full. For any continuous absence over five (5) weeks, the additional fees will be waived if written notification of intended absence is received three (3) months prior to the absence date.
In the case of illness or injury, any continuous absence up to three (3) weeks will be charged in full. For any continuous absence, due to illness or injury, over three (3) weeks, and providing a doctor’s certificate is presented, the fees will be waived after the initial three (3) week period. (Min. 244.9.1)
For any absence due to exclusion (refer point Exclusion) other than for those mentioned above, fees will be charged in full.
LATE FINES
“$20 for first 15 minutes or part thereof. An additional $20 for every half hour or part thereof.”
(Min.244.9.1)
Note: - ‘Childcare Benefit’ does not apply to this charge.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE FROM THE CENTRE
The Centre, as stated in our Mission and Strategic Plan (p.15 Centre Manual), " will provide a physical environment that encourages and maintains a safe caring situation for the young child". Due to increased commitments experienced by families within our society, along with a greater level of diversity within family structure, Centre Personnel are sometimes faced with the problem of dealing with parents re custodial matters, late collection of children and completion of forms in compliance with state regulatory requirements.
When such issues arise the Centre’s primary objective is to protect the child’s feelings of self worth and security, whilst clarifying with the parent/s the legal and/or financial implications of the situation.
On accepting a position for your child at the Centre you will undertake an extensive induction program, designed by the Centre. The child’s primary carer at the Centre will undertake to explain to you each point listed on the ‘Induction Checklist’. This document is then signed by both Centre Personnel and yourself. This process ensures an understanding of the regulatory requirements governing arrival and departure times, such as, signing in and out; completing and updating enrolment information; medication details; custodial details; and late fines and procedures.
The following statement provides an understanding of the regulatory requirements faced by both the Centre and family in relation to arrival and departure times:
The Centre opens at 8.15am Monday to Friday. Security Access cards issued to families as part of the enrolment process provides access to the Centre at 8.10am. Parents are requested not to leave the Centre until 8.15am. On arrival parents must ensure that their child/children are signed in. This is done in the child’s section and includes the arrival time. Parents must ensure that medication details are completed by authorised persons; they sign for variance to the menu provided forms; contact details if changed for day are recorded and/or departure details are communicated to staff with appropriate authorisation given; and any other messages to staff are completed if required.
The Centre closes at 6.15pm Monday to Friday. On arrival parents must ensure that they sign out the child, this includes the departure time. This is done in the child’s section. Parents are to check the “Messages to Parents” section of the sign in out document for any details of the child’s day. Parents must ensure that they check medication details were completed throughout the day according to instruction; and that any other report requiring Parent signature has been completed. Parents must advise staff that they are leaving the Centre.
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Late/Non Collection of Children
Parents on enrolment of children receive an induction package that clearly states the Centre’s closing time (6.15pm). The Late Fines Fee applies after this time (refer to Late Fine above).
The relevant State Children’s Services regulations require a minimum of two staff persons to be in attendance at the Centre when children are in care.
A child(ren) not collected after 6.15pm:
- The Manager or her nominees are to remain at the Centre and attempt to contact parent/guardian/emergency contact to ensure collection of the child.
- A late fee as per the fees policy will be applied.
If a child(ren) has not been collected by 6.30pm:
- The Manager will be contacted by her nominees and advised of the situation eg has contact been made with a member of the family? Is an authorised person, if not the parent, on the way to the Centre to collect child?
- If contact has been made the Manager or her nominees will remain at the Centre until such time as the child has left the Centre.
- Staff must ensure that the child is signed out by the authorised person at the actual time of departure from the Centre and advisethe person that a late fine will apply.
If a child has not been collected or no contact made with an appropriate person by 7pm:
- The Manager or her nominee will notify Police.
- The Police will be advised the child has not been collected.
- The Police will be asked to assist by helping to locate the parents/guardians or emergency contacts.
If a child has not been collected or contact made with an appropriate person by 7.30pm:
- The Manager or her nominee will contact the Northern Region Community Care Division by phone (1300360408), explaining there is a child in “need of care”. Requesting that he/she be collected from the Centre and taken into temporary custody.
- Community Care will be advised that the Police have been
alerted and are assisting.
- The Manager or her nominee will advise the Police that Community Care will be collecting the child/ren from the Centre.
- When the child/ren have been collected by Community Care a note will be taped to the Centre door indicating to what address and phone number the child has been taken. The note will also include the Manager’s phone number.
- An incident report will be completed and forwarded to the Centre’s regulatory department.
Where a parent contacts the Centre and advises they will be collecting the child/ren late the late fee will still apply. Parents are reminded that this late fine is not subject to Child Care Benefit.
If late collection of a child/ren occurs more than once, Parents/Guardians will be advised that a further incident could jeopardise their enrolment.
If a Centre staff member becomes aware of any change in the delivery and collection arrangements of a child (which have not been authorised), she/he must notify the Director immediately.
If a minor attempts to deliver/collect a child (regardless of parental permission) the Manager must be informed immediately. This will enable immediate follow up with the parents, re safety and legal concerns, and related signing in/out issues.
If an order from the Family Court exists in relation to resident or contact (custody/access) arrangements for a particular child, the parent must supply a copy of this document attached to the child’s en4 November, 2009tempts to collect a child/ren
- The Manager must be informed immediately.
- Staff will discourage the person from removing the child until the Manager is available to assist.
- The Manager or in her absence the Assistant Manager will advise that police will be contacted if the child is taken.
- Under no circumstances are staff to put themselves or the children in their care at risk of being injured, whilst negotiations are taking place.
If a child/ren is taken away by an unauthorised person
- the child’s parents4 November, 2009contact person will be notified)
- the Police are to be notified.
- The Manager will complete an Incident Report for the Department.
References: Children’s Services Regulations (1998)
Somerville Community Services Inc.
CHILDREN’S ROUTINE
All Day Care
Meal Times - Lunch is served from 11:00 a.m. to 12 noon (refer Menu). Fruit and sandwiches are provided mid-afternoon.
Rest Time - Upon enrolment, or at the commencement of each year, and again in June, you will be asked to complete a form indicating to Centre Personnel your child’s/children’s requirements during this period. Rest period, from lunch through to 2pm is flexible. Individual children’s needs in relation to this period is the basis for Centre Personnel’s consideration/planning. Parents are encouraged to request changes at any time during the year.
Oral Hygiene -There are many ways to assist children to grow up with healthy teeth. These include: children brushing their teeth twice per day (cleaning their teeth after breakfast and before going to bed); regular dentist visits; limiting sugary snacks between meals; and having a nutritious well-balanced diet.
If you choose for your child to brush their teeth at the Centre you must provide the toothbrush and an appropriate container for storage. You are not required to provide toothpaste. Toothpaste will not be offered at the Centre due to potential health hazards. For further information refer to the Centre’s Dental Hygiene Statement.
Sessional Care:
Parents must bring with them each day their child’s nutritional requirements.
EXCLUSION
The Centre's Committee in its sole discretion may exclude any child from the Children’s Centre either permanently or temporarily. The following statements are some but not all of the grounds for exclusion:
Acceptance of Sick or Injured Children
Children who are ill i.e. more than a slight cold or who are
injured should not be brought to the Centre, and may not, at the discretion of the Manager, be accepted if brought to the Centre.
If the Manager holds a reasonable belief that a child is ill (has more than a slight cold) or has an injury that prevents normal function the Manager may refuse to accept the child. The Manager may require evidence in the form of a medical certificate certifying that the child is able to attend the Centre under normal supervision prior to re-admission into the Centre.
Fevers, vomiting, diarrhoea or unexplained rashes are indications that a child should not be brought to the Centre. No child shall be accepted whom have any of the notifiable diseases listed in the Health Department schedule on display at the Centre. Contact with some of these infectious illnesses also excludes a child from attending the Centre. The Manager will advise any parent in doubt.
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Children Taken Ill or Injured at the Centre
The La Trobe University Medical Centre will be called by the Manager if, in her opinion, a child is suffering serious injury/illness. The Manager will arrange an ambulance to the nearest hospital at her discretion. Emergency telephone numbers must be provided by all parents and staff will endeavour to contact parents as soon as possible. If parents/guardians are unavailable, emergency contacts will be notified.
In the case of an accident, staff will attempt to contact parents. If parents/guardians are unavailable, emergency contacts will be notified.
The Centre is insured against accident but parents are responsible for medical and ambulance costs incurred.
Accident and Illness book entries must be signed by parent/guardian at the end of each day.
Where a child has been diagnosed at risk of anaphylaxis and the Parents/Guardians have not complied with the Centre’s Anaphylaxis Management Statement the child will not be permitted to attend the Centre.
For those children who, over a period of time, show an inability to adapt to Centre routines and/or demand excessive staff care and attention, the Manager may, after consultation with parents, refer consideration of the child’s continuation at the Centre to the Committee. The Committee may advise parents that the child is no longer accepted at the Centre if they feel there is no possibility of the child’s successful adjustment. In such cases the Manager will advise parents of alternative care sources.
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Non-compliance with Regulatory Requirements
The Centre's Committee may exclude a child from the Centre if the parent/guardian refuses or neglects to comply with regulatory requirements imposed on the Centre by both State and Federal Legislation requirements.
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Division 3 Qulaification and Training (Children's Services Regulations 2009)
Criminal History Notifications (Police Check)
A Police Check, showing no notification of a criminal history is required by staff.
Those with Police Checks showing a criminal history are not eligible: to work in the Centre (All Day Care, Sessional Care and Kindergarten).
Working with Children Check (Assessment Notices)
It is an offence under section 35 of the Working with Children Act 2005 to engage a person in child-related work if the person does not have a current assessment notice.
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Non-compliance with Children’s Centre Policy documents and/or Conditions of Enrolment
The Centre's Committee may exclude a child from the Centre if the parent/guardian refuses to comply with stated policy or conditions of enrolment.
EACH CHILD MUST BRING TO THE CENTRE
- A complete change of clothes - each item clearly named. These clothes will be kept at the Centre and taken home if soiled. A replacement will be required the next day.
- A favourite toy if required.
- Sun hat and sun screen
- Drink device (refer to Water Statement)
- If your baby is on a milk formula, this must be brought in daily. If she/he is on cow’s milk we require a bottle clearly labelled, which can be kept at the Centre.
Every care will be taken with personal belongings, but no responsibility will be accepted.
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Content Approved by: Manager, Family and Children's Services
Page maintained by: Desktop Computing
Last Updated:
4 November, 2009
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