About the Centre
 
All profit is reinvested in children and the community -
children always come first!
CENTRE LOCATION
The Centre is situated on the Bundoora Campus, Ring Road, south of Car Park 6. Melways Reference: Map 19 H7.
MANAGEMENT OF THE CENTRE
The Centre is governed by a Terms of Reference - refer to link below. This document defines the structure and role of Management.
In summary, the Centre is managed by a Committee of twelve persons, eight of whom are elected at the Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Terms of Reference. The Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Centre.
HOURS OF OPERATION
The Centre is open Monday to Friday, 8.15am to 6.15pm (late fines will apply for late pick up. Refer to section on Late Fines 8 d.). The Centre is open on the following public holidays: Labour Day, Show Day and Cup Day (as determined by the University).
ACCESS TO THE CENTRE
Access is determined by the priority of access guidelines, as developed by the Commonwealth Department of Family and Community Services.
“4.3 Priority of Access
The Commonwealth Government regards children at risk of abuse or neglect as a priority group for access to quality child care. Families in crisis should also have support and assistance from child care services to the maximum extent possible.
The Commonwealth Government resources child care with a major purpose of meeting the child care needs of families with recognised work or work-related commitments.
Where demand for care exceeds supply, it is important for services to allocate available places to those families with the greatest need for child care support….”
ALL DAY CARE
OPERATION
The Centre is divided into seven groups, based upon the chronological age grouping of the children. However, due to the individual differences in maturity, children are placed in a group appropriate to their individual needs. Each of the seven all day care areas within the Centre has a minimum of one qualified member of staff (Section Head) and one trained assistant. The All Day Care Service has 101 places for children from birth to 6 years.
The groups are:
Birth to 6 months
6 months to 12 months
12 months to 24 months
2 years to 3 years A
2 years to 3 years B
3 years to 4 years
*4 years to 5 years
*Note: In the 4 to 5 years age group a Kindergarten Program operates from 9:00a.m. to 11:30a.m.
USAGE
Parents are required to specify the times of attendance required when
enrolling their child/ren.
Bookings can be made for:
All Day Weekly (ie. Monday to Friday inclusive)
All Day for specific days each week
Casual (only if place available. Parents must ring to confirm booking).
Emergency (must ring Centre before to confirm availability).
KINDERGARTEN
The Kindergarten operates on a sessional basis (four mornings per week) within the All Day Care service, Monday through to Thursday from 9-11:30 a.m.
It is important to note that the State Government provides funding for one year of kindergarten for all 4 to 5 year old children.
To be eligible, a child should be at least 4 years of age on or before April 30 in the year of attendance.
If you know that your child (though eligible) will not be attending school the following year, it is essential for you to inform us immediately. A second year of kindergarten cannot be guaranteed for your child.
The children participate in activities specifically designed to introduce, reinforce and stimulate skills and concepts for school readiness. The curriculum is based on a play-orientated approach, as play is the young child’s way of learning. In this way children can direct their own play, learning through their ability to touch, manipulate and experiment with materials and through their interaction with others.
Usage
The Kindergarten program is only offered to children attending the All Day Care Service.
SESSIONAL CARE
OPERATION
The Sessional Care service is offered in two groups, based upon the chronological age grouping of the children. Each of the areas within the facility has a minimum of one qualified member of staff (Section Head) and one trained assistant.
The Sessional Care service can cater for children from birth to 5 years. Parents provide food and drinks.
The groups are:
Birth to 2 years - 10 children
2 years to 5 years - 18 children
USAGE
Parents are required to specify the times of attendance required when enrolling their child/ren.
Sessions are of 2 hours and 30 minutes. Times are as follows:
Session 1: 8:15a.m. to 10:45a.m.
Session 2: 10:45a.m. to 1:15p.m.
Session 3: 1:15p.m. to 3:45p.m.
Session 4: 3:45p.m. to 6:15p.m.
Note: Anybody arriving to collect their child/ren after the time allocated will be charged an additional fee (refer section on Late Fines).
AUTISM SPECIFIC EARLY LEARNING AND CARE SERVICE (ASELCC)
This aspect of the LaTrobe University Community Children's Centre's operation is currently under construction. It will be an extension to our existing All Day Care service and will be based in the Margot Prior Wing of the Children's Centre.
Overview
The Helping Children with Autism package helps families and carers to cope better with the pressures they face in raising their children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The package provides early intervention services to children with ASD aged zero to six and provides advice, information and support to parents and carers through workshops and website.
Six Autism Specific Early Learning Child Care Centres (ASELCC) are being established jointly by FaHCSIA and DEEWR. DEEWR has responsibility for the broader commitment to establish Early Learning and Care Centres in 38 priority locations.
The autism specific centres are located in:
- South Western Sydney;
- Brisbane;
- Adelaide;
- North West Tasmania;
- Melbourne; and
- Perth.
The ASELCCs will provide early learning programs and specific support to children aged zero to six years with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in a long day care setting, and are intended to have a positive impact on their long term life outcomes. They will take into account the specific requirements of the local community. The ASELCCs are also intended to provide parents with support in the care of their children and give them the opportunity to participate more fully in the community.
The initiative is being jointly implemented by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) and the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA). FaHCSIA is responsible for the implementation of the six ASELCCs which are an additional commitment to the Australian Government’s $190 million Helping Children with Autism package.
Objectives
The funding provided by the Australian Government towards the establishment and operation of the ASELCCs will meet the following objectives:
- improve access to high quality and affordable early learning programs in a long day care setting;
- children engage in quality learning and developmental experiences;
- children are provided with individual support and intervention strategies to develop their capacity to participate in child care, early learning and education settings;
- children in the year before formal schooling receive an autism specific early childhood education program;
- children are supported to transition to and participate in further educational and therapeutic settings and in everyday life;
- children attending the centre have opportunities for integration and interaction with other children;
- support capacity of parents and carers to participate in the community;
- support capacity of parents and carers to manage the needs of their child/children with ASD;
- build understanding of strategies to improve access by children with ASDs to early childhood education programs;
- provide opportunities to collaborate to facilitate research and interventions;
- provide opportunities to collaborate to develop best practice; and
- build workforce capability.
( Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centres - Operational Guidelines. Australian Government Department of Families, Housing Community Services and Indiginous Affairs, November 09, p5)
SCHOOL HOLIDAY CARE STATEMENT
La Trobe University Community Children’s Centre offers care for school aged children in school holiday periods and in other special circumstances for prep. and grade 1 levels or for siblings of children enrolled in the Centre.
Government Children’s Services Regulations (1998) state that care can only be provided for children 12 years and under. Any child attending the Children’s Centre will be charged the relevant fee. (Min. 304.3)
Families need to contact their local schools or Councils about the School Holiday program offered in their area. (Min.366.10 vi.)
Content Approved by: Manager, Family and Children's Services
Page maintained by: Desktop Computing
Last Updated: 12 January 2010
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