Community Children's Centre
All Day Care•Sessional Care•Kindergarten•ASELCC
(Autism Specific Early Learning and Care Centre)
An organisation started by the community that has retained its community base

About the Centre

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.

• Centre Terms of Reference (27Kb)

HOURS OF OPERATION

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).

SCHOOL HOLIDAY CARE STATEMENT

La Trobe University 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.)