Administrative Matters - Treetops Early Learning Centres

Administrative Matters

Enrolment and Deposit

If you wish to enrol your child into Treetops Early Learning Centre three months in advance, you may wish to place a deposit equaling one week's full fees per child. This deposit will go towards your child's fees once starting at the centre.

Payment of Fees

Payment may be made by Electronic Funds Transfer, direct debit, cash, money order or Cheque. Accounts will be billed to you weekly/ fortnightly depending on your payment choice. Please also be aware that accounts are billed for the previous week/fortnight of care your child/children. Fees are charged for all days your child is booked into the Centre, including Public Holidays, sick days and annual holidays

Child Care Benefit

The Commonwealth Government will assist some families who have children in child care.  The necessary forms are available from Centrelink, who will assess your family income and advise you and the centre of your fee subsidy percentage.  We use your subsidy percentage to calculate how much of the full fee you will need to pay.  Until the centre has notification of your assessment from Centrelink you will be required to pay full fees (the subsidy can be back-dated to when you start provided you apply as early as possible).

The Government also offers a 50% rebate on fees paid for child care expenses, if you are using child care for work, training or study purposes.

All calculations are carried out through the Family Assistance Office, if you have any queries please contact your local branch.

Cancellation of Enrolment

A minimum of four (4) weeks written notice is required to cancel your child’s enrolment.  Your deposit, paid at your child’s enrolment, will form part of your final payment.

Late Fees

A late fee of $1.00 per minute will be incurred by any parent collecting their child after 6.00pm.

This fee will have to be paid on the spot to the staff member on duty and will go towards staff wages and the centre running after closing hours.

What you need to bring

The centre supplies all nappies, foodstuffs, and in the case of older children, drinks being water and/or milk.

For infants who require bottles please supply bottles (sterilised) and formula.  Our staff will prepare bottles as per the manufacturer’s requirements.  Infant food requirements are also prepared on-site.  Please supply cows milk for those children no longer on formula but who still require a bottle.

Spare changes of clothing along with any comforters e.g. dummy, ‘ruggy’ or that special comfort toy are also advisable.  All items should be packed in a suitable bag e.g. child’s back pack and labeled with your child’s name.  Hats are necessary for outdoor play.  For those children who wear nappies, a nappy for them to go home in should also be included in their bag.

Orientation Visits

All parents are encouraged to conduct a minimum of one (1) orientation visit before they leave their child in our care.  These visits allow your child to become familiar with the environment they will be in and the staff who will be caring for them.  It also allows you to share important information such as, routines about your child.  The more comfortable you are in the centre the quicker your child will settle into care.

Arrivals and Departures

Upon arrival at the centre you must sign your child in and also sign your child out on departure.  This is a government regulation.  Should omeone other than yourself be collecting your child from care please inform us, and, if the person has not been to the centre previously, ask them to carry some form of ID – a drivers licence is perfect.  If we have not been informed we will contact you for permission to release your child into the care of another person.

Communications

The centre has an “open door” policy and parents and families are welcome to visit the centre at any time.

Staff are available to discuss your child’s needs at arrival and departure, and, if a more in depth discussion is required a mutually agreed time can be arranged.

We welcome parent’s comments, and feedback.  If you are feeling unsure about something, please speak to the staff in your child’s section.  If you feel your concerns have not been dealt with in an appropriate way or you still have concerns after speaking with staff please contact the Manager.

Behaviour Guidance

Guiding your child’s behaviour is a part of the centre’s everyday program.  The staff aim to encourage children to interact with other children, adults and the environment in a positive, socially acceptable manner.

To do this staff are constantly monitoring the environment, routines, expectations, the program provided and program they offer children.

Children are encouraged to use the “Protective Behaviours Program” (Stop – I don’t like it), which is an assertive, anti victims training program for children.  We also help children to understand consequences for actions, to both positive and negative behaviour.

If a child constantly displays negative or inappropriate behaviour to other children, adults or the environment they will be moved to another activity, away from other children and “work” with an adult until they feel they can rejoin the group in an appropriate way.

Food and Nutrition

Mealtimes are relaxing affairs, allowing for children to be independent, making choices and feeding themselves where appropriate.  Staff are encouraged to sit with children, join in conversations and make mealtimes a social event.  Infant foods are prepared according to individual needs and space is provided should you wish to breast feed.

We endeavour to meet all children’s dietary requirements, due to health or cultural reasons, but on some occasions may not be able to meet these needs and the parent will be requested to supply their child’s food/drink for the day.

Food is not withheld from a child as a form of discipline – if a child chooses not to eat a main meal for whatever reason they will still be offered a choice from the platter that follows.

The centre will not offer any nut based products.  Under the “Food Safety Program” the centre can not accept any foodstuffs supplied by a parents, to be shared by all children.

Dental Care

As it is difficult to use and store children’s toothbrushes at the centre we will encourage dental hygiene throughout the centre by encouraging a no sugar policy in our menu and providing fresh water to drink throughout the day.

Dental care will also be part of the written program.

Health

The centre will not accept any child who is unwell.  Should a child become unwell at the centre the parent will be contacted to collect the child preferably within the hour.

In the case of any illness the exclusion period as per “Staying Healthy in Child Care” and the Centre Policy, will apply.  A doctor’s certificate of fitness may be required before the child re-enters care.

If the child is in need of urgent medical treatment an ambulance will be called and the parents contacted as soon as possible.

As a high temperature can be a sign of illness any child with a temperature over 37.8  will be excluded from the centre.

Medication

Paracetomol based medications will not be administered to children with a temperature, fever or pain, as this often masks the symptoms of illness.

Prescription medication/ cream will only be administered if the pharmacy label is attached stating name of child, times of administration and amount to be administered.

These need to be accompanied by a completed Medication Plan.

Over the counter medications/ creams need to be accompanied by a medical form stating child’s name, dosage and times and signed off by the pharmacist or have a pharmacy label attached stating child’s name, dosage and times.

All medications need to be written up and signed off by the parent in the Medication Register.

Accidents

Staff at the centre have all had some form of First Aid training.  All accidents at the centre are recorded on an incident form, that includes what happened and treatment, which you will be asked to sign when you collect your child.

Should staff feel the injury requires a doctor/dentist treatment you will be contacted to collect your child.

If a serious injury occurs an ambulance will be called and you will be notified as soon as possible.

Sun Protection

We aim to promote an awareness of the dangers of exposure to the sun, use of appropriate skin protection (clothing and sunscreen) and actively encourage a role model life style practices that will offer protection from the sun.

All children, staff and visitors to the centre are encouraged to wear broad brimmed or legionnaire style hats when involved in outdoor activities.

Parents are requested to supply a hat for outdoor play, and ensure their children are appropriately dressed – no singlet or shoestring strap tops.

During the warmer months outdoor play will be scheduled before 10.00am or after 3.00pm, or conducted in the shaded areas of the yard.

Staff will apply SPF 30+ broadspectrum sunscreen supplied by the centre to all children over the age of 12 months, at least 15 minutes before children go into the outdoor area.  Infants (under 12 months) will be kept out of direct sunlight and always protected by shade, hats and clothing. 

Further Information

If after visiting the centre and reading through your parent handbook, you have any questions please contact the centre.