Parent Handbook

Parent handbook Patterson lakes primary school Before and after school care

GENERAL INFORMATION Hours Before school care 6.45-8.45 am After school care 3.30-6.15 pm

Costs Permanent Booking BSC $11.25 ASC $13.50 Casual booking BSC $12.25 ASC $4.50

Location Patterson Lakes Primary School Gladesville Boulevard Patterson Lakes BSC Room 23 ASC Room 23 and Library

Contact details Coordinator: Ashlee Franks 0437983561 Email: [email protected] Web: www.pattersonlakesoshc.blogspot.com Patterson Lakes Primary: 97724011 Web: www.patterson-lakes-ps.vic.edu.au Education Department: 95896266

Outside School Hours Care Philosophy statement

Our aim is to provide quality recreational programs for primary aged children. Our experienced and committed team recognises the importance of middle childhood by providing a safe, stimulating and creative environment where all children and their families are treated on an equal basis, and are acknowledged and respected for their individual needs, beliefs and ideas. We will endeavor to: • Create responsive and inclusive environments that meet the needs of all families • Recognise individual needs, interests and diversity of all children who attend our programs and plan accordingly • Provide a safe environment for children and staff where they feel comfortable • Encourage the development of new skills • Seek support from the wider community in providing a right. We value the importance of play to encourage, initiate and promote learning

Program Staff Coordinator: Ashlee Franks Casual staff members: • Evelyn Neale • Nicole Large • Matt Chambers • Jake Macaulay No. of places

Before Care After school care 45

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Anita White Shane smith Nicole Boldiston Belinda Solomon 30

Daily Routine Before School Care Children have free play in Before School Care. We always have activities set up on the tables and it’s the children’s choice what they want to engage themselves in. Cereal is available between 7.15 and 7.50am. A hot breakfast is available at 8.00am each morning. Pack up time is 8.30am. Children are let out at 8.45am. After School Care 3.30-4.00pm is snack time. This consists of healthy snacks that the staff members have prepared earlier. 4.00-5.00pm is outside play (depending on the whether). At this time they have free use of the schools sports equipment. The areas in which they play are the two basketball courts and the middle play ground. Sometimes they play on the year 6 adventure play ground and the oval. 5.00pm the children all come inside where we have an organized art and craft activity or a range of other toys and activities that are always available. Free choice activities:

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Reading Construction Water colour paints Activity sheets Colouring in sheets

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Pretend play

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Dress ups Games Outside play Lego

6.15pm the children have all been picked up.

Active after school care The Active After-School Communities program is a national initiative that provides primary school-aged children with access to free sport and other structured physical activity programs in the after-school time slot of 3.00pm to 5.30pm. The program aims to engage children in sport and other structured physical activities and, through a positive and fun experience, develop a love of sport that inspires them to join a local sporting club. If you would like to know more about the program log on to www.ausport.gov.au/aasc

Dropping off and picking up children When children are dropped off to Before School Care, they must be signed in by whoever is dropping them off. This person must be over 18 years of age. When you are picking your child up from afterschool care they must be signed out by an adult (over 18 years of age) that is listed on their enrolment form. If this is anyone different the coordinator must be notified before this occurs and it must be submitted in hand writing. Under no circumstances will a child be released without the child being signed out by an authorised person.

Payment procedures • •

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Statements will be issued fortnightly on a Wednesday They will need to be collected in the alphabetical sorter near the sign in/out sheet by the parent every second Wednesday Each account must be paid weekly or in advance. If payments are more then 2 month overdue, the child/ren may be excluded from before and after care. Once the balance has been settled the child may be able to return to the program (subject to program availability). Fee’s then will need to be paid in advance of the child attending.

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Enrolment procedures Parents are to complete and sign the appropriate and current enrollment form Parents are to return the completed enrollment form directly to the program supervisor or via the school office. Enrolment forms can only be accepted if all the enrolment details are completed, including the two emergency contacts other then the parents. In addition, any individual health plans must be provided to meet the enrolment requirements. A minimum of two or more CRN numbers must be on the form also, if you do not have a CRN for your child and guardian, contact Centre Link or the Family Assistance Office. If the program is full, the children’s details will be placed on a waiting list and access will be based on priority of the access criteria. It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure that all the details on the enrollment form are kept current and up to date, including home, work and emergency contact details. Parents who indicate that their child/ren suffer from asthma or any other medical condition requiring regular medication must include a current action plan which has been developed in consultation with a general practitioner. For children who require the possible use of an epi-pen, it is recommended that you supply an epi-pen to stay at the OSHC program.

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First priority- Children at risk of serious abuse or neglect Second priority- Work-force participants where a single parent or both parents are employed, seeking employment or studying/training for future employment Third priority-other children

Casual bookings • •

Intention to use the Before and/or Aftercare Program on a casual basis is indicated by ticking the ‘casual’ box on the enrollment form Parents are to advise the program supervisor that a casual booking is required, 24 hours in advance by calling and leaving a message on the OSHC mobile phone or in person at the program

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Program supervisor is to assess if there is an available place in the program when the booking request is received Casual bookings will not be accepted unless there is an available place on the day care is required. 100% holding fee for any bookings

Permanent bookings •

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Intention to use the Before and/or After School Care program on a permanent basis is indicated by ticking the box/s on the enrollment form that corresponds with the days care is required Changes to permanent bookings must be submitted in writing to the program coordinator

Sun protection • • •

Whilst outside, staff and children must wear a hat during terms 1 and 4 at all times Each child is encouraged to bring a hat, clearly marked, which protects the face, neck and ears If a child refuses to wear a hat, staff must make every effort to encourage wearing head protection. A child that does not cooperate will be restricted to an area that offers protection e.g./inside, veranda or shaded area.

Behavior Management •

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Children are required to adhere to the program rules supported by positive guidelines and directed towards acceptable behavior with encouragement freely given by staff Smacking and harsh punishment is prohibited by all staff Staff will use positive guidance i.e. direct a child to what they would like them to do rather then what they shouldn’t be doing. E.g. “walk inside” not “Don’t run inside” ‘Rethink’ time will be used to redirect more positive behavior A ‘Rethink’ form may be filled out by the child involved

Management of continual difficult behaviour

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Staff shall monitor the child’s behaviour and make incident reports and observation notes Staff will constantly administer the program rules and their consequences Once a behaviour issue is identified, it will be discussed with parents. Staff shall collect information to ascertain if there are similar problems at home or school and what management techniques are used and whether they are successful. Where possible staff and parents then formulate a plan of action to address behaviour issues In the instance that various action plans are unsuccessful, suspension of the child from the program may be implemented at the discretion of the principal. If the action plans and suspension is unsuccessful in changing the child’s behavior, termination of the child’s place will be considered by principal.

The supervisor will advise the child’s parent in both verbal and written documentation that provides the two week notice of the permanent withdrawal of the care place with stated the reasons for the child’s removal from the program.

Communication Communication is a vital key to making your child’s time here, a good time, at Patterson Lakes Primary school Outside School Hours Care. If you have any suggestions please place them in our ‘suggestion box’ near the sign in/out sheets, or see any of the staff. Our staff here at OSHC are always here to listen to your concerns and suggestions.