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Family Information Handbook for parents/guardians of children attending Sutherland Shire Council Vacation Care Centres.
Vacation Care
Family Information Handbook
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Contents
Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 4
Customer Service Team Contact Numbers ......................................................................................... 4
Vacation care Numbers ...................................................................................................................... 4
Vacation Care Services Addresses ..................................................................................................... 5
Hours of Operation ............................................................................................................................. 5
Fees And Charges .............................................................................................................................. 5
Refunds And Credits ........................................................................................................................... 5
Sign In and Out (Arrival and Departures) ............................................................................................ 6
Late Collection Of Children ................................................................................................................. 6
Authority to Collect .............................................................................................................................. 6
Lost Property ...................................................................................................................................... 6
Child Protection .................................................................................................................................. 7
Educator Staffing ................................................................................................................................ 7
Accidents ............................................................................................................................................ 7
Illness Infectious Diseases .................................................................................................................. 8
Medical Conditions ............................................................................................................................. 8
Inclusion and Family Support .............................................................................................................. 8
Family Support.................................................................................................................................... 8
Excursion information ......................................................................................................................... 9
Meals .................................................................................................................................................. 9
Food Preferences and Allergies .......................................................................................................... 9
Clothing .............................................................................................................................................. 9
Positive guidance .............................................................................................................................. 10
National Quality Framework (NQF) ................................................................................................... 11
National Quality Standard (NQS) ...................................................................................................... 11
Service Philosophy ........................................................................................................................... 12
Our curriculum: Programming and Planning ..................................................................................... 12
My time Our Place: ........................................................................................................................... 13
Play is Learning ................................................................................................................................ 14
Relationships are Key ....................................................................................................................... 15
Relationships and Interactions with Children ..................................................................................... 15
Routines ........................................................................................................................................... 15
Sustainability Plan ............................................................................................................................ 15
Links to Relevant Information ............................................................................................................ 16
Attachment 1: How To Enrol ............................................................................................................. 17
Attachment 2: Lunchbox Checklist For Vacation Care ...................................................................... 18
Attachment 3: Customer Feedback Flow Chart ................................................................................. 19
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Attachment 4: Policies and Procedures ............................................................................................ 20
Attachment 5: Unwell Child Checklist EXAMPLE ONLY ................................................................... 21
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WELCOME TO SUTHERLAND SHIRE COUNCIL
VACATION CARE PROGRAM
The Educators and Management at Sutherland Shire Council
Vacation Care would like to welcome you to our services. We are very
excited to have you join the School Aged Care family and look
forward to being a part of your child’s learning journey. We are
looking forward to getting to know your family and creating a special
partnership as we share the care and education of your child.
We would like to acknowledge that all of our Vacation Care Sites
reside on the land of the Dharawal people. We acknowledge the first
custodians of this land and also acknowledge the present and past
Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders and who reside
within this area.
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Introduction
WELCOME to Sutherland Shire Council Vacation Care. The following Family Handbook has been
compiled to accompany the existing Council enrolment package and Contract Handbook. We have
devised this handbook to give you a more personalised guide to Vacation Care.
All of our Vacation Care sites aim to provide a high standard of quality care for the children enrolled
within our program. We are committed to the National Quality Standards (NQS) for Middle Education
and Care and the ongoing reflective cycle addressed in the Quality Improvement Plan (QIP). This is
an ongoing process of evaluation to improve our service and bring together the ideas and values of
parents, staff, management and children.
Partnerships with families is very important for us to maintain a high quality service that meets
individual families’ needs. We see teamwork and communication between Educators and parents as
vital to maintaining this high quality service for your child and family. We endeavour to provide you
with a variety of opportunities to participate in the service formally and informally and encourage your
participation and contributions to all parts of our service. We understand that enrolments within the
Vacation Care program is transient and therefore appreciate any feedback that you are able to
provide, whether you are with us for a short or extended period of time.
Please take the time to read the handbook and keep it somewhere safe for future reference. We
would like to hear any of your feedback about this Family Handbook as it has been compiled to meet
the needs of our families enrolled within our program. If you need any assistance or unsure about any
issues relating to the centre or this handbook, just ask an Educator, as we are more than happy to
help.
Customer Service Team Contact Numbers
For queries on vacation Care please contact the Customer Service Team team on:
Phone: (02) 9710 0466
Fax: (02) 9710 0597
Email: [email protected]
Vacation care Numbers
Lucas Heights Vacation Care................................................................. 0414 193 693
Miranda Vacation Care ............................................................................... 9540 5631
Burraneer Bay Vacation Care ................................................................ 0414 193 847
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Vacation Care Services Addresses
Miranda Vacation Care
Miranda Children’s centre, 31A Wandella Rd, Miranda
Behind the Library
Lucas Heights Vacation Care
Lucas heights Community School, 132 Old Illawarra Rd, Barden Ridge
Entry via the car park in the junior hall
Burraneer Bay Vacation Care
Burraneer Bay Public School, 161-165 Burraneer Bay Road, Cronulla
Hours of Operation
7.00 am – 6.00 pm during school holiday periods only (this may include pupil free days at the
commencement of school terms)
Fees And Charges
Child Care fees are set by Children’s Services and adopted by Council on an annual basis. All
childcare services managed by Council operate on a break-even basis. That is, all costs to operate
the service are derived from fees and small amount of State Government funding.
The proposed fees and charges for childcare services provide by Council are on public display for
community comment each year normally around April and the new fees and charges are then
adopted as part of Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges for that financial year. Parents are
recommended to check Council’s website for the current fees applicable at
www.sutherland shire.nsw.gov.au
Refunds And Credits
Refunds, transfers or credits will NOT be given for a day or an excursion unless booked days are
unavailable. (Families will be notified if days are unavailable, confirmation of your child’s booking can
be made through contacting the Children’s Services Customer Service Team on 9710 0466)
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Sign In and Out (Arrival and Departures)
Each day that your child attends Vacation Care you are required to sign them in and out on the sign in
/ out sheets. If you have forgotten to sign in or out, next time you are at the centre this needs to be
completed. If your child is absent for any reason you must sign the Absence (A) upon your next day
at the centre. Please note this is a government requirement, the centre can be audited on the sign in
and out records at any time and it carries a fine.
Late Collection Of Children
Sutherland Shire Council’s Vacation Care Centres are only able to cater for children between the
hours of 7.00am to 6.00pm during school holidays therefore children should not be on the premises
outside these hours.
Within any given 12 month period, parents who pick up their children after closing time, (6:00pm) will:
On the first, second, third and fourth times receive a fine for the first 5 minutes or part thereof,
followed by an additional fee for each 5 minutes thereafter. This is to be paid within 14 days of
an account being issued by council.
On the fifth time of receiving a fine the child’s position at the centre will be terminated.
Authority to Collect
Only people nominated on the authorisation to collect part of the contract are able to collect your
child. All authorisations MUST be in writing and NOT VIA TELEPHONE. We suggest that you make
sure you have ‘back up’ on your authorisations just in case of sickness or emergency. If someone
comes to the centre and the educators do not recognise them or who has not been here
before, we will ask them for photo identification before they can collect your child. Your child
will not be released from the centre without photo ID that matches information on the
authorisation to collect sheet. Please explain this to all people on the authority to collect to
ALWAYS bring photo identification with them just in case. At the beginning of the year we are still
getting to know faces of all the new parents, grandparents and other relatives on the authority to
collect form so please bear with us as we get to know everyone. It is a good idea to have a handful of
people (if possible) on the authority to collect form just in case something happens and you cannot
get to the centre to collect your child. You can add people to your authority to collect form in writing
only.
Lost Property
Please label all equipment and clothing that your child brings with them to the Vacation Care site.
Please note as per the enrolment form that Sutherland Shire Council is not liable for any damage or
loss of items during children’s enrolment with our Vacation Care program. Please note that we
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cannot guarantee the safety of equipment or store equipment for children whilst they are on
excursions. We do not keep lost property after the holidays, so please check for lost articles every
day.
Child Protection
All Educators are Mandatory reporters under child protection legislation and are legally bound to
record and report any concerns of a Child Protection nature to Community Services.
Educator Staffing
Our Vacation Care Services accesses a regular pool of casual educators through Council to staff their
Vacation Care sites. Where possible SSC attempts to utilise return casual educators to ensure
continuity of staff for the children enrolled in the program. As Miranda Vacation Care utilises the staff
that are permanently employed within MOOSH (Miranda Out of School Hours Care) throughout the
Vacation Care Site, they will regularly be employed during the Vacation Care Periods, unless
undertaking leave.
All Educators are provided with training prior to the Vacation Care period and are provided with
memos and communication before and at the conclusion of each vacation care period, this ensures
their compliance with Councils policies and procedures and provision of high quality care for children
enrolled in the program.
Vacation Care Calendared events and direct staff management and rostering is undertaken by our
Vacation Care Coordinator. This coordinator holds a Diploma In Early Education and Care and
undertakes the role of Educational Leader across the sites. This role is required to develop and guide
the program across the Vacation Care Sites.
Accidents
Whenever there is a group of children playing and learning together, things happen. Sometimes
children can be hurt, throw things or fall over or off things. While supervision is vital and our primary
priority at all times, we, just like you at home, can not be everywhere at once.
When an accident occurs, we apply first aid as needed, and reassure and comfort the child until they
feel better. We complete an accident report and will require you to sign it. In the event of a serious
accident, we contact the family and if necessary seek medical attention through an ambulance.
Where possible an educator would accompany your child to the hospital and remain with them until
such a time that you arrive. For more information, please see the Incident, Injury & Trauma policy.
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Illness Infectious Diseases
If your child is diagnosed as having an infectious disease, please notify the centre as soon as
possible so that parents of other children at the centre can be notified. A medical practitioner’s
clearance is required before your child can return to the centre.
The Department of Health requires exclusion from the centre for infectious conditions. See guidelines
for exclusion – the link is supplied in this handbook.
If your child becomes ill at the centre, you may be required to collect your child or make
arrangements for your child to be collected as soon as possible. Please see attachment 5 – the
Unwell Child Checklist for further details on when children can and cannot attend the centre due to
being unwell.
Medical Conditions
If your child has any medical conditions (allergies, anaphylaxis, asthma, diabetes etc) a Medical
Management Plan and a Risk Minimisation and Communication Plan must be completed on an
annual basis or as changes occur. Please note that these documents are a legislative requirement
and parent participation is required to complete these in order to continue enrolment with the service.
Inclusion and Family Support
Our centre philosophy is founded on the concept of inclusion of all children. We work closely with
outside agencies to provide a holistic approach to child development. We are committed to supporting
families as they need, be it through individual family meetings, working with local speech pathologists,
occupational therapists and behavioural psychologists. We are always willing to go the extra mile
towards helping families with the many transitions young children make.
At any time, we are available to support you as a family as you undertake this step of your life
journey. We work closely with many agencies & professionals to help support family & parenting
issues. For more information on our inclusive practice, please see our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Guideline.
Family Support
SSC Vacation Care also has access to various community support agencies and programs which
provide support to families. This may include financial support or emotional support or parenting help
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for behavioural issues. Please speak with the Educators if you are interested in accessing this type
of support. All conversations and requests are confidential.
Excursion information
Please be at the centre by 8.30 am on excursion days unless otherwise notified. Please check with the
centre supervisor or the communication notice board advertising daily events, items required and
excursion times.
Children may be required to bring additional materials to participate in some activities, e.g. craft
materials.
** Please note that excursion costs are calculated to include the EXTRA staff required to meet staff
excursion ratios, the venue and travel costs. **
Meals
During School Holidays, families are to provide ALL meals for all days including excursions. Children
should not be bringing money to purchase lunch whilst attending Vacation Care unless specified by
the centre’s Supervisor. The service has current information in regards to healthy eating available for
families at all times. Attached is a healthy Lunch box checklist to assist you in packing a healthy
lunch.
Food Preferences and Allergies
The Centre has a no nut policy which means food containing nuts or traces of nuts is not allowed on the
premises. In the event of a child attending the centre with an allergy you will be informed of the centres
individual requirements in relation to allergies
Our centre is committed to ensuring that food preferences or allergies are catered for where
reasonably known or notified. It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure centre staff are
aware of any such requirements or preferences.
Where practical, food or other products, which are known to cause or contribute to allergies, will be
removed. The centre retains absolute discretion in that regard and to the extent permitted by law the
centre does not otherwise take or accept any responsibility for products not so removed.
Clothing
Please dress your children in something old, comfortable and labelled. Children need to bring a hat
and wear safe and appropriate footwear - excursions do require some walking therefore sensible
shoes will be needed. Please supply spare clothes for your child. Sunscreen is provided at the centre.
Council centres adhere to a strict sun smart policy. The centre provides Cancer Council Sunscreen or
you may choose to provide your own. Parents must provide written permission to have sunscreen
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applied at the child care centre. Each child must also wear a hat whilst outdoors, as we abide by our
“No Hat ... day in the shade” policy. We would suggest that all children have a shirt that will cover
their arms whilst out in the sun. It is the parent’s responsibility to apply sunscreen on arrival and staff
will encourage the children to re-apply throughout the day.
Positive guidance
At SSC Vacation Care we work towards guiding children’s behaviour rather than controlling it. This
belief sees us as educators guiding the children towards appropriate behaviours when they are being
disruptive by offering alternatives rather than rewards. By doing this we aim to promote self esteem,
build respectful relationship, meet children’s emotional needs and teach considerate behaviours.
These concepts assist in particular difficulties - such as independence issues, social concerns,
atypical development, and helping children cope with family challenges.
The strategies we use aim to empower the children to make their own choices and gain a better
understanding of how to positively express their emotions. This is a step towards emotional self-
regulation and independence.
We are strong believers in working together with families to guide children’s behaviour and we are
always available (and may suggest) meetings to ensure we are actively working towards the same
goals. We may develop an Action Plan with you for your child to help them deal with how they are
feeling and overcome negative behaviours. Communication is key here, so we will approach you and
discuss any concerns we have or provide suggestions or tips to help or inform you of discuss any
negative or undesirable behaviour that has occurred.
It is important to communicate with educators any changes at home, stresses, problems that may be
having an effect on the child’s behaviour. We will discuss and develop strategies that can be used at
the centre and home to address any inappropriate behaviour. Your support to work through these
behaviours is imperative as all behaviour management plans are only successful when both families
and educators implement them consistently. Educators attend regular training on managing children’s
behaviour and catering for children’s individual needs. Please refer to the Positive Behaviour
Guidance Policy. We also have a Behaviour Record form that we may complete if there are ongoing
behavioural issues. In order to address behavioural issues and support children and families we
sometimes need to keep a log of undesirable behaviours. This helps us to identify triggers which may
need to be addressed in order to develop strategies to help your child.
We work closely with various agencies that provide support to children and services and with other
community based organisations to assist families with behaviour concerns.
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National Quality Framework (NQF)
Throughout your time within our Vacation Care program, you may notice that we will refer to the
National Quality Framework or NQF. The National Quality Framework is part of the National
Partnership Agreement to improve early and middle education and care nationwide in Australia. It
consists of the following:
The Education and Care Services national Law & the Education and Care Services
National Regulations,
National Quality Standards (NQS) for Early Childhood Education and Care and School
Age Care,
A national quality rating and assessment process,
Streamlined regulatory arrangements,
A national body jointly governed by the Australian Government and state and territory
governments—the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority
(ACECQA)—to oversee the system.
Incorporation of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).
National Quality Standard (NQS)
The NQS sits underneath the NQF Umbrella, See above for explanation on the NQF, again you will
regularly see reference to this throughout your time with us so therefore we are keen to explain what
this is. The Aim of the NQS is to provide children throughout Australia with high quality care and
education that best promotes their learning and development in the vital years.
The standard is based on 7 quality areas;
1. Educational program and practice,
2. Children’s health and safety,
3. Physical environment,
4. Staffing arrangements,
5. Relationships with children,
6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities,
7. Leadership and service management.
The assessment process is ongoing– it is about the commitment of staff, management, and parents
working together for the benefit of all children, each other and the broader community. This process
does not stop once the centre has achieved an assessment rating.
The assessment process requires our centre to continually update its programs, policies and
procedures and to undertake an annual review of our philosophy, goals and evaluation of the
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curriculum. This entire process ensures that our centre continues to maintain and improve upon its
current standards.
Service Philosophy
Our curriculum: Programming and Planning
SSC Vacation Care uses My Time Our Place (MYOP), see more below, to guide the programming for
children enrolled within our services. Educators within Vacation Care Programs are acutely aware of
the balance required for School Aged Children to have autonomy and relaxation period, therefore you
will see a balanced approached in regards to programming and developmental learning as below
Calendared Activities and Events
Throughout your child’s time within our Vacation Care Period you will be provided with a calendar for
each period. This will clearly outline the planned experiences for each day throughout the upcoming
period, whether this be excursions, incursions (visits from others to the site to perform or provide and
experience) or focuses for the day (such as art and craft at the centre). These activities are planned
by our trained Vacation Care Educator to provide a mixture of learning, physical activities and social
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interactions whilst balancing children undertaking duties or experiences within the wider community
and most of all having fun! For example, going to the movies allows children to experience a social
event often bargaining with other children regarding seating and observing the norms of society in
purchasing tickets and food items and obeying the rules of the cinema.
Planned Experiences
In addition to the items that are on the calendar for the Vacation Care period, educators ensure that
activities and equipment that is provided at the sites allows for further learning and development.
Every day you will notice that Educators reflect on the learning undertaken with the equipment
provided at the site and the extension on learning that can occur. Children will be referred to in the
daily evaluation. You may not see your child’s name every day, this does not mean that your child did
not participate in activities. To ensure authentic reflection on a moment in time throughout the day,
not all children are able to be documented on each day.
My time Our Place:
All School Aged Education and Care Services are required under NQF to utilise the My Time Our
Place - Framework for School Age Care in Australia in their programming for children. Educators
within SSC Vacation Care Sites utile the principles and practices within My Time, Our Place to
achieve the Learning outcomes for children.
The Council of Australian Governments has developed My Time, Our Place – Framework for School
Age Care in Australia (The Framework) to assist educators to provide children with opportunities to
maximise their potential and develop a foundation for future success in life. In this way, the
Framework will contribute to realising the Council of Australian Governments vision that:
“All children have the best start in life to create a better future for themselves and for the nation.” 1
The Framework has been designed for use by school age care educators working in partnership with
children, their families and the community, including schools. It represents Australia’s first national
framework for school age care to be used by school age care educators, and aims to extend and
enrich children’s wellbeing and development in school age care settings.
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Play is Learning
Play is very important for children. Through play babies and young children explore and learn to
understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create.
When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand.
This is why play is one of the foundations of My Time Our Place (MTOP).
By using MTOP educators will guide your child’s play by carefully designing learning activities and
stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments.
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We encourage the children to engage in all types of play
Relationships are Key
It is well known that children learn best when they have secure relationships with caring adults. When
children from a very early age develop trusting relationships they feel more confident and able to
explore and learn.
In school aged education and care settings, when children feel emotionally secure they learn through
play to develop the skills and understandings they need to interact positively with others and gradually
learn to take responsibility.
Relationships and Interactions with Children
We believe that strong attachments build trusting relationships and provide children with a secure
base for exploration and learning. Through this children will develop confidence and feel respected
and valued through the widening networks of secure relationships. Educators who are attuned to the
thoughts and feelings of the children they care for support the development of children’s wellbeing. At
SSC Vacation Care, our Educators give priority to nurturing relationships to help children develop the
skills and understandings they need to interact positively with others and their learning.
Routines
The centre follows a daily routine. It is a flexible routine incorporating the needs & interests of the
children, the weather and calendared events. We have progressive meal times where the children
are encouraged to engage in a positive and social meal time. We practice indoor/outdoor times
where the children roam through the indoors and outdoors environments engaging in various
experiences.
Sustainability Plan
SSC Vacation Care has a Sustainability Action Plan which has short term and long term goals in it.
We consider that it is our responsibility to empower children to be sustainable thinkers for the future.
We have various sustainable practices at the centre and are happy for any suggestions or volunteers
to help our plans come to fruition.
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Links to Relevant Information
Recommended Exclusion Periods for Infectious Disease
NSW Immunisation Schedule
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Attachment 1: How To Enrol
Bookings will not be accepted without payment
Bookings after the due date will incur a late fee (GST inclusive).
Step 1: Please check your eligibility for Child Care Benefit (CCB) by contacting the Family
Assistance Office (FAO) on 136 150 prior to commencing care. If you are eligible for CCB
you will need to supply your Customer Reference Number (CRN), your date of birth and
your child/ren’s CRNs and dates of birth. CRNs can be obtained from FAO.
Step 2: Complete an enrolment form and return to Children’s Services Admin Team with $50.00
deposit by closing date - this will be deducted from total amount
Step 3: You will be contacted by the Children’s Services Admin Team to acknowledge receipt of
your booking and to advise of the outstanding balance.
Step 4: Once you have been advised of your outstanding balance, you have 5 working days to
make payment of outstanding amount
PAYMENT OPTIONS
By Mail In Person By Phone
Cheque, Money Order or
Credit Card
Cheque, Money Order, Credit
Card* or EFTPOS Credit Card *
Children’s Services Admin Team
Locked Bag 17
Sutherland NSW 1499
Lower Ground Floor
4-20 Eton Street
Sutherland NSW 2232
Phone: 9710 0466
VISA AND MASTERCARD WILL BE ACCEPTED
*An additional merchant fee will be charged when using credit card
For more details, phone quotes and booking confirmations, please call the Children’s Services
Customer Service Team on 9710 0466.
Fax: 9710 0597
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Attachment 2: Lunchbox Checklist For Vacation Care
ALL COUNCIL CENTRES ARE NUT FREE ZONES
Use this checklist to help provide nutritious food for your child each day: Is your child provided with:
PLEASE TICK
Dairy or high calcium foods?
High calcium foods are dairy products including plain or flavoured milks, hard and soft cheeses,
yogurts and custard. Calcium- added soya milk and tofu are also good sources of calcium. Other
high calcium foods are milk based desserts such as fruche, creamed rice, milk puddings and ice-
cream.
Protein and high iron foods?
Protein foods include beef, lamb, veal, beef sausage, pork, ham, fish, egg, chicken( breast leg or
loaf), legumes
Cereal – based foods?
Cereal – based foods include bread( all varieties including fruit bread), rice, pasta, noodles,
cracker biscuits(plain, unsalted crackers, rice cakes, rice crackers), fruit buns, scones, pikelets,
muffins and crumpets
Fruit?
Fruit includes fresh, canned or dried but NOT JUICE.
Vegetables?
Vegetables include raw or cooked ( fresh, canned or frozen)
A drink?
The best drinks for children are milk or water. Fruit juice is not essential if your child eats fruit. If
you choose to pack juice, dilute it half and half with water.
Limit the following foods
Sticky snacks like heath food bars, lollies and fruit straps as these may lead to tooth decay. Foods high in fat and sugar like creamed filled and chocolate coated biscuits, chocolate and chocolate or
yoghurt coated heath food bars. Foods high in fat and salt like chips and savoury snack biscuits
Healthy Lunch Ideas
Lettuce and ham sandwich, sultanas, milk Crackers, cheese/celery sticks, banana, water Egg and lettuce roll, apple, flavoured milk Left over dinner eg spaghetti Bolognese, cheese cubes, orange quarters, water Banana roll, yogurt, carrot sticks, water
Keeping food in the Lunchbox cool
Food poisoning occurs when bacteria in food have the right conditions to grow. Bacteria grow best when the temperature is between 5-60
oC. To keep food in the lunchbox safe it is important that food is kept cool.
Use insulated bags as lunchboxes Place ice bricks in lunch boxes Place frozen drinks (water) in lunch box Freeze suitable foods eg. Sandwiches, yoghurt Store lunch in a cool area out of the sun
Reference: Nutrition Ready to go at OOSH
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Attachment 3: Customer Feedback Flow Chart
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Attachment 4: Policies and Procedures
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Attachment 5: Unwell Child Checklist EXAMPLE ONLY
Child's Name: Date Of Birth:
Dear: Date:
You have been notified that your child has been unwell today and displaying the following symptoms
and/or signs.
SYMPTOM / SIGN X Time SYMPTOM / SIGN X Time
Vomited on ……occasions Had……occasions of diarrhoea
Had a rash on ………….
Was crying readily and would not be
comforted easily
Headache / sore head / sore
neck
Lost interest in playing/abnormally quiet and
inactive
Consistent cough Looked tired and/or flushed
Yellow / green discharge from
eyes / ears
Felt cold and looked pale
Excessive yellow / green
discharge from nose
Was fretful and/or listless
Infectious Disease (inc
gastrointestinal)
High Temperature
Seizure/unconscious or
convulsion (circle)
Any relevant circumstances surrounding the child becoming ill:
There has / has not been recent similar illness in other children in the centre.
The diagnosis in the other children was: ___________________________________
The child's temperature was:
Time Temperature Action Outcome Educator Signature
Lower Ground Floor, 4-20 Eton Street
Sutherland NSW 2232
Locked Bag 17, Sutherland NSW 1499
Tel 9710 0466 Fax 9710 0597
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The child has eaten
The child has drunk
Parent / Emergency Contact Notification
Educator name Who was Notified/Attempted to
Notify
Number Called Date Time Signature
PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF THE OTHER CHILDREN AND EDUCATORS BY KEEPING YOUR
UNWELL CHILD AWAY FROM THE CENTRE
Children cannot attend or remain at the service if they:
Have a temperature over 38.5oC, or have had presented regularly/on subsequent days with a temperature over 38.5oC.
Have 2 incidents of diarrhoea or 1 incident of vomiting within a previous 24 hour period.
Are unable to participate in the service’s program or in case of young infants, in need of constant one to one attention.
Have or be suspected of having an infectious disease or contagious rash and have been excluded from the centre (a written Doctor’s clearance must be given to return)
When can your child return to the centre?
A 24 hour symptom-free period is required if your child has experienced diarrhoea, vomiting, or subsequent presentment of a high temperature unless further exclusion advised by the Public Health Unit or at the Directors discretion.
A medical clearance is required if your child has displayed symptoms of an infectious disease or contagious rash.
When your child appears well, is able to participate in daily program, is no longer displaying signs & symptoms of an illness, and has gained clearance as above if required.
Note: A high temperature maybe masked by the administration of Panadol. If your child continues to present
with a high temperature, you maybe requested to seek medical advice and obtain a doctor’s certificate.
Note: If medication is administered, a medication form must be filled out. If the child is taken
via Ambulance a notification of a serious incident must be made to the Department of
Education by Children’s Services Management.
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A PHOTOCOPY OF THIS CHECKLIST MUST ACCOMPANY AMBULANCE, and be provided to
PARENT – ORIGINAL TO GO ONTO CHILDS FILE.
To be completed by person completing this record:
Date making Record: Time of making Record
Name: Signature:
To be completed by Parent / Authorised person:
I have read an understood the above information.
Date: Time:
Name: Signature: