HANDBOOK
OUR CHILDCARE SERVICES
The Cathedral School recognises that many families in this busy world need care for their children outside of traditional school hours.
Through our Early Learning Centre, the school provides appropriate and stimulating programs for children from 6 weeks of age to the year prior to primary school. These services operate from 7.00am until 6.00pm throughout the year, with only a three-week closure over the Christmas – New Year period.
ASSESSMENT AND RATING PROCESS
Our Licensed Early Learning Centre consists of Kindergarten and Early Years programs, which are approved services under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2011. The programs meet government requirements regarding activities, programming, staff qualifications and child-staff ratios.
Assessments of the services are conducted by the Regulatory Authority – The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) against the National Quality Standard and National Law to ensure that quality education and care service is being maintained.
The seven quality areas covered by the National Quality Standard are:
• Educational program and practice
• Children’s health and safety
• Physical environment
• Staffing arrangements
• Relationships with children
• Collaborative partnerships with families and communities
• Governance and Leadership
The Cathedral School Early Learning Centre has been assessed and rated overall as Meeting the National Quality Standards.
PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT
Our vision is to be the benchmark of excellence in early childhood education and care. We encourage and guide children to become independent learners through engaging them in high quality, developmentally appropriate educational programs delivered in partnership with families by compassionate, dedicated and qualified staff in a safe, supportive and inclusive environment. We do this through Learning Together, Working Together, and Supporting One Another with the values of Integrity, Togetherness, Care, and Joyfulness underpinning our practice.
STAFF
Our staff are of the highest standard with appropriate qualifications and often years of experience in early childhood, both practically and educationally.
All staff hold Positive Notice Blue Cards, and current First Aid and CPR certificates. Additional information relating to individual staff is located in the classrooms.
New staff undertake an induction process so they are aware of the Centre’s policies, principles and procedures. During this time, staff will be introduced to parents and children to ensure a smooth transition for families and the new staff member. All staff are carefully selected to maintain the highest quality of care and education for our children.
HOURS OF OPERATION
EARLY YEARS
Hours of Operation
KINDERGARTEN
Kindergarten Program
7.00am – 6.00pm
Staff members are encouraged to participate in professional development through educational seminars, meetings, discussions and conferences relating to child care, child development and education.
Monday to Friday
We ask that children are in attendance for the whole session to receive the full benefit from the program. 8.30am – 3.00pm
Full Day Program
The full day program provides quality care for the children before and after the Kindergarten Session each day.
7.00am – 6.00pm
Kindergarten Vacation Care Program 7.00am – 6.00pm
Monday to Friday (Term Time)
Monday to Friday (Term Time)
Monday to Friday (School Holidays)
The Centre is closed on weekends and public holidays and for three weeks over the Christmas holidays.
CLOSURE OF CENTRE
DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER
In the event of a cyclone or severe weather event, the Centre may have to close. If a decision is made to close the Centre, the following communication methods will be used:
• A message will be posted to the School’s Website and Social Media pages.
• An email detailing the closure will be sent as soon as possible.
• Notification will be lodged with the Department of Education and displayed on their website. The same methods of communication will be used to advise when the Centre is re-opening.
ENROLMENT INFORMATION
To register for the Early Learning Centre waitlist, families need to go to the school website and follow the link to complete the Xplor wait list form.
Once your waitlist form has been completed, you will need to contact the Early Learning Centre to pay the Wait List Fee.
The position of your child on the wait list is linked to these factors:
• Your child’s immunisation status (children’s immunisation status must be up to date).
• Your child’s date of birth.
• The date the application is received.
• The family’s connection with The Cathedral School (siblings or family members at the school).
• The Australian Government Priority of Access Guidelines.
When there is a likelihood of a position becoming available for your child, you will be contacted by the Centre to arrange an interview with a Coordinator.
During this interview, important information regarding policies, programs, and daily routines will be provided, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions, tour the Centre and clarify any areas of interest. When a position then does become available, you will receive an email from Xplor inviting you to complete a Re-enrolment form.
To complete the enrolment process, you will be required to:
• Complete the Re-enrolment Form via the link provided by Xplor.
• Attach a copy of the child’s original birth certificate, Immunisation History Statement from MyGov, and copies of any Court Orders, Parenting Orders, Parenting Plans or Medical Action Plans relating to the child to the Re-enrolment form.
• Pay the Acceptance fee over the phone or in person at the Centre.
Any changes of address, contact numbers, immunisation, medical histories, or any relevant information pertaining to your children whilst they are enrolled in the Centre can be updated by contacting the Centre. Some of these may require updating the Re-enrolment from via a link supplied by the Centre.
Enrolment in the Early Learning Centre does not guarantee your child a place at The Cathedral School, or into your preferred Kindergarten program. There is an offer process for Kindergarten during the pre-Kindergarten year, and for entry into Prep and beyond you will need to submit the official school Application for Enrolment form. It is best to complete this application as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
IMMUNISATION
The school supports Queensland’s Public Health Act 2005 (as amended), which provides the School with the ability to cancel, refuse or place a condition on the enrolment or attendance of children who are not up to date with their immunisations.
Parents/guardians are required to provide an immunisation history statement showing their child’s immunisation status as being up to date. This will be required upon enrolment, and throughout attendance (after children pass their vaccination milestones). Exemptions are provided where a child has a documented medical contraindication or is on a recognised vaccination catch up schedule.
Proof of vaccination is to be demonstrated by an official record issued by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR). Parents can obtain this free of charge through MyGov.
The personal health record book from Queensland Health is not recognised as an official document and is not an acceptable form of proof of vaccination.
WITHDRAWAL OF ENROLMENT
Student withdrawal must be notified in writing to a Coordinator or the Finance Officer two weeks prior to departure date. In the absence of this notice, two weeks’ fees will be charged, unless otherwise agreed by the Nominated Supervisor.
KINDY OSHC & VACATION CARE BOOKINGS
When enrolling your child in Kindergarten you will be required to nominate if your child attends the school hours or full day program. The full day includes the before and after school hours care program (Kindy OSHC). The Kindergarten (school hours only) program runs between the hours of 8.30am – 3.00pm.
Please consult with ELC Reception in the event of family emergencies requiring additional childcare needs. During Kindergarten holidays you will be required to nominate the days you require your child to attend the Kindergarten Vacation Care program. You will receive a link to an online booking form towards the end of the Kindergarten school term. Forward bookings are essential to enable staffing to be organised.
PHOTOGRAPHS & MEDIA CONSENT
Each room has an iPad which is used to document the learning program. Photos are used for room and Centre displays, Daily Journals, and school media. Different options for providing consent to your child’s photographs being used in different ways by the Centre and/or school is provided on the enrolment form. If you would like to adjust your consents, please advise the Centre in writing.
PRIVACY
Personal information is collected about children enrolled at the Centre, their parents and people who care for them. The primary purpose of collecting this information is to enable us to use the information for all actions connected with the caring and education of your child. Personal information provided will be used in accordance with the school’s Privacy Policy, which may be viewed on the school website.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
Staff members are aware of time constraints imposed on parents; however, our doors are always open if you would like to spend part of your day participating in the programs, activities, or sharing your talents and interests with the children. Parental involvement in your child’s program establishes continuity between home and the Centre. By working together, families can be authentic partners in the education of their children.
In general, we ask parents to assist in the following ways:
• Be punctual, particularly on your child’s first day.
• Be prepared to stay for a short time if this is thought to be necessary, and when leaving, say goodbye and then leave promptly.
• Read notices, emails, and The Scoop regularly.
• Offer to share talents and interests, such as playing a musical instrument, crafts, cooking etc.
• Collect items from home for collage, box craft, loose parts play, home corner etc.
• Communicate with the relevant staff about your child.
• Support excursions in a supervisory role.
• Follow procedures and guidelines as stipulated in our policies and procedures.
PASTORAL CARE & CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Parents are welcome and encouraged to discuss any issues and share concerns with their child’s Teacher/Lead Educator. Events in family life, such as major illness, accidents or death in the family, a new baby, separation, or visits by relatives can have a marked effect on a child’s behaviour. It is important that parents and the Centre share information.
The class Teacher/Lead Educator will discuss child behaviour concerns with parents. Ongoing information will be provided to parents regarding the progress their child is making. Confidentiality is respected at all times.
The individual child is the focus for the development of curriculum. Detailed, individual child observations are kept in order to:
• Gain an understanding of individual children.
• Discover children’s strengths and passions.
• Identify areas of development that need strengthening.
• Provide information for reporting to parents.
XPLOR HOME
Xplor Home is an online parent portal providing access for parents to view their children’s learning, participation in daily activities, and update their personal and financial (direct debit account) details.
Information you will be able to access includes:
• Photographs of your child/ren and/or group photos of your child/ren’s class participating in activities.
• A snapshot of the learning that takes place in your child’s class each day.
• Notifications surrounding day-to-day routines, such as toileting, application of sunscreen, sleep/rest, food intake.
• Notifications if your child has an Incident Report to be signed.
• Notifications of any medications provided to your child.
Families with more than one child in the Centre will only require one account from which they will be able to view all of their children. Each parent will need to download the Xplor Home app to be able to sign their children in and out, but only the primary carer (parent under whom the account is set up) will have access to the Financial tab.
Additional family members or friends who have consent to drop off/collect children will not have access to the Xplor Home app; they will need to be added by the primary carer as a ‘Contact’ and can sign the child/ren in and out manually via the iPad Kiosk at ELC Reception.
REPORTING
Open communication is a vital part of maintaining a positive connection between home and the Centre, and parents are welcome to request an interview to discuss their child’s progress at any time throughout the year.
For all children, parents are invited to attend a compulsory Parent Teacher interview towards the end of Term 1 and a non-compulsory Parent Teacher interview towards the end of Term 3. This allows parents to see their child’s progress and discuss any concerns they may have. At the end of Term 4, parents of Kindergarten children are sent a Kindergarten Transition Statement which provides relevant information for their child’s transition into school.
PARENTAL QUERIES, COMPLAINTS & FEEDBACK
Parents should direct any queries, concerns, or feedback about their child to their child’s Teacher/Lead Educator or the relevant Centre Coordinator. Concerns relating to Centre policies, procedures, or the day to day running of the Centre should be directed to the Early Learning or Childcare Coordinator.
Formal complaints or concerns can be submitted to the school by completing a Complaint Form, located on the school’s website. For further information, please refer to the school’s Complaint Management Procedure.
ATTENDANCE AND EXCURSIONS
ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES OF CHILDREN
An electronic sign-in-and sign-out system is located at the ELC reception.
Parents/guardians set up their own individual personal identification number (PIN) when setting up their Xplor Home app. Parents can use their Home app to scan the unique QR code located on the iPads at ELC Reception to sign their child in/out, or can manually sign in/out using their mobile number and PIN. Family/friends who are authorised to drop off/collect a child are to be added by parents as ‘Contact’ using their Home app. These authorised people then sign the child in/ out manually using the iPads. Please note that it is a legal requirement for children to be signed in to and out from the Centre for each attendance.
Parents/guardians are not to share their Home app, log in details, or allocated PIN with any other person authorised to collect/drop off their children. Each Authorised person must use their own individual log in.
Please ensure that a staff member is aware of your child’s arrival and departure. When you arrive at the Centre in the morning, you are responsible for your child until you have had contact with staff and placed your child in our care. In the afternoon, once you have made contact with your child and made contact with staff, you are then responsible for your child once again. Accompanying children and siblings must stay with you at all times and may not use the equipment or run outdoors to ensure the safety of all.
A child may only leave the Centre if the child is given into the care of:
• A parent of the child,
• An authorised nominee named in the child’s enrolment form as a ’Contact’,
• A person authorised by a parent or by an authorised nominee (named in the child’s enrolment record or notified to Reception in writing) to collect the child from the premises.
No child will be permitted to leave the Centre with any person under 18 years of age.
The Centre closes at 6pm each day. If your child is not collected from the Centre by this time, a late fee will apply. If we are unable to contact the parent/ guardian, staff will contact the authorised nominee/s listed on the child’s enrolment records until a suitable person is found to collect your child.
If Kindergarten children enrolled in the school hours program are not collected from class by 3.10pm, late fees will be applied. If we are unable to contact the parent/ guardian, staff will contact the authorised nominee/s listed on the child’s enrolment records until a suitable person is found to collect your child.
ABSENCES
Absences can occur due to illness, holidays or other reasons, and children need to have time away from the Centre. Parents/guardians are to inform the Centre if their child is unable to participate in the program on their usual day/s of attendance. This can be done via the Xplor Home app or via email or telephone.
If the absence is due to an infectious/contagious illness, parents/guardians are required to notify the Centre. Exclusion periods for infectious conditions will be applied and parents may be requested to provide a copy of a medical clearance certificate for their child, prior to them returning to the Centre. Refer to Infectious Diseases Management procedure for further information on exclusion periods.
SPECIAL OCCASIONS & CELEBRATIONS
Sharing a birthday cake or other celebration treat is a special moment for children. Parents are welcome to bring along a cake to share with the child’s friends, however, to maintain hygiene and to prevent the spread of germs the following is to be applied:
• Provide a separate cupcake (with a candle if the parent wishes) for the birthday child and enough cupcakes for the other children.
• Provide a separate cupcake (with a candle if the parent wishes) for the birthday child and a large cake that can be cut and shared.
The Cathedral School is a Nut Aware Zone and an Allergy Aware Environment. Please do not send foods containing nuts.
EXCURSIONS AND EVENTS
Throughout the year, the children may participate in excursions inside the school boundaries. There are also many occasions when community education and cultural shows visit the classrooms. Parents will be notified of any planned visits or shows so you can join us if possible.
When completing the Enrolment form, parents/guardians can provide automatic permission for children to visit other sections of The Cathedral School campus (e.g. adjoining playgrounds, Wonder Hub, or Rock Centre). Parent/guardians will be required to fill out a permission form before your child is able to attend an excursion outside of the school grounds.
COURT ORDERS AND CHILD PROTECTION
COURT ORDERS, PARENTING ORDERS, PARENTING PLANS
The Cathedral School recognises the right of both natural parents of the child to be involved in decisions about the education and care their child receives. The Centre will communicate all relevant information about your enrolled child/ren to the nominated parents/guardians as listed on the enrolment form.
If a child is subject to a custody order, parenting order, or parenting plan, the Centre will require a copy of the order.
FOOD AND NUTRITION
Healthy eating habits are vital to good health and start to develop from an early age. The Centre supports the Australian Healthy Eating Guidelines – Healthy Eating for Children and encourages children to bring healthy, nutritious snacks, meals, and water.
Please avoid sending chips, lollies, chocolates, chocolate biscuits, chewing gum, juice, flavoured milks, or fizzy drinks as these will be returned home. Please limit packaged foods. Fresh fruit, vegetables, sandwiches with healthy fillings, yoghurts and cheeses are preferred.
The Cathedral School is an Allergy Aware Environment. Please do not send foods containing nuts, including peanut butter, almond meal, Nutella, and muesli bars. This limits the risk to children and staff who suffer severe allergies to nuts.
MEALS – EARLY YEARS
Parents need to provide their children with healthy and nutritious meals, snacks, water, and milk/formula according to the age of the child and the length of time spent at the Centre. All bottles (for milk/water) are to be supplied by the parent. Do not include juice, cordial, or sweetened/flavoured milk in lunchboxes.
Please note that the Centre does not heat food up for children to consume.
Fridges are provided for keeping lunches fresh. Please speak to your child’s educator on the preferred method for providing lunches as this may vary between rooms. Generally, in the rooms with older children lunchboxes/bags can be placed directly into the fridge on arrival. Some rooms with younger children may require you to package each meal/snack separately (labelled clearly e.g. John Smith) and place them in the relevant section of the fridge in your child’s room.
If you are providing formula or expressed breast milk, please consult with your child’s educator on the Centre’s procedure for preparing, handling, and storing breast or formula milk.
Parents/custodians must keep the Centre informed if the custody/access arrangements for their children change.
CHILD PROTECTION
The Cathedral School has child protection procedures in place to ensure that any suspected or actual harm is reported in accordance with legislative requirements. All children have the right to be free from harm and to play, learn, and be cared for in a safe and secure environment.
The Centre’s ‘Formula & Expressed Breast Milk Feeding Procedure’ is to be followed to ensure that safe food handling practices are implemented.
Early Arrivals – Breakfast
Children who arrive at the Centre early between the hours of 7:00am and 7.30am will have the provision to sit down and have a small breakfast on arrival supplied by the parent/guardian.
After 7.30am staff are required to assist with the daily set up and arrival of all children, therefore no supervision will be provided for eating. Please arrange for your child to consume breakfast prior to drop off.
Late Collection – Late Afternoon Tea
Children who are not collected until after 5pm will be offered the opportunity to have a late afternoon tea from their lunchbox. If your child is regularly collected after this time, we suggest you provide a small healthy snack for this time.
MEALS – KINDERGARTEN
Parents/guardians are required to provide their child with healthy and nutritious meals, snacks, and a water bottle. Please do not include juice, cordial, or sweetened/flavoured milk in lunchboxes. Please place all meals/snacks in a lunchbox/bag which is clearly labelled (e.g. John Smith) and place them in the fridge outside your child’s room on arrival at the Centre each day.
MEALS – KINDERGARTEN OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS CARE (KINDY OSHC)
Parents/guardians will be asked to provide an afternoon snack for children who attend Kindy OSHC. Please put this food in a separate container/bag which is clearly labelled (e.g. John Smith) and place this in the class basket in the Kindy OSHC fridge.
NAPPY RASH CREAMS
Nappy rash creams (eg Sudocrem, Bepanthen etc) will require a current pharmacy label (in English) that includes the child’s name.
CHILD RELATED ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES
All staff members have current First Aid and CPR certificates. The school has a Nurse on duty at the Student Health Centre from 8.30am to 4.00pm daily during school terms. Any emergencies will be dealt with according to the Centre’s Incident, Injury, Trauma and Illness Procedure.
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Emergency and evacuation procedures have been established for the safety of staff and children. Emergency procedures are practiced throughout the year. Please make yourself aware of the Centre’s evacuation procedure and lockdown procedure, and if you are present at the Centre during a drill, we ask that you participate in the procedure.
SLEEP & REST
The Centre will ensure that all children have appropriate opportunities to sleep, rest, and relax in accordance with their individual needs, age and development stages. The Red Nose Safe Sleeping Practices are followed within the Centre.
Educators will discuss with families their child’s sleep and rest times/needs. Children will neither be forced to sleep nor prevented from sleeping if required.
• Bed linen is to be supplied by the parent/guardian.
• Sleeping bags for babies are an alternative to bed linen. Sleeping bags must have a fitted neck and arm holes, with no hoods or cords. Parents are to provide a sheet for the base of the cot when using a sleeping bag. Bedding will be sent home at the end of each week to be washed. Please ensure that all items are clearly named. In keeping with Red Nose’s Safe Sleeping guidelines, no pillows are used within the Centre.
• Sleeping aids for babies will only be permitted to be used if approval is provided in writing by the parent/guardian to the Centre.
• Parents/guardians who wish to use a dummy must provide dummies in a clean, closed container clearly labelled with the child’s name. Parents/ guardians are responsible for sterilising dummies.
• Amber teething necklaces/bracelets and similar types of jewellery are not permitted during rest times and these items will be removed by staff.
SUN SAFETY
The Early Learning Centre is committed to ensuring that all children attending our Centre are protected from the harmful effects of the sun throughout the year. The Centre enforces a ‘No Hat – No Play’ rule.
Please ensure that your child’s clothing provides adequate protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. The Cancer Council Queensland recommends clothing with the following features:
• dark-coloured
• collars and sleeves
• closely woven fabric
• natural fibre
Parents must also provide a well-fitting hat for use in all outdoor activities. The Cancer Council Queensland recommends a 7.5cm broad-brimmed or legionnaire style hat.
We ask that sunscreen is applied to children before attending the Centre each day. The Centre provides SPF 50+ broadspectrum, water-resistant sunscreen for your child’s use.
Staff educate and monitor children in the application of sunscreen prior to outside activities. Information of if/when staff apply sunscreen during the day to children will be available in the Xplor Home app.
WHAT TO BRING EACH DAY
EARLY YEARS (DISCOVERERS – INVENTORS)
• Sleep sheets for rest time. Cot sheets work well for all age groups.
• A comforter for rest time (if required).
• Healthy options for morning tea, lunch, and afternoon tea. Please provide bottles, milk, and/or formula if needed.
• Water bottle filled with water.
• Wear sun safe clothing.
• At least two sets of spare clothing, more if your child is toilet training.
• At least two pairs of spare underwear, more if your child is toilet training.
• A sun safe hat. This could be a wide-brimmed hat, a bucket hat, or a legionnaire’s hat.
• Wear or bring shoes. Children in Creators and Inventors must wear or bring closed-in shoes on their PE day in order to participate in the lesson. Please ensure all items are labelled with your child’s name.
ELC shirts are available for purchase for your child from The School Locker at the Domain shopping complex. These shirts are optional and are not a compulsory requirement.
KINDERGARTEN
• Sleep sheets for rest time. Cot sheets work well.
• Healthy options for morning tea and lunch. A healthy afternoon tea will only be required for those children attending Kindy OSHC in the afternoon. Please include the latter in a labelled container or bag and place in their class basket in the Kindy OSHC fridge.
• Water bottle filled with water.
• Wear full school uniform. On regular days – navy school polo, navy school shorts, white socks and light-coloured joggers. The school House shirt is to be worn on PE days. Hair ties and clips must be white, navy, or brown in colour.
• In the cooler months children can wear a navy school jumper or jacket, or plain navy jumper (with or without zipper). Plain navy track pants (boys & girls), navy thick footed stockings/ tights under school shorts (girls) are also permitted in winter.
• Spare uniforms in case of accidents or messy play (including extra underwear and socks).
• School bucket hat.
Please ensure all items are clearly labelled with your child’s name.
Uniforms are available from The School Locker located at the Domain shopping complex.
KINDERGARTEN VACATION CARE
The same items are required as per the Kindergarten list, however children can wear casual (sun smart) clothing during holiday periods. A wide-brimmed hat and closed-in footwear must be worn every day.
JEWELLERY
Jewellery is not permitted, with the exception of a watch, sleeper/stud type earrings, teething necklaces/ bracelets, and medic alert bracelets. Jewellery items can be potentially dangerous during many types of play and during rest time. Items such as hair clips and teething necklaces/bracelets, will be removed by staff for rest time.
FURTHER INFORMATION
ORGANISATION/SERVICE
Australian Children Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA)
Australian Immunisation Register
For families to check their children’s immunisation records, alternatively log onto myGov.
Childcare Access Hotline
The Australian Government Childcare Access Hotline is a free telephone service to help you find a childcare service that meets your needs.
Department of Social Services
Services Australia
For inquiries in relation to Government payments, including Family Tax Benefits, Childcare Benefit and Childcare Rebate and how they relate to your family’s financial situation.
Starting Blocks – Your first step into early childhood education & care
Australia’s online childcare portal. On this website you will find information on different types of childcare and how to get assistance with the cost of childcare.
myGov
myGov is a secure way to access government services online.
Taxation Office
For further information on the Childcare Tax Rebate.
CONTACT DETAILS
www.acecqa.gov.au
T: 1800 653 809 www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/australian-immunisationregister
T: 1800 670 305
T: 1300 653 227 www.dss.gov.au
T: 13 61 50
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au
www.startingblocks.gov.au
www.my.gov.au
T: 13 28 65 www.ato.gov.au
