Little Scholars Parent Handbook by Little Scholars Learning

Parent Handbook mylittlescholars.com.au

@LittleScholarsEarlyLearning

Little Scholars School of Early Learning would like to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land on which we provide our services. We pay our respects to Elders, both past and present, and extend that respect to the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons present within our communities. We recognise the significance of their culture, histories, stories and traditions that originated around and within this land and waterways.

Our Vision It’s our commitment to advocate for children, spark their curiosity and set them up for successful futures. We strive to build exceptional foundations to raise the benchmark in early education and care settings, and create an engaging and positive culture for early childhood professionals who place children at the core of everything we do. We celebrate diversity and equity through partnerships with children, families and community. Together we will build a legacy that will inspire future generations.

Welcome to the Family

A Note From Jae

The Little Scholars Four Pillars

About Us

Useful Tips

We Are Partners

Government Approved Kindergarten

Open Door Policy

Am I Entitled to Fee Assistance?

What Should We Bring?

Sustainable Practices

Little Scholars & The Environment

Supporting the Community

Education and Care Policies and Procedures

Family Time Program

welcome to the family

Little Scholars School of Early Learning welcomes you to our family.

We trust that the time spent at our campus for your little scholar will be a happy and fulfilling experience that exceeds your expectations. As part of our commitment to early education and care, our service caters for 6 weeks to 12 years of age.

Our premium service provides: » Educational long day childcare with specialised infant care facilities including separate outdoor baby play and care areas.

» Dedicated Before and After School Care facilities

separate to our childcare (4—12 years) with bus to pick children up from their schools, chill out zones, homework support and the latest IT technology equipment to entertain the schoolies before and after school.

» Vacation Care (4—12 years) with exciting excursions and fun programs including cooking, gardening and social outing to theme parks, restaurants etc.

» Climate-controlled environment for comfort and

hygiene, as well as HEPA filtration air purifiers to inhibit the spread of bacteria and illness.

» Nutritious three course meals prepared by a qualified chef using only fresh market ingredients.

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» A late supper is also available upon request at no extra charge, and take-home meals at low cost.

» Nappy service included for babies and toddlers included in your daily fee.

» Development and extra-curricular programs including Yoga, language lessons, Gardening/Sustainability, Cooking and Bush Kinder.

» An extensive transition to school program, including

ongoing projects, cooking, science, language, literacy and mathematical concepts.

» Queensland government approved Kindergarten

Program provided by a university qualified teacher that prepares every Little Scholar for school and beyond, including free kindy 15 hours per week, 40 weeks per year coinciding with the Queensland school year.

We are open Monday to Friday, 52 weeks a year (apart from gazetted public holidays). Hours vary between 6:00am and 6.30pm for your convenience. Our experienced and tertiary qualified educators are always available to discuss any questions or respond to any concerns you may have during the orientation process and beyond. Please feel free to approach your child’s educator at any time. Our Support Office assists us by providing guidance, training, advice and assistance to each campus’s leadership teams and educators so they can focus on delivering responsive programs for your child. We also have a dedicated operations manager, regional managers and a quality practice manager who visit each campus regularly to support and mentor the team and oversee educational quality. The Australian Children’s Education and Care Authority (ACECQA) regulates our services, and we work alongside the State-based Regulatory Authorities to deliver the best outcomes for your little scholar. The Regulatory Authority’s contact details are: QLD The Office of Early Childhood Education and Care, 13 QGOV (13 7468).

Our commitment to our families is reflected in all that we do: » Provide children in our care with a happy and safe environment that recognises their individual skills, talents and interests.

» Provide fully qualified educators to oversee your

child’s individual educational program and assist them with a comprehensive transition to school program when it is time for your child to make the transition to formal schooling.

» Provide a wide range of educational resources that are age and developmentally appropriate for all children in our care. Little Scholars re-invests in all studios and outdoor environments monthly to ensure your little scholars has the very best to grow and learn.

» Incorporate the use of technology, interactive

whiteboards, iPads and computers to provide your child with endless opportunities to further their interests and gain experience with real life tools that they will use once they move to kindergarten.

» Our Family Time Program aims to give families back

their time together by offering specialist appointments and activities that they’d normally do after work and during weekends.

» Include our Little Scholars parents in every facet of the

decisions we make in our campuses. Each campus has its own Parent Committee, a volunteer-based group that’s consulted about all aspects of how Little Scholars operates. The parents have their say on topics from new playground design, to new menus, to our policies and procedures.

» Provide beautifully presented, easily accessible

environments both indoors and outdoors that invite children to explore, make choices and empower them to make decision about their learning.

» Are committed to providing child-safe environments and all educators have up-to-date Blue Cards (Working with Children Check) are provided with regular child protection training.

» Seek feedback from all stakeholders in the service on our policies and procedures to ensure that they are meeting our families’ needs.

» Offer the latest in internationally recognised learning programs like Bush and Beach Kinder that offer a completely different learning experience than the traditional classroom.

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Welcome

to our Little Scholars School of Early Learning.

Let me introduce myself. I’m Jae Fraser and I founded Little Scholars School of

Early Learning. I’m a university-qualified educator with more than two decades of hands-on experience in early childhood

A note from Jae

education. I’ve worked in all areas of early childhood education, from educator to centre management to operations senior management positions throughout Australia and Singapore. I’m also an executive of the Australian Child Care Alliance QLD and is an active advocate for children and education. My last 20+ years in this sector has allowed me to create something special, Little Scholars School of Early Learning. Our goal is to provide exciting experiences and activities for your child to learn through play. We are a set of family-owned and operated boutique early learning campuses dedicated to providing your child with the best possible start in life. At Little Scholars, we go beyond mere childcare; we are committed to shaping the future through exceptional early education. The cornerstone of

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our success is our dedicated team of educators, who are not only proficient but are leaders in their field. We invest heavily in their professional development, offering a range of opportunities to ensure they remain at the forefront of educational best practices. Moreover, I created the Fraser Foundation because my entry into the early education sector came with challenges, I wanted to make it easier financially for the next generation of dedicated early childhood educators. I have a deep-rooted passion for elevating the standards of early education. The Foundation provides scholarships to dedicated educators facilitating their pursuit of further studies. This dual commitment—to our educators and to your children—ensures that we are not just meeting but exceeding the highest standards in early education. When you entrust your child to Little Scholars, you are engaging with a team that is passionate, highly educated, and consistently ahead of the educational curve. It is through this commitment that we are shaping a brighter future, one little scholar at a time. We welcome you to our Little Scholars family. We feel privileged to educate your child in the most important and profound time for their learning and development.

The Little Scholars Four Pillars Grow

Learn

The Grow Pillar is dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment where your children can thrive, learn, play and grow, setting a strong foundation for their future. We provide tailored, age-specific early learning and childcare across four key stages: nursery, toddlers, pre-kindy, and kindy. Our expertly designed programs cater to the unique needs and developmental milestones of each age group. Little Scholars is also dedicated to the continuous improvement and personal and professional development, nurturing the growth of our team members. We invest in the growth of our team by providing opportunities for ongoing training, access to professional development, through dedicated professional learning days and in-service workshops and webinars, as well as the support from our operations team. This ensures that our educators stay up to date with the latest trends, leading a contemporary curriculum, supporting children to thrive within the environments and teaching we provide.

The Learn Pillar recognises the importance of fostering a culture of continuous learning, through ongoing education and knowledge acquisition, through our curriculum, environments and relationships which enable children to grow and fulfill their potential, actively learn through play and engaging intentional teaching. We aim for inspiring programs and strategic planning to contribute, influence and shape the development of our children, educators and community. We also support the continued learning of our educators, through our enhanced training programs, online learning platform and educational materials to provide a wealth of resources for our team members to expand and explore knowledge. Our professional knowledge and growth enhance the quality of our programs, aiming to support children to adopt the love of learning and thrive in their development and they learn new skill through advanced teaching practices.

Inspire

Contribute

The Inspire Pillar embodies our commitment to fostering inspiration and motivation among children, our educators and the wider community. We embrace creativity and innovation, encouraging team members to explore new ways of enriching the learning experiences for children. We believe we have a privilege of bringing magic to a child’s day by creating beautiful, whimsical, and inspiring learning spaces that will stir creativity, learning and exploration. Inside and outside we aim to set up inviting, interesting, and uncluttered spaces for children to explore.

The Contribute pillar embodies our commitment to making a positive impact on our educational community. We actively engage with the community through our extracurricular programs, partner with our families, to foster community involvement and participation in our educational programs. We believe that by actively contributing and engaging in meaningful projects and initiatives, we can make a positive and lasting impact.

These four pillars work together to provide a strong and unified framework, ensuring that everyone within our organisation understands and aligns with our purpose, objectives, and principles. Our pillars serve as a compass, guiding us and helping us stay true to our mission and vision, while upholding our core values and fostering a positive and inclusive culture.

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About us Founded in 2014 at our Yatala campus, Little Scholars has experienced significant

At Little Scholars, we are committed to providing your child with a well-rounded early learning education that includes the following:

growth, driven by a shared vision with

» Cognitive Development

families who seek unparalleled passion and dedication in early childhood education. In response to this demand, we have expanded our reach, adding multiple campuses to serve more communities. At Little Scholars, our commitment to equip your child with the essential knowledge and skills that will serve as the foundation for lifelong success. Our primary focus is on the holistic growth and development of your child. Through nurturing, teaching, and guidance, we cultivate an environment where every child can develop the competencies needed for a fulfilling life. Our educational philosophy is grounded in the understanding of the critical importance of the first five years of a child’s life. During this formative period, we provide comprehensive support to ensure that your child receives the individualised care and attention they need to flourish at their own pace. We believe that every child is unique and learns at their own pace. That’s why we offer personalised learning for each child. We also believe that parents are their child’s first and most important teachers. We encourage you to be involved in your child’s learning and to share your own experiences with them.

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We help children learn to think critically and solve problems

» Social-Emotional Development We help children develop positive relationships with others and learn to manage their emotions

» Physical Development We help children develop their gross motor skills (e.g., running, jumping, climbing) and fine motor skills (e.g., grasping, writing, cutting).

» Language Development We help children learn to speak, listen, and read.

» Arts & Creativity We encourage children to express themselves through art, music, and dance. Our experienced and caring educators create a safe and nurturing environment where children can learn and grow through play. At Little Scholars, we offer an environment where your children can flourish, learn, and develop, all within a nurturing and non-judgmental space. Our educators uphold the highest standards of courtesy and respect in all interactions with both parents and children. We never lose sight of the immense trust you place in us by allowing us to be a part of your child’s early years. It is this trust that fuels our dedication to creating a secure and welcoming environment where your children can thrive, learn, and grow at their own pace.

Settling into Little Scholars School of Early Learning We aim to ensure that you and your child settle in and enjoy the Little Scholars experience. Introducing your child to early education and care can be an emotional time. It is fair to expect some tearful goodbyes in the early days however; there are many ways to assist your child with this transition. Remember, we’re here to help and support you through this. Prepare your Little Scholar by attending play dates leading up to the first day, this helps both you and your child familiarise yourselves with this new environment. This is also a great opportunity for you to spend time with the educators and campus manager and ask questions.

We will ensure:

» Settling in is tailored to meet the individual needs of each child and their family

» Our educators play an active role in gathering information from you and your family so we can then determine what is best for your child

» We do this as our aim is to make the transition between home and the campus is as smooth as possible

» Our educators are always available to regularly discuss your child’s day

» We encourage you to spend time with your child to settle them in, you are more than welcome to phone us during the day to check on your child’s progress

» We assign a primary educator to assist in settling your child in each day and help them to overcome any anxiety they may be feeling

» We aim to ensure that all educators know your needs and work together as a team to provide routine and consistency of care

» We have developed a buddy system in which we pair your child up with another child to help settle them

LITTLE SCHOLARS PARENT APP As part of our commitment to providing your child the best early learning experience, we offer our very own Little Scholars app, available from the Apple store or Google Play. This handy communication tool allows us to easily share your child’s experiences with you. Our educators capture your child’s day through photos daily, and offer weekly evaluations and reflections on your child’s learning. Also on the app, Childcare Now allows you to report illnesses, absences or book extra days easily and conveniently. Our app, thanks to Kindyhub, saves us time, in-turn allowing us to spend more time with your child. Download it today. Parent Handbook | 9

Useful Tips Separation anxiety is normal in the early weeks. While there’s no magic formula to make separation anxiety miraculously disappear, there are a few tips that can certainly help: » Bring your child to play dates at Little Scholars for

orientation and to meet our educators before their first day.

» Talk to your child about what will happen at the campus and reassure them that you’ll be coming back.

» Work together with your child’s educators – they have plenty of good ideas and reassuring advice.

» Try to keep goodbyes short. It’s important to be

strong, leave when you need to go and don’t linger at drop-off time.

» Be calm, respond to your child’s distress and comfort them, but remain firm about leaving.

» Spend extra time with them to reconnect when you come

back and ask them about their day. Ask your educator for some useful questions that can help encourage your child to open up about their day’s experience.

» We encourage you to bring in photos of your family

that we can display around your child’s studio, so when your child is engaged in learning they know you are always there.

» You are welcome to bring in cultural pieces that represent

your family, we love having a piece of your home at ours – this brings everyone together and ensures your child feels they belong in our campus.

Check out our Little Scholars blog at mylittlescholars.com.au for more tips and advice.

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We Are Partners Success in early childhood education is a goal that both parents and educators have for their children. Learning improves when parents are involved in their child’s education. When parents work in partnership with their child’s educators, the child benefits. So how can educators and parents work in partnership? There are many things parents can do at home. Encouraging a positive attitude towards learning is one of the biggest favours a parent can do for their children. Educators appreciate it when parents:

» Help their children understand that learning is important » Set expectations for learning, by taking into account their child’s ability

» Show an interest in what their child is learning and what is happening at the campus

» Remember that at this age, playing is learning too! » Reading the memos and information sheets that are shared regularly

about their child’s education and care. Parents are welcome to spend time in the campus and share special occasions with their child. Parents are also encouraged to be involved in an advisory and consultative manner. We encourage parents to be involved in the review of our campus’s philosophy, policies and procedures. These opportunities will be made available through regular communication in the foyer area in your child’s studio and our Parent Committee. Some of the many ways we communicate include: through our Little Scholars app, books, newsletters, information meetings, parent information areas, feedback forms, parent meetings, special events, emails and display books. Please speak to your campus manager in regards to your individual preference for communication.

» Take note of important dates on the calendar » It is important that educators and parents get to know

Each child will have an individual portfolio of their learning at the campus. As a parent you are able to access, view and add to this at any time. Please speak to your child’s educators for more information.

Children succeed when there is an open exchange of information that links the home with the campus.

Information regarding your child’s day will be documented daily for you to view. This includes details of sleeping habits, toilet practices, child’s response to the day and any health and safety issues that may have arisen.

each other to develop trust and respect.

» Exchange ideas about the child’s special talents and

hobbies. We can then focus the child’s learning through their interests and strengths.

» Inform the campus manager if the child has a medical condition that may affect the child in our care, such as: asthma, allergies, or diabetes, for example. Educators are not medical practitioners, and parents should discuss arrangements they have made for emergency situations.

» Talk with the child’s lead educators about what is being taught.

» Discuss things like expectations and parenting approaches.

» Explore ways that the parent and teacher can help the child meet those standards and needs.

Let the educator know about situations which might affect the child’s interest in the campus. A seriously ill grandparent, the arrival of a baby, or changes in a work situation can be upsetting to a child. Educators are better able to provide learning experiences for children if parents let educators know what is happening. We encourage parents to actively participate in the care of their children through involvement in decision making

Weekly, a detailed evaluation and reflection will be sent out through the Little Scholars app and email, this includes intentional learning experiences, routines and transition times, children’s contributions, physical and gross motor experiences and links to the Early Years Learning Framework. Our educators will also speak with you informally upon collection of your child or through phone calls if any issues arise during the day. Throughout the year we also offer parent/teacher interviews as a more formal time for a parent and a teacher to talk. Just like every child is different, so will be each parent/teacher interview. Our educators are here to ensure that your child is happy and healthy in their care. If there is a problem that arises that you feel you need to resolve with our educators, then please let us know. All grievances will be taken seriously, and our best effort will always be forth coming. All outcomes will be discussed with the parent who is concerned. Our grievance policy is displayed in the campus foyer. Parent Handbook | 11

Government Approved Kindergarten At Little Scholars we believe that ‘the environment is the third teacher’, which is adapted from the Reggio Emilia approach. The physical environment and the learning spaces that we set up for children contribute to children’s wellbeing, creativity and developing independence. What will my child learn? Little Scholars School of Early Learning’s approved kindergarten program develop your child’s physical, social, intellectual, language and emotional abilities. They will have opportunities to learn how to: » Use language to communicate ideas, feelings and needs » Make friends and cooperate with other children » Become more independent and confident in their abilities

Your child will take part in individual and group activities such as block play, painting, games, puzzles, storytelling, dress-ups, dancing and singing. Children can take part in outdoor physical activities and interact with the natural environment. The end result will ensure that your child is fully prepared for the transition to formal schooling and Little Scholars will arrange a transition learning statement outlining their progress to accompany your child so your child continues on the path to success.

» Develop self-regulation

What is the learning program based on?

» Creatively express ideas and feelings through art, dance and dramatic play

Our government approved kindergarten program is based on the Queensland Kindergarten Learning Guidelines and is taught by a university-qualified Early Childhood Teacher.

» Identify, explore & solve problems » Develop reading, writing and numeracy skills

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The guideline gives our educators advice on how to deliver a quality kindergarten program that meets national and state quality standards and regulations.

How will I keep up to date on my child’s progress? At the end of the kindergarten year we will provide you with a summary of your child’s learning and development. You can use this transition statement as a discussion starter when you meet your child’s school teacher. During the kindergarten year, our educators will share information in many ways about how your child is progressing. We will:

» Chat informally with you at drop off and pick-up times or at any time you wish to meet;

You are your child’s first teacher. The most important thing you can do for your child is to talk with them. Language and the ability to communicate with others, which may include using sign language and devices to aid speech or writing, is essential for learning. We encourage you to read to your child every day, play simple games and explore outdoors, looking at nature and supporting them to talk about what they see. Everyday experiences around the home are also valuable opportunities for learning. Tasks such as setting the table, helping with the grocery shopping, gardening and tidying up help children with their development.

» Have communication books with photos and

Educational Programs

» Use photos to show the learning activities in which your

Our qualified educators plan experiences which develop children’s skills in all developmental areas and display the weekly program in your child’s room. Play activities allow children to naturally develop and have the opportunity to guide their own learning. Activity outcomes and individual observations on your child are documented in your children’s files to assist in extending their skills and abilities.

information about your child’s interests; child is participating;

» Invite you to formal discussions about your child during the year

How can I support learning and development? Little Scholars educators encourage you to have an active role in your child’s education, from volunteering in our classrooms to attending information sessions or formal parent meetings. If you are interested, please just ask us how you can become involved. You can offer your special skills and expertise, your time and energy or your interest in your child and what they are learning and experiencing.

Our Kindergarten program is a Queensland Governmentapproved program. All our little scholars in the kindergarten program are entitled to 15 hours of free kindergarten per week for 40 weeks per year, from 2024.

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Open Door Policy Our doors are open for families to drop in. You don’t need to call and tell us you’re coming, you’re welcome at any time. We’d love for you to come in and join our programs, your participation is valued.

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mber, childre e m n Re

Little Scholars School of Early Learning offers an extensive Transition to School program for children aged three to six years based on the National Early Years Learning Framework. The Framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play is the best vehicle for young children’s learning providing the most appropriate stimulus for brain development. The Framework also recognises the importance of communication and language, including early literacy and numeracy, and social and emotional development. We believe the value of play is of utmost importance to children as it is their way of learning about their world. While children are playing they are able to express their creative ability, release emotions and can share their feelings. We aim to guide your child in becoming an effective learner through creating an environment that is challenging and stimulating. The overall aim of our programs is to help your child in developing all areas necessary for success now and in later years.

The Collective Our weekly educational program is known as The Collective curriculum, which is a combination of planned and spontaneous experiences implemented into our program. Our collective program is flexible and accounts for the various activities on offer to children over the course of a week. The program is designed to support children’s development across various domains and aligns with the educational goals within our Early Years Learning Framework, EYLF and My Time Our Place Framework for school age children (MTOP) as well as supportive of individualised learning plans for each child.

lear

n through play

The Collective allows for input to the program throughout the day, based on observations made of the children. All educators contribute toward input to the program, based on their individual observations. This collection of voices, both educators and children, provides experiences that are reflective to the children’s current interest, engagement and leads to project inquiry led learning. Our program is displayed within our studio on our collective wall, outlining children’s participation and evidence to forward planned approaches to scaffold children’s learning is highlighted through coding system.

Pedagogy & Practice Pedagogy is a form of teaching strategies in the practice of educating. It’s the techniques, strategies and approach taken by educators to let learning and development to take place. Pedagogy refers to the interactive process between the educator, the learner and the learning environment and provides reason to the design of learning spaces, materials, and resources on offer. Pedagogical leadership supports educators in relating their pedagogy to content knowledge and educational theories. We have a dedicated pedagogy and practice leader who raises the benchmark of our overall quality of teaching and recognises that providing children with strong foundations for ongoing learning and development is underpinned by a strong pedagogical practice. Through this leadership, our educators are inspired to employ new approaches to their teaching, innovative curriculum ideas against up-to-date research. This role helps translate the Little Scholars values and principles into practice and increases the quality of educational experiences and interactions across our campuses.

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Early Years Learning Framework and Little Scholars School of Early Learning The Early Years Learning Framework is a

» Through the Framework’s five learning goals educators

National Early Learning Framework for

» A strong sense of their identity » Connections with their world » A strong sense of wellbeing » Confidence and involvement in their learning; and » Effective communication skills

children from birth to five years. As the early years are a vital time for children to learn and develop, the framework has been developed to ensure your child receives a quality educational program. Educators will use the framework in partnership with families to develop learning programs responsive to children’s ideas, interests, strengths and abilities and recognise that children learn through their play. The Early Years Learning Framework describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming:

» Belonging is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationship they have with their family, community, culture and place.

» Being is about living here and now. Childhood is a

special time and children need time to just ‘be’ – time to play, try new things and have fun.

» Becoming is about the learning and development that

young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.

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will assist your child to develop:

Little Scholars School of Early Learning also offers an extensive Transition to School program based on the Framework. The overall aim of our programs is to help your child in developing all areas necessary for success now and in later years. We work very closely with all local schools to ensure that every Little Scholar is prepared and has the knowledge they need to continue to primary school. My Time Our Place is a national framework for school aged children and the Before and After School Care Program as well as our Vacation Care program is designed with this framework in mind. The key concepts are similar to those set out in the Early Years Learning Framework however aims to extend and enrich children’s wellbeing and development in school age care settings.

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Am I Entitled to Fee Assistance? OUR FEE STRUCTURE The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a payment made by the Commonwealth Government to help families with the cost of quality childcare. A family’s eligibility is subject to an income test, which is administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS). It is the responsibility of the parent to register for CCS. Information and forms can be accessed from the DHS Office (through Centrelink) or families can call direct on 136 150. With the introduction of the Government’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS), families will receive a CCS fee reduction only if they have registered with a myGov account with Centrelink, are eligible for CCS, have a formal enrolment at the campus and the campus has received confirmation from the Government pertaining to the percentage of CCS for which they are eligible. If parents are not eligible for CCS, full fees must be paid. We are here to support and help in any way we can, so if at any time you require assistance, please just let us know.

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It is our policy that all families pay their fees two weeks in advance at all times (this includes current week plus two). The parent must then continue to pay the weekly fee in advance in order to maintain a credit balance equivalent to two weeks of fees. All payments must be made via automated direct debit and all families must complete an authority to debit application form prior to commencing enrolment. In consultation with management, requests are carefully assessed and not guaranteed to be approved. Our service has a no cash policy. There is also a one-off non-refundable enrolment fee, payable once your child’s enrolment has been confirmed. If you are planning holidays, a holiday application form is available from the office. This form must be filled out two weeks prior to the holiday absence to receive a discount on your fees for two weeks per year. All children’s booked days, including public holidays and absent days must be paid to retain your booking. Late fees are charged if children remain in the campus after closing time. Two weeks’ notice is required (four weeks’ notice is required between October to March) if you wish to cancel a booking. Failure to do so will require parents to pay two weeks’ full fees. All accounts must be finalised by this time as any outstanding accounts.

ARRIVING & COLLECTION OF YOUR LITTLE SCHOLAR Each child must be signed in and out of the campus every day they attend. This is a legal requirement that we must follow. These records are used in case of emergencies and for the calculation of the Child Care Subsidy (CCS). If a child is away, ill or on holidays the corresponding days must be signed by parents/guardians.

On arrival at the campus you are asked to do the following: » Sign in on the iPad check-in using your registered phone number and unique passcode. » Present your child to the educator in charge.

Before you leave the campus you are asked to do the following: » Come into the studio and greet your child and collect child’s belongings. » With your child, say goodbye to the educator in charge of the group. » Sign out on the iPad kiosk using your registered phone number and unique passcode. No child will be released into the care of any persons not known to team members. If educators do not know the person by appearance, the person must be able to produce some form of photo identification to prove that they are the person authorised to collect the child on the enrolment form. In the event that a child has not been collected 15 minutes after closing time then the parents/guardians will be contacted on the emergency telephone numbers provided. If the child has still not been collected 30 minutes after closing time, then staff will follow the Department of Communities Abandoned Child Procedures including contacting the Child Protection and Crisis Centre 24 hour service. Additional fees will be charged for a child who remains in the campus after the campus closing time. In the case that your child is absent we request that you mark him or her absent in the Childcare Now app, or phone the campus if your child is unable to attend their session for any reason. Notice is also required in the incidence of infectious or contagious diseases in the family. Families receiving Child Care Subsidy are allocated 42 absent days for each child per financial year. These absences can be taken for any reason including Public Holidays. Once the child has reached 42 absent days, CCS is not paid for any further absences, unless listed as part of our absence policy.

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What Should We Bring? At Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we are committed to providing you and your Little Scholar the very best service, so we try to provide everything we can. However, there are a few things that we suggest you bring along to ensure your child is comfortable. We suggest you consider packing » Sun-safe hat which protects your child’s face, neck and ears. A Little Scholar sun-safe hat will be given to your child when they enrol – you can include this or an alternative sun-safe hat in your child’s bag each day. » Sunscreen is supplied at our campus however you are welcome to bring alternative sunscreen if your child has allergies or sensitive skin. » Change of clothes and underwear (play-based learning can sometimes get messy). » We offer Little Scholars t-shirts to be purchased to save your clothes from messy play. » Comfort item (if required), such as toy or blanket. » Dummy in a sealed, named container (if required). Labelled bottles of milk. If using formula, please provide measured water and measured formula in a separate container. Please note we do not have facilities to sterilise water or bottles. » Sleeping sheet set or blanket, and a pillow, for nap time. We do not allow pillows in cots as per safe sleeping requirements. Please dress your child in play labelled clothing and footwear that wash easily, so that your child may enjoy all the activities. In choosing what your child should wear to the campus, please consider the following: Your child will be working with messy materials such as paint, glue, water and sand so must be able to stand a little wear and tear. Clothing must provide some protection and be comfortable for both indoor and outdoor experiences. Children will be climbing, running, jumping and swinging so they will need clothes that neither restrict their activity nor reduce their safety (e.g. Slippery shoes, long skirts) Children will need clothes which allow them for growing independence i.e. pants that can come off easily for toileting.

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Nursery Studios Our nursery studios are shoe-free nursery to create a conducive, clean, and safe environment for young children to learn and grow. It promotes hygiene and cleanliness, eliminating our infants and young children exposed to germs outdoor shoes can carry, this is particularly important as our young children will play on the floor. Promoting a shoe-free nursery can also be beneficial to children who may have allergies, this minimises the risk to the introduction of outdoor allergens being carried into the indoor space. It also supports a respectful space, where the practice fosters a sense of respect for the indoor learning environment for our infants, helping children understand that it is a space dedicated to play, learning and exploration.

Nutrition Little Scholars believe healthy meals are the foundation of growth, early child development and education. Developing healthy eating habits is a fundamental skill for young children and we play an important role in helping your child learn about and enjoy a variety of nutritious foods each day. We provide a specially designed, seasonal menu designed to provide a variety of healthy meals and snacks that are nutritious for children, safe, developmentally appropriate, and properly portioned for your child. It is a recommendation from health authorities that children in long day care are provided with at least 50 percent (50%) of their daily nutritional requirements whist they are in care. Little Scholars has developed nutritious seasonal menus, in consultation with Feed Australia to ensure that each individual child receives their daily nutritional requirements. We provide your child with opportunities to enjoy healthful foods that promote growth and allow them to learn food preferences and dietary habits that help them live a healthy lifestyle, so they are ready for early child development and learning. All meals are prepared fresh daily on site by a qualified chef, using only fresh, local market ingredients. We devote significant resources to allergy requirements using our qualified chef and a specific work area purely for this purpose. In addition, we can provide vegetarian and halal meals if appropriate. All of our campuses are breastfeeding-friendly environments. In our nursery studios, mothers are welcome to breastfeed their child at any time. For bottle-fed babies, our educators will mix and prepare the bottles at the required time. All bottles must be labelled with your child’s full name. The date the milk was expressed (or thawed) must also be on the label for those containing breast milk. For formula, please pre-mix or include measured water and measured formula in a separate container. We are not responsible for ensuring correct ratios of formula to water are measured. On arrival, please store all labelled bottles towards the back of the main body of the fridge. Bottles will be heated at your request by standing them in a container of tepid water or by using a bottle warmer. We will test the temperature of all heated fluids before offering it to your child. When babies move onto solids, please discuss your child’s food experiences/requirements with our educators. Our menu offers both purees and babyled weaning food options. Our strict supervision and attention to detail provides parents with confidence that their children’s food requirements will be properly met while in our care. Our weekly menu is posted in our campus and sent weekly to you in our campus updates.

Studio Details & Routines Our routines allow times for individual play/learning, small group and large group play/learning sessions. Children’s language and literacy skills are further developed during these times as children are involved in storytelling, drama and games. Music also plays a large part during these sessions as children can experiment with dancing, singing and exercising their bodies. With large outdoor play space our outdoor environments are separated by age group and are landscaped and very natural to allow for exploration and imaginations as well as health and well-being. Physical spaces are made available for children to engage in rest and quiet experiences. Educators provide a range of active and restful experiences and support children to make appropriate decisions regarding participation. Each of our studios are individual and unique and are tailored to suit the age and development stage of every little scholar, the diversity of the educators, children, families, the wider community, and are filled full of laughter, fun and educational resources. Every studio caters for all aspects of children’s learning including physical, social, emotional, creative, cognitive, and linguistic. Children’s learning is dynamic and complex, and the campus environment is designed for this. As your child grows and develops so will their needs, interests, and abilities. To cater for this, your child will gradually transition to the next studio and age group, after consultation with you. Our transitioning procedure includes communication with families and involves educators’ careful assessment of your child’s records to ensure they are ready for the next step and then short visits to the new studio to ensure a smooth transition. Parent Handbook | 21

Little Scholars & the Environment At Little Scholars our educators and children work together to learn about and promote the sustainable use of resources and to develop and implement sustainable practices. Our campuses have an environmental strategy which is consistently implemented at the campus, and overseen by a dedicated sustainability officer, as well as leadership team. This can include recycling, use of recycled resources, energy efficiency, water conservation and more.

What does sustainability look like at Little Scholars School of Early Learning? Sustainability is an important part of everything we do, from our curriculum and choice of resources to the aesthetics of our campuses and right through to our locallybased community partnerships. Here at Little Scholars School of Early Learning, we take the responsibility to introduce environmental sustainability principles into our service. We incorporate principles of environmental sustainability into our programs to ensure that we are reinforcing the messages children are receiving locally from both their home environment and community. At Little Scholars, we adopt a child-centred approach to learning about sustainability. We program significant periods of outdoor play exposing our children to the ‘living world’ and role-model sustainable practices throughout our campus. We encourage our children to develop connections with the natural world through our educational program and with excursions into the natural environment.

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Values underpin our thoughts, words and actions and are fundamental to a sustainable lifestyle. Values that are constructed early in life may be modified over time and determine the attitudes and behaviours of each individual. At Little Scholars we consider research and best practice to guide the implementation of environmental education and we also acknowledge it’s connectedness to the National Quality Standards and the Early Years Learning Framework

Sustainability is a consideration seen in the following features: » Natural ventilation across all our learning studios » Natural light in all rooms » Soft and organic play areas » Incorporation of rainwater harvesting garden watering » Use of reclaimed timber both indoors and outdoors » Herb and vegetable gardens that are harvested daily by our chef and children » Food is Free Project – Find out how you can be involved in this by asking the campus manager or your child’s educators

Supporting the Community Little Scholars believes children who learn that helping others makes the community a better place for everyone usually commit themselves to a lifetime of community service. This is part of our contribute pillar. A community is more than just a location or a collection of individuals who happen to love or work in the same place. Little Scholars believes, creating a sense of community is an important part of what we do. Strong links with the local community provides us with invaluable resources and information to enhance the learning. By drawing on community knowledge and expertise, we are better able to understand the children and families with whom they work, and better able to provide children with learning experiences that are meaningful and relevant to their lives. Little Scholars has a dedicated Community Officer in each campus who supports our community initiatives, relationships and events. We feel that teaching young children about communities is beneficial for several reasons:

» It helps children recognise the importance of communities and the roles people play within communities.

» It helps create a sense of place, familiarity, and security. » It helps foster stewardship and the knowledge that along with citizenship comes certain responsibilities.

» It helps children recognise and respect cultural diversity. Just some of the ways we are involved in our local community at Little Scholar:

» Local excursions » Participating in and contributing to community events » Visits to and with members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

» Invitations to community members and organisations to meet our Little Scholars

» Community group meeting attendance » Regular library visits » Emergency services and professional services visits to the campus

Just think about the impact your children can make in their community and the world!

Little Scholars is a big supporter of the local community and uses all local suppliers and family businesses to ensure a sustainable future for local business and trade. We believe it’s so important to support your local community.

Every little bit helps and many hands can lead to a big impact. We are committed to helping change children’s lives, which is why we are so proud to support, and partner with Baby Give Back. Baby Give Back is passionate about helping vulnerable babies, children, and families in our community. The charity works tirelessly to ensure that these families receive the best possible support and care when making sure these babies all have an equal chances in life. At Little Scholars, we believe that babies and children deserve to be nurtured and provided with the utmost care, love, shelter, and support. The early years are so important in a child’s life that we feel privileged to be working with a charity that provides the tools and relief to help vulnerable families in our community. We are thrilled to also include our Little Scholars families, knowing that we can spread the word and hope for more ongoing support within our community. This community support aligns with our four pillars – grow, inspire, contribute, and learn. We feel so proud knowing our community will do everything in its power to ensure the Baby Give Back mission is continued. Little Scholars also supports the Animal Welfare League Queensland (AWLQ). The volunteer organisation operates with the belief that every companion animal has a safe and caring environment where their intrinsic needs are respected and met. Besides homing, they provide access to veterinary care, advocate that governments support communities to improve the welfare of companion animals and support those animals within the community. The Fraser Foundation aims to provide financial assistance to aspiring educators seeking a rewarding career that shapes the minds of future generations. The grants and scholarships will provide successful applicants with access to tertiary studies and research in the field of Early Childhood Education. Our founder Jae started the Fraser Foundation, and has funded scholarships to many deserving educators.

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Education and Care Policies and Procedures Little Scholars School of Early Learning has an extensive number of policies and procedures pertaining to the care of your child. Our policies are located in the campus foyer and are available to review at any time. Below are some important policies to get you started. For more information on our campus policies please speak with your campus manager. National Quality Framework The National Quality Framework is a government initiative which sets a national quality standard creating greater consistency for early childhood education and care services across Australia. This initiative aims to improve educator-to-child ratios in services, increased skills and qualifications, national regulations and a quality ratings system which will help you to make informed choices about the education and care you choose for your child.

The seven quality areas are: 1. Educational programs and practice 2. Children’s health and safety 3. The physical environment 4. Staff arrangements 5. Relationships with children 6. Collaborative partnerships with families and communities 7. Governance and leadership Little Scholars aim is to exceed the national quality standard across all areas of our service and each campus has a quality improvement plan in place to show what is happening in our campus to achieve this. This will look at areas such as educational programs and practice, children’s health and safety, physical environment, staffing arrangements, relationships with children and collaborative partnerships with families and communities. For more information about the National Quality Framework, please speak to the campus manager or you can also find more information on the website: acecqa.gov.au

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Accidents and Incidents Our educators take a proactive approach to safety at our services and conduct thorough risk assessments of all play areas so that effective supervision strategies are in place and each child can feel safe and free to explore their environment. At all times educators are present in the service that hold senior First Aid qualifications including asthma and anaphylaxis training. Should an accident or sudden illness occur educators will immediately commence first aid and you will be contacted to collect your child or in emergency situations advised of the plan of action regarding further medical treatment. If, in an emergency, you or your authorised nominee cannot be contacted the Nominated Supervisor will provide the ambulance officers with information regarding your child and a team member known to the child will accompany your child to the hospital and stay until you arrive. Full documentation of the incident will be made.

Health and Hygiene Children and educators are actively encouraged to practice good personal hygiene at the service. We believe that this helps to minimise the instances of illness at the service. We also believe that if your child is ill, the best place for them is to be at home where they can recover faster. If your child presents at the campus with signs of illness the nominated supervisor may advise that they are not well enough to participate in the service’s daily activities and you will be asked to make alternative arrangements until they are well or the exclusion period has ended and seek medical advice (you may be asked to provide a medical clearance letter before your child can return). Should your child become ill at the service observation, documentation and first aid will commence and you may be contacted to collect your child from the service and seek further medical advice (Please note that pain-relief medication is not regarded as a first response and can only be administered in emergency situations and with prior written parental consent). It is important that you read the service’s medication policy carefully to know the guidelines for educators to administer medication to your child including pain-relief, prescription and nonprescription medication. A list of common infectious illnesses, their exclusion periods and policies and procedures related to illness and minimising the spread of infectious diseases are available in the foyer.

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Emergency Evacuation Emergency evacuations as well as lockdown procedures are regularly practiced and the campus has individual plans if in danger of local emergencies, including cyclone, flood and bushfire etc. Fire extinguishers are strategically located throughout the campus. As part of our fire safety measures all children in attendance at the campus are noted from the attendance sheet. Each child is identified during a fire drill. This is why it is important to ensure that you sign your child ‘IN’ and “OUT’ of the campus each day.

Child Safety

Immunisation

At Little Scholars, the safety and wellbeing of children are not just priorities; they are our core responsibilities. We are unwavering in our commitment to create environments where all children can feel and be safe. Our approach is comprehensive, aimed at safeguarding children from any form of abuse, neglect, or harm.

As part of your enrolment process, you will be asked to provide details of your child’s immunisation status. In the event of an outbreak of an infectious disease it may be necessary to exclude any children who are not immunised for their health and wellbeing. Non immunisation may also affect your Child Care Subsidy (CCS) payment. For more information, please refer to our immunisation, exclusion and notifiable disease campus policy available in the foyer.

To fortify this commitment, we have a robust Child and Youth Risk Management Strategy, supported by meticulously crafted policies and procedures. These guidelines are designed to address the safety and wellbeing of every child and young person in our care. Compliance with our codes of conduct is mandatory for everyone involved with Little Scholars—employees, students, volunteers, visitors, families, and authorised contacts. Failure to comply is not an option and is a condition for participation in our services. If you have any concerns about a child’s safety, health, or wellbeing at any Little Scholars campus, we urge you to report it. You can speak directly to the campus manager or contact Melanie, our operations manager. While you have the option to remain anonymous, providing contact details will enable us to gather more information and respond more effectively. Rest assured, any concerns raised will be directed to the appropriate parties, including regulatory authorities or law enforcement agencies, in line with legislative requirements. Children attending Little Scholars are also encouraged to contribute to a safe and supportive environment in ageappropriate ways, such as: » Respecting peers and adults » Following rules and cooperating during activities » Listening attentively to instructions » Managing emotions calmly » Actively participating in discussions about their involvement

Medication If your child requires medication whilst in care, a medication record must be filled in and signed by a parent. The medication must be in original packaging and accompanied by a prescription label/doctor’s letter (for non-prescription medication) which states who the medication is for and the dosage. Medication must be handed to a staff member and will be stored in a locked cupboard. Under no circumstances is any type of medication to be left in children’s bags. Please refer to the Medication Policy for further information.

Cultural Diversity As Australia is a culturally and linguistically diverse nation, we recognise the diversity of all cultures and provide opportunities for all children to develop an understanding of these cultures. Therefore, we aim to help foster in each child an awareness and acceptance of other cultures through integrating multiculturalism into our programs. It is important to understand that cultural awareness is not tokenism but is incorporated into our program on a daily basis. This can be achieved through providing and offering a range of books, music, cooking crafts, singing, clothing, play equipment and other subtle means. Where possible, all parent information can be translated into required languages advised by families upon enrolment. Little Scholars will provide the Interpretation Services contact number for families to access if needed.

» Speaking up about worries or concerns

Confidentiality of Campus Records

» Rejecting bullying and supporting peers

We value your privacy. For more information on our Confidentiality of Campus Records policy, please just let us know if you wish for more information.

» Refraining from causing harm to others » Using appropriate language

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It takes a village to raise a child; let us make your life easier with a full suite of on-campus family services.

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Family Time Program At Little scholars we understand the importance of spending quality with your family, creating memories and sharing experiences that you will hold onto forever. It is a simple idea but one that allows our families more time together on the weekends and weeknights without having to run around trying to fit in those never-ending appointments we need to organise for our children. Our family program includes haircuts, take home meals for the children and parents, as well as quarterly date nights so parents can reconnect with each other.

We offer activities such as sport, soccer, dance and swimming classes during your child’s time at our campuses, saving weekends for you. Our family time program was created with the intent to help support our families when life demands increase and we miss out precious, quality time with our family.

We also arrange specialist appointments on site which include optometrist, podiatrist, speech pathologist visits, dentist, and child health nurse appointments.

DENTIST

PODIATRIST

CHILD HEALTH NURSE

TAKE HOME MEALS

KINDY HAIR CUTS

DATE NIGHT

OPTOMETRIST

SPEECH PATHOLOGIST

We created our Family Time program knowing we could give back some of that cherished time to our families. Parent Handbook | 29

“There is something magical about childhood. The simplicity of what it means to be a child, from running, climbing and laughing, to exploring the world through curious eyes.”

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