POLICY & PROCEDURE MANUAL OPERATIONAL EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE SERVICES HOME BASED RELIEF EDUCATOR POLICY
PURPOSE STATEMENT An approved provider may engage a relief educator to provide education and care to children during a primary educator’s leave, within the primary educator’s residence under the National Law and National Regulations. SCOPE This policy applies to all salaried full time and part time staff (including casual), home based educators and families. POLICY STATEMENT WINDERMERE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE HOME BASED SERVICES WILL ENSURE THAT ALL RELIEF EDUCATORS WILL MEET THE ANNUAL EDUCATOR AGREEMENT PROCESS TO PROVIDE EARLY EDUCATION AND CARE FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. RELIEF EDUCATOR PROCEDURES Early Childhood Education and Care Home Based Service may approve a relief educator to relieve a primary educator in providing education and care to children, as part of a home based service, in the following circumstances: engage a relief educator to provide education and care to children during a primary educator’s annual leave or study leave within the primary educators residence; in the absence of the primary educator, transporting a child between the home based residence or approved home based venue and:- a school; or another education and care service or children's service; or the child's home; and providing education and care to a child, in the absence of the primary educator, in emergency situations, including when the primary educator requires urgent medical care or treatment; and providing education and care to a child, in the absence of the primary educator to attend an appointment (other than a regular appointment), if:o o o
the absence is for less than 4 hours; and the approved provider of the home based service has approved that absence; and notice of that absence has been given to the family of the child.
Policy title: ECECs Home Based Relief Educator
Review date: Nov 2017
Prepared by: ECECs Policy Development & Implementation Officer
Responsibility: ECECs Policy Development & Implementation Officer
Sign-off / date: Nov 2015
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Educators are required to provide the approved service with written authorisation from the family of each child being educated and cared for by the primary educator to use the relief educator and in what circumstances. Under NO circumstances is a relief educator to provide care for a child for which authorisation has not been given by the family.
RELIEF EDUCATOR REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS A Relief Educator is required to be a fully registered educator with the approved service. A fully registered educator must: be at least 18 years of age hold a current approved first aid qualification have undertaken current approved anaphylaxis management training have undertaken current approved emergency asthma management training have a current National Police Check hold a current Working With Children Check Card (linked to Windermere Family Day Care) participate in ongoing professional development opportunities throughout the year as well as maintaining compulsory child protection and first aid only use a vehicle that has been approved for home based early childhood education and care use sign and abide by the Educator Agreement and approved provider policies and procedures work in-accordance with Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011, Education and Care Services National Law 2011 and National Quality Standard.
RELIEF EDUCATOR REGISTRATION RESPONSIBILITIES 1. Complete the Relief Educator Induction Checklist prior to commencement of a placement. 2. Have the following documentation in your possession at all times: Windermere Early Childhood Education and Care Service policy and procedure manual and a folder containing your certificate of registration, insurance, first aid certificates and qualifications. 3. Sign in and out of Record of Visitors log each time entering and leaving the primary educators residence. 4. Carry out regular maintenance, safety and cleaning routines as needed. 5. Where possible follow the normal routine of the children’s day. 6. Complete attendance records for all children in care. 7. Ensure that families complete the attendance records. Policy title: ECECs Home Based Relief Educator
Review date: Nov 2017
Prepared by: ECECs Policy Development & Implementation Officer
Responsibility: ECECs Policy Development & Implementation Officer
Sign-off / date: Nov 2015
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8. The Relief Educator Induction Checklist form must be submitted with timesheets. 9. Relief educators will be paid the same amount as the primary educator for each care environment. 10. The relief educator is to issue a receipt for any payments collected (In Home Care Only) PRIMARY EDUCATOR’S RESPONSIBILITIES 1.
Contact the Windermere Early Childhood Education and Care Services to discuss the proposed appointment of the relief educator.
2.
Obtain written consent from families that their child can be educated and cared for by a named relief educator.
3.
When possible, confirm with the relief educator at least one week before relief care commences, days required, including hours of care, number of children, and any additional needs of children in care.
4.
Have families complete the Relief Educator Authorisation form.
5.
Complete the Relief Educator Induction Checklist with the relief educator.
6.
Discuss the day’s program with the relief educator.
7.
If the primary educator needs to cancel the relief educators’ care, 24 hours notice is required.
WINDERMERE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE RESPONSIBILITIES 1.
Maintain the relief educator booking diary.
2.
Scan and return any Relief Educator Induction Checklist forms which have been forwarded to the office (copies to be returned to primary and relief educators). Ensure an Educational Program Coordinator supports the relief educator through by visiting children in care when their primary educator is on leave, and checks supporting documentation
RELEVANT LEGISLATION / STANDARDS
National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care Services including: o
Education and Care Services National Law 2011
o
Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011
RELATED POLICIES & LINKS Replacement of following policy: Educator Assistants & Relief Educator Policy title: ECECs Home Based Relief Educator
Review date: Nov 2017
Prepared by: ECECs Policy Development & Implementation Officer
Responsibility: ECECs Policy Development & Implementation Officer
Sign-off / date: Nov 2015
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