Family Handbook 2020 · 2020. 5. 31. · Redlynch OSHC Family Handbook May 2020 2 Source Consultancy (hereinafter with its executive, shareholders, and staff, referred to as the “Company”)

Family Handbook

2020

Redlynch OSHC Family Handbook May 2020 2

Source Consultancy (hereinafter with its executive, shareholders, and staff, referred to as the “Company”) have provided this document in good faith and on information that has been provided to date. The Company accepts no liability of what-so-ever kind or nature however occurring from any recommendations made and/or implied in this document. By engaging Source Consultancy you agree to indemnify the said Company from and against all claims, suits, demands, and actions of whatsoever nature and description, which may be made or brought against the Company by any person directly or indirectly arising out of or relating to any action/s carried out as a result of information contained in this document.


Table of Contents

About Our Service

Our Philosophy Our Goals Our Approved Provider Policy and Procedures Child Protection Concerns, Complaints and Suggestions Confidentiality Enrolment and Orientation How we communicate with families Information Handling Parent/Guardian and Visitor Code of Conduct Priority of Access and Non-Discriminatory Access Respect for Children Staffing

Caring for our Children

Arrivals and Departures Late Collection and fees payable Babysitting Behaviour Management Clothing Daily Routine Damage to Equipment and Facilities Exclusion for behavioural reasons Excursions Food Health and Safety Homework Illness and Injury Immunisation and Non-immunisation Infectious disease Medication Personal Effects Programming Rules of Behaviour Runaway children Sun Safety Use of Photos Volunteers and Students

Payment for Care

Payment of Fees and Outstanding Fees Child Care Benefit Bookings Allowable and Approved Absences


Our Philosophy

We believe that every decision made by our service is solely for the children’s benefit and we strongly believe that learning through play will help them develop relationships with staff, families and the community. Our service ensures that we build positive, engaging relationships with our families and ensure that their input, ideas and suggestions are actively embedded within our program and practice. We believe in the interests of each child and we believe that children develop positively in a safe and nurturing environment. We pride ourselves on creating safe, engaging environments that spark growth and meaningful interactions as well as promoting children’s health and wellbeing. Physical engagement is a main foundation within our program and our staffs ensure that they actively engage and participate in all opportunities possible. Our staff are proud that our service is able to represent team strength, enthusiasm, innocence and purity, watching the children grow, staff engagement and the rights to have freedom of expression and to be positive role models. Our children and families have the right to have their individual and cultural identity recognised and respected and we strive to embed this within our programs. Our service values Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures as a core part of our nation’s history, past, present and future.

Our Goals Key goals for our service include: • Providing all children with a safe, secure and inclusive environment by taking a collaborative approach

utilising the special skills and expertise of our families, community and staff; • Helping children to equip themselves with the life skills needed to be active members of the community

through appropriate programming and activities; • Providing a secure, stimulating environment for staff who share their talents and their time with us; • Compliance with legislative requirements relating to a successful business by constant training and

service review; • Recognising and promoting the value of play and recreational activities which meet the developmental

needs and interests of all children; • Teaching children by example to have the responsibility to show respect to others and their property; and • Providing ongoing professional development to all staff on issues relating to the care and wellbeing of the

children.

Duty of Care In the school age care context of providing care to children, ‘Duty of Care’ means that;

• The service and all staff, management, volunteers and other adults owe a duty of care to the children (and to each other) at the service.

• It requires all of these people to take care to avoid all reasonably foreseeable risks of harm to the children and to each other.

• When it comes to a duty owned to children the law is very strict and we take all possible steps to protect children from harm

• Redlynch outside School Hours Care operates within clear policies and procedure guidelines, which it enforces, to help protect the children from harm.

• They duty of care does not apply only to children. We all have a duty of care towards people whom we come into contact every day. Hence Redlynch OSHC, Redlynch State School P&C Association and its staff have a duty of care to avoid reasonably foreseeable risks of injury or other harm to parents, staff, volunteers and community members and others coming to the service.


Our Approved Provider Redlynch OSHC Approved Provider is Redlynch State School P&C.

P&C

Manager

Coordinator

Staff Parent participation is encouraged throughout all aspects of the service; a parent subcommittee supports the staff and approved provider with the day-to-day running of the service. Policies and management issues should be directed to the P&C Association via the Manager, the Coordinator or the Grievance Policy outlined in this manual rather than through the Principal. The appointment of the Executive Committee (Approved Provider) is mad at the P&C Association Annual General Meeting (AGM). Monthly P&C meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month on site, 7.00pm till late. From time to time we review aspects of the service such as Policies and Procedures for which we ask for families to participate in a number of ways, including committees and surveys. Your participation not only allows you to have your say, it is ensuring that our service is the best it can be.

Policy and Procedures Redlynch OSHC had and extensive Policy and Procedure Manual which reflects the Philosophy and Goals of our service, this manual is a large document, which will be made available to you to read on enrolment of your child. This can be obtained for further reading via notifying the Manager or Coordinator. In this family handbook we provide a snapshot of policies which will affect you, your family and individual children their time with us. Details in this manual are correct at the time of printing. Policies and procedures are subject to change.

Child Protection This service regards its role in the protection of children in its care as of the utmost importance. This includes the service’s moral and legal duties to care for children associated with the service whilst not in the care of their parents or primary carers. Proactive strategies are implemented including the promotion of protective behaviours to the children. All staff have been made aware of the Child Protection Policy and the Reporting of Child Abuse Policy of the service

Refer Child Protection Policy


Concerns, Complaints and Suggestions All personal records will be stored securely and kept in a confidential manner. All information will be strictly limited to use by the service as outlined in the Information Handling (Privacy and Confidentiality) Policy. You may access your child’s personal records at any time if you are the authorized guardian who has enrolled the child. No information will be given to any other person unless subpoenaed by a court or required by the Family Assistance Office for an audit. Please see the Coordinator about accessing these records.

All member of the Redlynch P&C Association Executive, Redlynch P&C Association subcommittee and staff are required to sign confidentiality agreements in relation to private information regarding families and children attending the service.

Enrolment and Orientation Parents/guardians are required to complete and Enrolment Form and come to a Parent/Coordinator meet and greet. At this meet and greet it is a fantastic opportunity for you to discuss with us what will help make his/her time with us enjoyable, particularly the initial few weeks. Each newly enrolled family will receive a copy of the Family Handbook detailing selected policies and conditions of enrolment via email, or have the opportunity to borrow out one of the centers copies. You will be shown around the service and be given a rundown on basic operations such as staffing and programming. If you child has additional needs, a meeting will take place with the Coordinator and Manager of the service, before the child commences. Issues discussed will be:

• Level of support the child requires • Duration of support • Necessary training of staff and volunteers • the safety of all children enrolled • environmental factors • sources of information and resources/support service that will ensure the best possible care of

the child This information will help us to meet the needs of your child. Additional documents may be required if additional support needs to be sourced from Inclusion Support Agency. All information obtained through the enrolment procedures will be kept in the strictest confidence and used only for the purposes for which it is obtained. It is in your child’s best interest that these forms are kept up to date. For legal and safety reasons no child will be accepted into Redlynch OSHC without completion of these forms. Parents/guardians are asked to ensure that the information on existing forms is kept current. Correct contact phone numbers are vital in the case of an emergency. An enrolment forms must be completed by new parents/guardians at time of enrolment. New booking and updated details forms must be completed and submitted at the end of each year to allow us to update all bookings for the following year and cater for new enrolments commencing.

We must have a current contact number for you.

Refer to Enrolment Policy and Communication with Parents Policy

How we communicate with families Service newsletters are distributed at the end of each month. The newsletters are an opportunity for us to let you know what is happening in the service. Posters and brochures are available throughout the service. These relate to a number of subjects from health and nutrition to contact numbers for various community support groups. We can help with further contact should you need them. Your feedback is important to us. We have a number of surveys throughout the year and have a confidential and Grievance Procedure for all service users. We are licensed by the office of Early Childhood and Education. We participate in Government Quality Assurance Accreditation, Assessment and Rating processes. Information on QA and licensing is available at the service.

Refer to Communication Policy


Information Handling To protect children and better provide its services, Redlynch State College P&C Association seeks and deals with personal and sensitive information relating to families, children and others. Redlynch State College P&C Association respects the privacy of all individuals and seeks only information which it needs for these purposes and handles that information with confidentiality and sensitivity and in keeping with legal requirements.

Refer to Information Handling Policy

Parent Guardian and Visitor Code of Conduct Staff are available for parents/ guardians and visitors to speak to briefly at all times when the service is open. Longer, more confidential appointments can be made with the Coordinator and Manager. If you wish to speak to someone other than the Coordinator or Manager you can follow our Complaints Handlings Policy outlined in the Policy and Procedure Manual. This ensures and opportunity for you to express any concerns you may have regarding the operation of the service in a suitable manner. The Redlynch OSHC Parent/Guardian and Visitor Code of Conduct state that upon entry to Redlynch OSHC you will:

• Address staff, children and others in a respectful manner • Refrain from smoking anywhere on Redlynch State College school grounds including

Redlynch OSHC • Refrain from swearing and shouting • Refrain from approaching children within the service in a threatening or accusing manner • Refrain from the mental of physical intimidation or harassment of staff

Staff member have the right to ask a person to leave the premises if they feel intimidated in any way. Police will be called if person does not respond to a request to leave the premises. Parent/ Guardians have a responsibility to:

• Encourage good behaviour habits in their children • Encourage their children to accept the service Rules of behaviours • Provide support and feedback to the service regarding Rules of Behaviour • Consult with service staff at a mutually convenient time about any concerns and treat service

staff with respect and courtesy • Conduct themselves in a way that does not make staff feel threatened, This includes shouting,

swearing of intimidating behaviour at odds with the Parent/Guardian and Visitor Code of Conduct

Parent have a right to:

• Be respected and recognised as the major influence upon their child’s development • Be able to express themselves on matters of service policy • Meet with service staff at a mutually convenient time • Be offered the same courtesy and respect within the service as the service staff

Respect for Children The best interests of the child are of paramount concern at Redlynch OSHC and our service endeavours to provide care that respects the child’s dignity and privacy at all times and that considers children as unique and valued individual. Children are considered and, as far possible, involved in the ongoing development of the program, rules of behaviour and the physical and aesthetic environment of the service. We respect the abilities and diversity of all children in our care.

Refer to Respect for Children Policy


Priority of Access and Non – discriminatory Access Redlynch OSHC ensure that parents and children have access to quality childcare that is appropriate to their needs regardless of income, social, religious or cultural background, gender or abilities. We primarily provide care for primary school age children aged between prep and grade 7. Children from Redlynch State College have priority during Vacation care periods. We are able to provide care for prep and early high school age children if we have available Child Care Benefit (CCB) places available and if these children abide by service Policy and Procedures´

Refer to Access Policy

Staffing All staff qualifications and child/staff ratios are in accordance with or better than the guidelines set in accordance to the Regulations and the Child Care Act and Law 2011. Children are actively supervised by at least 2 staff members at all times to ensure that they are protected from harm: At the Service one staff to every 15 children On Excursions one staff to every 8 children During water activities one staff to every 5 children Child to staff ratios can change in accordance to Risk Assessments conducted with programmed activities, Redlynch State College P&C Association endeavours to provide adequate, relevant and ongoing training and development for staff to enable them to do their job better and to comply properly with these policies and procedures and other requirements of Redlynch OSHC. Staff employment and training procedures were used to ensure that he service employs suitable people and that they have been made aware of the services Child Protection Policy Staff have obtained or applied for and given the Licensee of the service a current positive suitability notice under the Commission for children and Young People Act 2000 (Blue Card services)

Refer Staff Policies and Staffing Ratios Policy

Caring for our Children

Arrivals and Departures

When the child has been signed in by the authorised person, the service takes responsibility for the child until the child is duly signed out by the authorised person collecting them.

For the safety and protection of children and in keeping with duty of care considerations, Redlynch OSHC has strict procedures regarding the arrival and departure of children and particularly the persons who may collect children for the service. Redlynch OSHC opens at 7:00am. No child will be admitted prior to 7:00am due to legal reasons. All children will be signed in and out in the attendance sheet by the parent/guardian/staff member or other person whom the parent/guardian nominated on the enrolment form, or subsequently in writing, as being authorised to do so. This sheet will state the child’s name and exact time of arrival and departure, printed name of authorised person and signatures. Children should not be dropped off at the school gates; they must be bought to the door of Redlynch OSHC and signed in by parent/guardian. The service takes no responsibility for children whose parents allow them to walk unsupervised to our door. Absences and non-absence days will be initialled by a staff member and musted be signed by authorised person as soon as possible.


If a person is to collect a child who has not previously been nominated on the enrolment form i.e. in the case of an emergency, the parent or guardian may give permission by email (as first preference) or by telephone for an alternate person to collect the child of for the child to leave the service unaccompanied. If the request is made via telephone, the request will be noted in the diary, staff communication book or incident form and be signed off by the person taking the request and the service coordinator. The parent must provide the full name and advise the person to carry their ID to be identified at the time of pick up at the service. If child/ren booked in to Redlynch OSHC for After School Care have not arrived within 15 minutes within expected time of arrival, the Redlynch State College Office will be contacted to see if there has been a change of care requirements by parent/guardian. If school is unaware of any such change parent/guardian will be contacted on the phone numbers listed on the enrolment form, and if necessary emergency numbers, provided by the parent/guardian. If at closing time (6:00pm) children have not been collected or parents have not made arrangements for collection by normal closing time, parents/guardians will be contacted on the most recent numbers, and if necessary emergency numbers, provided by the parent/guardian. If no contact is made via emergency numbers advice will be sought from police and/or Department of Child Safety. Parent/Guardians who have custodial rights and do now wish other parent/guardians to have contact with their children, must provide a current copy of the custodial papers. Staff will, where possible without unreasonably endangering any person, not allow children to be released to any person other than the parent, or to an authorised person as permitted under the above procedure. If in doubt, the coordinator will contact parent/guardian immediately to discuss. Whilst every care will be taken to prevent a child being taken by an unauthorised person, there may be instances in which we cannot prevent this from happening. Our staff cannot expose themselves or other children to an unacceptable risk of personal harm. If a child is taken the police will be called immediately. No child will be permitted to travel home or to another activity on their own unless written direction or approval or, in an emergency, verbal directional approval is received from a known parent or guardian of the child. These records (including documentation, on an incident report form or verbal approval) will be kept in the individual child file. If a child required to attend activities within the school grounds, written authority must be given. Staff will not be available to deliver or collect children from these activities. We will not permit a child to leave the service unaccompanied to attend an external activity unless and Activity Permission form detailing time of departure indicating a release of duty of care has been provided by the parent/guardian. If you have emergency appointments and wish to collect your child quickly form the service, please telephone the service in advance and staff will endeavour to have your child ready for collection.

Refer to Arrivals and Departures Policy

Late Collection and Fees Payable Closing time of the service is 6:00pm. We ask that you ensure your child is collected before this time. If there has been an emergency please contact the service as soon as you are aware that there may be a problem with the on-time collection of your child. Parents who collect their children after this time will incur a late fee.

• $20.00 immediately after 6:10pm • $1/minute for every minute after 6:10pm • Parents who continue to be late will have their children withdrawn from the program.

Refer to Arrivals and departures Policy


Baby Sitting The service does not encourage or endorse staff and parents entering into private babysitting arrangements outside of the service hours and therefore we take no responsibility or accept any liability in relation to such arrangements.

Behaviour Management

We accept that children will come to Redlynch OSHC from a variety of backgrounds and various stages of socialisation. Children should be happy and want to attend our service. Behaviour support and management strategies play an important role in the smooth and safe running of the service.

Families, staff and children all have roles to play, as detailed in this policy, Redlynch OSHC recognises the wise range of age groups that access school age care, as well as the differing development needs of individual children. Behaviour support and management are approached by;

• Applying appropriate measures (in keeping with community standards)

• Using consistency and compassion

• Having regard at all times to the respect and dignity and individual uniqueness of the child; and

• Having regard to the other principles set out in the Philosophy statement of Redlynch OSHC

Staff are training in the developmental stages of differing ages of the children who attend Redlynch OSHC, and will apply appropriate behaviour support and guidance techniques which will be consistent with the philosophy of the service.

Staff involve the children as far as reasonably possible in developing rules of behaviour outlines in this handbook for Redlynch OSHC. The rules of behaviour are clear, child-focused, based on acceptable wider community expectations and easy to understand the consequences or choices and actions.

Staff do not at any time humiliate or physically punish (including withdrawing food or water) children for inappropriate behaviour.

Staff handle all issues involving the children at Redlynch OSHC. Parents will not approach other children at the service.

Parents/Guardians are responsible for their child’s behaviour while on the premises but the rules of the service still apply. If a staff member observes a child breaking the rules they will discuss the behaviour with the child.

Safe, enjoyable excursions are an important part of programming at Redlynch OSHC. The Coordinator reserves the right to have the child withdrawn from excursions if their behaviour is deemed to be unacceptable by the Coordinator and staff. We provided no alternative care on excursion days. The parent/guardian would be responsible for finding alternate care.

On occasion it may be necessary for and individual behavioural plan to be developed for a child. This plan will be developed collaboratively with the Coordinator, parent/guardian, child and other health/educational professional if required.

Refer to behaviour support and management policy


Clothing During before and After School Care children will usually be dressed in school uniform. During Vacation Care we ask that children wear comfortable clothing which will enable them to participate in activities. All clothing must be SUNSMART and named. Appropriate footwear must be worn at all times unless children are instructed otherwise. Shoes must be comfortable and must not be thongs or crocs. Clothing may get dirty during sport or craft activities, so if you have a child who may possibly need more than one change throughout the day, could you please pack them.

Refer to health and wellbeing policy

Daily Routines Routines play an important role in the operation of the service. Morning routines can consist of breakfast, quiet and enjoyable games as well as some outdoor physical activity. All school aged children are allowed to leave the premises and go to school at 8:45am. Prep children are walked to classrooms at 8:45am by a staff member. Children are singed in by a staff member immediately after school. A light nutritious snack will be served followed by a meet and greet and mat time. From there children will transition off into programmed activities and allocated areas. Children will have to opportunity for free play and spontaneous activities also.

Damage to equipment and facilities As part of everyday experiences involving children we recognise that fair wear and tear will occur. However, if damage is done that cannot be attributed with fair wear and tear but can be attributed to a malicious or intentional act on the part of a child, it will become and expense to the parent.

Exclusion for Behavioural Reasons Redlynch OSHC has a duty of care to all children who attend and staff who work within the service. If:

• A child exhibits inappropriate behaviour, or behaviour which threatens the safety or wellbeing of any child or other person in the service

• A child exhibits any form of bullying or deliberately hurtful behaviour repeated over a period of time (this includes physical attacks, verbal attacks or indirect bullying, which includes explicit ostracism from social group)

• In the coordinators reasonable opinion, the behaviour amounts, or may amount, to a threat to the safety and wellbeing any ay child of other person in service

• The behaviour support and management procedures have been properly applied first byt without success, or the behaviour presents such and immediate potential threat that it is not reasonably possible to apply those procedures

Then the child whose behaviour presents such an immediate potential threat to safety or wellbeing may be excluded from Redlynch OSHC temporarily or, in some cases, permanently. The process for exclusion is as follows: First, second and third instance of breach of behaviour;

• Staff member who was present will write and Incident Report detailing the incident. Staff member will sign the Incident Report and parent/guardian and child will do the same on a copy of report.

Third Incident:

• In addition to the above steps, after a third incident has been recorded, a letter will sent to the parent/guardian form the Redlynch State College P&C Association, stating the child cannot return to the service for one week; and

• at the end the one week, a meeting will be held between the Coordinator, OSHC Manager, parent and child to discuss possible strategies for including the child back into the service.


Repeat incidences:

• IF there is a repeat of the same behaviour, the child will be excluded for four week, with a meeting held upon return as above; and

• If behaviour is evident upon re-admission, permanent exclusion will apply. Notification of permanent exclusion in relation with this policy will be made to the Redlynch State College P&C Association. If a child’s behaviour causes or May reasonably cause physical danger to other children, staff or the child him or herself, the parent/guardian of that child will be contact immediately and asked to collect the child. The child will be excluded from the program effective immediately and the lifting of the exclusion will be at the discretion of the Coordinator and Manager of OSHC in consultation with the Redlynch State College P&C Association, with notification given to the Principal, with consideration to confidentiality. The Redlynch State College P&C Association recognises the need for privacy in all matter relating to the care of our children. All Committee members as well as stakeholders involved with Redlynch OSHC have signed and agree to abide by a confidentiality agreement. Whilst ever effort is made to include all children into Redlynch OSHC, there may be some children for whom our service is not suitable.

Refer to Exclusion for behavioural reasons policy

Excursions Redlynch OSHC includes excursions as a valuable part of its overall program. Excursions provide enjoyment, stimulation, challenge, new experiences and meeting point between the service and the wider community. Maximum safety precautions will be maintained.

• No staff are permitted to transport children in private cars • Sun smart rash shirts must be worn during swimming over swimmers • Children are required to have suitable footwear for ALL excursions

Please check Vacation Care program for daily requirements. Please note that there will be no changes to the notified itinerary except in an emergency or due to changed weather conditions. All parent/guardians are required to sign and Excursion permission form for each excursion The same illness and injury procedures apply on an excursion as apply whilst at the service.

Refer to excursion policy and transport for excursions policy

Food Redlynch OSHC encourages and promotes the health and wellbeing of children through a healthy, nutritious, culturally diverse diet and, in particular, though providing positive learning experiences during meal/snack times where good nutritional foods and habits are developed in a happy, social environment. Parent/guardians are encouraged to participate in this approach to nutrition for their children by packing health meals and snacks for their children. Redlynch OSCH provides breakfast and afternoon tea. However during Vacation Care no Meals are provided, only fruit platters or on scheduled days. Children are required to supply Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. Our menu is displayed, please feel free to discuss any comments, concerns or feedback you may have regarding our Nutrition Policy with the Coordinator. The brining of takeaway food for the children, particularly in the morning, is not permitted. Water is available to children at all times. Please remember to inform the service if your child has any food allergies or has a special diet (including religious or cultural)

Refer to food and nutrition policy


Health and Safety An evacuation plan is situated in the entrance area on the Notice board. We ask all parents, staff and children to familiarise themselves with the procedures. Fire, evacuation and lockdown drills are practised regularly. Should you be present during a drill, please participate. Regular evacuation drills give the children an opportunity to become familiar with the routine and planned evacuation/ lockdown procedure. No Smoking at or about Redlynch OSHC or Redlynch State College is a condition of entry for all people including staff, parents and others entering the service, as per Education Queensland policy.

Refer to Workplace health and safety Policy, Emergency equipment and Facilities policy

Homework Redlynch OSHC will supply space and supervision by staff for children to do their homework if they wish, but it is not up to the staff of the centre to make sure your child does their homework. The staff will help and answer any questions your child may have.

Refer to Homework Policy

Illness and Injury Whilst Redlynch OSHC actively strives to provide a safe environment and the avoidance of harm, there may be occasions when accidents of injuries take place, In the case of a minor injury or illness, a staff member will attend to the incident and an illness and injury form will be completed. Please sign this form after speaking with staff to verify you have been advised of the incident. Where a more serious incident occurs, parent/guardian will be contacted immediately. Please ensure emergency contact are update on enrolment forms regularly. Children who are ill will not be accepted by Redlynch OSHC. Qualified staff will administer basic first aid only. If contact cannot be made with parent/guardian and it is necessary to seek medical attention immediately, an ambulance will be called and the children will be taken to hospital. Under the Community Ambulance Cover Act 2003, al Queensland residents are covered for ambulance transport services at anytime, anywhere across Australia. Families who are not Queensland residents must seek cover at own cost. If a child becomes ill or injured while attending Redlynch OSHC;

• Staff will comfort and calm the child • All head injuries will be reported to parent/guardian via phone, notifying of circumstances

including treatment administered and if child has returned to normal activities if deemed appropriate by qualified staff member

• A staff qualified in first aid will administer appropriate first aid and assess the child’s condition in consultation with coordinator

• No staff member will administer non-prescription medication to any child • If necessary, the coordinator, or qualified staff member, will ensure that the child is separated

for the other children and made as comfortable as possible in a quiet, well-ventilated area • If necessary, the coordinator, or qualified staff member, will contact the parent/guardians to

collect their children as soon as possible • The child will be kept under adult supervision and their condition monitored until the parents

arrival

Symptoms of illness include, but are not limited to:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea • High temperatures, flushed appearance or unusual pallor • Skin eruptions or swelling • Severe coughing or unusual coloured nasal discharge • Stomach or headaches that are severe enough for a child to comment to a staff member


If a child’s condition is assessed as serious or deteriorates and emergency medical attention is necessary:

• The coordinator or qualified staff member, will direct a staff member to call an ambulance • All attempts will be made to notify the parents • If parents are unable to accompany the child to the hospital, the Coordinator, or qualified staff

member will accompany the child provided that at least one staff member who is qualified in first aid is left at the service and that the service ratios are still met

• Costs incurred in obtaining medical attentional for a child will be met by the parents

Refer to illness and injury policy, general health and safety policy, infectious diseases policy

Immunisation and Non-Immunisation Children must meet the Australian Government Immunisation requirements or have an approved exemption form the requirements for the family to be eligible for CCB. Families can ask the Family Assistance Office for information about the requirements and exemptions If your child has not been immunised, they will be excluded from care if there is an outbreak of an infectious disease against which your child has not been immunised. A medical certificate or written statement from the parent explaining the child’s absence is required to support a claim for CCB. This period of exclusions is in accordance with the exclusion table. Staff at the service who are not immunised will also be excluded, and permitted to return to work in accordance with the table.

Refer to health and wellbeing policies

Infectious Disease Redlynch OSHC strives to remove immediate and/or serious risks to the health of the children from possible cross-infections, by adopting appropriate procedures for dealing with infectious disease*, whilst respecting the rights and individual privacy. Accordingly all people including children, staff and parents with infectious disease will be excluded from attending the service to prevent the diseases spreading to others. *When infectious disease is referred to in this policy, it means communicable diseases and notifiable diseases (see Australian Government Department of Health at www.health.gov.au and National Health and Medical Research Council at www.nhmrc.gov.au) Monitoring Redlynch OSHC are subscribed to reasonably alert services to keep up to date information on infectious disease within the community. Reporting It is the responsibility of parents/guardians to inform the coordinator of any infectious disease that their child or other immediate family members may be suffering. Children who are ill should not be bought to the service. Redlynch OSHC is responsible for reporting to the State Health Authorities all notifiable diseases (as per requirements of the Australian Government Department of Health) and also to report this to parents of other children in this service as appropriate, but having regard to the privacy of individuals concerned.

http://www.health.gov.au/

http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/


Records in regard to infectious disease will be maintain by the coordinator. These records will include the child’s name, age, symptoms, date and time staff first noticed the illness and any action taken. This record will NOT be available to other parents/guardians in view of the sensitive nature of a child’s health information. A notice will be posted and attention drawn to it when there has been a report or and infectious disease at the service. The rights of individual privacy will be respected at all times, and in particular the Privacy Policy or Redlynch OSHC will be observed by all staff implementing these procedures rating to infectious diseases. Exclusion All people, including children and staff, who are suffering from any infectious diseases need to be excluded from Redlynch OSHC to prevent others from being introduced to the infection. When any such person is found to be showing signs of any infectious disease;

• For children; their parents/guardians will be asked to immediately collect their child and seek medical advice

• For staff, they will immediately be released from work to seek immediate medical attention and for the period of the infectious disease

• For parents/guardians or other adults, they will be required to leave the premises of the service immediately and not re-enter the premises unless and until they are no longer suffering from the infectious disease

• If a duly qualified and registered medical practitioner diagnoses and infectious disease, the child/staff shall be excluded for the recommended period (as per Australian Government Department of Health requirements)

For diseases which are from time to time published as requiring a doctor’s certificate clearing the child/staff, the doctor’s certificate will be required before the child/staff member is re-admitted to the service.

Recommended minimum periods of exclusion from school, pre-school and child care centers for cases of and contact with infectious diseases.

National Health and Medical Research Council

Condition Exclusion of cases Exclusion of contacts

Amoebiasis (Entamoeba histolytica) Exclude until diarrhoea ceases. Not excluded.

Campylobacter Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased. Not excluded.

Chicken pox Exclude for at least 5 days AND until all blisters have dried

Any child with an immune deficiency (for example, leukaemia) or receiving chemotherapy should be excluded for their own protection. Otherwise not excluded.

Conjunctivitis Exclude until discharge from eyes has ceased. Not excluded.

Cytomegalovirus Infection Exclusion not necessary. Not excluded.

Diarrhoea Exclude until diarrhoea has ceased. Not excluded.

Diphtheria

Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is received following at least two negative throat swabs, the first not less than 24 hours after finishing a course of antibiotics and the other 48 hours later.

Exclude family/household contacts until cleared to return by an appropriate health authority.

Glandular fever (mononucleosis) Exclusion is not necessary. Not excluded.

Hand, Foot and Mouth disease Until all blisters have dried. Not excluded.

Haemophilus type b (Hib)

Exclude until medical certificate of recovery is received. Not excluded.

Hepatitis A Exclude until a medical certificate of recovery is received, but not before seven days after the onset of jaundice or illness.

Not excluded.


Hepatitis B Exclusion is not necessary. Not excluded.

Hepatitis C Exclusion is not necessary. Not excluded.

Herpes ("cold sores")

Young children unable to comply with good hygiene practices should be excluded while the lesion is weeping. Lesions to be covered by dressing, where possible.

Not excluded.

Hookworm Exclusion not necessary. Not excluded.

Human immun.-deficiency virus infection (HIV AIDS virus)

Exclusion is not necessary unless the child has a secondary infection. Not excluded.

Impetigo Exclude until appropriate treatment has commenced. Sores on exposed surfaces must be covered with a watertight dressing.

Not excluded.

Influenza and influenza like illnesses Exclusion is not necessary. Not excluded.

Leprosy Exclude until approval to return has been given by an appropriate health authority. Not excluded.

Measles Exclude for at least four days after onset of rash.

Immunised contacts not excluded. Unimmunised contacts should be excluded until 14 days after the first day of appearance of rash in the last case. If unimmunised contacts are vaccinated within 72 hours of their first contact with the first case they may return to school.

Meningitis (bacterial) Exclude until well. Not excluded.

Meningococcal infection Exclude until adequate carrier eradication therapy has been completed. Not excluded if receiving rifampicin.

Molluscum contagiosum Exclusion not necessary. Not excluded.

Mumps Exclude for nine days or until swelling goes down (whichever is sooner). Not excluded.

Parvovirus (erythema infectiousum fifth disease)

Exclusion not necessary. Not excluded.

Poliomyelitis Exclude for at least 14 days from onset. Re-admit after receiving medical certificate of recovery.

Not excluded.

Ringworm, scabies, pediculosis (lice), trachoma

Re-admit the day after appropriate treatment has commenced. Not excluded.

Rubella (german measles)

Exclude until fully recovered or for at least four days after the onset of rash. Not excluded.

Salmonella, Shigella Exclude until diarrhoea ceases. Not excluded.

Streptococcal infection (including scarlet fever)

Exclude until the child has received antibiotic treatment for at least 24 hours and the person feels well.

Not excluded.

Tuberculosis Exclude until a medical certificate from an appropriate health authority is received. Not excluded.

Typhoid fever (including paratyphoid fever)

Exclude until approval to return has been given by an appropriate health authority.

Not excluded unless considered necessary by public health authorities.

Whooping cough Exclude the child for five days after starting antibiotic treatment.

Exclude unimmunised household contacts aged less than 7 years for 14 days after the last exposure to infection or until they have taken five days of a 10-day course of antibiotics. (Exclude close child care contacts until they have commenced antibiotics).

Worms (intestinal) Exclude if diarrhoea present. Not excluded.


Head Lice In the event of head lice, parent will be called to collect the child immediately. Child can only return to service once the head lice have been treated. All children with long hair are encouraged to wear their hair tied back.

Refer to infectious Disease Policy

Medication In the interests of health and wellbeing of the children, Redlynch OSHC will permit medicines to be given to a child only if a medical practitioner prescribes the medicine, and it is directed in writing by the medical practitioner to be administered during operational hours. Medication without prescription labelling including Panadol CANNOT by administered. Staff will be permitted to administer medication to a child only if the medication is:

• A prescribed medication • In its original packaging with a pharmacist’s label which clearly states the child’s name,

dosage, frequency of administration, date of dispensing and expiry date • Signed Authorisation to administer Medication by parent/ guardian

For asthma, diabetes, allergy control or other similar ongoing medications, parents/guardians are required to complete a Health Plan to the coordinator and be required to update as necessary. Redlynch OSHC will document Medication Administration and will store in our Medical Folder, this folder will be accessible to inform parent/guardian of the medication administered, dosage and time administered.

Personal Effects Children are not allowed to bring electronic toys, as we cannot guarantee the safety of these expensive items. If a child does bring any personal items to the service, they will be asked to leave them in their bag or locked away in the office. Programming Redlynch OSHC plans, designs and provides tailored programs catering to the children’s age, skill, interests and abilities through a variety of challenging and recreational activities. In developing programs, Redlynch OSHC recognises the importance of understanding of middle childhood play in the development of children. Our aim is to provide activities that develop each child’s social, emotional, lingual, physical, intellectual, social, creative and recreational potential and that are developmentally appropriate. The development of life skills is an important part of our program, with a strong focus on child-initiated and child choice experiences. In accordance with OSHC National Quality Standards and Assurance, observations are taken of the children to aid in the programming evaluation cycle. These observations are not intended to act as anything other than a programming tool and are stored in our Programming file at the service where they can be views by parents if requested. The coordinator will happily discuss any aspect of the program with interested parents. Family surveys are handed out regularly to convey parents and children’s thoughts and input into the program.

Refer to program Policy

Rules of Behaviour As part of our commitment to quality care for the children at our service, we have basic rules for the children to follow. These rules are developed with input from the children to give them a sense of ownership over what happens in their space.

Refer Family Information Package and Enrolment Policy


Runaway Children If a child leaves the service in any other circumstances and for any reason without permission, the staff will assess the situation immediately and will call the police and a parent/guardian as quickly as reasonably possible.

Refer to Arrivals and Departures Policy Sun Safety Children, staff and volunteers will hats (that protect the face and ears), and appropriate clothing when outside and have adequate shade provided by trees, shelter or shade cloth. This sun safety policy follow guidelines recommended by Queensland Cancer Council. Staff will encourage children, including by way of modelling behaviour, to avoid excessive exposure to the sun. This will be reflected in the timing of outdoor activities which will be kept to a minimum during the hottest part of the day. Redlynch OSHC has made a commitment to the best possible Sun Safety Policy by applying sunscreen for all children attending. The brand of sunscreen supplied by the service will be clearly displayed for parents. If your child has his/her own sunscreen, please inform staff in the morning of care. This will be available for children to apply on a regular basis or as recommended on the product. Sun smart shirts must be worn over swimmers during swimming, as well as sunscreen. Children without sun protection will be encouraged to play indoors or undercover areas only.

Use of Photos On occasion your child may be photographed participating within the day to day activities we provide at Redlynch OSHC. These photos may be displayed within the service, within our service newsletter and used as part of our programming process. The children take great pride in having their day to day lives documented this way. If photos are taken at any other time or for any other use including, marketing material and social media, parents will be required to give written permission.

Refer to child protection policy

Volunteers and Students Volunteers are a valued and integral part of Redlynch OSHC, contributing via the Redlynch State College P&C Association Executive Committee. From time to time we accept students from local schools, TAFE’s and universities to complete placement and volunteer work. Parents will be notified at our sign in/out area and via our service newsletter.


Payment of Care

Direct Debit is utilised as our payment method. You are required to log into your Xplor Parent Account at home.myxplor.com and provide your payment details.

Child Care Subsidy • Once enrolled, families are advised to login to MYGOV and confirm attendances, to allow for CCS

to take effect on their account.

• Families are required to provide all Centrelink information, as requested on the enrolment form, to be eligible for reduced fees. Full fees will be charged until the service receives current and correct information from the family.

• Credit for fees already paid will be made in accordance with the Australian Government’s Child Care Provider Handbook.

All CCS records will be kept for 3 years from the last entry on the record in accordance with the Australian Government’s Child Care Provider Handbook

Late Fees

• Closing time of this service is 6.00pm. Parents who collect their child/ren after this time will incur a late fee of $20 for the first 15 minutes and $1 per minute thereafter.

Overdue Fees

• If there are outstanding fees of over $50.00, or where no payment has been made in at least 2 weeks:

• In the first instance, the coordinator/administrator will remind the parent verbally and record when the parent has agreed to pay the account;

• If no payment has been received when agreed, written notification by the Approved Provider will be sent;

• If no arrangements have been made the parent will be contacted by the Approved Provider where the terms of payment are discussed and parents are informed that continued enrolment is dependent on the payment of the fees outstanding;

• A debt collection agency may be used if payment of fees have not been received; and

• The Approved Provider may, in its discretion, exclude the child temporarily or permanently from further attending the service if the parents have not met the requirements as advised to them under the previous paragraph.

Cancellations and Refunds

• Cancellations of bookings will be made in accordance with the Bookings and Cancellations Policy (see Policy 2.14) and will incur any relevant fees and charges according to such policy.

• If a family has permanently cancelled care and their account is in credit, they must provide written instructions to the service indicating:

• If a refund is required and have provided account details for transfer; or

• A donation of the credit balance to the service.


Bookings Before and After School Care When bookings are made by authorised parties for children to attend the service, it shall be required that:

• A completed enrolment form meeting the requirements of a complying written agreement (CWA) is received for that child prior to their attendance at the service; and

• Parents/guardians are made aware of the service policies and procedures and have been provided with appropriate information in respect of the booking processes.

All staff shall be trained in the taking and management of bookings.

Routine bookings shall be entitled to a reduced fee as per the fees policy. A routine booking shall be defined by a regular pattern of attendance throughout each term on one or more occasion per week or fortnight.

All fees associated with routine bookings, should the child not attend care due to illness or for any other reason, shall be required to be paid in full. CCS will apply in accordance with allowable and approved absence provisions.

Casual bookings shall attract a higher fee due to the nature of the booking and irregular pattern of attendance.

Casual bookings shall only be available to families where the service has vacancies.

The service shall comply with reporting of bookings requirements as prescribed by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training through the Child Care Provider Handbook.

Bookings are required by all families who seek to use the service on a routine or casual basis. At the end of each calendar (school) year, the service will manage routine bookings for before and after school care using one of the following options:

Families will be given an opportunity to confirm and rebook their routine days from the previous year. Should confirmation not be received by the advertised date, these days will become vacancies and a new booking will be required; OR

All families should be requested to update their enrolment information at the beginning of a new school year. Any vacancies that arise become subject to the service’s own priority of access policy in determining who may fill that vacancy. Changes to bookings and/or cancellations will only be taken:

• From a parent/guardian/authorised persons; and

• Verbally, by email or by text message.

If a message is received via the child, the parent/guardian will be contacted to confirm the change of arrangements.

Cancellation of bookings for before and/or after school care must be made 24 hours prior to the session starting or a fee, equal to the fee for that session will be charged. If the child’s booking hasn’t been cancelled and the service makes attempts to locate the child, an absent fee will still be applied to the booking


Vacation Care In relation to Vacation Care and Pupil Free Days, bookings shall:

• Be completed on an appropriate booking form distributed with the program; and

• (If appropriate) Attract a fee discount for all bookings paid in advance prior to the start of the Vacation period (see Policy 10.4 – Fees).

Cancellation of bookings for vacation care must be made with 24hours notice or an absent fee, equal to the fee for that session will be charged.

Bookings for vacation care excursions will not be taken without the designated deposit or fee.

Cancellations for vacation care excursions must be made with 24 hours’ notice or an absent fee, equal to the fee for that session will be charged and any money paid may be forfeited.

Cancellations on the day of the excursion will be charged the full fee for the session and the full excursion cost.

Allowable and approved absences Cancellations that attract the prescribed fee for that session will be counted towards the family’s initial 42 absence days for the current financial year, as per the Child Care Provider Handbook.

Child Care Subsidy and Additional Child Care Subsidy are payable for up to 42 absence days for a child in a financial year, in relation to sessions of care where an individual still incurs a genuine fee liability to pay for the care. A reason does not need to be provided for a child's initial 42 days of absence.

Documents

Family Handbook 2020 · 2020. 5. 31. · Redlynch OSHC Family Handbook May 2020 2 Source Consultancy (hereinafter with its executive, shareholders, and staff, referred to as the “Company”)