NQF Newsletter

May 2013

centresupport.com.au

Centre Support

Events and training Keep up-to-date with our upcoming events and

seminars for 2016

www.centresupport.com.au/community-events

December 2015

The hidden

dangers of staff

Christmas

parties

Who is updating

your policies?

How the simple things in life

can teach the complexities

of empathy and

compassion.

Lisa Forrester is a Nominated Supervisor

whose centre has recently been assessed as

Exceeding. She is also a trainer for Centre

Support. She shares her personal experience

of her time spent in a Balinese Kindergarten

classroom.

Recently, I was invited to spend some time in a Balinese

Kindergarten. I was so excited at the opportunity to

explore the learning and care for children who come

from such a different lifestyle.

Before my trip, I went to the local supermarket and

bought some colouring pencils and books for the

children as gifts. On the way to the Kindergarten, my taxi

driver laughed when I mentioned the pencils and books,

"Bring candy - just candy!" Of course, I was hesitant not

only for the nutritional value of eating lollies, but also,

isn't there something about taking candy from

strangers? Aren't we supposed to be educating our

youngsters? Not wanting to be unprepared and

remembering to always trust advice from the locals, I

happily obliged and bought the large pack of

Mentos.....just in case!

Upon my arrival, I was welcomed with open arms. The

children had basically no English yet they came over

with a big smile to kiss my hand and hold it to their

forehead in a sign of respect. Although they were in

beautiful uniforms and so clean and cared for, the

school itself was bare. The children played on a tiled

area without any of the balls, games or resources

Educators think 'necessary' for development. It seemed

at this school, simple interaction and self care was the

key.

They taught me songs and listened to my words. We

practiced speaking in our languages and teaching each

other. During morning prayer, a child arrived who did not

want to leave his mother. As I watched, two children

walked over, wiped the tears from his eyes and put an

arm around him to guide him to the line. These children

were four years old and demonstrating the kind of

empathy and kindness that bought a tear to my eye.

After singing, dancing, music and prayer, we split into

classrooms and practiced writing Balinese letters. There

were no colourful books, textas or resources. Only basic

pencils and paper, yet these children were learning

incredible lessons. They were happy, attentive, curious

and polite without any distractions of marketed toys or

posters on the walls. The ambience was simply their

teachers’ undivided passionate attention. I had no clue

what she was saying but I was moved by the way she

spoke to the children. You could not help but listen to

her energy and tone.

The taxi driver was spot on! The candy was a hit as it is

a rare treat for these children that their parents cannot

afford. I observed as the teachers threw them out like

rose petals while my colouring books and crayons sat in

the corner untouched.

It reminded me that sometimes just the simple things

such as singing, dancing and interaction can work

wonders......with a little sugar on top.

Take care, Lisa

The role of an

Educational

Leader Strive for excellence The Educational Leader should be continually reflecting

and implementing strategies to improve the educational

program in the service. Strategies might include:

Leading and being part of reflective practice discussions

about practice and implementing the learning framework

Regularly reviewing reflective journals and

providing feedback on how to reflect upon

principles and practices from EYLF/MTOP

Holding regular team meetings to discuss

reflections

Having their own reflective journal to guide

leadership and review practices

Mentoring other educators by leading quality practice

Always showing PASSION, role modelling and

leading by example

Conducting regular staff appraisals to discuss

educators’ teaching practices and curriculum

development

Providing information on pedagogical practice

and theories of learning

Discussing routines and how to make them more

effective learning experiences

Identifying how to intentionally teach across the

whole day. Driving the concept that learning can

occur anytime of the day – even at 5:50pm

Identifying how to transform routine experiences

into valuable learning

Creating an environment where children’s ideas

and opinions count and we don’t have to stick

to rigid rules and routines

Observing child and educator interactions, and

suggesting improvements and intentional teaching

practices

Showing educators how to engage in shared,

sustained conversation

Providing professional development on how to

be more thoughtful, informed and intentional in

our interactions with children

Driving home the importance of joining

children’s play, “tuning in” and responding to

children’s views and ideas

Demonstrating the importance of ALL educators

“connecting” with children

Talking to parents about the educational program

Mentoring educators on the importance of

“driving” the weekend book/family input

Establishing “real” connections with families and

building solid, trusting relationships

Hosting family events based on family interests

Working with other early childhood professionals and

early childhood intervention specialists

Creating opportunities to meet with families and

specialists

Developing funding plans eg support plans

Being the “connection” between information

obtained from specialists, and communicating

this through to all stakeholders

Assisting with documenting children’s learning and

explaining how these assessments can inform decision

making

Regularly reviewing all children’s portfolios

Regularly reading curriculum planning sheets

and reflections to see the curriculum decision-

making process

Regularly reviewing strength trees to ensure

they are current and update knowledge of

children

Daily reading of the weekend book/family input.

This information is vital for making connections

with educators and families

Constantly reflecting to ensure practices are

meeting Learning Outcomes for children and

that assessment of learning is taking place

To implement EYLF/MTOP in a

meaningful way that is

authentically connected to each

child, their interests and their

family and the community, use

Centre Support’s EYLF/MTOP

Jigsaw.

Who is updating your policies?

Are they 100% current for 2016?

Are you spending countless hours of overtime

researching, writing and updating your policies? Are you

confident navigating the vast amount of information

available for early childhood services?

How do you ensure the information is accurate, current

and suitable for your service?

We have walked in your shoes and we have created our

NQF Policy Package so you can reconnect with the

children and play for learning.

Do your job well, achieve exceeding but don’t take it home. Your family deserves better.

The NQF Policy Package is an excellent way to meet the

NQF requirements affecting your service. There is no

need to spend countless hours of overtime writing and

worrying about policies for your service.

If you are after the most comprehensive policies

available, why not use the NQF Policy Package? More

than 1,850 services already do!

Our policies are professionally developed by Robyn

Parnell, a former senior policy officer for the NSW

Government. Robyn wrote policies for the NSW

Government that had to be signed-off by the Minister.

Drawing on this experience, she develops and updates

Centre Support’s policies for you.

She also draws on the experience and knowledge of

Centre Support’s team of trainers across Australia who

have years of practical experience as owners, directors

and providers of childcare.

By purchasing our policies, you won’t have to spend

countless hours reinventing the wheel.

The National Regulations prescribe certain policies

services must have – Centre Support’s package

exceeds these requirements with 54 policies in total.

They’re provided in a Word Document so you can

individualise each policy to suit your centre.

To make it easy for you we’ve directly referenced the

Regulations (National and State-based), NQS Elements,

best practice guides and the EYLF or MTOP. To view

samples visit our website.

To order policies for your service in time

for the New Year, contact us today.

Stay updated on the latest news and

join the conversation

facebook.com/centresupport

@Centre_Support

Centre Support Blog

NQF Training Videos

We’re now on Instagram!

Hidden Dangers Staff Christmas Parties

All of a sudden it’s Christmas again and discussions

between staff inevitably turn to the staff Christmas party.

Unfortunately there is the odd party that stays

memorable for all the wrong reasons so now is the time

to make sure all employees are aware of the appropriate

standard of behaviour expected of them and the

disciplinary consequences of failing to meet those

standards while participating in Christmas functions.

Employers ultimately have responsibilities to ensure the

safety of all employees at work-related Christmas

functions. It is important to have clear policies and

procedures governing the conduct, behaviour, and

expectations of employees at Christmas functions.

This will enable you to take disciplinary action against

non-complying employees in appropriate cases and to

provide some protection for yourself against liability.

According to Work Health and Safety legislation (WHS),

employers have the obligation to ensure the safety and

welfare of their staff while at work. This obligation

extends to Christmas celebrations regardless of whether

the function is held on work premises or not.

A function at a club or restaurant still carries with it a

weight of liability if the function has been organised or is

sponsored by or on behalf of the employer.

Aside from the WHS implications in the event of an injury

to an employee, there are also workers compensation

implications at an employer arranged Christmas party.

Workers compensation obligations in some jurisdictions

extend to journeys to and from work as well as any injury

sustained whilst at work.

Arranging transport home for employees will go a long

way to eliminating the risk of an employee making a

“journey claim” however, the employer’s liability for a

work related or journey claim does not extend in

circumstances where an employee decides to “kick on”

after the Christmas party has officially ended.

So now that we have taken all the fun out of the end of

year Christmas Party you can safeguard yourself very

well if you ensure that your standards in relation to safe

and appropriate behaviour at the Christmas party are

communicated to employees at the earliest opportunity.

Tips for employers to ensure a safe and successful

Christmas event include:

setting out clearly defined start and finish times

for the function

having alcohol served responsibly and define

the employers contribution

providing food and non-alcoholic drinks

ensuring underage staff are not served alcohol

having a code of conduct and drug and alcohol

policy in place prior to Christmas functions, and

reminding employees of those policies before

the function. (Call Centre Support on 1800 440

102 to check you have current policies)

choosing a safe venue with access to public

transport, providing cab vouchers or

encouraging nominated ‘non-drinking’ drivers

supervising staff to prevent excessive drinking

and inappropriate behaviour. Remember sexual

harassment and discrimination claims are not

diluted by alcohol

making it clear to staff that the employer’s

responsibility ceases at the end of the function

and if staff choose to continue the evening, that

they are responsible for their own safety

not arranging or paying for drinks at alternative

venues after the event is finished or providing

“cash on the bar” as this extends your liability

Polices that will assist with ensuring employees are

aware of your expectations and consequences for

breaching those standards are:

Drug and Alcohol Policy

WH&S Policy

Code of Conduct

Anti Discrimination and EEO Policy

Don’t forget, if your service has a Christmas shutdown

you must notify staff in writing at least 4 weeks ahead of

the date of the period that the service will be closed.

This also has implications accessing annual leave credit

or accessing leave in advance.

For further information

about this topic or to

look more closely at

services provided by

DJMIR, go to our web

site at DJMIR.com.au

or call our office on (02) 6236 8966

The information detailed in this document is believed to

be true and accurate at the time of publication. No

warranty of accuracy or reliability is given and no liability

accepted for errors or omissions or for loss or damage

suffered as a result of acting in reliance thereon.

WHS Theme Supervision

Don’t have a free WHS magnet

from Centre Support to

complement our monthly WHS

Themes?

Contact us for your

complimentary copy today.

y n N/A children are supervised at all times

by staff members/care providers

y n N/A all children are within sight and/or

hearing of all staff at all times

y n N/A babies are not left unattended at

any time.

y n N/A staff effectively supervise all areas

accessible to children

y n N/A children are closely attended at all

times on the change table and in

any other place that presents a risk

y n N/A close supervision is particularly

given at mealtime/during

bathing/nappy change

y n N/A babies and toddlers are supervised

while sleeping

y n N/A children are always attended when

they are eating or drinking

y n N/A students are never left with the sole

supervision of children

y n N/A relief staff are not left with sole

responsibility for the supervision of

children and that permanent staff

are available at all times

y n N/A individuals or groups of children are

not withdrawn into areas where

they are not visible by other staff

members, or taken into rooms that

can be locked in the centre

y n N/A supervision ratios are correct

y n N/A staffing arrangements are to be

flexible enough to allow supervision

of individuals or small groups of

children

y n N/A staff ensure that the health and

safety are not compromised by the

age ranges in groups

y n N/A staff communicate effectively about

supervision of children

y n N/A volunteers and students are at all

times within the visibility of other

staff while with the children

Y

n

N/A

staff members are not engaged in

other activities in centre based

services such as cleaning,

preparation, administration, etc,

while supervising children to ensure

an interactive process of

supervision

y n N/A Staff arrange equipment, furniture

and activities appropriately to

ensure effective supervision

y n N/A Staff will plan programs to allow

children to access private and quiet

spaces while being supervised

y n N/A Planning for supervision of indoor

and outdoor areas will be shared

with regular and relief staff

Diversity Ideas

December 2015 Date Event 23rd Emperor's Birthday - Japan

25th Christmas Day - Christmas celebrates the

birth of Jesus, peace on earth and good will.

Christmas lights and trees are displayed,

carols are sung and children eagerly await the

arrival of Santa Claus and gifts.

27th St Stephen's Day - Ireland

31st New Years Eve - New Year's Eve is a time for

communities, families and friends to celebrate

the year past and the year to come.

Fireworks light up cities and harbours around

Australia. and sweets involved, and is a great

favourite of children.)

January 2016 1st New Year's Day

5th National Bird Day

6th Epiphany - Christian Tradition - This day

commemorates the manifestation of Jesus

Christ

7th Orthodox Christmas - Eastern Orthodox

religions mark their dates by the Julian

calendar as opposed to the Gregorian

calendar

15th World Religion Day - A day to promote

understanding and harmony between all

religions

23rd Chinese New Year

28th Vasant Panchami (Hindu Tradition. Dedicated

to Saraswati, The Goddess of Learning. During

this festival, children are taught to write their

first words; ancestor worship (Pitr-tarpan) is

performed and the colour yellow is widely

used.)

26th Australia Day

Centre Support's Comprehensive NQF Resource Package - Overview

The NQF Resource Package is designed to help you

and your staff members achieve excellence in all areas

of NQF assessment including the EYLF and

Regulations. The Resources have been developed by

our passionate team of children's services

professionals, who work in the industry, for the

industry.

What is included?

Full NQF Resources - templates and videos

Weekly Learning Activities - which are a

continuous improvement system and help

build your QIP. Educators stay informed of

changes and NQF requirements with weekly

reflections to drive continuous improvement

Assessment and Rating Preparation Pack -

this guides you through each NQS element to

ensure you are ready for your Assessment and

rating visit. This will give you the structure you

need to quickly review your centre's practices

EYLF or MTOP Implementation Package - An

integrated system to reflect on and improve

the curriculum

NQF Policy Package - Directly referenced to

the Regulations (National and States based),

NQS best practice, written, reviewed and

updated in a Word document

Checklist Package - Simple and effective to

allow educators to reflect in practices,

procedures and identify areas for improvement

Unlimited phone and email support

How does it work?

Once you sign up, we provide access to the

Members’ Area of our website where you can

view all of our resources

Each Friday, you are emailed the Weekly

Learning Activities. Over the course of the

week, complete your Weekly Learning Activity

and include it in your QIP. This is a yearly

cycle.

Any updates including policies will be sent to

you automatically at no extra cost.

Cost

$1500 upfront payment or twelve monthly payments of

$125. With the option to renew after 12 months. Pay

using cheque or EFT (upfront only), direct debit or

credit card. Simply fax the attached form.

http://www.centresupport.com.au/wp-

content/uploads/2012/09/LDC-NQF-Resources-

PAYMENT-FORM-and-Product-Info.pdf

Do your job well, achieve

exceeding, but don't take it home. Your family deserves better. That's what Centre

Support offers you.