Possum Place Child Care Centre
Mission StatementBackground
Location
Priority of Access
Hours of Operation
Fees
Child Care Benefit
Staffing
Management of Centre
Parents as Partners
Philosophy
Goals
Policies
Mission Statement
At Possum Place we provide quality care and an educational program inclusive of all children and families, respecting diversity and encouraging open ended collaboration from all participants. This is inclusive of extended hours and types to meet the needs of children and their families within the Hunter Area Health Services.
Background
Possum Place Child Care Centre was established in 1989/1990 to provide work-based child care for children of parents employed by the Hunter Area Health Service. It is located in the grounds of the Hunter's main hospital, the John Hunter Hospital which commenced operation in 1991. The Department of Health provided funding for the Centre as part of their initiative to encourage nurses to return to the workforce.
The Centre caters for up to 55 children aged from birth to seven years between the hours of 6.30am and 11.15pm on weekdays. Permanent and occasional care is provided to assist parents on shiftwork.
There are 40 places for children aged between birth and five years during the day session, and up to 15 places for children aged from birth to seven years during Evening Care, from 10.30am to 11.15pm. Family friendly practices introduced in 2002 has provided flexibility in the times of care which is aligned to the needs of the parents workplace shifts.
The Centre will provide your child with a stimulating and caring environment, based on familiar, flexible routines and a program which is child-centred.
Possum Place Vacation Care Centre was established in 1997 to assist in the smooth transition of young children from child care to care outside school hours.
Vacation Care caters for up to 42 children each day, during school vacation periods with a possible extension to pupil free days and care for teenagers commencing high school aged 12 - 14 years.
Location
Possum Place is set in a bush land setting adjoining the Hunter's major hospital, John Hunter Hospital. The Child Care Centre is accessed via internal roads approximately 1km from the hospital. Also located on the grounds are: Hunter Area Health Service Headquarters, Rankin Park Hospital and Offices, Hunter Rehab & the NIB Private Hospital. The Centre's address is: Possums Place Child Care Centre Adjoining the grounds of John Hunter Hospital Locked Bag 1 New Lambton NSW 2145 (Newcastle) Telephone: 49214162 Fax: 49214166 E-mail: amanda.holt@hunter.health.nsw.gov.auPriority of Access
The priority of access is as follows: First Priority: Staff employed by the Area Health Service on the specific site of the Child Care Service are to receive first priority. Second Priority: Staff employed by the Area Health Service are to receive the second priority with places given to staff at the sponsoring Hospital. Third Priority: Staff employed by other Area Health Services and other Health System Services are to receive the third priority. Fourth Priority: Should the Centre be unable to fill all the child care places from within the above categories then places will be available to the community. Within these categories length of care provided is to be in accordance with work hours and reasonable travel time, e.g. 15 minutes either side of shift, 30 minutes if off campus. Special consideration shall be give to: • families with a sibling(s) currently attending the Centre; • shift-workers; • families on lower incomes; • single parents and families in which both parents are working; • aboriginal families; • parents or children with on going disabilities; • families from a non-english speaking background. As stated in the NSW Health Department Child Care Program Manual (1996).Hours of Operation
The Centre is open from 6.30am to 11.15pm on weekdays and care is provided as follows: 1. Day Care - Sessions of up to 10 hours between the hours of 6.30am and 6.00pm, for children aged between six weeks and five years. 2. Evening Care - Sessions of up to 10 hours between the hours of 10.30am and 11.15pm, for children aged between six weeks and five years. Care is available for children aged five to twelve after school and up to 8.30pm. 3. Late Evening Care - 6-11.15pm. This session is utilised by families requiring care whilst the parents attend lectures at TAFE or Uni, Inservices, meetings, shopping, dinner dates etc, for children aged between six weeks and twelve years. Limited Occasional Care bookings are available for both Day and Evening Care, and can be booked up to three weeks in advance. Hours beyond the 10 hour limit are available for work purposes, and must be made in writing with a letter from the employer stating reasons for use of extended hours. The Centre operates Monday to Friday, 52 weeks of the year, closing for Christmas & Boxing days only. The Centre is open for all public holidays, including the Newcastle Show Day. Vacation care operates each school vacation period and on pupil free days, Monday to Friday 6.30am - 6.00pm. Pupil Free days are catered for on a limited number & lower staffing numbers. Evening care is available from 6.00pm with children delivered to the child care centre by staff in time for their evening meal. You will not have to pay any fees for any of the periods outlined above where the Centre is operating on reduced numbersFees
Possum Place Child Care Centre is funded in part by fees collected from parents. Fees are subject to Child Care Benefit. Fees must be paid weekly, on the first day your child/children attend for the week. Occasional Care fees are due on each day that the child attends, or for the week if this is more appropriate. Fees may be paid by cheque or credit card by EFTPOS at the Centre. Fees are payable on the first day of attendance for each child. Methods of Payment: 1. Cheque: payable to the Centre 2. Money Order: payable to the Centre 3. Credit Card: by phone, fax or at the Centre 4. EFTPOS: at the Centre 5. Salary Packaging: is available contact the pay office.Child Care Benefit
Child Care Benefit (CCB) is a payment made to families to assist with the costs of child care. All Australian residents are entitled to receive a minimum payment of the Child Care Benefit(CCB). To receive this you must be registered with the Family Assistance Office (FAO) located in Centrelink, Medicare and ATOs. Once you have registered with the FAO you will receive CCB as either a fee reduction or lump sum payment following the end of the financial year. The FAO will notify the Centre of your nominated method. If you choose a weekly reduction in fees, the percentage of fee relief for your family will then be calculated by the Centre who will inform you of your daily adjusted fee. For more information contact Centrelink Phone Number: 13 61 50 or Visit the web site: www.centrelink.gov.auStaffing
Possum Place Child Care Centre is staffed by a professional team with a wide range of qualifications and experience, including Early Childhood Teachers, General and Enrolled Nurses, Diploma of Social Studies (Child Care), Child Care Assistants, Administration Assistants, Cook and Cleaner. We have a strong emphasis at the Centre on continuing to develop staff skills and knowledge, and staff are encouraged and given support to attend staff development training sessions. All staff maintain a current Senior First Aid Certificate, and to regularly participate in Fire and Safety training. Primary Contact staff are allocated to work with a specific group of children, and are designated to be part of a particular team. Those teams are as follows: . 0-2 year olds: 2 full time staff } + 1 part time staff member who alternates between rooms . 2+3 year olds: 2 full time staff} + 1 part time staff member who alternates between rooms . 4+5 year olds: 4 full time staff . Evening Care team family-grouped: 2 full time staff . Special Needs Subsidy Scheme Child Care Workers: 2 part time staff . Meeting Relief: 1 part time staff member (5days/week) . Permanent Relief: 2 staff (job share - 5days/week) Vacation Care Centre . 1 part time Co-ordinator 8 on-call casual staff, rostered on shifts each holiday Non Contact staff include: . Non-teaching Director - Child Care + Vacation Care services . 2 part-time Administration Assistants - Child Care + Vacation Care services . Chef - full time . Cleaner - attends each evening The staff work on set & rotating rosters, so you may see different staff members on duty at different times during each week. We try very hard to maintain consistency of staffing for your children. Occasionally, we need to employ other staff, and we utilise a pool of regular casual staff who are familiar with our Philosophy, Policies and Procedures, as well as the daily routines of the service. All primary contact staff are involved in the program developed for the children in their group.Management of Centre
Possum Place Child Care Centre is administered by the Hunter Area Health Service in conjunction with a Parent Advisory Committee and a Child Care Management Board. The Director is responsible for the day to day Centre operation and reports to the Director of Human Resources.
Parent Advisory Committee aims to involve service users, and other interested parties in the efficient development, operation and financial stability of the centre. Policies are formulated and ratified by the Parent Advisory Committee, Child Care Management Board and staff in line with the NSW Health Department Child Care Program Manual, Centre Based and Mobile Child Care Services Regulation (No 2) 1996 and the Quality Improvement and Accreditation System Handbook.
The Parent Advisory Committee is comprised of at least 51% parent users of the service, and includes the Director and nominated staff members on a rotating roster. Representatives are elected at an Annual General Meeting held in February.
Parents as Partners
Possum Place Child Care Centre is committed to developing and maintaining strong, positive and active relationships with all parents, guardians and families for whose children we provide care and education.
We hope that these relationships will be mutually beneficial, and will allow each family to be involved with the Centre in the way which best meets the families' needs and interests. We encourage active participation at any level, and recognise the time constraints parents have as workers.
Parents are welcome visitors at the Centre at any time, either for a few minutes or for a few hours. We are happy they come and spend time just with their child as he/she enjoys the activities and routines at Possum Place Child Care & Vacation Care Centres. Mothers are encouraged to call in to breastfeed their infant, and a private area is available if required.
Philosophy
We believe that children deserve: . A fun, stimulating, and pleasing environment, which encourages learning through play . A consistent and flexible daily program which is developed in consultation with families to address individual needs and home routines . An educational program which challenges children to develop in all areas, both individually and in a social context . A program which supports and enhances development at all stages and levels of ability, with respect for family culture, and without bias . Opportunities to regularly succeed and receive positive messages about themselves, building self esteem on a personal and community level . Support in developing independence at an appropriate level . Opportunities to make choices . An environment which is safe, healthy and well-supervised . Meals, snacks and drinks which meet their nutritional needs, and are tasty, varied, and attractively presented We believe that families deserve: . Relevant and timely information on their children's day-to-day activities while at the Centre as well as their development over a period of time . Open and honest partnership between families and staff, based on consultation, supporting consistency of care between the home and Centre . Access to a resource network providing information, contacts and support for the family as their children grow and develop . Respect for individual family values and beliefs, and their right to confidentiality . Current information about, and opportunities to assist in the development and review of the Centre's policies, procedures and practices . Opportunities to participate in the Centre's activities, on a day-to-day basis, through the Parent Advisory Committee or in other appropriate ways . Support and respect for their dual roles and responsibilities as both parents and employees . Reasonable and flexible provision of care to enable them to find a balance between work and home responsibilities We believe that staff at the Centre deserve: . Respect for their individual skills, knowledge and experience . To work in a safe, healthy and friendly environment . Current information about, and opportunities to assist in the development and review of the Centre's policies, procedures and practices . Opportunities to further develop and enhance their skills and knowledge through on- going training . Encouragement to participate in the Centre's management, through involvement in regular staff meetings, committees, or in other appropriate ways . Reasonable and flexible organisation of shift rosters to enable them to find a balance between work and home responsibilities . Support and resources to enable the development and implementation of the Centre program . Open and honest partnership between individual staff and teams, based on consultation, supporting professional relationships and interactionsGoals
. To establish an open and trusting rapport with every child, family member and participant attending the Centre. . To provide each child the opportunity to learn and develop all of their skills in a safe and nurturing environment which will stimulate, challenge and confirm their abilities as individuals. . To provide a family oriented service with genuine opportunity for all cultural backgrounds, individual differences and all forms of diversity to be included in all areas of the Centre. . To accept and provide for every child, the opportunity to access all areas of the program, with and without support as per their needs. . To increase our knowledge and skill base in all facets of early childhood, reaching towards high Accreditation standards. . To encourage families to become active participants in the planning, implementation and evaluation of the children's programs as a whole group, individuals and in areas such as, nutrition and safety.Policies
Administration . Aboriginal Culture and Awareness . Children of Staff Attending Centre . Fees, Childcare Assistance and the Childcare Cash Rebate . Fire Emergency . Multiculturalism . Anti-Discrimination . Evening Care . Parent/Staff Communication . Occasional Day Care . Verification of Parent Employment Status . Ethnic Affairs . Occupational Health and Safety . Quality Assurance . Waiting List and Enrolment . Policy Development and Review . Responding to Complaints and/or Compliments . Confidentiality . Advertising Materials in the Centre Client Care . Behaviour Management and Discipline . Nutrition, Menu Planning and Food Preparation . Use of television and Video Equipment . Biting . Sun Protection . Rest Periods for Children Whose Parents Prefer that they Not be Encouraged to Sleep . Touch and Nurturing . Safety of Children on Centre Grounds . Toys and Items Brought from Home Into the Centre . Hot Liquids in Children's Play Areas, Bathrooms and Centre Foyer . Special Needs Enrolments . Outdoor Learning Environment . Excursion Policy and Guidelines . Notification of Suspected Child Abuse and/or Neglect . Custody and Access to Children at the Centre . Used/Soiled Linen . Road Safety Education . Medical Issues Medication . Administration of Liquid Paracetamol . Reducing the Risk of SIDS . Injuries and Medical Emergencies . Immunisation and Infectious Illnesses Other Procedures . Cleaning Procedures . Medication Sterilisation . Preparation, Administration and Recording of Medication . Grievance Procedures . Student Guidelines . Staff Procedures for Students Attending the Centre Guidelines . Parents Visiting the Centre . Nappy Changing . Emergency Evacuations . Medical Emergencies . Handwashing . Staff Time-In-Lieu, Professional Release Days