A child’s behaviour is often the first and only way they know to communicate their needs. We know that providing children with positive early experiences really does give them a lifelong advantage so our educators are dedicated to:

• Helping children learn about getting along with others and manage their emotions through positive guidance
• Being good role models in the way we interact with children and each other
• Communicating with you if we identify any issues and supporting you to take care of your child’s developmental and behavioural needs.

Vaccination protects against infection, saves lives and protects those who are too young or too sick to be immunised. The risk of complications from childhood diseases like measles is much higher than the risks of vaccination.

If you haven't had your child immunised, we are unable to provide care for your child.

For more information visit health.vic.gov.au.

It's very important for your child's safety that we know when they arrive and leave, so please follow these simple steps. Let the staff/educator know:

• When your child has arrived or is about to leave. If your child is attending the Early Learning Centre you will also need to sign your child in and out each day
• If your child will be absent
• If you have arranged for someone else to pick up your child - only a person authorised by you can collect your child
• If for any reason you or your nominated person is unable to pick up your child, please call us to make other arrangements
• If you are running late to collect your child, please phone us as soon as possible. Late fees will apply and if we haven't heard from you after 30 minutes of the expected collection time, we will be required to call your emergency contact person to collect your child.

And for your own safety, please check with an educator about parking options whilst dropping off or picking up your child.

Depending on the age of your child you should consider packing the following:

For babies

• bottles with formula or expressed milk
• nappies (except for the Early Learning Centre where nappies are provided)
• dummy (sealed in a named container)

Older children

• a water bottle
• a sun-safe hat that protects the face, neck and ears
• sunscreen if you prefer an alternative to the one provided
• at least two changes of clothes and underwear (your child may experience a variety of indoor and outdoor learning experiences including water, sand, paint and collage play)
• any comfort items such as a toy or blanket that are important to your child
• any medication (these need to be given directly to your educator or centre staff).

Please make sure everything is labelled clearly.

Please let us know if your child will be absent from scheduled bookings for any reason. When your child returns you will need to sign the attendance record to confirm their absence. It can be helpful to provide documentation to support absence days such as:

• medical certificates
• shared care plans (which need to be signed by both parents)
• court orders
• rostered days off or rotating shifts.

Please note you will still need to pay for absent days of any kind (i.e. public holidays) unless:

• Your child attends the Early Learning Centre and it is the 2 week Christmas/New Year closure period
• Your child attends Family Day Care and the educator (or their child) is ill. In this case we will endeavour to find you an alternative educator. If an alternate educator is sourced you would be required to pay the fees in line with their fee schedule.

Full details are available in the separate Fee Booklet.

When a child is not in care due to illness, this is classified as an allowable absence (of which each child is entitled to 42 per year) and the usual fees apply.

Talking about the upcoming change in your child’s routine and role modelling positive feelings and expectations about the environment is important. So is taking things gradually. For example:

• At our Early Learning Centre we encourage you and your child to spend time in the rooms and get to know what your child will be doing on a day-to-day basis. There is no time limit to these visits; you decide when you are ready move ahead with your enrolment.
• With Family Day Care, you and your child are welcome to have one or two short sessions before commencing with booked hours.
• For In Home Care it is beneficial for the educator to start with one or two short sessions before beginning your booked hours.

Regardless of the service option you choose, you should feel welcome to telephone or drop in during the day to see how your child is settling.

You can visit their website for more information.

Yes we do. Excursions are planned in the best interests of the children and for educational purposes. Before any outing we need your written permission and to provide you with an excursion plan outlining where your child is going, times and transport information including the anticipated route. Families are encouraged to join excursions when available