Child Protection Policy

To read our full child protection policy, click here.

Settling Policy

Rational

Children and parents who choose to attend the centre will make a positive start through a careful settling routine which will encourage a sense of belonging and a feeling that their contribution is appreciated.

Purpose

To ensure parents are given information about the expectations and routines of the centre and teachers gain information and knowledge which will assist in the settling process for all children.

Settling Procedure

• All prospective parents will be welcomed into the centre, where they will be met where possible by the centre manager and shown through the centre.  At this time the centre routines will be explained to each parent and this is an opportunity for them to ask any questions that they may have.

• Prior to the child starting at the centre parents are encouraged to visit with their child until both the parents and staff feel the child is settled. During these settling visits if staff ratios permit parents may be allowed to leave their child for a short duration of time to assist the process. Parents will not be charged for these sessions.

• Children enrolled in the nursery will be allocated a primary caregiver who will take responsibility for as much of their care giving routines and settling process as possible.

• At the beginning of each session a staff member will welcome children and parents to the centre. Parents will have the opportunity to speak with staff if required.

• Once a child begins attending teachers will discuss with parents how long it would be best to leave their child to ensure that they do not become distressed.

• Parents are welcome to ring the centre to check on the wellbeing of their child at any time.

• All children must be brought into the centre. No child may be dropped in the entrance way.

• Staff must be informed when the parent is leaving, and parents must sign the roll.

• Staff must be aware if any child shows signs of distress when the parent leaves, to ensure extra attention is given when required.

• All families are required to complete an enrollment form providing contact numbers and names in the case of any emergency or extreme distress and general information regarding the child’s health and any problems envisaged before leaving the child in the centre.

• At the end of each session staff will again be available to discuss the child’s day.

• Children are welcome to bring any special toys that might help them settle.

Health and Safety

Rational

To provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees, children and their parents. To provide guidelines for teacher to ensure a high standard of health and safety is maintained in the centre.

Illness Procedure

• The centre will ensure that all teacher / parents / visitors to the centre are protected from contracting infectious diseases.

• Children and adults who are sick are not to be present at the centre. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, high temperatures, flu like symptoms, conjunctivitis, impetigo and any other contagious illness.

• There must be a period of 24hr of absence if a child is diagnosed with having a viral infection and 48 hours for vomiting and diarrhea.

• If a child arrives at the centre and is clearly not well, the centre manager reserves the right to not allow that child to be left at the centre. This is for the wellness of other children and teacher.

• If parents are called to collect their child due to illness, they must do so as soon as possible. If parents are unable to do so then they must organise someone else to collect their child.

• A current list of infectious diseases is displayed in the centre, enabling parents to access the information at all times.

• The centre manager will refer to the infectious disease chart to determine the infectious period, which in turn will provide information on how long a child must stay away from the centre.

• If a child becomes unwell while at the centre they will be isolated from other children and watched over by a teacher until collected by a parent/caregiver.

• Any outbreak of an infectious disease in the centre will be firstly taken into consideration when diagnosing suspected diarrhea.

• After a minimum of three (3) loose bowel motions, presented with other common diarrhea symptoms parents will be contacted and asked to collect their child.

• Accurate records of bowel motions will be documented and verbally shared with the parent if diarrhea is suspected.

• Diagnosis of diarrhea will incur a 48hr absence