WELCOME !
Welcome to 2021 at Hunny Pots ELC.
A big welcome to our new families and our returning families.
We are so happy to have you here at Hunny Pots ELC. Thank you for the opportunity to care and educate your children.
We are settling new children and assisting the children changing rooms into their new routines.
The teachers are very busy getting to know their new groups and preparing their rooms for this year.
Be aware it’s very normal for some tears for new children and even for our returning children. We will work on building relationships with all children and families.
COVID UPDATE
Please see attached our COVID updated policy.
The main amendments are:
- Health Declaration – by signing their child in /out for each day of attendance, families are declaring they are fit and healthy with no COVID symptoms (not even mild symptoms) or been to a hotspot in the past 14 days.
- arrival and departure – ONE adult only. Siblings under 5 years may enter – primary aged children are not to enter the service.
- It is strongly recommended to wear a mask for visitors and families for arrival and departure of children.
PARENT HANDBOOK
Please note the importance of reading your parent handbook. All important and valuable information is in there. You received a copy in your enrolment pack. We also have the parent handbook on our website under the Early Learning Centre/enrolment tab.
OUR AMAZING TEAM FOR 2021
Eeyores-
Room leader – Miss Kayley
Second in charge – Miss Emma W
Eeyore’s Spot Team: Miss Emma G, Miss Katelyn, Miss Chloe
Tiggers-
Room leader – Miss Jo
Second in charge – Miss Jess
Tigger Place team: Miss Kim, Miss Maisie
Poohs Corner-
Room leader- Miss Allison
Second in charge- Miss Rupinder
Poohs Corner team: Miss Rhiannon, Miss Elise
Miss Kim will assist all rooms.
Miss Sophie predominately in 3-5 years.
Miss Emily assisting in all rooms
Miss Amanda assisting in all rooms
Educational leaders/Assistant Directors: Miss Jo and Miss Allison
Miss Monique and Mr Simon will be at the centre Tuesday, Thursday and Fridays.
Miss Jo will be Assistant Director on Monday and Miss Allison will be Assistant Director on Wednesday.
INVOICES/STATEMENTS
We invoice fortnightly projecting two weeks ahead. Our invoices are emailed, so please check your email account regularly. The email may appear in your inbox from our software provider HUBWORKS!
If your child is new to Hunny Pots ELC, it will take a week for the Child care subsidy to estimate correctly on your invoice.
Invoices are to be paid fortnightly through our direct debit Ipay.
We will send invoices first (generally on a Friday) – then process iPay on a Tuesday. This allows families to look at the invoice, look for any CCS changes, prepare for the debit to occur.
Statements are sent out every 3 months. The statement shows the past 3 months payments (receipts), your usage and your Child Care subsidy entitlements (payments).
PARENT FACEBOOK PAGE
We have a parent Facebook page “Hunny Pots Early learning Centre parent page”
We also have a Public Facebook page “Hunny Pots Early Learning Centre”
If you are on Facebook, its recommended to join.
We use this as another way to keep you updated.
INTERNAL WAITLIST
If you are requiring more permanent days, please send an email to let us know what days you require so we can add to our internal waitlist.
When vacancies arise, this is what we refer to first.
IMMUNISATION AND BIRTH CERTIFICATES
Thank you for supplying a copy of your child’s immunisation records and birth certificate. We must retain these records based on regulations; we appreciate your cooperation.
Please remember to keep us updated on your child’s immunisation status e.g.: when they get their 12month immunisation, 4 years immunisation etc……..
We MUST have your child’s official ACIR History Statement. (Medicare copy) the blue book is no longer acceptable.
No current immunisation record = no enrolment.
WET BAGS
Wet bags are available to purchase from the office for $10 cash.
We don’t use plastic bags in the centre, so please ensure you have a we bag in your child’s bag so we can place wet items hygienically.
OFFICE HOURS
Office hours are:
Monday: 9.30-3pm (Miss Jo/Miss Allison)
Tuesday: 8am-4pm (Miss Monique)
Wednesday: 9.30-3pm (Miss Allison)
Thursday: 8am-4pm (Miss Monique)
Friday: 8am-4pm (Miss Monique)
School holidays: The office is open 9am/9.30am – 3pm.
ABSENCES
Please be aware that we charge for all absences; illness, family holidays, school holidays etc.
There is no reduced fee for any extended leave. If you require your position when you return, you need to hold this position by continuing to pay for it.
We do charge for public holidays and provide a make-up day for this. Please contact the office to organise a suitable day when there is a spot available. Make up days are for the calendar year.
Please let the office know via email or phone if you are away on holidays (dates) or if your child is sick by 8.30am that day.
You are entitled to 42 absences within a financial year to still receive CCS payments. If your child has attended another service within the financial year, any absences they may have had will also show on our records.
For more information on absences, please read your parent handbook.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
As a legal requirement and for safety regulations and insurance purposes you are asked to sign your child in and out daily. We have the digital sign in/out kiosk on the iPads in the foyer.
You will be asked (from the Government) to confirm any absences (approx. a month later) and to confirm any attendances that staff have had to sign your child in or out for. We submit attendances weekly. If you need to clarify anything please see Monique, Simon, Jo or Allison.
Please take your child to their room or to the group and get them settled. Please make sure that a staff member is aware of your child’s arrival and departure.
Only people authorised by the child’s parents are allowed to collect their child. All authorised people must be over 18 years old. Appropriate identification will be required.
We are licensed from 7am – 6pm.
We are unable to take your child before 7am and you must collect your child before 6pm.
LATE COLLECTION OF CHILDREN FEE
It is not acceptable that children are picked up late from the centre. The centre is able to open for specific periods as per our license from the State Government and approval from the Local Councils. Staff are employed to work those hours and have a right to finish work at the agreed time. Late shift staff delayed from finishing on time may suffer public transport delays etc and may have their own family commitments that need to be met.
Late fee: $20 after 6pm (any period of time 6pm to 6.15pm e.g.: you come at 6.05pm it will be $20) after 6.15pm it is $30 from (6.15pm-6.30) and $2 per minute after 6.30pm. E.g.: if you come at 6.20pm it will be a $50 late fee.
*** It is best to have nearby emergency contacts that can help you pick up your child if you are going to be late.
WITHDRAWAL OF YOUR CHILD/REDUCING DAYS
Parents must give at least three weeks written notice to the Director before withdrawing their child from Hunny Pots. If the child does not attend the centre during this period, fees are still payable (please see the below section: A child who has not yet received care or who has ceased receiving care) If the child is withdrawn without notice, three weeks full fees must be paid regardless.
Parents may reduce their child’s days of attendance by giving three weeks’ notice to the Director.
No notice period accepted in December and January for withdrawing or reducing days.
A child who has not yet received care or who has ceased receiving care
Below is from the Child Care Handbook Australian Government Department of Education and Training:
Child Care Subsidy will not be paid for absences where a provider charges a family to reserve a place for a child who has not yet physically started care.
If a child is booked in to start at a service on a particular date, and does not start on that day, no Child Care Subsidy will be paid until the child physically attends a session of care.
Similarly, a child care service is taken to have permanently ceased providing care for a child on the day the child last physically attends a session of care. This means that Child Care Subsidy will not be paid for absences submitted after a child last physically attends a session of care.
If a family has confirmed their child’s last day at a service, but that child does not attend their last booked sessions of care, no Child Care Subsidy will be paid for any days after the child’s last physical attendance at the service.
If a provider continues to charge fees for sessions on days after a child has left the service because the family did not give the agreed period of notice, Child Care Subsidy will not be payable for these sessions of care. If absences are reported in the above circumstances and Child Care Subsidy is incorrectly paid, these amounts will be recovered from the service.
TRANSITIONING FROM ONE ROOM TO THE NEXT
If your child turns 3 years old before the 31st July, we will endeavor to move them from Eeyore’s room to Tigger’s room. This is based on there being a position available – we will do our best to hold positions; however, we can only keep a position open for a short period of time.
When children move to the next room they participate in orientation, this is to assist with a smooth transition to their new room. They have the opportunity to become familiar with their new teachers and children in the room. The previous teacher will pass on information and observation records of the child to the next teacher to ensure consistency and continuity. Please have a conversation with the new room teachers to discuss future goals, any concerns and confirm any allergies.
Children are to be toilet trained before they go into Tigger’s Place, as there are no nappy changing facilities in this room.
Transitioning from Eeyore’s to Tigger’s is the only room we transition from mid year. Tigger’s and Poohs Corner placements are for the full year.
THINGS TO REMEMBER IN EACH ROOM:
EEYORE’S SPOT: Please remember to place items of clothing, sheets (if needed) nappies etc into the baskets supplied in the nappy change area. Please put any prepared bottles into the fridge in the bottle prep area. Please place dummies (in an appropriate container) in the bottle prep area.
Please read the daily diary (via email) to see what your children are learning and have done each day. Always have a look for any upcoming projects you can contribute to.
Please place water drink bottles in our esky.
Please write in our weekend book about what you have been up to, learning about, current interests.
TIGGER’S PLACE: Please remember to bring in a piece of fruit and place in the fruit basket in the foyer each morning. If your child comes 5 days, you might like to bring in one big piece of fruit for the week e.g.: watermelon/ rockmelon etc. You can also bring in vegetables as something different for the basket e.g.: carrots, celery, avocado etc.
Please place your child’s bed sheets in the bed cupboard on their first day of attendance of each week.
Please read our daily diary (via email) to see what your children are learning and have done each day. Always have a look for any upcoming projects you can contribute to.
Please place water drink bottles in our esky.
Please write in our weekend book about what you have been up to, learning about, current interests.
POOH’S CORNER: Please remember to bring in a piece of fruit and place in the fruit basket in the foyer each morning. If your child comes 5 days you might like to bring in one big piece of fruit for the week e.g.: Watermelon/ Rockmelon etc. You can also bring in vegetables as something different for the basket e.g.: Carrots, Celery, Avocado etc.
Please read our daily diary (emailed) to see what your children are learning and have done each day. Always have a look for any upcoming projects you can contribute to.
Please place water drink bottles in our esky.
Please write in our weekend book about what you have been up to, learning about, current interests.
POLICIES
Each fortnight we will place a different policy on the sign in and out table for parents to review. This is a great chance for you to read our policies in depth and learn our centre’s procedures. Please feel free to ask questions or provide feedback as your support is appreciated.
CLOTHING
Please remember to label all items to prevent any lost property.
Please also dress your child appropriately for the weather – while it is nice to be in a singlet top or dress, this doesn’t promote sun safety at the centre. All children must wear T shirts – no Singlet tops, muscle tops or strap dresses. Please remember to supply your child with the correct hat – NO BASEBALL CAPS. ALL children must wear a hat outside – if they don’t have a suitable hat, we do have spares or they have to stay under the covered area.
Please pack spare clothing in your child’s bag to ensure they have clothing for any incidents.
Appropriate footwear is also requested – NO THONGS.
Sandals, running shoes or closed in shoes etc are allowed. This helps the children to play and climb appropriately without encouraging accidents e.g.: falling over.
UPCOMING EVENTS-
Wednesday 27th January – Australia Day celebrations! Come dressed in Green or Gold or Australian flag colours Blue, Red and White.
Friday 12th February – Chinese New Year. Come dressed in red!
We look forward to a fantastic year with you all!
HUNNY POTS EARLY LEARNING CENTRE
Coronavirus Policy
Aim
Hunny Pots ELC has a COVID Safety Plan to ensure all employees and families implement appropriate risk management procedures to prevent the spread of coronavirus or reduce the potential for the illness to spread.
Implementation
Coronavirus (COVID-19) can cause illnesses similar to the common cold, but it can also cause more serious respiratory diseases. Most people displaying symptoms such as runny nose, fever, cough, sore throat, tiredness or shortness of breath are likely suffering with a cold or other respiratory illness—not coronavirus. People at higher risk of catching the virus include older people, those with underlying medical problems and Indigenous Australians. The threats posed by the virus mean serious steps must be taken to stop the spread of the disease.
As outlined in our Infectious Disease and Health, Hygiene and Safe Food Policies, the Approved Provider, Nominated Supervisor, educators and staff implement strict hygiene and infection control procedures at all times to prevent or minimise the spread of contagious illnesses. Hygiene measures and exclusion principles outlined in these policies continue to apply, and will be informed by current guidance on coronavirus issued by relevant Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments including:
- Federal Department of Health coronavirus health alerts which are updated daily
- State/Territory Education Departments which may issue coronavirus updates directly to service providers. Latest updates and resources can also be reviewed online
- Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment Information including Frequently Asked Questions and email updates Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment
If in doubt about current coronavirus guidance, the Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor will contact the Federal coronavirus hotline on 1800 020 080 or their State/Territory health Department.
What must employees and families do?
Comply with government guidance
The Approved Provider, employees and volunteers and families must:
- comply with guidance issued by Government agencies, including in relation to attendance, quarantine and self-isolation.
- seek medical attention if they develop symptoms of coronavirus including fever, cough, sore throat or shortness of breath. Employees/families must advise the Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor immediately if they are being tested for coronavirus. They must not come to the service until they are cleared by medical authorities and return a negative coronavirus test (please bring a doctor’s clearance upon return)
- comply with all service policies including Infectious Diseases Policy which requires ill children and adults to remain at home and comply with relevant Exclusion periods. Note employees, volunteers and families must comply with any isolation/exclusion periods in relation to coronavirus implemented by the Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor including periods which exceed government requirements
- agree to have their temperature tested before entry to the service or anytime needed if the Nominated Supervisor or staff reasonably believe a child or adult may have a fever
- advise the service if they develop symptoms of the virus or are confirmed to have the virus. provide written clearance from a doctor after a period of isolation or quarantine related to coronavirus confirming they/child/family member are not contagious and may return to the service
- Health Declaration – by signing their child in /out for each day of attendance, families are declaring they are fit and healthy with no COVID symptoms (not even mild symptoms) or been to a hotspot in the past 14 days.
- It is strongly recommended to wear a mask for visitors and families for arrival and departure of children.
Implement effective hygiene process
The Approved Provider will complete the online COVID-19 Infection Control Training made available by the Federal Department of Health. Certificates of completion are recorded. Employees and volunteers will ensure they continue to implement hygiene processes outlined in the Health, Hygiene and Safe Food Policy to ensure high standards of hygiene and infection control at all times. This includes ensuring they and where relevant children:
- wash hands frequently with soap and water including before and after eating or handling food, going to the toilet, changing a nappy, handling play dough, using gloves, and after wiping or touching nose and cleaning up spills of body fluids
- wash hands in ways that meet the principles recommended by the World Health Organisation in the following videos wash hands with soap and water and wash hands with alcohol based sanitiser
- cough and sneeze into their inner elbow, or use a tissue to cover their mouth and nose and placing tissues in the bin immediately after use
If using alcohol-based hand sanitiser in place of soap it will contain 60-80% alcohol and antibacterial soap/gel will never be used.
In addition the Approved Provider and Nominated Supervisor will ensure educators engage in regular handwashing with children and cleaning requirements are documented and completed more frequently than usual. This includes regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces like door knobs, bathrooms (eg taps, toilets), tables and chairs, phones, tablets, keyboards. Cleaning staff, including contracted cleaning staff, will implement the procedures outlined in the ‘Information for employers’ and Environmental Cleaning and Disinfection Principles for COVID-19
The Approved Provider and Nominated Supervisor will ensure hand hygiene posters are displayed in areas which can easily be seen by families, including the front entrance, and require all employees and families to use hand sanitiser provided at service entrances. They will also place signs and posters about physical distancing around the Service like those from Safework Australia.
Social distancing
We’re also implementing the following social distancing strategies where possible to limit the potential spread of the infection:
- restricting number of parents in service dropping off or picking up children
- deferring activities that lead to mixing of children and staff from different rooms/groups
- avoiding situations where children are required to queue, assemble in large groups or hold hands
- limiting visitors
- arrival and departure – ONE adult only. Siblings under 5 years may enter – primary aged children are not to enter the service.
- ceasing activities which may have a higher risk of infection including play dough, cooking and dress up activities
- serving food to children rather than providing sharing plates
- increasing supervision in bathrooms and only allowing 1 child at tap at a time to wash hands
- opening windows and adjusting air-conditioning for more fresh air
- conducting more learning and activities outside
Information and notification requirements
The Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor will:
- report instances of (suspected) coronavirus to the local state/territory health department immediately and follow all guidance
- comply with notification requirements for serious incidents which include:
- any incident involving serious illness of a child at the service where the child attended, or should have attended, a hospital
- any emergency where emergency services attended ie there was an imminent or severe risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of a person at the service
- comply with other notification requirements including:
- notifying the Regulatory Authority within 24 hours if directed to close or closing voluntarily because of coronavirus. Note where possible the Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor will contact the Authority before making decision to close because of low numbers. (If closing voluntarily, children cannot be reported as absent and CCS will not be paid unless the closure is determined as a local emergency by State/Territory Education Departments)
- notifying the Regulatory Authority within 7 days about any changes to service days or operating hours
- apply for waivers from ratio and qualification requirements if required where staff are required to self-isolate
- provide families with current information about the coronavirus including relevant information and Fact Sheets from Federal or State Health and Education Departments.
Interactions with Children
Where appropriate, educators will speak with children about the coronavirus in ways that do not alarm them or cause unnecessary fear or distress. Educators may, for example, discuss with children their feelings in relation to the virus, review hygiene measures they can take to reduce the risk of infection, discuss some of the good things happening in the world, or implement other strategies outlined in our Relationships with Children Policy. Educators will be careful not to speak to others in an alarmist way about the coronavirus if children are present or within hearing.
Incursions/visitors
The Department of Education advice to services is to limit visitors to your service to only those reasonably necessary. Examples of visitors that could be considered reasonably necessary are Authorised Officers from the Department, NDIS providers and allied health professionals. Incursions and activities that are routinely run by external providers visiting your service, such as dance or music programs, are best continued using technology rather than in person. Where visitors are required to attend your service, social distancing measures should be in place, masks must be worn and normal hand hygiene and cough etiquette protocols should be followed.
Orientation programs for new enrolments
Orientation for new children may be run at the discretion of individual services following a thorough risk assessment. Consideration should be given to things like the numbers of children attending, requirements for parents/carers to be present and the overall benefits of conducting in-person orientations.
What else should families do?
Asthma Australia has advised doctors to ensure all patients with asthma have a current Asthma Action plan and to update it if needed via a phone consultation, with any new plan delivered electronically. If their child has an Asthma Plan, families must consult their doctor and provide the Nominated Supervisor with an updated Plan or written confirmation from the doctor that the current Plan can continue. The Nominated Supervisor will distribute any updated Plans to relevant educators.
Fees
Fees are payable for any absence.
Families can get up to 42 allowable absence days per child each financial year.
If you reach your allowable absence limit, you may get additional absences. Talk to management about this. You may need to provide us with supporting documents.
In some circumstances, you may get more allowable absences for a special purpose – we will keep you updated on this.
Exclusion of unwell staff and children
Normal protocols for managing infectious diseases should be followed where children or staff are unwell. Staff and families are to be tested for COVID-19 if they are displaying symptoms. NSW recommends children, families and staff are required to provide evidence of a negative COVID test when they have been absent or excluded due to showing symptoms of COVID-19. Hunny Pots ELC also requests a doctors clearance with the negative test result upon return.
STAFF
Permanent employees are entitled to paid sick leave if they’re ill with coronavirus. Employees must provide a medical certificate confirming they have the virus. Permanent employees who need to look after a family member or someone in their household who’s sick with the virus are also entitled to paid carer’s leave, or unpaid carer’s leave if they have no paid sick or carer’s leave left. Employees must provide evidence supporting an application to take carer’s leave if requested. Permanent employees who want to stay at home as a precaution against exposure to coronavirus must apply for paid or unpaid leave.
Staff Entitlements – Employees required to self-isolate or wish to stay home as precaution
The Approved Provider or Nominated Supervisor will discuss available employment options with permanent employees who can’t return from overseas or are required to enter quarantine or isolation but aren’t sick. Options include taking annual leave or other leave eg long service leave, and taking unpaid leave.
Staff Entitlements – Employees directed not to work
Permanent employees will be paid if they are directed not to work to prevent the spread of the illness, cannot work because numbers of children have declined or the centre is voluntarily closed by the Approved Provider.
In cases where service viability is threatened, for example because enrolments have significantly reduced, the Approved Provider will discuss the situation with all permanent and seek their views on possible changes to staffing arrangements eg reductions in hours. Employees’ written consent to any new arrangements will be obtained.
Staff Entitlements – Stand downs
Under the Fair Work Act, an employee can only be stood down without pay if:
- there’s a stoppage of work
- the employees can’t be usefully employed (not limited to an employee’s usual work)
- the cause of the stoppage is one the employer cannot reasonably be held responsible for (eg service is directed to close by Government).
Note employees may use paid leave entitlements if the Approved Provider agrees. During stand down periods there is no interruption to continuity of service and leave accruals continue. The Approved Provider may seek legal advice to confirm payment of salaries is not required under the ‘stand down’ provision of the Fair Work Act if directed to close by the Government.
During this time employees may engage in activities which don’t involve children, for example, training, deep cleaning or administration.
Source
Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations
Fair Work Act 2009
Fair Work Ombudsman ‘Coronavirus and Australian Workplace laws’
Federal Department of Health coronavirus information sheets
Federal Department of Education, Skills and Employment coronavirus information sheets
National Quality Standard
Work, Health and Safety Laws and Regulations
Review
Last reviewed: January 2021 Date for next review: January 2022