Daily Program

Developmental planning for children’s individual needs

Parents are advised at the time of enrolment that staff will work with their child on an individual basis. This means that planning is undertaken with individual children’s developmental needs a priority. Staff complete developmental checklists and anecdotal records from observations of the children in their care. The main areas checked and observed are gross and fine motor skills, language and cognitive skills (thinking, memory, etc), social and emotional skills. Parents observations of their children are also an integral part of this process and thus communication between staff and parents is extremely important. Daily Diaries, daily verbal feedback, and comments, parent/staff interviews, and social functions are mechanisms utilised to ensure that this process remains alive and develops further.

Special needs

If a child has a high support need due to a disability then every effort will be made to gain a support worker for the child to enable continued enrolment in the Centre. At the time of enrolment, parents will be expected to disclose any specialist attention a child has or is receiving so that a mutual agreement can be reached on the most appropriate care available to the family.

Parental involvement

Parents are encouraged to discuss children’s needs, interests and skills with staff on a daily basis. Appointments can be made with the Director to discuss any concerns you have about your child’s program. Interviews can be arranged with staff and parents to discuss children’s development, at a time, which is suitable for both.

Parents are encouraged to participate in the activities of the Centre, e.g. communicate to staff in the diaries provided, attend open days and join in celebrations. If anyone has a little time to volunteer an hour or so to assist us with activities for the children such as multicultural activities, reading, playing an instrument or repairing toys and equipment, you are most welcome to come and discuss your skills and availability with the staff.

Special religious medical or cultural requirements (e.g. diet, celebrations or medical) must be notified by parents at the time of enrolment of the child into the Centre so that these requirements can be considered in the program.

Parents are invited to participate in the formulation of policies, procedures, and curriculum guidelines for the Centre by passing on ideas to staff verbally and in writing. Questionnaires will be circulated throughout the year giving parents the opportunity to comment on the program offered at the Centre.

Clothing

Children should be sent in casual “play” clothes as our activities often involve messy play (paint, clay, etc).

A spare set of clothes should be sent each day, or left at the Centre. These clothes need to be size and season appropriate. If your child is toilet training more than one set of spare clothes will be required.

Shoes with soles that grip are a good idea for children who will be climbing. Thongs are not really appropriate.

A hat in the summer and a warm coat and beanie in the winter are also essential. All clothing (and other belongings) must be clearly labeled.

Nappies

Sufficient disposable nappies must be provided for each session that the baby attends (a minimum of 8-10 nappies).

Toilet training

When your child displays a readiness to use the toilet or potty at home please discuss the issue of toilet training the child at the centre with staff before commencing the procedure at Yarm.  Children can experience difficulties establishing a regular routine especially in childcare and thus open communication between parents and staff is essential.

Children undertaking toilet training require:

• nappies and or pull up nappies are a helpful aid;
• training pants throughout the process
• plenty of spare clothes incase of accidents!

Please Note: Parents are asked to donate a large box of tissues and a bottle of sunscreen to the Centre at the beginning of each year or their enrolment.

Meals

“Our goal is to provide children who attend, for a full day, with at least 50% of their daily recommended dietary intake of nutritious and culturally appropriate food in a safe hygienic environment”.

The Centre provides a nutritious two-course lunch each day for all children attending the morning or full day sessions. These meals are based on “Caring For Children: A practical guide to meeting the food and nutrition needs of children in care”, produced by Central Coast Area Health Service, NSW, 1992.

Morning and afternoon tea is also offered to all children each day. Parents are asked to bring a piece of ripe fruit each day for each child in care. For the Babies, Toddlers and Kindy rooms the fruit can be left in the kitchen each morning for collection and preparation to share at morning tea with the preschoolers leaving theirs in their room. The Centre provides water,50:50 diluted juice, and milk for the children to drink throughout the day.

Where children have special dietary requirements including allergies, discussions are held between parents, Director, and Cook as to how these can be accommodated. All special requirements need to be written on the enrolment form or an attachment and given to the Director at the time of enrolment. If children cannot eat the meals provided or a nutritious and economical substitute, parents will be asked to provide the child’s meal in a container clearly marked with the child’s full name.

If infants require formula or milk bottles, parents are asked to provide the formula already prepared, in non-glass bottles clearly marked with the infant’s full name to be left in the infants’ room fridge.

Drinking Water is always available to children throughout their day at Yarm Gwanga.

Parents will be informed if it is believed their child is not eating or drinking enough throughout the day through the Earlyworks page.

Staff involved in the preparation or serving of food for the children are expected to follow hygienic practices such as:

• wash hands with soap and water
• use serving utensils
• wear rubber gloves if handling food
• cover or refrigerate food to prevent contamination
• undertake a basic food preparation, safety, and nutrition course if undertaking Cook’s position permanently.

Sleep / Rest Time

Parents are asked to provide the following items when your child commences at the Centre:

• 1 single bed sheet (seasonally appropriate) or 2 cot sheets for infants 0 – 2 years
• 1 small blanket

All items are to be clearly marked with your child’s name. The sheet will be sent home each week for washing and must be returned the following week on your child’s 1st day of attendance for the week. A fine of $5.00 is to be paid to the Centre if the sheet has been forgotten 3 times to cover the cost of washing Yarm sheets each time your sheet has been forgotten.

All children at the Centre are encouraged to have a sleep/rest in the middle of the day. A nappy is to be provided for children who need a nappy when sleeping.

If you would like your child to rest only for a specified amount of time please let the staff in your child’s room know. There is a communication diary in each room for written messages.

Quiet activities are always available to resting children.

Children in the Pre-School group are not encouraged to have dummies/bottles at rest time.  A soft toy may be brought from home for rest time, other toys are discouraged in fear of breakages or losing them.

Birthdays

Birthdays are a special day for a child, and we like to help them celebrate their day.

You may like to send a cake along on your child’s birthday, so that he/she can celebrate their birthday among friends and parents at the Centre, at morning or afternoon tea.

Excursions

Excursions, which enhance the children’s experiences, are included in the program.

At the time of enrolment, parents are asked to sign a blanket permission note for approval for walking excursions within the University campus.

Excursions off campus and those involving transport require written parental consent at the time. These excursions will be notified before the time concerned.