Childcare

Please notify us if:

• Someone different is picking up your child.
• Your child is sick or going to be on holidays.
• Custody/ access arrangements have changed.
• Your address, phone number and / or place of employment has changed.
• Please let us know when you (or any emergency contact person) shifts house, and changes home or work numbers. This always guarantees that either yourself, or a nominated person can be contacted. If you are away for the day, please let staff know how you can be contacted in case of accident and emergency (including bushfire).

Staff will provide designated spaces for each child sleeping at CMCC, so they are safe and secure. We follow the ACEQA standards for safe sleeping routines and practices. Most staff have undertaken their safe sleep training by Red Nose. Educators will adequately monitor sleeping children – using baby monitors, physically and visually checking children at 10-minute intervals.

Staff will consult with families about their child’s individual needs and ensure we are aware of any different values and parenting beliefs, cultural or otherwise that are associated with rest and sleep.

Before transferring your child from a cot to a bed, we will ask for parent permission.

As part of our SunSmart Policy children and staff are required to wear a suitable hat and sunscreen when outside between the months of 1st August – 30th April. We ask that your child wear clothing which protects their shoulders. Hats are available for purchase at the Centre for $10. We put your child’s name on their hat and leave it at the Centre, ready for outdoor play.

Parents are asked to apply sunscreen prior to the commencement of their session. Record this on the sign in sheet as to when and if it has been done. Staff will reapply sunscreen every 3 hours as per Centre policy or as required.

The Centre provides Cancer Council Everyday branded sunscreen.

Any children with allergies or reactions to this sunscreen are encouraged to provide their own sunscreen which can be kept at the Centre.

At Carol Murray Children’s Centre, we encourage awareness of environmental responsibilities, care and implement practices that contribute to a sustainable future. Educators help support, advocate, and promote children to assist with being active citizens within their environment. Children are supported in fostering their capacity to understand and respect the natural environment and interdependence between people, plants, animals, and the land.

Connecting with our community is a core value at CMCC, we are actively involved with our local community. We regularly participate in community walks around the block and to visit our neighbours at the retirement village. Children require a signed permission form to participate in these community walks and families are notified by text when their child is going on a walk so parents know where children are at all times.

The community garden next to the car park is continuing to develop so community members can join the children in this community experience. Other community events are held at CMCC throughout the year, outdoor day, Art show, book nights and family BBQ nights.

Staff ensure that your child receives an engaging and challenging curriculum program while at our Centre. Our team of educators and leaders meet weekly to reflect on learning for learning. During planning meetings, specific learning experiences are planned for both individuals and small groups. Educators collect information daily, so learning is responsive and authentic. Each term we meet as a whole team and learning is shared by educators to improve what we do on a daily basis.

If we need further information or support to ensure your child’s needs are met, we discuss with you support opportunities. These include speech pathology, OT, social work, and special education. If your child is currently seeing a support therapist, please let us know. 

• Backpack
• Change of spare clothes. During outdoor learning children often get wet so changes are frequent.
• Shoes (Thongs/Crocs and Ugg boots not recommended) Packing gumboots in wet weather is encouraged.
• Lunch Box
• Drink Bottle
• Nappies – min 5
• Nappy cream (In original container and labelled with child’s name)
• Prepared bottles & formula
• Any special comforters are welcome but must be named.

All labelled with child’s name.

Regular communication with families about learning is a priority at CMCC. We are continually looking at ways to improve communication so that families can connect our program for learning, how their child is engaging in the program and if there are changes that need to be shared.

 Currently we communicate in the following ways:

• Newsletters – electronically with Information concerning meetings, coming events, Centre closures, program, curriculum etc.
• Email – children’s learning goals and reflections
• Closed Facebook pages
• Text messaging
• Photos – only where no individual children can be identified
• Uploaded links to websites with reading and information in line with early childhood pedagogy guided by the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework.

Fruit is provided two times per day at the centre AM & PM

Heating of food is available, please place on tray that is put out each morning.

Please include an ice brick to keep lunches cool (with weather above 30 degrees, lunch boxes are brought inside).

As per our sustainability policy we encourage parents to pack food in reusable containers as food packaging and waste is sent home with the child.

Lunchbox Suggestions:

Something for lunch (sandwich/wrap/warm food)

Fruit

Yoghurt

Snack

Please note we are a NUT FREE CENTRE NO NUT OR NUT PRODUCTS ARE TO BE BROUGHT INTO THE CENTRE. This includes Nutella, Peanut Spreads, Nut Bars, Nut Trail Mixes.

Birthdays at the centre: Families are welcome to bring in a birthday cake/cupcake to share with the group for their child’s birthday. Please note this is not an expectation and please advise staff of ingredients used due to child allergies.

We encourage you to visit the Centre prior to starting, during these visits you will get to know the staff, the physical layout, information about the routines and early years curriculum at the Centre.

As part of the enrolment procedure, we will ask you to share your child’s special needs, such as comforters, sleep/rest routines, and food preferences, as well as any interests, for example, books, sand play or trucks.

Your child may not only be very shy for the first few days or weeks, but also very tired.  It can be an emotional strain for children to adjust to their new environment.

On arrival, bring your child to a staff member so that we can greet them.  Please always say good-bye, no matter how distressing this may seem to you.  It is important that your child knows that you are leaving, and that you will return.  It is very upsetting for your child to suddenly miss you, to look up and discover that you have disappeared.  Your child’s trust in you falters, and subsequent separation may become more difficult.

Staff are here to help you should you need help at separation time.

Accidents will be reported via an incident report that parents are required to sign. These reports are retained by the site and used to reflect on practices and implement changes.

Head injuries – parents will be notified by text of a mild head injury and contacted directly if more serious. We follow the Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne head injury guidelines.

Temperature – when a child has a temperature over 37.5, parents will be contacted to discuss next steps for medical attention.

Children with allergies or illnesses are to have a doctor signed action plan and Medication agreement plan with medication to be kept on premises. Medication must have pharmacy sticker with child’s name on it.

Staff will not give any medication that is not included in the action plan.

Parents will be notified if their child has been given prescribed medication or medical attention has been sought.

Antibiotics. Parent are welcome to come and administer medication throughout the day during a course of treatment. No medication is to be kept at the centre that is not included in an approved action plan.

Educators work with families and carers in a collaborative manner when the time comes to taking the next step of toilet training. Through careful observation of the child and subsequent discussions with parents and carers, educators will ascertain a child’s readiness for toilet training and work with families to ensure consistent practices. A planned and supportive process will commence. Educators will be made aware of any cultural practices and accommodate where possible.

 The Governing council is the parent and community lead committee who, with the Director and staff representatives, ensure the effective management of the Centre. It is a great space to learn about how the centre operates and how decisions are made. The Governing Council meets twice perm term at the Centre at 6:30pm on Tuesdays. The AGM is held in February each year.  All parents are welcome to join our Governing Council.

1. Child ar risk of abuse of neglect, OR family in crisis
2. Child of a single parent who satisfies, or of parents who both satisfy, the work/study test
3. Any other child

Within the main categories above, priority should also be given to the following:

• Children in an Aboriginal or Torres Straight Islander family
• Children in a family which includes a disabled person
• Children in a family which includes individual whose adjusted taxable income does not exceed the lower income threshold, or who or whose partner is on income support
• Children in a family from a non-English speaking background
• Children in a socially isolated family
• Children of a single parent family

On arrival please let staff know that you and your child have arrived, and pass on any messages for the day.  If your child is having trouble settling, talk to staff and they will support you and your child.  Feel free to ring or text at any time to see how their day is going.

We recommend that all toys from home be kept at home.  If bought into the Centre they can easily become lost or broken.  If your young child has a comforter, please talk to staff.