Out of Hours Child Care

Before and After School Care Staff:

O.S.H.C. Program Co-ordinator: Mrs. Gina Blease

       Assistant Co-ordinator: Mrs. Annice Nissen

Contact Details:

Email: blease.gina.l@edumail.vic.gov.au
Telephone: 9386 8587, between 7:15 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. and 5:55 p.m. or you can leave a message on the answering machine outside of these hours.
School Telephone: 9386 1286

Operating Hours

Before Care: Monday to Friday 7:15 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

After Care: Monday to Fridays 3:30 p.m. - 5:55 p.m. At the end of each term the After Care program starts at the earlier times (as nominated by School Council) and finishes at 5:55 p.m.

Pupil Free Days (Curriculum Days): Days are nominated by School Council and the program operates between 7:15 a.m. - 5:55 p.m. Only children who are enrolled may attend the programs.

Accreditation

The Out of School Hours Childcare Program went through the National Childcare Accreditation Council’s (N.C.A.C.) Validation process in April 2006 and received “High Quality” accreditation in all areas. This was a great result as all staff members, children and families put a lot of work into this.

History of the Program:

The Coburg West Out of Hours Childcare Program originated from interest expressed by parents in 1989 concerning the need for school aged childcare - particularly after school. Support was gained from School Council and a submission was made for funding to assit with the setting up of the program. We were notified in December of that year that our application to the Department of Labour had been successful.

The After Care program commenced in March 1990 with a 30 places and the Before Care program commenced in January 1991 with 15 places. After Care has grown to a 90 place program and Before Care is now a 45 place program.

The program is Commonwealth administered, and is one that depends on the support of the parents and families who use it. Your input is therefore welcome.

Aims of the Program

The Out of School Hours Childcare Program offers affordable childcare for all families within the school who need it (provided places allow).

Children

The program offers a wide variety of Art / Craft and Outdoor activities that supports all areas of the children’s developmental stages, abilities and ages, where the children can choose to participate or not. There are quiet areas both indoor and outdoor where the children who choose not to participate can play, read or just talk with friends.

The program staff members offer an environment for the children who attend that is friendly, caring, safe, fun and supportive, where no child is subjected to discrimination, abuse or bullying and where children are treated with respect at all times and their views are valued.

Parents

The program recognises the family as the most significant part of a child’s life. However in addition to this, the program also plays an important role in assisting in the child’s development. The following practices occur to foster the partnership between parents and the program.

• Opportunities exist for new or prospective parents to speak to the program co-ordinator or asst. co-ordinator to discuss their child’s participation, or any general enquiries in or about the program.
• Newsletters, noticeboards and suspension files are used to keep parents informed about the program.
• It is important that parents / guardians keep the program provided with current contact numbers (home, work or mobile) and emergency contact numbers.
• Observations of children are kept filed, children’s written ideas (have your say) and records of conversations are available to parents / guardians at all times. Staff members are also available for parents / guardians who wish to chat about their child / children.
• Parents or guardians with concerns, complaints or suggestions are encouraged to discuss them with a staff member and following this the program co-ordinator, if necessary.

We Welcome any input that will lead to an even better program

Organisation of the Program:

The program is now fully self-funded. The program’s only source of income is from the fees paid by parents plus the Child Care Benefit from Centrelink.

All families are now entitled to the Commonwealth Government’s Childcare Benefit. If you wish to receive the Child Care Benefit you will need to register with Centrelink prior to enrolment of your child / children into the program (if possible).

• If you are registering with Centrelink you will need to quote our Service Provider Code which is 555 010 650L.
• If you are already registered with Centrelink for a Childcare Centre you will still need to notify Centrelink of our Service Provider Code and also notify them that your child will be attending our Combined Out of School Hours Program so your child / children can be registered as a school age child for benefits to apply.
• To receive the new 30% Tax Rebate on Childcare you will need to register with Centrelink regardless of whether you want to claim the Child Care Benefit or not.

The School Council the the governing body of the Out of School Hours Childcare Program. The Program has a sub-committee made up of program staff and parents (one of whom is the Program’s “Parent Member” on School Council), and they are responsible to the School Council for the general operation of the program and serve as a support group for the staff. You are encouraged to talk to the committee members or the program staff about the Program.

• The Program employs a Program Co-ordinator who is responsible for all administrative work relating to the Out of Hours Childcare Program and an Assistant Co-ordinator to help the Program Co-ordinator with the administrative work.
• The After Care Program employs up to six staff daily (a Co-ordinator, Assistant Co-ordinator and four Assistants).
• The Before Care Program employs up to three staff daily (a Co-ordinator and two Assistants).
• Pupil Free Days (Curriculum Days) are rostered according to the number of children enrolled. If your child / children are normally booked into Before Care or After Care on these days you will still need to enrol them for care on Pupil Free Days.
• All staff members are encouraged to help plan and implement the activities for the children.

Fees:

The fees are set by the school council and are currently:

• $12 per session per child for After Care.
• $8 per session per child for Before Care.
• $30 per day per child for Curriculum Day.

These apply before your Childcare Benefit deduction.

General Information:

The staff members feel that it is appropriate for the children to address them by their first names.

On Enrolment you will be given a Parent Handbook that contains more detailed information about the Program including copies of the Program Policies.