Program
Our service is committed to the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Observations of all children enrolled in our service will be documented and kept for future reference and reflection, through use of portfolios. Children’s portfolios will be available for a child’s family members to look at but remains the property of the Service for the duration of the child’s enrolment. Portfolios will be added to regularly by educators, families and children and reflected upon by educators to ensure programming for each child remains relevant to their interests and developmental stage.
- Discoverers 6 weeks to 2 yearsBabies are learning through interactions with people and the environment whether the world is a comfortable and trustworthy place. Daystars Early Learning Childcare Centre will work in a collaborative relationship with parents and guardians, to provide your child with consistency, warmth and responsive care to help your child develop this sense of trust through positive interactions and experiences.
- Explorers 2-3 yearsToddlers are developing new thinking, movements and language skills, using them to express individual feelings and independence. Daystars understands toddlers need for independence and will offer reasonable choices and provide opportunities for children to complete tasks on their own if they are able to, or with adult guidance and support. Any effort or attempt towards independence will be encouraged, acknowledged and shared with parents and guardians.
- Inventors 3-5 yearsPreschoolers use play to explore and imitate social roles, to create and invent objects from and with things around them, and begin to develop a sense of responsibility. With the acquisition of many new skills, they are often eager to do things for and by themselves. Daystars will support children’s initiative by encouraging children to decide and do things for themselves (even to make mistakes, which are very important in the learning process); while helping the children to also remember rules and limits.
Room Configuration
- Separate room for sleep-time
- Secure & enclosed area for wash-up and warming of bottle-feed
- Split-level accessible with stairs and slide attached
- Shared toilet/nappy change area with Preschoolers
- Home Corner furniture & equipment
- Large space divided into different learning centres – Library/reading corner; blocks corner; puzzles and manipulative corner
- Home corner furniture & equipment
- Shared toilet/nappy change area with Preschoolers
Daily Routine
- Daily Individual Routines 7.30-8.30 – Centre opens. Family grouping Individualized routine to meet the needs of each child. Program includes: Singing, Reading and story-telling, Art & craft and sensory experiences 5.00-5.55 – Late snacks & family grouping 6.00 – Centre close
- Daily Flexible Routine 7.30-9.30 – Centre opens. Family grouping in Toddler room, Indoor play, Group Time 9.30 – Morning tea 10:00- 12:00 Outdoor play (weather permitting), Indoor play and craft experiences., Group Time 12-12.30 - Lunch 12.30-3.00 Rest Time, Quiet activities 3.00-3.30 – Afternoon Tea 3.30-4.30 –outdoor play, 4.30-.5.00-Inside activities 5.00-5.55 – Late snacks & family grouping 6.00 – Centre close.
- Daily Routine 7.30-9.30 – Centre opens. Family grouping, Indoor play, Group Time 9.30 – Morning tea 10.00-12.00 – Outdoor play (weather permitting), Welcome song & Indoor play and craft experiences, Group Time & Letter land 12-12.30 - Lunch 12.40-3.00 – Rest Time, Table top activities 3.00-3.30 – Afternoon Tea 3.30-5.00 – Hats on & outdoor play, Inside activities 5.00-5.55 – Late snacks & family grouping 6.00 – Centre close.
Meals
- Morning tea Lunch Afternoon Tea Light Snack
- Morning tea Lunch Afternoon Tea Light Snack
- Morning tea Lunch Afternoon Tea Light Snack
We provide
- Sunscreen, Nappies and Bedlinen
- Sunscreen, Nappies and Bedlinen
- Sunscreen,Nappies and Bedlinen
Please bring
- Bag with your child’s name marked on it
- SunSmart approved hat protects the face,neck, ears and crown of the head.
- At least one change of clothes with your child’s name on it (if you think your child may need more changes please supplies them…and don’t forget the socks!)
- Favorite comforter (if they have one)
- Bottles of formula (if required) in the Nursery
- Nappy change cream (if required)
- Bag with your child’s name marked on it
- SunSmart approved hat protects the face, neck, ears and crown of the head.
- At least one change of clothes with your child’s name on it.
- If your child is toilet training please include a minimum of 2 extra sets of
- pull-ups/trainers
- spare underwear
- spare pants
- socks
- Favorite comforter (if they have one)
- Rest time linen (cot set seems to work) for rest beds.
- Bag with your child’s name marked on it
- SunSmart approved hat protects the face, neck, ears and crown of the head.
- At least one change of clothes with your child’s name on it (if you think your child may need more changes please supply them…and don’t forget the socks!)
- Rest time linen (cot set seems to work) for rest beds.
Health and Safety
The Service provides a healthy and safe environment for children, Educators and families to grow and develop in – as such the Service has a health and safety and hygiene policy regarding illnesses and medications. Children with contagious illnesses are required to be kept at home and a doctor’s certificate must be presented to show that the infection cannot be passed when the child returns to the Service.Food Allergies
- We are an allergy aware Service. Nut free zone.
- Please inform the Nominated Supervisor if your child has any allergy.
Illness
NO CHILD will be admitted with obvious signs of any highly contagious infection or illness. Our policy states the incubation period, symptoms and exclusion periods of such diseases. Children who are not immunised will be required to be exempt from the Service.Medication
- Educators will be able to administer medication to children who are recovering from illness.
- A medication form must be completed and signed by parents before any medication will be given. All prescription medication must be prescribed for your child and not another family member- unless stated otherwise by a doctor’s certificate. Medication must be in date and in it’s original packaging.
- The medication must be handed to a Educator to store in a locked container in fridge. Please DO NOT leave medication in your child’s bag.
- The Educator who gives medication requires a medication form to be completed by the parent, e.g. tablets, mixture, creams.
- Any child who has commenced an antibiotic must not attend the Service for 24 hours from commencement
Asthma
The Service aims to provide a safe environment for children who have asthma. It is Service policy that an “Asthma Record Plan” be completed by parents / guardians in consultation with the family doctor. It is also a requirement that the record plan be reviewed by your family doctor annually or as circumstances change. This must be completed and returned before enrolment commences. These will be available at the time of enrolment.Sun Protection
Our Service’s policy is “no hat, no play”. This policy will be enforced. Parents are asked to provide a wide brim hat to wear during outside activities. These must be named. The most suitable hat is one, which shades the ears and neck, as research is showing a high incidence of skin cancer on people’s ears.Accidents
In case of an accident or illness occurring at the Service, the Nominated Supervisor will contact parents if deemed necessary. As a matter of extreme importance parents must ensure that the Service has up to date emergency contact numbers. An incident report will be filled out, outlining the accident and signed by the Educators who observed and administered first aid, as well as any witnesses. The Nominated Supervisor’s and parent’s signature will also be required.
Emergency Drills
Throughout the year the Service will hold emergency drills which occur at any given time throughout the day. These are carried out in a well-organised and orderly manner. Also Educators will be trained in using the fire extinguishers that are in the Service. A emergency escape plan will be in every room.Emergency Drills
Throughout the year the Service will hold emergency drills which occur at any given time throughout the day. These are carried out in a well-organised and orderly manner. Also Educators will be trained in using the fire extinguishers that are in the Service. A emergency escape plan will be in every room.
Using the Service Safely
- Never leave children unattended in cars while collecting children from the Service.
- Cars parks are dangerous places for children, always hold children’s hands when arriving and leaving the Service
- Never leave a door or gate open.
- Never leave your children unattended in a room.
- Children are not permitted into the kitchen and laundry areas.
Nutrition
Daystars has a “no junk food” policy as we focus on healthy food options. We also cater for any special food requirement, needs, allergies and /or intolerances. The menus are specially designed & planned to meet the nutritional requirements of NSW Health Nutrition Checklist. It follows an 6 weeks cycle to provide a wide variety for the children. Daystars is a “Nut Free Zone”. Nut products are not allowed in the Centre due to the high risk of choking and the possibility of a child having an undiagnosed allergic reaction, associated to these products.
Allergies
At our centre we offer to those children who have allergies ranging from food intolerances to anaphylaxis. Our strict supervision and attention to detail provides children and parents with confidence that their children's food requirements will be properly met while in our care.Weekly Menu Summary
- 2 serves White Meat – Chicken or Fish (3 serves per fortnight)
- 2 serves Red Meat (2 serves per week)
- 1 serve Vegetarian (1 serve per week) – High in Vitamin C & Iron
- 5 serves Dairy provided (additional milk or dairy is offered at morning and afternoon tea, to make up 3 serves per day)
- Main Menu 1 - 5 years of age 6 week rotational menu
- Menu A 6 - 12 months of age 6 week rotational menu
- Menu V & C 1 - 5 years of age - Vegetarians and Allergy/Intolerance. 6 week rotational menu.
Main Menu & menus 'A & V': include a large selection of fresh fruit with morning tea and steamed vegetables with lunch. Purees: includes two varieties of vegetable puree with lunch.
Curriculum and Learning at Our Child Care Centre
We follow the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) as per our Education, Curriculum and Learning Policy. Our service is regulated by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) as well as the state licensing department in our State/Territory.
All Educators at our Service are trained and experienced in areas of early education and care. We expect and deliver a high standard and commitment from our Educators. Additionally, we can provide developmental and educational programs for each group of children.
The Educators will develop a daily program. This involves observing the children in their care and planning their programs around the individual needs and interests of the children. Our educators plan and meet in child free time.
Open Doors
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Our Service can be accessed at any time for parental inspection.
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Our Service can be accessed at any time for parental inspection.
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Our Service can be accessed at any time for parental inspection.
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Never leave your child in a Service unless you feel 100% competent in their ability to provide for your child.
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Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions about your child, their development or our Service philosophy.
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Our Service is proud of the quality of care we provide.
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Our educators are qualified, trained, experienced and talented.
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Rather than take our word for this
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See for yourselves!
