CONTENTS
 

The Gingerbread  Philosophy  Broad Long-term Objectives for Children in Our Care Gingerbread Staff	3 3 3
Getting to Know Gingerbread   Orientation Procedure The Preschool Program	4 4 4
What Your Child Needs to Bring to Gingerbread each day Putting your Child on our Waiting list Enrolment  Immunisation  Custody and Access	5 5 5 5 5
Short and Long Day Fees  Your Newsletter  Child Care Benefits  Day-to-Day Guidelines	6 6 6 6
Settling in each day Signing In and Out Daily Routine Group time	7 7 7 7
Rest time  Healthy Eating policy Sickness & Exclusion Policy	8 8 8
Medication Forms Accident Forms Sun Smart  Policy	9 9 9
Emergency Evacuation Procedures Positive Behaviour Guidance Child Protection	10 10 10
Complaint Procedures Confidentiality  Birthdays  Excursions Photographing Children at Gingerbread Policy Statements	11 11 11 11 11 11

WELCOME TO GINGERBREAD

We warmly welcome you to Gingerbread Preschool Kindergarten. The Director and all staff aim to provide a quality preschool program, which promotes in children the desire to learn, engages their curiosity and develops skills to explore and learn from their environment.    

Gingerbread has been operating for 35 years, under the direction of the original owners and cares for and educates 17 children in the 3 year-old room (Joeys) and 27 children in the 4 year-old room (Kangaroos) between 4 years old and school age.

THE GINGERBREAD PHILOSOPHY

We consistently strive to provide a stimulating environment and a wide range of experiences to promote development in all areas, based on the individual interests of each child.  As we know that “play is a child’s work”, we provide a happy, harmonious, relaxed and accepting atmosphere for them to develop through play, and to facilitate the transition from preschool to school.

Because all children are different, we celebrate this individuality and use it to make observations, keep detailed developmental records and evaluations of each child, and program meaningful learning experiences for them. We encourage the children to communicate in a socially appropriate way, to listen to others, to share, resolve conflict and co-operate with their peers in a positive way.

We aim to keep each child happy and well cared for in a natural home-like atmosphere, teaching them to appreciate simple pleasures, reinforcing respect for their parents, friends, other cultures and their teachers.  We provide events, activities and materials to help children and their families understand, tolerate, celebrate and accept the differences in our communities.

We believe families are a child’s most valued teachers, so communication and involvement are encouraged between staff and family so that the program can complement and extend the home environment.
 

BROAD LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES FOR THE CHILDREN IN OUR CARE

To help each child gain a feeling of self-worth and personal identity.
To teach by our example, consideration and respect for the feelings, rights, customs and property of others.
To allow each child time to develop at his or her own pace.
To treat each child’s natural curiosity with respect and dignity.
To provide new experiences for the children in a stimulating and accepting environment.
To guide the children towards achieving self-control and autonomy by explaining safety rules in a friendly and understanding manner.
To make children and their families feel welcome at Gingerbread by personally greeting them and spending individual time with each child every visit.
To realise our responsibility for all of the children in our care and to act in a caring but firm manner as adults who will stop children from hurting themselves or others, even if the children concerned become angry, upset or display antisocial behaviour.
 

GINGERBREAD STAFF

We employ a range of trained, qualified and experienced staff who are committed to childcare.  They are chosen for their empathy with children, and qualities of common sense and practicality.  Gingerbread’s reputation for quality childcare depends in no small measure on the calibre of our staff.

We employ sensitive, nurturing and dedicated professional staff, and encourage continuing staff development in early childhood.  We provide excellent working conditions and create an environment that supports the motivation and commitment, which fosters the teachers’ professional development.

GETTING TO KNOW GINGERBREAD

We have an Open Door policy, which welcomes families visiting with their child to get to know the preschool and the staff, and to have your enquiries about our centre answered professionally.  

ORIENTATION PROCEDURE

We provide an orientation process for new children and families to familiarise them with the daily routine and activities.  When a child has been offered a space at Gingerbread, the parents will be invited to visit with their child for 4 to 6 visits. Please visit between 10am and 10.30am. This will help your child get to know the staff, take part in some of the daily routines so that when the time comes to start with us, s/he will feel more relaxed and confident. This procedure minimises separation anxiety and reassures parents that most children do settle in quickly to a new, caring and accepting environment. 

Parents will be requested to complete a Gingerbread Orientation Feedback form to enable us to better serve parents in the future.
 

THE PRESCHOOL PROGRAM

The most important goal of our early childhood program is to help children become enthusiastic learners.  This means encouraging children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts.  Our goal is to help the children become independent, self-confident, inquisitive learners.  We are teaching them how to learn.

Play is the work of early childhood.  Sometimes parents ask us if their children are actually learning anything, as it seems they are simply playing.  This underestimates the importance of play in the early childhood setting.  Play provides the foundation for academic learning.  It is the preparation children need before they learn highly abstract symbols such as letters and numbers.  Play enables us to achieve the key goals of our curriculum.

At Gingerbread Preschool, we use a method of programming that is responsive to individual children’s needs, and based on a thorough understanding of young children and their stages of development.

The process begins with teachers observing children each week, recording their observations under a specific developmental area (ie social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language). Although programmed for an individual child’s needs, it is also beneficial to the whole group, and all the children have an opportunity to participate in a variety of experiences. At the end of the week, the teacher will evaluate the objectives that were set, and record their findings.  This information is then used in conjunction with the following week’s planning. The program planning cycle then begins again.

Please note that these developmental records are available for discussion with parents.  Also, the weekly program is on display in the Parents’ Information Area.

The program is designed to:

• Develop a feeling of self-worth and high self-esteem
• Develop positive attitudes towards learning
• Develop a caring attitude towards other people and the environment
• Develop language and communication skills
• Develop skills and knowledge in all areas of the curriculum.

The activities we plan for children, the way we organise the environment, select toys and materials, plan the daily routine, and talk with the children, are all designed to accomplish the goals of our curriculum and give your child a successful start in school.

WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS TO BRING TO GINGERBREAD
PLEASE LABEL EVERYTHING YOUR CHILD BRINGS TO GINGERBREAD

• A school bag (clearly labelled with your child’s name).
• A lunch box (clearly labelled).
• Lunch (e.g. sandwich with nutritious filling, yoghurt, dried fruit, cheese stick, etc.).
• Please do not send any food containing nut products (ref  No-Nut Policy, and Healthy Eating Policy).
• Most snack bars, muesli bars are “manufactured in a factory that may produce nut products.”. Please read the disclaimer and do not send these products.
• A piece of fruit for the fruit bowl, to be shared at fruit time.
• A drink of water in a labelled plastic bottle which we will refill with water during the day.
• For 3- years old a set of cot sheets (clearly labelled).
• A sheet bag (drawstring bag or pillowcase)  (clearly labelled).
• Small blanket (for use during cooler months)  (clearly labelled).
• A spare set of clothing and underwear (clearly labelled).
• A sun hat, must be wide-brimmed or Legionnaires for best protection, labelled, EVERY DAY.
• A sun hat is needed all year, as we have a ‘No hat, No outdoor play’ policy. Allow for changeable weather, and pop in a sweater (summer) or a shirt (winter).
• The preschool uses Cancer Council SPF 30 Everyday sunscreen and 3M Blue Nexcare Active Band Aids.  In case of allergies, please provide your own products.

Please do not allow children to wear jewelry to the centre, as small beads, etc, could be a danger to other children if swallowed.  Badges and hairpins are also to be discouraged.  Health and safety regulations make closed shoes, or sandals with closed heel, the correct footwear, and preclude the wearing of thongs to kindy.

You will note the emphasis on clearly labelling all articles, which could be similar to another child’s, and therefore easily misplaced.  Labelling all articles (including shoes) before your child begins Preschool will save lots of time. 

PUTTING YOUR CHILD ON THE WAITING LIST

If you are reading this information from our website, you will be able to download an Enrolment Form from this site.  Please complete as many details as possible, and send the form in for filing in the appropriate year’s waiting list.  We will date the form with the date we receive it.   Alternatively, you are most welcome to visit and give us the form personally.

ENROLMENT  PROCEDURE

Parents will be required to fill in our enrolment form.  The information requested is necessary, and is held in strict confidence between the family and the staff. Please ask for the Family Assistance Office Full Fee Paying form to complete with your enrolment. It is a DoCS requirement that parents are required to complete a re-enrolment form annually.

A Registration fee of $100 is payable with lodgment of your child’s completed enrolment form. A copy of your child’s immunisation certificate or Blue Book and your child’s Birth Certificate or Passport must accompany the enrolment form. Should your child be enrolled for the start of a new year, and you do not wish to continue with the enrolment, we ask that you give us written notice before mid-November, so as to give another child the opportunity of a place with us.

IMMUNISATION

All children must be immunised according to the Government Immunisation Schedule. Up-to-date immunisation records or a doctor’s letter stating the reason for non-immunisation must be given to the Director when enrolling at the centre. In the event of an outbreak of an immunisable disease, if your child is not immunised, please refer to the Sickness and Exclusion policy and refer to the posters in each centre.

CUSTODY AND ACCESS

The centre is required to keep a copy of current court orders. It is the parent’s responsibilities to notify the Director of any changes to court orders or if any custody/access difficulties arise. Access to children will only be given where the legal guardian has provided written authorisation via the enrolment form.
 

SHORT AND LONG DAY FEES

Fees for 2009 are:                $70  9.00am to 3.00pm
       $80  8.30am to 5.30pm
Fees are paid four weeks in advance, on the first day your child begins in that week. Statements will be issued in the week prior to due payment.  These will be placed in your child’s bag.  Please ensure that fees are paid on the first day of your child’s week, to streamline our receipting and invoicing. 
Payment is preferred by direct transfer – our BSB: 012275, A/C: 495597055 and credit card.  Please identify your payment by child’s name. There is a late-fee of $10 after 10 minutes and $20 after an hour.

No charge is made for public holidays or for the four weeks that the centre is closed during Summer School holidays.  Fees are payable if your child is absent due to illness, vacation, or other reasons.

CHILD CARE BENEFITS

Gingerbread is an approved, accredited childcare service, which means that all Australian resident families are able to claim the Child Care Benefit.  The benefit you receive depends on your income, hours used per week and the number of children you have in childcare.  Please ring the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50 to register. The Gingerbread CRN is 407 389 200A. In addition the Commonwealth provides a 50% child care rebate as a deduction from your assessed income tax for all child care expenses for the year prior to 30th June each year. Please ask for the handout, or to borrow one of the CDs that better explain this assistance to families. All the full fee paying parents must complete a Full Fee paying form from the Family Assistance Office (FAO).

YOUR NEWSLETTER

The best way of our conveying to families important and interesting happenings, which we are not always able to tell everyone on a day-to-day basis, is via the newsletter. Also included will be correspondence we have from community groups, Department of Community Services, Family Assistance Office, or local councils. Any relevant matters raised at our 4-weekly staff meetings will also be in this service. Please remember that many hours of collecting and confirming of information by staff go into keeping you informed. Please complete the circle between child, family, and Gingerbread by taking 4 minutes to read your newsletter.

GINGERBREAD DAY-TO-DAY GUIDELINES

Your child must be accompanied into the kindergarten.  Please greet a staff member as you arrive, and it is mandatory that parents/carers remember to sign the attendance book, on arrival and departure.
When picking up your child, please let a staff member know that your child is leaving with you, and sign the attendance book.
If someone other than yourself is picking up your child, please advise a member of staff.  If the person is not listed on the enrolment form, you will need to advise the staff and the person will have to show I.D. when they come to pick up your child.   Children will not be released into the care of anyone under the age of 18.
If your child is going to be absent, please let us know as soon as possible.  
Please do not send your child to kindy when he or she is unwell.  This is not fair on the sick child, or on the rest of the class and teachers. Please note our exclusion policy that limits the spread of infection in the centre. If your child becomes ill during the day, the Director may request that s/he be taken home. If your child has an infectious illness, they must not attend kindy.  Please report the illness to the Director. Please read our Sickness and Exclusion Policy and refer to the minimum exclusion periods in the National Health and Medical Research poster, a NSW Dept Health booklet in the Parent’s Information Area.
Please read the ‘What We Did Today’ and ‘Sleepers’ section of the attendance book at the end of each day.
We do not have a Lost Property Box at the kindy as these seem to attract an ever increasing amount of items.  Instead, we will place any unlabelled items in a marked locker, so please check there for any misplaced items.
Please give the Director four weeks’ notice in writing when discontinuing your child’s enrolment, or changing the number of days attending. If your child is enrolled for the next year, and you decide not to use the place offered, written notice must be given prior to mid November in the current year.
If you are going to be late picking up your child, please inform a staff member.
As we have to pay staff overtime, a $10 late fee for less than an hour and $20 thereafter, will be payable.
Please do not let your child bring any toys to kindy, other than a small-labelled soft toy for rest time or security toys. This avoids any conflict with other children and distress, should the toy get broken or lost.
Please read the Newsletter. It is a necessary part of the partnership between Gingerbread and parents that we advise you what activities we are planning, so that you can encourage your children’s interest at home and thus their learning by discussion, reading books, complementing what they have experienced at preschool.

SETTLING IN EACH DAY

Your child is a very important person to us, and we aim for the settling in period to be as gentle as possible. Please do not leave the kindy when your child is not looking. This is not helpful or fair to your child. It is much easier for the child to cope with the parent leaving when he or she is being held, or doing an activity with a caregiver.

Once you have said good bye, it is important that you leave quickly and calmly. You may like to ring if you are concerned about your child on a particular day.  Be assured that we will always contact you if your child is extremely distressed or inconsolable.  If you and your child have visited two or three times for 20 –30 minutes before commencing at Gingerbread, separation anxiety will probably not be an issue.

SIGNING IN AND OUT

It is a Dept of Community Services Regulation that each child must be signed in and out upon arrival and departure each day.  The signing in/out book is located at the Parent Information Area near the entry door.
Should there be a change in hours of attendance on any day, or if another person is to collect your child, please advise a member of staff and note the details in the Diary.

DAILY ROUTINE

  8.30 am Centre opens, and the children have indoor free play
  Children will do craft activities during the morning
  9.50 am Group singing 
10.00 am Fruit time?
10.30 am Group time 
11.30 am Indoor activities/outdoor craft
12.00 noon Lunch
  1.00 pm Rest time/quiet activities for 3’s
     Quiet school readiness activities for 4’s
  2.00 pm 3’s up from rest/school readiness for 4’s
  2.45 pm Quiet reading time
  3.00 pm Short day children leave
  Long day children have indoor and/or outdoor activities
  3.45 pm Afternoon tea
  4.00 pm Indoor/outdoor play
  5.00 pm  Group games, songs, storytime
  5.30 pm Centre closes

GROUP TIME

After fruit time, the teachers will take a group of children to have a lesson based on the week’s programme. This will includes stories, songs and participation from the children as well as the teachers’ prepared input. These sessions usually last 20-30 minutes according to the concentration levels of the age groups. These group times are valuable as they encourage a more focussed learning approach, and also prepare the children for activities they will experience at school.

After lunch and a quite period of relaxation, or quite activities the 4’s will have their School Readiness programme, before enjoying more planned outdoor activities. At some time during the day the groups in both rooms will have a drama, music and movement, dancing, or yoga sessions.

You are welcome to send along any relevant books, puppets, music tapes/CDs, etc, for us to share at group time, based on the subjects for this month. We will ensure that these are kept safe, and return them to you at the end of the day – labelled, please.
 
 

REST TIME

All the Joeys rest on stretcher beds while quiet music is played.  If a child is not resting, they will have the opportunity to lie on their bed and read a book. The rest time routine varies throughout the year, according to the changing needs of the children.

During the last few months of the Joeys’ year, rest time is replaced by ‘quiet activity’ time, in order to prepare the older children for the Kangaroos’ room the following year.

HEALTHY EATING POLICY

Gingerbread encourages a “Healthy Food Policy”. This means that all food provided for your child should be wholesome and nourishing. If your child has a special diet or develops an allergy after you have enrolled, please remember to tell the staff. We will cut up shared fruit brought in by the children for morning tea.

The centre actively encourages and promotes healthy eating habits for all children. Parents will periodically be given information and advice about good nutrition, including recommendations about varieties of food for your child’s lunchbox, and you will find up-to-date information in the Parent Information Area.

Microwave and refrigerator facilities are available. The parents must provide microwave containers for the heating of food. Food storage containers must be unbreakable and clearly labelled. Please do not use glass containers, plastic bags, or plastic lunch wrap.

Please do not send lollies, chocolate, potato crisps or “junk food” in general. They will be sent home unpacked. We strictly adhere to a NO NUT  policy. Please do not send any food containing nut products. Nuts and popcorn are also not allowed due to the risk of choking. Please check the small type on the back of fruit or muesli bars to see whether it has been processed in a plant which also processes nut products.

Parents are advised to follow the centre’s Nutrition Policy as outlined in the Policy Handbook. Please note any food which has been heated up will not be returned to parents if the child does not eat it on that day. Milk or dairy foods not eaten will be placed in the fridge, and thrown out within 2 days. 

SICKNESS AND EXCLUSION POLICY

Gingerbread’s exclusion from the Centre policy adheres directly to the Federal Government’s Children’s Health and Medical Research Council recommendations, in the interest of all children in our Centre, as quoted below:

“Excluding sick children and staff is one of the three most important ways of limiting the spread of infection in the child care centre (Ref. Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease, and Immunisation policies).  The spread of certain infectious diseases can be reduced by excluding a person who is known to be infectious, from contact with others who are at risk of catching infection.

Parents may find an exclusion ruling difficult and some parents may place great pressure on the director to vary from the Gingerbread’s exclusion rules.  Often these parents are under great pressure themselves to fulfil work, study or other family commitments.  This may lead to stress and conflict between parents and centre staff.

Directors should not be influenced by letters from doctors, which allow the child back into care, unless the child’s condition fulfils the criteria for return to care.  Sometimes doctors make different diagnoses for children in the same centre with illnesses that appear similar.  Department of Health, Public Health Unit, should be able to help you with these situations or when you are in doubt about exclusion.

THE NEED FOR EXCLUSION OF SICK CHILDREN DEPENDS UPON:
The ease with which infection can be spread
The ability of the infected person to follow hygiene precautions, and
The severity of the disease.
 

It is Gingerbread policy that children who are unwell do not attend the centre. If your child is sick, s/he requires the care and comfort of loving parents in their home environment.   When to keep your child at home:
 

High temperature	Diarrhoea
Vomiting	Severe skin rash/infection
Productive cough (mucus)	Excessive discharge from eyes/nose/ears
Conjunctivitis	Tonsillitis
Chicken Pox	Diphtheria
Mumps	Whooping Cough
Head Lice	Scabies
Measles	Rubella
Cold Sores	Ring Worm
Impetigo	Hand and foot
Infectious Hepatitis

N.B If your child is not immunised they will need to be kept home if there is an outbreak of a childhood infectious disease for which there is a vaccine. Please note NSW Dept of Health poster at the Parent Information Area.

MEDICATION FORMS

If your child is currently taking a doctor/chemist prescribed medication, please hand the medication to the child’s teacher.  The child’s name, dosage and time/s must be clearly labelled on the medication. Please ensure that a medication form is filled in with a member of staff, so that we can show we have permission to administer the medication. A staff member will administer the medication and sign the medication form, another staff member will witness and sign that the child named on the form was medicated with the correct dose at the correct time/s.

Strict policies have been developed to protect your child from incorrect administering of medication. All medication both natural and over the counter medications are required to have a chemist’s dispensing label attached with the child’s name, dosage, time/s and instructions for administering the medication, or a letter from your GP stating the above information.  This must be handed to the child’s teacher.

ACCIDENT FORMS

Minor injuries are recorded on accident forms, which detail the nature of the incident and action taken. In the case of serious illness or accident, every effort will be made to contact the child’s parents so they may come and take the child to hospital or to a medical practitioner. It is therefore vital that the contact number you provide on the enrolment form is correct and updated. If a child’s condition requires urgent medical attention’ an ambulance will be called to transport the child to the casualty section of the nearest hospital and the child’s parents will be contacted and advised to meet the child there.  A staff member well known to the child will accompany the child if the parent is unable to be contacted.

Please be aware that Gingerbread staff take all precautions to prevent accidents or injuries from occurring. We believe that prevention is better than cure!

SUNSAFE POLICY

Our SunSafe policy refers to information supplied by the NSW Cancer Council’s Sun Smart Early Education Program.
Cancer Council NSW Sunscreen 30+ is applied 20 minutes before going outdoors. From October to March, children will remain indoors between 11 and 3, from April to September outdoor play is between 10 and 2.  

Staff and children, visitors and parents must wear Sun hats that cover face, neck and ears.  Adult hats should have a 6 to 7.5 cm brim, and children 5 to 6 cms, or a Legionnaire hat.  If children do not bring a hat, they must play in the covered courtyard area, or the sandpit area.

Staff and children must wear clothing which covers the shoulders and neck, and for sun safety should 
preferably cover to the knees.  T-shirts or collared tops provide good skin coverage.

SunSafe information is displayed in our Policy Folder at the Parent Information Area for perusal by staff, families and visitors.

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PROCEDURES

All staff are familiar with the emergency evacuation procedure. The evacuation procedure is posted near the rear door and is also available for parental perusal in Centre Policy Folder. In the event of an evacuation to a safe place each child will be accounted for by using the sign-in sheets and daily room rolls. It is absolutely essential that the sign in sheet be completed correctly each day.
Emergency reinforcements will be called upon if necessary. Children regularly practice emergency evacuation drills each quarter, so all the children are familiar with the process.

POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR GUIDANCE

Gingerbread Preschool Kindergarten has a policy on guiding positive behaviour to encourage children to co-operate, enhance their self-esteem and enable them to interact with others. Staff will recognise why a child behaves in a certain way and encourage more acceptable forms of behaviour. The Positive Behaviour Guidance policy is consistent throughout the centre, so children are aware of expectations as they move up in age groups. Staff will help children to be aware of limits and understand the reasons why these limits exist. Staff will use language appropriate to each child’s level of understanding.

The staff will support and guide children in positive behaviour with clear, consistent guidelines including: 

Giving praise when co-operative and generous actions have been made,
Encouraging children to express themselves to others when upset or hurt,
Diverting the child’s attention and frustration if necessary,
Providing a space children can retreat to if need be,
Giving children strategies  to use in a conflict or frustrated situations and;
Supporting the children in speaking up and then listening to them.

We suggest you read our Positive Behaviour Guidance policy in the Policy folder which is more detailed. Please ask for a feedback form so that we have your comments for future review of the policy.

CHILD PROTECTION

The aim of this policy is to ensure that the interests and welfare of children and families, using the centre, be protected and that any notification or investigation into suspected cases of abuse be facilitated with accurate information.
Staff are aware of what generally constitutes child abuse and the common indicators of this.
Staff will remain observant and attentive to children’s physical and emotional well being.
If abuse is suspected, staff must immediately report to the Director or Authorised Supervisor.
The Centre will make all reasonable and legal attempts to avoid releasing a child into a potentially dangerous situation, and will notify the Department of the situation immediately.
Staff will maintain confidential and specific written records regarding the pertinent physical and emotional state of children as presented each day as well as other relevant information concerning family or other circumstances.
Records and processes regarding suspected abuse are to be kept confidential and not discussed with anyone other than directly interested parties.
Staff to follow the procedure outlined below:

Suspected Child Abuse – Procedure
Inform the Director of your suspicions, detailing your observations (written, wherever possible).
In conjunction with the Director, observe the child in all aspects of the day. Document all observations with the date and time. Be as specific as you can and, whenever possible, use the child’s own language.
The Director will then inform the Department of Child Safety who will make a decision as to whether there are “reasonable grounds” to make a notification. The Department of Child Safety will handle any investigation and liaise with the Centre as to the progress and the child’s special needs.
You, as the notifier, will be immune from civil or criminal prosecutions.
Wherever possible, the identity of the notifier will remain confidential.
For more information please refer Gingerbread Preschool Positive Guiding of Children’s Behaviour Policy.
.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES The relationship between staff and families is one of the key components in the development of a sense of belonging and caring which is central to the vision and philosophy of the centre. In order to enhance and preserve this relationship any complaints, concerns, or differences of opinion need to be addressed promptly and resolved. This will allow for Gingerbread to improve the quality of care that your child is receiving, please do not hesitate to contact the Director or Manager, Michelle Urquhart, who can be contacted on 0433 812 057. 
For further details refer to the Complaints Policy and Procedures.

CONFIDENTIALITY

The centre protects the privacy and confidentiality of individual children, families, staff and management by ensuring that all records and information are kept in a secure place. They will only be accessed by, or disclosed to, those people who need the information to fulfil their responsibilities at the centre or have a legal right to this information. 

We only record personal information that is vital and relates to the service’s activities and functions, and in line with relevant legislation.

BIRTHDAYS

Birthdays are very important events in a child’s life and we love to share this important day with them.  You are welcome to send along a cake, or cup cakes on your child’s birthday so that s/he may celebrate among friends, but please ensure you give us a full list of all ingredients. This is very important for children who have allergies. We will also take photos if you send along a camera.

EXCURSIONS

Gingerbread has a ‘no excursions’ policy.  We believe that it is just as beneficial, less threatening and much safer to have special guests and entertainers come to us.  Examples of some of our incursions have been drama, storytelling, musicians, puppet shows, multicultural celebrations, festivals, the duck farm (over a 2-week period) and the fabulous CSIRO Science activities for the 4’s.

PHOTOGRAPHING CHILDREN AT GINGERBREAD

The Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS), encourages us to use photographs of our children to evidence our compliance with the QIAS requirements during the year. These photographs are held at Gingerbread and displayed to inform parents of the activities and learning experiences provided to our children. If you are uncomfortable with having your child photographed please advise the staff and we will endeavour to exclude your child from this part of the program.

POLICY STATEMENTS

Written policies have been developed in accordance with our philosophy and principles, and identified needs of the children, staff and parents.  These policies are required under the Department of Community Services regulations for licensing and accreditation. 
These policies include the following:
1. Gingerbread philosophy
2. Program information
3. Parent policies and centre information
4. Positive Guidance philosophy
5. Occupational Health and safety/Sun Smart policy
6. Staff Policies and Procedures
7. Centre management
This information is available to you at our Parent Information Area opposite the entry to the centre. These documents are subject to constant review.  We ask that you read, comment on and make any additions or suggestions for change by completing a Parent Feedback form and giving it to a member of staff.
 

Updated: June 2009
Review date: June, 2010