Mini Minors, Rosanna, VIC

Welcome to the Blue Room, 1 - 2 year olds!

The 1-2 yr old room caters for 15 children with three (3) staff. One (1) Qualified Child Care Worker (diploma trained) and two (2) qualified assistants.

The children at this age are developing an inquisitive, imaginative world and we as staff realize and cater for your child’s physical and intellectual needs.

The program that is provided for the children is constantly displayed for your perusal on the notice board in the room.

As part of our programming your child will be allocated a number for individual planning. The purpose of having a number for your child is to protect them from anyone knowing that your child may have an area of development that needs to be monitored closely. And so no names are listed, therefore using a number system.
We program plan weekly and this allows the caregivers to observe the children and set out goals and objectives to improve or practice the children’s developmental areas. We record all our observations which are then documented onto the children’s individual developmental records for the opportunity to present to you as a half yearly progress report.

We have an outdoor area which is can be shared with the rest of the centre. The activities provided to the children in this outdoor setting is an asset to the younger children as they will pick up skills learn’t from the older children. The activities offered are also displayed with the weekly plan on the notice board. All children are well supervised in the outdoor area.

The centre has an experienced cook with a set menu which is displayed on a notice board in the foyer. We offer a four week menu which is rotated every week offering the children all the requirements of the five food groups. Babies are catered for on their level of development and close communication with their parents of their dietary requirements.

Childcare is about people caring for young children. Good childcare is also about caring for the families of the children attending the centre. Babies in quality childcare are all out of their cots during most of their waking hours. Those who cannot move themselves are put in interesting places and their positions changed frequently. Caregivers are aware that watching people is better for babies than watching mobiles. Babies enjoy having the freedom to move about freely and play with lots of toys. Staff ensure that young babies have lots of chances to explore, discover and get their hands on things.

DISPLAYS

You will find the programs displayed on the notice boards of the rooms along with “Your child’s day” detailing what your child ate, how much sleep they had, etc. Please check the room daily for any notices and room routines. Parents are encouraged to enter the room and participate in any activities or routines.

WHAT TO BRING

At least 2 full changes of clothes.
Any security toys.
Sun hat and sunscreen (if your child has an allergy) during the hot months, winter hat and coat during the cold months.
Dummies, formula made up for the day in clear labeled bottles.
X2 home nappies to go home in the evening.

NAPPIES

The centre provides disposable nappies for throughout the day. You need to ensure that if your child has any allergies to the nappies to let staff know. Any creams or powders that you wish to have on your child during nappy changing must be written in the medication book and labeled correctly with your child’s full name.

TOILET TRAINING

Toilet training is the term used to describe the process of helping a child gain “control” of their bladder and bowel. A child will achieve this when their nervous system is sufficiently matured.

Between the ages of 18-24 months, a child begins to notice that they are wet or soiled and this is the right time to start toilet training. By the age of three, most children have controlled their bladder and, by the age of four, their bowels.

Our Toilet Training Policy has been developed to:

Encourage children to become independent and recognize their own need to go to the toilet.
Toilet Training should be a happy and relaxed experience for both caregivers and child, with gentle encouragement and without force.
Toilet Training can only be commenced after consultation with parents. The process can only be successful with the co-operation and consistency between parents and caregivers.
Accept that all young children have accidents, especially when they are involved with play.
Encourage parents to dress their child in appropriate clothing that is easy to remove (such as tracksuit pants for easy pulling up and down). Ensure that parents bring in a full set of clothes including socks and shoes for any accidents that may occur.
Encourage children to make washing their hands after use the toilet part of the toileting routine. Explain to the child that washing their hands will stop germs from spreading that might make them sick.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS TO ESTABLISH TOILETING

Begin by introducing your toddler to the potty/toilet. Tell them what it is used for and encourage them to sit on it.
Choose a time to sit your child on the potty or toilet (such as after meal times when their bladder or bowel is full).
If your child isn’t ready to sit on the toilet or potty, try again another day or week.
Read stories to your child while they are on the toilet to help keep the atmosphere relaxed.

WHEN YOUR CHILD IS READY

To know when your child is ready to begin toilet training look out for the following signs:

Can they understand simple commands?
Are they able to understand the words used by adults for emptying their bladder or bowel?
Does your child know when they are wet or soiled?
Does your child show signs that they are about to wet or soil their nappy?
Are there periods of at least two hours between wet nappies?

REST TIME

A baby’s day in childcare is a busy one. Activities to do, toys to play with, learning to walk or crawl. This takes up a lot of energy for a baby.

Rest time is important for all children, even if it is only for half an hour, several times a day. Revitalising used up energy is important because this helps the young child to be able to continue such a busy day as children are often in care fir up to 10 hours.

In an age group for under two year olds, there are children going to sleep and getting up at different times during the day. Flexibility is important which means the caregiver tries to adjust the daily routine to meet all the children’s individual needs. (e.g. if a child went to bed late last night, they might need a mid-morning sleep; or let a child whose face is almost falling into their food at lunch to have a sleep before they eat.)

Please inform staff on arrival if your child has had a restless night or interruptions to their sleep so that we are aware of this.

CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE 1-2 YR OLD ROOM

Parents should ensure that:

Each child has a complete change of clothes in their bags each day: singlets, socks, and everyday casual clothing appropriate to the season and depending on the child’s developmental level and room requirements.
Each child has their clothing and personal belongings clearly labeled.
Each child has their belongings in a carry bag (not plastic) with their name clearly marked on it.

It is important for staff to ensure that children are dressed appropriately at all times during the day, changing them if needed. Staff will respect that some cultures and religious beliefs require children to wear certain items.

SUMMER/SPRING

Cooler, lighter style clothing. Long sleeved T-shirts are preferred to protect sensitive arms and shoulders, long style shorts or dresses and T-shirt style dresses. Singlets and singlet dresses are not recommended as they provide no protection of the shoulder and arm area.

The Centre requires children to wear hats which protect the face, neck and ears whenever they are outside. Parents must provide these hats for their child each day they attend the Centre.

Broad spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen will be provided by the Centre and staff will ensure that each child has it applied before going outside.

Please refer to the “Sun Smart Policy” section as well.

AUTUMN/WINTER

Warmer clothing is required and should include: socks, windcheaters, jumpers. Jackets, hats and gloves are required in the cooler months if the children are going outside.

Parents need to be aware that at times the rooms inside can become quite warm and should pack their child’s clothing accordingly.

Each room requires different clothing for the children.

SHOES

Shoes worn by children and staff need to be comfortable and safe. The shoes worn at the Centre need to be covered and protective to the environment.

Socks are encouraged even during summer months as they provide protection from the sun and added grip to shoes and warmth in winter.

Thongs and flimsy sandals such as “Jelly Bean” shoes are inappropriate as they provide no protection and bend easily, causing slips and falls.

During winter months, more adequate protective shoes are required.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS

All items must be clearly labeled.

We understand that children want to share or show others their belongings, but these can be broken or lost, so we encourage children and parents to leave them at home.

Security toys are encouraged, particularly for rest time.

SUN SMART POLICY

Our Sun Smart Policy has been developed to ensure that all children attending this Centre are protected from skin damage caused by the harmful UV rays of the sun. It is to be implemented throughout the year, but with particular emphasis in terms 1 and 4.

GENERAL SUN SMART STRATEGIES

The Centre will require children to wear hats which protect the face, neck and ears whenever they are outside.
Children who do not have their hats with them will be asked to play in an area protected from the sun.
Children will be encouraged to use available areas of shade for outdoor play activity.
The Directors and Co-coordinator will ensure there are a sufficient number of shelters and trees providing shade in the Centre grounds.
Outdoor activities will be scheduled before 11am and after 3pm daylight savings time whenever possible. The availability of shade will be considered when planning outdoor activities.
Staff will act as role models by:
- Wearing appropriate hats and clothing outdoors
- Using a 30+ sunscreen for skin protection
- Seeking shade whenever possible
SPF 30+, broad spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen will be provided for staff and children’s use as necessary.
Teaching about skin and ways to protect skin from the sun will be incorporated into the curriculum and programmed activities.
The Sun Smart Policy will be reinforced in a positive way through parent newsletters, notice boards and meetings.
Staff and parents will be provided with educational material on sun protection.

GENERAL INFORMATION

When you arrive into the centre please sign your child into the sign in book provided for in the room and also to sign out your child on departure.

It is very important that you do not store items such as medications or ointments or any other potentially dangerous items in your child’s bag as these bags may be accessible by children. If your child needs medication on the day, please see one of us so that it can be stored safely. The medication book needs to be filled out with complete instructions. Please let us know if you need assistance.

If it is warm weather when your child comes to child care could you please apply sun block before they leave home as children may go outdoors as soon as they arrive. Please ensure they have a protective hat to wear.

Please inform us if your child has had an unsettled night, or if there has been a change to their routine as this will help the staff with your child’s day.

When collecting your child please check your child’s day board so you are able to see how their day has been. This is documented for you just in case the staff member in your room is not present when you collect your child. All efforts are made so that the staff in your child’s room are informed of how your child has been throughout the day. Please do not hesitate to approach us or give us a phone call throughout the day. If you wish to discuss any issues concerning your child or just want to see how they are.

BLUE ROOM ROUTINE


6.30am	The Centre opens with two staff. We have family grouping in the Blue Room. We allocate this room as it allows for nappy changing to take place.
7.00am - 8.00am	Breakfast is served. Free play.
8.30am	Rooms separate. Programmed activities begin.
9.20am	Pack up indoor play. Morning Tea is served to the children, either formally (which is sitting at the table as a whole group), or informally (where the children help themselves when they are ready). Once morning Tea is over, children go to the bathroom to use the toilet, change nappies and wash their hands and face.
9.45am	Late shift staff arrive. Children are offered the planned program activities or if weather permitting an indoor/outdoor program where the children have an opportunity of both.
10.30am	Children are asked to help pack away activities and staff prepare for setting up beds for sleep time. Children enjoy being helpers and this is encouraged for independence skills. Once this is complete children wash up for lunch.
11.00am	Group time. A time to share a story, songs, games etc as a group. This promotes concentration, awareness and turn-taking skills.
11.30am	Lunchtime. Children are served their lunch (self help skills are highly encouraged).
11.45am	Children scrape own bowls. Wash children’s hands and faces. Toilet and nappy changes take place.
12.00pm	Rest time. Ensuring children have security items and/or dummies. Children undress on their beds.
2.00pm	Dress children and change their nappies as they wake. Pack up beds Children are encourage to help dress themselves and pack away their own beds with staff help.
3.00pm	Afternoon Tea is served to the children.
3.30pm	Afternoon activities are provided to the children with the flexibility to outdoor play depending on the weather. This is also a time for a group session to be provided.
4.30pm	Children are asked to help pack away activities as next day is prepared.
5.00pm	Family grouping in the Blue Room takes place.
6.30pm	Staff begin closing duties for the centre.

INSIDE LIMITS

Children need to walk inside.
Chairs are for sitting on.
Activities need to stay at their desired areas unless stated otherwise.
Smocks need to be worn at messy activities.
Children need to be explained consequences of their unacceptable behavior and redirected to another activity.
Voices need to be kept low inside.
Children may be allocated helpers for routine times.
Pre-warning of 10 mins before each transition.
Children are encouraged to sleep/rest.
Shoes may be taken off depending on the activity/experience.
Children are not forced to complete a project.
Toys from home are not encouraged unless for security purpose.
Children need to wash their hands before and after eating, toileting and playing outside.
Children are encouraged to attempt their own routine procedures such as; toilet training, feeding, dressing etc…
Bottles are not to be given for children to fall asleep with. They may rest on a cushion before going to bed.
All filled bottles need to be kept in the fridge. Empty bottles to be labeled and kept in child’s bag.
Children’s bags need to be kept closed for cross infection control.
Medications need to be kept in either the fridge or the medication box in the room.

OUTSIDE LIMITS

Sand needs to stay in the sand pit.
Tanbark to stay in the tanbark area.
Walking on the concrete.
To slide down the slide on your bottom.
Children can assist with packing away at the end of the day or after morning session if the weather looks bad.
One child at a time on the climbing frame.
One child at a time on a ride on toy.
Children need to be redirected when behavior is inappropriate.
Smocks need to be worn when at a messy activity.

BLUE ROOM GOALS

Personal & Social Development

Long Term Goal:

To develop children’s:-

confidence and self-esteem.
understanding of self & groups.
independence.
expression of feelings & bonding.

Short Term Goal:

to use positive guidance techniques.
parallel play experiences to promote sharing.
promote self help skills (feeding, dressing, washing etc).
promote verbal/non-verbal expression.
for children to participate in sharing of feelings with others.
move to small group experiences with others.
begin toilet training.

Gross Motor Development

Long Term Goal:

To develop control and confidence in mobility.

Short Term Goal:

for children to increase co-ordination skills.
increase balance.
define climbing skills.
define walking (gait).
to challenge new areas such as height, width etc.
increase ball handling skills.
strengthen walking style.

Fine Motor Development

Long Term Goal:

To develop control and confidence of manipulative skills.

Short Term Goal:

for children manipulate blocks.
build a tower of more than 4 blocks.
to enhance tripod grasp.
to increase self help skills such as feeding, dressing etc.
to increase eye-hand co-ordination.
for children to build towers of 8 or more blocks.
to use different art mediums (pencils,pens,crayons etc).
begin to experience buttons, zips etc.

Language Development

Long Term Goal:

To develop children’s:-

verbal/non-verbal communication.
listening skills.
expression of feelings.

Short Term Goal:

for children to use 3-4 words sentences.
to use appropriate verbal/non-verbal expressions and gestures.
for children to relay feelings to others.
talk about pictures/sounds.
listen in group time.

Cognitive Development

Long Term Goal:

To develop children’s:-

sensory abilities.
process thinking.
awareness of environment.

Short Term Goal:

explore recognition of shape and colour.
explore and investigate the five senses.
to investigate trial and error.
explore and investigate indoor and outdoor environment.
choose and select own activity.
follow and comprehend simple directions.
begin to show patterns and sequencing.
can recall things.