Mini Minors, Rosanna, VIC

Welcome to the Nursery!

The 3-12 month old room caters for 15 children with three (3) staff. One (1) Qualified Child Care Worker (diploma trained) and two (2) qualified assistants.

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

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 3-12 MONTH 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.

NURSERY ROOM ROUTINE


6.30am	The centre opens with two staff. We have family grouping with all the children from all the rooms in the Blue room. We allocate this room as it allows us to cater for the babies in nappy changing facilities thus not leaving one staff member with all the children.
7.00am - 8.00am	Breakfast is served.
8.30am	The children are dispersed into their own rooms to begin with their morning activities and routines.
9.15am	Morning tea is served to children. All children either sit in high chairs or on a chair at the table depending on their age. All children’s hands are washed before and after morning tea.
9.45am	Children are offered the planned programmed activities or if weather permitting an indoor / outdoor program where the children have the opportunity of both.
11.00am	Children are prepared for lunch. Hands and faces washed. Beds set out. A small group time to occur.
11.30am – 12.00pm	Children are served lunch.( Self help skills are highly encouraged.) When lunch is finished children are prepared for their rest time. Faces are washed, children undressed and put onto beds or in cots for a rest. Bottles are warmed and given to those who require one.
12.30pm – 2.00pm	Rest time for children.
2.00pm – 3.30pm	Children begin to wake and are encouraged to explore the experiences provided.
3.00pm	Afternoon tea is served to children. This will happen the same as for morning tea.
3.30pm – 4.30pm	Afternoon activities are provided to the children with the flexibility to outdoor play depending on the weather. This is also a time where a formal group time is offered to the children.
4.30pm	Children are provided quiet activities for the remainder of the day.
5.00pm – 6.30pm	Family grouping begins where the Nursery and Blue room children join in the Blue room. Once numbers begin to drop substantially by about 5.30 pm all the children remaining are joined together in the Blue room. Staff are also to begin closing duties for the centre.

OUTSIDE LIMITS

Children are to walk on concrete area.
Hats and sunscreen on before going outside.
Children need to slide down on the slide one at a time. Not climbing up from the bottom.
Children need to keep the bikes on the bike track.
No throwing sand while in the sand pit.
Children may take their shoes off while they are in the sand pit, but they must be put back on when leaving the area.
Tan bark needs to stay in the tanbark area.
Any activities on the mat/blanket need to stay there so that nothing gets lost.
Encourage children to pack up activities before going inside, in case of rain.

INSIDE LIMITS

Children to walk inside.
Children to wear smocks at messy play/art experiences.
For children to sit on chairs.
Children are encouraged to stack chairs after meal times.
To use quite voices inside, not screaming across the room to others.
Children are to wash their hands before/after meal times, and after going to the toilet.
To pack up activities before going outside.
Children are encouraged to scrape their own bowls and place bowl and cups onto the tray.
Shoes may be taken off during the hot weather. Inside only.
No throwing the toys around or kicking.
Always encourage children to use self-help skills at all times.