All families are entitled to apply to Centrelink for Child Care Benefit (CCB). This assistance is based on Assessed Family Income (AFI), therefore you must provide proof of your income to Centrelink. The FAO phone number is 13 61 50 or visit www.familyassist.gov.au.
Once Centrelink has completed its assessment, you and your child will each be given a Customer Reference Number (CRN). In order for you to receive reduced weekly fees via your CCB subsidy, you need to provide us with both CRNs as well as your and your child’s Date of Birth (DOB).
If your Assessed Family Income is too high to receive the CCB subsidy, you may be eligible for the Government’s 50% Child Care Tax Rebate (CCTR) if you and your partner meet the CCTR’s work/study/training requirement. To be eligible for the CCTR, you must first be assessed by the FAO for CCB eligibility and then provide us with your and your child’s CRN and DOB. For more details please contact the FAO on 13 61 50.
It is the responsibility of families to fill out the necessary forms with Centrelink and to update their assessment every 12 months, or when there are any changes to the family income. If you do not obtain a Child Care Benefit Assessment, full fees will be charged.
Letterland Program
At Castle Hill Beehive we implement the phonics-based pre-reading program known as Letterland. The children begin their pre-reading journey by meeting each letter of the alphabet as a pictogram. For example, we meet Annie apple who makes the sound “a” in words. The children explore the individual letters and the sounds they make in words. We encourage the children to think of words that begin with the weekly sound, draw or find pictures that begin with the sound as well as practising writing the letter.
Children learn that sounds, letters and words have meaning as well as how to decipher that meaning. The Letterland program is adapted to suit the age and developmental level of all the children at the Centre. This program allows children to extend their Literacy skills and explore concepts that will be necessary for their future learning.
Products of the Letterland program are available for families to purchase from reputable book and toy stores. This enables parents and families to also become immersed in the Letterland program, which in turn can help reinforce their child’s learning.
Second Language Program
We believe in providing the opportunity for children to learn a second language as part of the program at Castle Hill Beehive. A second language allows children to enhance their language skills as well as introduce different cultures, new ideas and language possibilities. Children learn naturally and flexibly from an early age and introducing a second language can allow children to expand their cognitive and linguistic development.
Young children are able to absorb the sounds and rules of a second language with greater ease than adults therefore expanding their development opportunities both now and in the future. Children will explore a second language in fun and exciting ways through songs, games and activities. Small group lessons are planned and adapted to the developmental age of all children at the Centre, allowing all children the opportunity to participate.
Music Program
We believe music should be an integral part of children’s learning. By immersing children in a variety of different forms of music we allow them to experiment with different types of music as well as different ways to make music. Staff plan and implement activities focusing on beat and rhythm and include experiences with a variety of instruments, as well as encouraging children to use their voice to make music.
We also host an external music and dance program for children one day per week. Hey Dee Ho music provide an entertainment-based music program incorporating many areas of development. Hey Dee Ho music presents musical concepts such as pitch, rhythm and dynamics, and includes simple multicultural greetings and Auslan sign language gestures within the program.
Gross Motor Program
At Castle Hill Beehive we believe it is important to encourage children to be active throughout their day with us. As a result we provide daily group experiences for the children that encourage them to be healthy and active. This is carried out through a 30-minute exercise program that children will participate in each day at Beehive. Experiences include aerobic style games, coordination activities, ball games, team games, skipping and so on. These experiences allow children to develop an enjoyment of physical activities that will continue with them as they grow and develop.
Casual Extra Days
Families requiring extra days of care advise the Director who will confirm the availability of a place on these day(s). Extra days are payable at the normal daily fee rates.
Make-up Days
Families, whose child's normal day falls on a public holiday, are entitled to a make-up day at no charge. This day can be held and used anytime during the year as long as the Centre has a vacancy on the day that you request. Make-up days are only valid for the current calendar year and do not 'carry over' to the following year. Please contact the Centre Director to organise a make-up day.
Withdrawal
Once your child has commenced, 4 weeks notice is required should you wish to withdraw your child or reduce your child's days. There are no cancellations or dropping of days in the months of November or December leading up to Christmas. The deposit will not be refunded if inadequate notice is given or if you withdraw your child after 1 November in any given year.
Orientation Mornings
As part of your child’s orientation to Beehive, we encourage parents to bring their child and stay for an hour in the room that your child is enrolled. The orientation mornings will:
- Help your child feel more comfortable with the environment and aid in a smoother transition to child care
- Help your child become familiar with the staff and other children
- Have activities set up for your child to freely explore and investigate with the other children whilst still having parents nearby
- Provide the opportunity for new parents to meet other parents
- Provide the opportunity for parents to meet staff and to discuss settling strategies and any concerns that they may have.
- A backpack or similar bag with your child’s name clearly marked on it
- A favourite comforter (if they have one)
- A change of clothes labelled with your child's name
- A labelled drink bottle (2-5 year olds)
- Prepared bottles of formula (if required) in the Nursery. Please note, nappies are supplied by the Centre.
Parent Involvement
At Beehive we recognise the importance of parent involvement, but also recognise that not all parents have the time to be involved. Parents can choose a day and come to Beehive and spend time:
- Playing with their child
- Observing the staff and how they interact
- Learning the routine of the day
- Participating in the lesson with their child
- Assisting the staff
- Parent and staff interviews
- Social gatherings outside the Centre
- Having a coffee with the staff
- Talking to other parents
- Meeting their child's friends
- Discussing any concerns with staff
- Viewing the classroom and their child’s work
This will be morning teas, information nights, dinners, etc. Staff, with some parent assistance, will then organise the events for all parents and staff. The Policy Committee will meet three to four times a year and address any new or existing policies that parents/staff feel need to be updated.
What to wear for a busy day at Childcare
To enable the children to play happily, freely and to enjoy the activities we provide for them, we suggest you send them to Beehive in play clothes. These clothes should be simple in design, so as to encourage independence in toileting and dressing. It is important to dress in play clothes as sometimes we get dirty whilst playing and learning.
Please ensure your child’s shoes offer protection for their feet. Please do not send your child in thongs, as these are slippery and often dangerous when climbing.
Dropping off and Picking up your Child
On enrolment you will be required to provide the Centre with the names and telephone numbers of persons authorised to drop off and/or pick up your child. We request that you notify us immediately of any changes or alterations to this authorisation. We also request that you inform the Centre if someone other than a parent will be picking up your child. This can be done over the phone during the day, but you must provide the person’s name and phone number. Please note that the Teacher may ask the person collecting your child to provide some form of identification. This is for the safety of your child and the Teachers. We also require your child to be dropped off and picked up (as well as signed in and out) by an adult.
Castle Hill Beehive is open between 7.00am - 6.30pm. Late fees will be charged after closing time ($1 per minute). If you are unavoidably delayed, please ring the Centre. Parents will be contacted if children are not collected by 6.30pm; failing this, the emergency person(s) will be called. If no contact is to be made by 7.00pm, the Department of Community Services Helpline and the Police will be notified.
Please note that parents and children who attend Castle Hill Beehive Childcare shall enter the premises from the front door of the Centre.
Sleep and Rest
We understand children’s needs for sleep and rest vary considerably. We encourage all children to sleep or rest after the morning’s activities and lunch (depending on age). We do not insist upon sleep (quiet activities are provided), nor do we keep awake a child who needs/wants to sleep. Mattresses and all bed linen are supplied for the children. The linen is washed at the premises on a daily basis. Feel free to discuss sleep and rest for your child with the staff.
Sun Protection
Castle Hill Beehive policy requires all children and staff to wear both a hat and sunscreen when outdoors. A Beehive hat will be billed to your account ($6) when you enrol at the Centre. These hats have UV sun protection and a full flap to protect you child’s neck and ears.
It is necessary for you to apply sunscreen to all exposed areas of your child’s skin before, or on arrival, to Beehive (sunscreen is available at the Centre). Please ‘stamp’ your child with the red smiley stamp so we know he/she has had sunscreen applied. The staff will re-apply sunscreen throughout the day. A hat is compulsory even on cloudy days as the risk of damage is still present.
Nutritious Meals
We provide the children with nutritious, varied and interesting meals. All meals are prepared fresh on the premises. We ensure that the menus are planned to provide 50% of the Recommended Daily Intake of the childrens’ dietary needs. Castle Hill Beehive staff understand the importance of food hygiene, correct food handling techniques, nutrition and variety for children. Staff have attended a Food Handling course and the Chef has gained a Diploma in Preparation of Food in Childcare Centres.
The menu rotates on a four week cycle so that children have variety and remain interested in the food. We can accommodate most special dietary needs; the Director will be pleased to discuss these with you. We welcome parent involvement in menu development and we are always looking for another terrific idea or recipe that works with children!
Excursions and Visits
Because of logistical difficulties, our children do not go on excursions. We organise visits to the Centre by Kindifarm, National Parks and Wildlife, and ‘occupations’ such as the fire brigade, police, posties, dentists, nurses and so on.
Families are very welcome to participate in all our special visits or occasions.
Medical Information
If your child requires medicine whilst at Castle Hill Beehive, you must complete a Medication Form which is located at the sign in/out desk. You need to write you child’s name, the type of medication, dosage, time of dosage, sign and hand the form to your child’s Teacher. If you fail to sign the Medication Form or give incorrect dosage amounts, the medication will not be given. The medication bottle must state the name of the child as well as the dosage.
All medication is to be removed from your child’s bag and given to a member of staff for proper storage.
If your child suffers from a condition that requires constant medication, eg. asthma, a letter from your child’s doctor is needed. The letter must contain the reason for the medication as well as the type and dosage. The letter needs to be signed by the doctor.
You also need to provide the Centre with the immunisation details of your child. If your child is not immunised for whatever the reason, and there is an outbreak of a vaccine preventable disease, your child will be required to remain at home for the duration of the disease. Fees are still payable during this time.
Child Abuse
Staff are aware of and committed to the Centre’s duty of care to ensure that child abuse does not occur in the Centre, and that suspected or detected abuse is appropriately reported.
Each staff member signs a Prohibited Employment Declaration and is subjected to a Police check. Teachers and the Director are legally required to report suspicion of child abuse or child sexual assault to the Department of Community Services without notification to the parents. All suspected abuse will be mandatorily reported to the Helpline on 13 36 27.
Accident and Illness
If your child is involved in an accident whilst at Castle Hill Beehive Childcare, an accident report form will be filled out by a member of staff. The report will contain a description of the accident, the injury and the treatment given. The report will be available for parents to read and sign when they collect their child.
If the staff believe the child will need extra treatment or is more seriously injured, a parent will be notified immediately by staff. Similarly, if your child becomes unwell at Beehive, parents will be contacted to arrange collection of the child. If the parents can not be contacted, staff will use the emergency contacts from the child’s enrolment form to locate a person to collect the child.
Absence
Please exercise discretion if your child is unwell, or likely to transfer sickness to other children. If in doubt, please seek medical advice or consult the Teacher. To ensure that all children are safe from sickness, the Centre follows the guidelines set out by the Department of Health in regards to diseases such as chickenpox, impetigo, measles, etc.
Additional Needs
The Centre will provide access and support to all children including children with additional needs. Each child’s acceptance will be considered on an individual basis, and the Centre will treat each child as an individual and will support his/her own special needs. SUPPS at Hornsby (Ph: 9847 6535) can be contacted to assist staff and provide financial assistance.
Children's Belongings
Please ensure that all clothes, shoes, toys, comforters, bottles, blankets, back-packs, etc, are clearly and permanently labelled. It’s best not to bring items of value to the Centre as these can be lost or broken. Staff do their best to ensure that possessions brought into the Centre are treated with care and respect, but this is not always possible; a lost and found box is located next to the front door.
Complaints
We are here for you and your child. We encourage parents with any concerns to bring them to the attention of staff or the Centre Director immediately so they can be dealt with promptly. We aim to address all concerns immediately, with the emphasis being placed on resolving issues in a professional manner. Alternatively, parents can complete a Comment/Concern Form (located at sign in/out desk) and give it to the Director.
