The Lower Hunter Activity Van Association has been operating since 1979. As a service, we are committed to providing staff of the highest quality and experience. We strive, through our teamwork, toward creating a safe, caring and friendly environment, which will afford children the highest quality care with learning opportunities that allow them to develop at their own rate.
Hunter Mobile Preschool is a Not-for-Profit, Community Based Preschool Service. Being a Community Based Preschool means the preschool is managed by the parents whose children are attending the preschool at that time, strengthening the community’s investment in the service. As a Not-for-Profit Preschool, all money that comes in is put back into the preschool for the children. This is a requirement of the Department of Education and Communities. As we are not aiming to generate a profit, we can spend more on staffing, equipment and other resources benefitting every child that attends our service.
Programming is based on the needs of each individual, observed in each child through social, emotional, physical, intellectual and language development. Teaching occurs through organised play activities in the areas of the arts, crafts, manipulative play, constructive play, language, music, maths, science, drama and movement.
The Preschool Service caters for approximately twenty 3-5 year olds per day at each venue (dependant on the size and safety of the venues) and currently services 7 ‘remote’ areas, Gresford, Lochinvar, Vacy, Wollombi, Cessnock East and Kitchener on a weekly basis.
The NSW State Government’s Start Strong Fee Relief Funding means that Hunter Mobile Preschool is able to offer attendance fee free preschool to all children aged 3-5, regardless of any other services they attend again in 2024.
As a State-funded and licensed Service we are bound by all legislation currently in operation, thus ensuring that the highest quality care and education is maintained through regular and adequate funding and accountability.
Hunter Mobile Preschool also operates an Out of School Hours Care Service in the grounds of Vacy Public School. More information on this service can be found on the OSHC page of this website.
Mission Statement
As a service, we are committed to providing staff of the highest quality and experience.
We strive, through our teamwork, to create a safe, caring and friendly environment, which will afford children the highest quality care.
For young children, learning takes place through relationships, and relationships are built through the small shared individual transactions and experiences that early childhood professionals have with the children every day. We take time and attention to developing those relationships that are characterised by honesty, warmth, respect, trust and empathy. (Feeney, Christensen and Moravcik, 1996)
As we assist the children in the transition from home to preschool, we work to support the children in developing a positive self-image. We strive to captivate their enthusiasm for knowledge, all the while building their social skills, to become successful lifelong learners, participate in life, and become engaged members of the community. We recognise that each child is unique and we strive to understand the socio cultural contexts in which each child lives. This understanding enables the early childhood professional to provide meaningful, relevant and respectful experiences for the children. (Bredekamp and Copple, 1997)
Our Philosophy
Hunter Mobile Preschool is a Community Based, Not-for-Profit preschool service, established to meet the needs of younger children in outlying and rural communities, staffed by a team of qualified and experienced early childhood educators and managed by a volunteer committee.
Across all of our venues children are seen as capable, competent learners who are valued as individuals. Play based learning environments are created with varied experiences that reflect the interests, strengths, needs and cultures of the children.
We maintain balance between child initiated experiences and those which are facilitated or supported through intentional teaching. Importance is placed on our learning environments, including our relationships with the children to ensure a positive impact on the child’s learning with adequate time for support, exploration, sharing ideas, investigating and experimenting.
We strive to develop positive, mutually respectful relationships with families and encourage family participation through many aspects of our service, such as policy development and program input. We endeavour to support families with advice, encouragement and resources. Through working in partnership with families, we aim to provide continuity of care to enhance each child’s learning and development.
Hunter Mobile Preschool aims to provide our educators with a satisfying work environment where previous knowledge, skills, interest and opinions are acknowledged and respected.
At Hunter Mobile Preschool we recognise the significance of the learning and development that occurs for children during the early years. We believe the environments we create and the experiences we create within these environments supports the children now and enhances their future learning.
Program Policy
Rationale:
The Service aims to provide a program which is flexible and meets the individual needs of all children. To ensure that the program is developmentally appropriate and meets the social, emotional and cultural needs of the children the following policy has been developed.
Children’s self image is based on the messages we give them. We can help children have some control over their environment by providing many different activities to choose from and having an open plan program.
Procedure:
- As far as is practical due to the unusual nature of a mobile service staff will implement the philosophies of the Early Years Learning Framework.
- Any areas of need, which are identified, will be programmed for as soon as is practical due to the mobile nature of the service.
- Programmed activity areas include art/craft, manipulative play, science and multicultural activities, construction, dramatic play, puzzles, books, music, language, social experiences and physical activity.
- Staff will plan and implement group activities that include stories, language, music and movement.
- Individual, group and outside programs are extended based on interests/needs. Individual programs are linked to group lessons along with the outdoor program.
- Programs are displayed for parents and other visitors to view. Children’s individual portfolios are available for parents to view at any time.
- Staff are willing to discuss programs with parents at any time and welcome all suggestions.
Governance & Management Policy
Rationale:
Hunter Mobile Preschool aims to provide a quality education and care service and will operate according to all legal requirements and recognised best practice in service management. We will ensure there are appropriate governance arrangements in place at all times. For the purpose of Regulations the Management Committee is the Approved Provider. The Management Committee as the Approved Provider will ensure that all aspects of governance and management are clearly articulated and complement the service Philosophy. The Management Committee as Approved Provider will ensure that copies of the current policies and procedures required, are available for inspection at the service at all times.
Procedure:
Service Management:
- The Service is managed and administered by a Management Committee of parents and interested community members, in consultation with the Coordinator.
- The parent body will elect the Management Committee annually.
- The Management Committee will meet a minimum of 3 times a year, as documented in the constitution, and all meetings will be open to any interested parents.
- The Management Committee/Strata representative will be responsible for reporting any required maintenance of the grounds and buildings of the base and of the vehicles, the employment of suitable staff, the appropriate insurance covers and the financial management of the Service.
- The Management Committee will arrange an Annual General Meeting in March each year for the benefit of all parents.
- The Management Committee is responsible for the formulation of policies, in consultation with the staff.
- No policy may be replaced/updated until a formal resolution to do so is made and passed by the Management Committee.
- Any proposed changes/alterations will be made available for perusal to the parent body at least two (2) weeks in advance of the set meeting dates.
Daily Management
- The day to day management of the Service will be the responsibility of the Coordinator.
- The day to day running of the Service will be the responsibility of the Coordinator and staff
- The Certified Supervisors will be responsible for the operation of the preschool venues, , the supervision of all staff, and parent liaison, in consultation with the Coordinator.
- Certified Supervisors will contribute to the Coordinators report, informing the Management Committee of any relevant matters regarding their venues.
- Petty cash records will be maintained and receipts available for audit purposes.
- The Service will accept students from related courses at University and TAFE for practicum and also work experience student, at the discretion of the Coordinator and Certified Supervisors.
- The Management Committee will be responsible for:
- The general management and financing of the service.
- Employment of adequate and suitably qualified staff.
- Preparation and monitoring of the Annual Budget.
- Obtaining suitable and relevant insurance policies.
- Organisation of rosters, fund-raising, working bees etc.
- Maintenance of the base, equipment and the vehicles.
- Purchase of new equipment in consultation with the Coordinator.
- Preparation of forms and information for government and other bodies.
Sourced From:
- Education & Care Services National Regulations Part 4.7
- National Quality Standard 7.1 – 7.1.2 – 7.1.3 – 7.2
- Hunter Mobile Preschool Constitution
Payment of Fees Policy
OUR SERVICE DEPENDS ON FEES TO KEEP OPERATING IN YOUR AREA.
Fees are not voluntary.
The following policy will provide you with information regarding Preschool fees.
PAYMENT OF FEE’S:
- Fees can be paid online, by cash or cheque at preschool.
- A non-refundable annual enrolment/administration fee of $55 is payable by each family, each year when enrolling
- A fee deposit of two weeks fees will be required at the beginning of enrolment.
This will be re-credited to the account in term 4.
- An invoice will be issued at the beginning of each term. The first payment towards those fees must be made week two of that term.
- Fees are to be paid weekly or by the term – in advance.
- Pre-school fees are to be paid on excursion and party days.
- No fees are payable on public holidays or school holidays.
- If you wish to terminate your child’s enrolment 2 weeks written notice must be given or 2 weeks fees will be charged in lieu of notice.
SUBSIDISED FEE’S:
- Subsidised fees are available to families holding a Health Care Card, or those who identify as Indigenous. If you would like to apply for subsidised fees, please fill in and return the last page of the enrolment form, and present your Health Care Card.
ABSENCES:
- Days missed due to general illness, family holidays, etc. must be paid for.
- For long term absences of more than 4 weeks, or for special circumstances, eg: hospitalisation, for any period of time, families may apply to the management committee in writing to have their child’s preschool fee’s waived. If a child has been hospitalised or is required to stay away from preschool due to a medical condition, a medical certificate will be required.
UNPAID FEES:
- If you have not made a payment within two (2) weeks, a notice will be sent by mail to you requesting payment.
- If no payment is received a second notice will be sent. This notice will again inform you of your late fees and request that your child be removed from the Service until payment has been made.
- Legal action to recover unpaid fees will take place at the discretion of the Committee; this may be in the form of a Debt Collector or a summons for payment issued by the Local Court at a cost to you. Please see the staff or contact the office if you are experiencing any difficulties paying fees.
- If there is a previous outstanding account, your child’s enrolment for the following term will be denied until payment in full or an acceptable written payment plan is received.
Reference:
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 168
- National Quality Standards 7.1 – 7.1.2 – 7.1.3
Child Safe Environment Policy
Rationale:
To ensure a high quality of service provision is maintained. It is important that all venues maintain an acceptable level of cleanliness and safety.
Procedure:
- Inspect venue on arrival by performing visual safety checks to ensure the absence of broken glass, dangerous objects and hazardous materials, and that the gates are in working order.
- Rake the sandpit with a metal rake to ensure there are no dangerous objects.
- If any hazardous material does need removing, please follow the procedure outlined in the Disposal/Handling of Hazardous Materials Policy.
- Tables, chairs and toilets and hand washing basins cleaned during the day.
- Soap and paper towel provided at hand washing stations.
- Check windows to ensure that they are not broken or have the potential to cause harm.
- Check to ensure that all doors close properly.
- Ensure that all safety checks and cleaning is recorded on daily sign in sheet.
- Advise hall committee representative of any cleaning and safety issues.
- Preschool programs are designed to promote active participation by all children, therefore, all children to be dressed in a practical and comfortable manner.
- On arrival at the venue staff will inspect for hazards ie chairs stacked too high, portable tables leaning against walls.
- Venues to be inspected inside and outside for any potential unwelcome visitors.
- Hall committees to be advised upon finding dangerous spiders, snakes or vermin on site.
- Staff to ensure safety of children is a priority.
- Contact to be made with relevant council or wildlife body for removal.
- Be proactive in relation to showing children pictures of snakes, spiders and vermin and discussing the danger.
- Be aware of first aid for snake or spider bite:
- Aim to slow circulation. Apply pressure bandage.
- Rest casualty. If possible get ambulance to you, if not transport casualty to hospital in a resting position.
- If possible identify the creature, or collect for identification. But do not endanger yourself
- Remember SAFETY FIRST. Inspect, clean, maintain.
Supervision:
- Staff need to be aware of how many children are present for the day.
- As far as reasonably practical, staff are not to be alone with children for extended periods of time.
- Staff are to ensure that they are to be in a suitable supervision position at all times while inside and outside.
- Staff will monitor children’s behaviours and actions.
- If a child is to go to the toilet during outside time, the staff member supervising closest to the hall entrance is to supervise the child while using the bathroom. Second staff member to be notified.
- If toilet is outside, the staff member closest to hall exit is to escort the child to the bathroom. Second staff member is to be notified.
- It is important that all staff are aware of the emergency procedures at preschool.
- Staff should encourage children to keep traffic areas, such as walkways and footpaths clear, to prevent trip hazards.
- Actively participating in play with the children can better help staff to anticipate potential risks.
- Indoors Supervision (General):
During indoor times, whenever a staff member needs to leave the immediate area, they are to inform the other staff member that they are leaving, and for what reason. All exit doors will be closed during this time, while the staff member is not in the area being occupied by the children. When the staff member returns to the area that is being occupied by the children, any exit doors can then be re-opened as before.
- Outdoors Supervision (General):
During outdoor times, whenever a staff member needs to leave the outdoor area, they are to inform the other staff member that they are leaving, and for what reason. The other staff member will then stand and position themselves so they have a clear view of the entire outdoor area.
Reference:
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 103
- National Quality Standards 2.2 – 2.2.1 – 2.2.2 – 3.1 – 3.1.1 – 3.1.2
Incident, Injury, Trauma, Illness Policy
Rationale:
All staff are required to hold First Aid qualifications.
In the event of a child becoming ill, is injured, or suffers a trauma while at preschool, staff will follow these procedures.
Procedure:
For a sick child:
- Separate the ill child from the other children.
- If the child is not well enough to participate in activities, contact their parent to have them collected.
- While waiting for the parent to arrive, make the child comfortable
- Take their temperature
- Monitor their condition
- Keep a written report of their condition
- If clothing needs to be changed, they will be rinses and placed in a plastic bag, and attached to their backpack for the parent/carer to take home
- Have the parent/carer read the report and sign it before leaving
- After the child leaves, ensure that anything used with the child is cleaned well before using again.
- Once all clean-up is done, gloves and items used to clean the area will be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of in an outside bin if available. Staff will then ensure they wash their hands thoroughly.
For a child who has been injured or suffered trauma:
- Staff will assess the situation, and try to remain calm for the benefit of the injured child, and others around.
- Staff will follow first aid procedures as required
- Once the child has been treated, a detailed incident/accident report will be completed ready for the parents/carers to sight and sign upon arrival.
- If the incident requires the child to go home immediately, the parents will be contacted to pick them up. If they are well enough or able to stay for the rest of the day, the parents will be informed upon arrival.
- If the accident requires an ambulance, the non-treating staff member will call the Ambulance, and then parents to be contacted. Ensuring ongoing supervision of all children in attendance at the service.
- Notify other person/s as authorised on the child’s enrolment form, if the parents/guardians are not contactable
- In the case of a serious accident, staff will relocate the other children to an area where they can be reassured and be clear from the path of emergency workers.
- A staff member will accompany the child in the ambulance when the parents/carers are not present, provided that staff-to-child ratios can be maintained at the service
- Notify the Approved Provider of the medical emergency, incident or injury as soon as is practicable.
- Notify the Regulatory Authorities within 24 hours of any serious incident at the service.
In the case of the death of a child at preschool:
- Responsible person will call the parents/carers of the child and arrange for them to travel with the child if possible, or to meet at the hospital.
- The Service must not advise parents of the death of their child: Medical staff will advise families of the situation.
- Notify Regulatory Authorities including the Police Department.
- Notify the Approved Provider
- The Responsible person will complete in detail the Service’s Incident, injury, trauma and illness form in addition to notifying ACECQA via the NQA IT System.
- The Approved provider will log the incident on the NQA TI System, attaching incident form and evidence.
- Management will contact the insurance company.
- Management will also ensure that parents, families, children and educators will receive adequate and appropriate post-incident support.
- Additionally, management will:
- Demonstrate sensitivity, open mindedness and a balanced approach.
- Recognise and support cultural needs.
- Ensure all evidence is preserved.
- Maintain accurate and detailed record keeping.
- Contact their legal representative for support and direction.
- Establish protocols for staff and Educators to discuss the traumatic event.
- Advise staff of social media protocol for the event.
- Provide professional and sensitive communication with families of the Service.
- Engage the services of health care professionals (counselling and support for staff).
- Cooperate on an ongoing basis with inter-agencies involved in the investigation.
If for any reason, you have had to medicate your child before preschool eg: Panadol or Nurofen, please keep them at home for their own wellbeing.
Some signs and symptoms to watch for:
- High temperature or fever.
- Severe cold, including runny nose (green discharge).
- If the child seems sick without obvious symptoms eg unusually tired, pale, irritable or lethargic.
- Vomiting and/or loose bowel motion. (Exclusion period is at least 24 hours after the symptoms have stopped).
- Rashes – any irritation you cannot identify.
- Red, swollen or discharging eyes. (Exclusion period is until the discharge from the eyes has stopped).
For Nappy Changing:
- Follow the Nappy Changing Procedure that is in the nappy change caddy.
Reference:
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 85-86-87
- National Quality Standards 2.1.2 – 2.2.2
- health.nsw.gov.au
- Staying Healthy in Childcare 5th Edition
- Childcare Centre Desktop 2019
Nutrition Policy
Rationale:
The purpose of this policy is to ensure children attending Hunter Mobile Preschool are given the best possible start in life, and are eating appropriate and nutritious food whilst in care. Families are encouraged to follow the guidelines provided, and staff will use their discretion in ways to encourage and promote healthy food choices.
Procedure:
Hunter Mobile Preschool will use the “Good for Kids Good for Life” Manual when interpreting amounts of fat, salt and sugar in foods. This means that foods will be low in sugar, fat and salt. Water will be freely available for all children throughout the day.
For packaged foods, the following information is what our service is guided by. Please include foods that come within these amounts.
20g FAT PER 100g – Products with less than 10g fat per 100g are best. |
5g SATURATED FAT PER 100g – Products with less than 3g fat per 100g are best. |
15g SUGAR per 100g |
600mg SODIUM PER 100g – Products with less than 400mg per 100g are best. |
- Some foods do fall into these guidelines, but due to their chocolate nature, or stickiness, they are not suitable for preschool eg: chocolate custards, fruit ‘flavoured’ snacks, such as fruit bars, roll ups etc. These foods do not support good dental health.
- There are foods that fall outside these guidelines, but are accepted at preschool eg: nuts and dried fruits
For a comprehensive list of foods, please refer to the information book.
The staff will:
- Provide clear information to families on recommended and non-recommended food and drinks for children’s lunchboxes. This will occur upon enrolment, through newsletters, notices at the venues, on Facebook, and on our website.
- Observe children’s lunchboxes daily in accordance with lunchbox guidelines.
- If inappropriate foods are provided, the child will be encouraged to eat their healthier options first. A discussion about every day and sometimes foods will occur with the child/ren. Families will be approached either with verbal contact, or a service note that reminds them of the nutritional information to refer to on foods.
Sourced From: Good for Kids Good for Life
Please refer to the nutritional panel for this food, and check it is within these guidelines, before sending it to preschool.
Fat (less than 20g of total fat per 100g) (less than 5g of saturated fat per 100g)
Sugar (less than 15g of sugar per 100g)
Sodium (less than 600mg of sodium per 100g)
- Staff will indicate on the slip which part of the dietary guide that the food does not meet.
- Promote water as the most suitable drink for consumption at preschool, and ensure water is readily available for children to drink throughout the day.
- Milk is suitable in 125ml containers as part of the child’s dairy intake for the day eg as a substitute for one serving of yoghurt or cheese.
- Be aware of children with food allergies, food intolerances and special dietary needs and consult with families to determine specific food related requirements and develop individual management plans.
- Discourage children from handling other children’s food and utensils.
- Assist children to develop an understanding of healthy food and drink choices through including a range of learning experiences encouraging healthy food choices.
- Create a relaxed atmosphere at mealtimes where children have enough time to eat and enjoy their food as well as enjoying the social interactions with educators and other children.
- Respect each child’s appetite. If a child is not hungry or is satisfied, educators do not insist he/she eats.
- Encourage children to try different / new foods but will not force them to eat.
- As updated information becomes available, this will be made available to staff so they can renew their knowledge and keep up to date.
Reference:
- Education and Care Services National Regulations 77 – 78
- National Quality Standards 1 – 2.1.3
- goodforkids.nsw.gov.au