1.1 CHILD DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION AIM: Educators to build current knowledge on every child in the service to ensure their interests are acknowledged and built upon. PROCEDURE: Observations: The National Quality Framework and Early Learning Framework requires that ‘each child’s current knowledge, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program’ (p. 28). They also state that ‘each child’s learning and development is assessed as part of an ongoing cycle of planning, documenting and evaluating’ (p. 32). Therefore educators must get to know individual children as well as the group so that experiences can be planned according to a child’s current ability level, interests and knowledge. By observing children in their learning environments, you can document and assist in planning relevant experiences for them. When observing a child, the focus should be on the QUALITY of what you are noting, not the quantity of information. By making the observation meaningful, the following should be reflected upon: What drew my interest to the child in this experience and why? What is meaningful here? How is the child feeling? In what ways do I know the child is enjoying/feeling challenged/hating the experience? What are the child’s strengths (interests) and weaknesses? What learning is taking place here? What were the interactions/conversations like? What other learning is possible? What planning could I provide for the short and long term? How can I better support this child’s learning? What other goals can I get? How can I better cater for this child’s individual learning style? Critical Reflections: What else is possible from this situation?
CHILDREN ACCOMPANIED BY ANOTHER ADULT AND FULLY SUPERVISED ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE SIGNED IN OR OUT AND ARE NOT PART OF THE LICENCING NUMBERS. Please note: Advice from Family Day Care Australia states that your Public Liability Insurance for Family Day Care or In-Home Care does not cover a child who is not enrolled with the service. You are responsible for checking with your private home insurer regarding cover for these children. SOURCE: Education and Care Services National Regulation 165 National Quality Standards 2.3.1, 2.3.2, 7.1.5 Page left blank intentionally 2.28 VISITORS TO EDUCATORS’ HOMES AIM: To develop procedures that will protect children from child abuse and to inform parents of changes to their child’s Family Day Care environment. BACKGROUND: It is the responsibility of Educators to support procedures that will enable the community to prevent child abuse. PROCEDURE:
SOURCE: National Quality Standards (2011) 4.2 4.2 INFORMATION, ASSISTANCE, TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT AIM: To offer professional development opportunities for educators and staff members that are useful and varied. BACKGROUND: Educators and staff have a joint responsibility to identify training needs that will assist the service in making continuing improvements towards quality care provision and National Quality Standards. PROCEDURE: Provision is made for training within the service Educators and staff are encouraged to attend external, local, regional and/or state conferences, workshops or seminars Internal workshops presented by local professionals or specialists can be offered throughout the year Regular networking and information sharing with other services and among educators is encouraged. In-Services and workshop presentations are evaluated and the Training Program will be reviewed annually ESSENTIAL TRAINING IS MADE COMPULSORY TO ALL EDUCATORS. Educator Training Requirements:
Educators must attend First Aid, Work Health & Safety and Child Protection training, asthma and anaphylaxis Educators must provide evidence of external training to the manager in writing Training can be offered internally or externally Educators will be provided with training calendars via email Educators must attend at least 3 professional development trainings each year to qualify for reregistration “Professional Development Definition” – completion of a minimum of 5 units within Certificate III in Early Childhood Education and Care or Diploma in Early Childhood Education and Care in a 12 month period. Working towards a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education or attending relevant early childhood short courses, webinars, online courses, conferences, etc. Reviewed May 2015 SOURCE: Education and Care Services National Regulations 169 (2)(g) Service Policies and Procedures. National Quality Standards 4.2.2 Page left blank intentionally