Goldfields Childrens Centre

Location

The Goldfields Children's Centre is located on the corner of Christian and Napier Streets, in the heart of Maryborough.

Child Care Benefit is available to all families using any of the shire's Children's Services. Child Care Benefit is a payment from the Commonwealth Government to assist families with the costs associated with childcare. The level of subsidy you receive depends on your family income for the financial year. You can choose to get your CCB either as reduced childcare fees throughout the year or as a lump sum payment (at the end of the financial year). You apply to the Family Assistance Office (Centrelink) for Child Care Benefit.

Vacation Care Program

The Vacation Care Program is on again over the September School Holidays. Please see the flyer below for details:

Vacation Care Program - September 2010 (279kb)

Background of the Service & Management

Goldfields Children's Centre operates as an integrated facility of Children's Services for Central Goldfields Shire. It incorporates a 63 place Long Day Care Centre and the Family Day Care Coordination Unit.

The Director of Children's Services managers the Long Day Care Centre on behalf of the Central Goldfields Shire. The Centre was established in 1998 with funding from the Commonwealth/State Child Care Agreement.

The Centre is licensed by the Department of Human Services and operates in accordance with the Children's Services Regulations 1998.

A fully qualified chef is employed to prepare nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day.

The centre provides an educational program based on the developmental needs, interests and experiences of each of the children cared for. The program is sensitive to the individual differences of each child.

Hours of Operation

The Centre opens at 6.45am and closes at 6:00pm daily, Monday to Friday.

Full Day Session 6:45am - 6:00pm inc. morning, lunch & afternoon tea
Morning Session 6:45am - 12:30pm inc. morning tea, lunch
Afternoon Session 12:30pm - 6:00pm inc. afternoon tea

Parents may bring children in at any time during the sessions, regardless of hours user fees will be charged according to the booking i.e. half day, full day.

The Centre is closed for one week between the Christmas and New Year period and Public Holidays.

Centre Philosophy

We at Goldfields Children's Centre respect and treasure childhood, and the identity of each individual and their families.

We believe positive and meaningful relationships with the children correspond with our belief that for optimal growth and development, children need to be in an environment where they live and learn together with others. Where they are safe to explore and extend their ideas, knowledge and curiosity, with a wide range of open-ended play areas to choose from.

We believe that children need multiple ways to build a solid identity and connections with those around them, while maintaining connections with home.

We believe that a child's emotional intelligence is essential to academic learning.

Putting our Philosophy into practise - our goals

For Staff

To acknowledge the uniqueness and potential of each child.
To provide a warm and secure environment, which is responsive to children's needs and interests and encourages children to contribute, respects their dignity, sense of self and initiative.
To recognise the vulnerability of young children and always support them in their growth.
To plan and implement children's programs that are developmentally appropriate and responsive to individual needs by enhancing their competence and self-esteem.
To respect the rights of children, promote active decision making, encourage problem solving and independence.
To ensure that every child is allowed the same rights and opportunities, regardless of gender, race, religion, ability or culture.
For staff to respect family privacy and maintain confidentiality.
For staff to provide an atmosphere which allow families to develop a sense of belonging and feel secure and confident about leaving their child.
To hold regular staff meetings, open discussions and informal staff communications so that all sections of the staff interact freely and as a team.
To air grievance through the appropriate channels to deal with them in a constructive manner in order to achieve the required outcomes.

For families

To be aware of the centre vision, philosophy and objectives and help implement these for the children.
To place the needs of the children as the priority at all times.
To maintain regular communication with caregivers and exchange information regarding their children's health, needs, interests and welfare.
To contribute to programs in the centre in whatever way possible.
To be aware of parents importance as role models and ensuring that their language, behaviour, attitudes and values are appropriate for the children in all interactions with children, parents and other staff at the centre.
To develop a sense of community within the centre and maintain an atmosphere in which all children, parents and staff feel accepted and valued.
To air grievances through the appropriate channels and deal with them in a constructive manner in order to achieve required outcome.

Gems Room (0-2yrs) 10 children: 2 carers

In a good program, caregivers are aware of the important skills infants and toddlers are acquiring. They recognise and delight in these skills when they occur. The caregivers in the gems room provide many opportunities for the individual child to use these skills when the child is ready. Our program respects and understands parents and is sensitive to family beliefs and values. We recognise the need for a true partnership with parents and are responsive to individual needs. Our aim is to provide a place that is warm, safe and aesthetically pleasing; a place that children feel supported and cared for - a home away from home environment.

Opals Room (2-3yrs) 19 children: 4 carers

We believe in children's rights, encouraging independence, exploration and guiding children in a nurturing environment. We believe in catering for the needs of both the child and the parents. We encourage toilet readiness and believe in giving children choices and a variety of experiences that stimulate children's growth and development. We have indoor, outdoor play and allow children to move from indoor to outdoor play at their will.

Dynamites Room (3-4yrs) 20 children: 2 carers

We believe every child has the right to be treated as an individual, with respect and equality within an understanding, caring, nurturing and safe environment. We believe the children's environment should foster all areas of learning by providing age or stage appropriate experiences to enable children to freely explore, express feelings and creativity, make their own choices, be listened to and interact with other children and adults. We aim to provide this by caring for the children within their own capabilities, providing planned experiences to meet their unique needs, showing patience and understanding, providing appropriate limits, positive reinforcement and being a positive role model.

We believe and respect that all parents have the right to their individual ideas and wishes regarding the care of their child/ren. We aim to show this respect through listening, support, providing the individual care needed, ensuring the continuity of care and regular communication with parents.

Pioneers Room (4-5yrs) 14 children: 1-2 carers

The pioneer room caters for the 4 to 5 age group. We have a room that is warm and inviting, yet exciting. All areas of development are covered within the room by setting up learning/play centres, these include:

Creative art centre
Writing centre
Construction
Imaginative play
Dramatic play
Exploration centre
Book nook

Children have the opportunity to play in the indoor and outdoor environments, which cater to their needs.

Chef

The menu is planned based on individual dietary, allergy or religious needs. The menu is continually revised to best suit the children and their cultures. We have a nutrition policy to ensure all food and drink consumed at the centre is nutritional and provides 50-75% of a childs Daily Recommended Nutritional Requirements. Morning tea may include a selection of breads, yoghurts, cereals and fruit. A two-course lunch is provided, either soup and a warm main meal or a main meal with hot or cold desert. Wholemeal bread and water is served with the lunchtime meal. Afternoon tea features a selection of fresh and dried fruit, cheese, vegetable sticks, bread, biscuits or health cakes. Milk and water is served with both morning and afternoon tea. Cold water is available throughout the entire day for children.

Start Right, Eat Right

In 2006, the Centre achieved competence in the "Start Right, Eat Right" program, a partnering program to Kids - 'Go for your life' an initiative funded by the Department of Human Service.

The aim of the program was to devise nutritious menus that provide 50% of children's recommended daily intake, development of a comprehensive nutrition policy and to ensure that the mealtime environment within the Centre helps to promote healthy eating habits for children.

In total there are 65 Centre's across the State that holds the Start Right Eat Right award (correct as of July 2006). We are proud to be one of those.

Kids - 'Go for your life'

The Centre and Family Day Care Scheme are participants in the Kids - 'Go for your life' program within the Central Goldfields Shire region. The program is dedicated to helping communities improve the health of Victorian children aged 0-12 years. Working together we can help Victorian children develop healthy habits for life and lay the foundations for good health from childhood into adulthood. We are continually in contact with the facilitator of the program to ensure we are meeting the criteria awards.

National Child Care Accreditation Council (NCAC)

The Centre is accredited by the National Child Care Accreditation Council. Accreditation is a process for quality improvement which all Long Day Care Centre's in Australia must participate in in order to receive Child Care Benefit. The Centre is continuously working towards providing high quality care according to the 7 Quality Areas and 33 Principles as defined by NCAC.

Family Day Care

Family Day Care provides quality care for children up to 12 years of age in registered care provider?s homes. Our network of approved Family Day Carers is organised and supported by a professional coordination team.

Each Friday throughout the school terms, the Director and Fieldworker run a playgroup for carers and their children to attend. This is a great opportunity for all staff, children and carers to network, enjoy a chat and some great activities.

Family Day Care provides:

a safe, secure and stimulating home environment for your children, with care being provided for small groups of children in the Carers home.
the opportunity for you and your children to develop a close relationship with your carer.
the support of the coordination unit ensures that Carers are resourced, trained and up-to-date with current child care practises.
hours of care that are flexible and can be matched to your family's needs.

Family Day Care may be available on weekends and overnight if needed.

Types of care provided include:

Full-time care
Part-time care
Casual care
Care for children of shift workers
Before/after school care

National Standards

Commonwealth and State/Territory Governments jointly developed Australian National Standards for Family Day Care. These standards set out the minimum requirements that assist in ensuring a safe, nurturing and developmental child care environment. Central Goldfields Shire Family Day Care Scheme has adopted these standards.

Quality Assurance

The national Family Day Care Quality Assurance (FDCQA) system ensures that all Family Day Care services meet quality standards beyond the minimum requirements. All services providing Family Day Care are required to participate in the system.

Children may be involved in a full range of activities including arts and crafts, stories, outdoor activities and games. The Central Goldfields Shire Coordination Unit monitors, supports and trains carers.

Contact:
Goldfields Children's Centre
Phone: 03 5461 5047
Fax: 03 5461 5048
E-mail: goldfields.cc@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au