Carrum Downs Early Learning Centre

At Carrum Downs Early Learning Centre we pride ourselves on the quality and experience of our educators, and the warm and secure environment provided for children in our care. Goals Our goal is to provide the highest quality care - to create stimulating, positive experiences and interactions that will foster all aspects of early childhood development. We believe that each child is a unique person with their own interests and potential. In the early years, children learn through participation in play, role modeling and imitation. We aim to extend a child’s inquisitive nature by providing an inviting engaging environment with a happy, safe and warm atmosphere. By fostering social, cognitive, creative and physical development with emotional security, we envisage developing a strong sense of self worth and to groom each child for their school years. Carrum Downs Early Learning Centre is privately owned and operated by Russrobin Pty Ltd. The director of the centre is principally responsible for the service. The manager, has extensive experience in early childhood and operates the centre. The director, manager and educators are committed to the provision of the high quality care. As we are an accredited centre, maintenance is continual under the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority Standards. The centres are regulated by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. CDELC welcomes parent involvement in the ongoing process of improvement of the centre and their service to best meet the needs of children and families. We operate an ‘open door policy’ and invite feedback and suggestions parents may have. Hours of Operation The centre is open from 6.30am until 6:00pm Monday—Friday, 50 weeks per year. We are closed on public holidays and one week over Christmas. Staff The centre is staffed by a team of dedicated early childhood professionals. Each room is lead by a qualified team leader who is responsible for devising and implementing developmentally appropriate programs. Supportive assistants work closely with each team leader to ensure that the children are cared for in an individual manner. Professional development is a crucial part of our commitment to high standards of care. Educators participate in regular staff meetings, an annual workshop and in-service training to further enhance their knowledge and skills. Rooms 1 -Nursery For children aged 2 to 18 months Babies are cared for by a qualified team leader and two assistant educators. This is a 1:4 ratio of educator to children. The program takes into account babies individual routines and we have a separate cot room with an age appropriate outdoor environment. Educators are experienced and attentive to each child’s needs for sleep, feeding, changing and exploration of the world around them. Rooms 2– Big Babies For children aged 18 months to 2 years. There are 15 children in this group who are cared for by a diploma qualified team leader and three educators. This is a ratio of 1:4 of educators to children. The program in the Big Babies room ensures that each child’s individual needs are met as they gain confidence in their exploration of the environment. Programming includes a variety of music and movement, stories and rhymes as well as creative and sensory activities and experiences. Rooms 3 and 4—Toddler For children aged 2 to 3 years. At CDELC we have two toddler rooms each catering for up to 15 children. Each room is cared for by a diploma qualified team leader and three educators. This is a ratio of 1:4 of educators to children. Room 5– 3yo Kindergarten For children aged 3 to 4 years The three year old kinder program carters for 30 children aged 3-4 years cared for by a qualified team leader and one assistant. Our Kindergarten program focuses on both group and individual activities and relies greatly on family feedback. The program works off the children’s emerging interests and we extend topics that the children have discovered whether at home or at the centre. Our room is a great way to prepare your child for our 4 year old kindergarten Room 6—4yo Kinder Program: The 4 year old Kindergarten program caters for 30 children between the ages 4 and 5 years. We have a qualified Kindergarten teacher and Diploma Qualified Assistant. As part of the Kinder Program we run Letterland, a phonics language program designed to prepare the children for school through teaching through music and characters. At the end of each Kinder year the children will attend a graduation ceremony in which they will be presented with a certificate for completing Kindergarten. The Kinder program relies on parent involvement and participation to ensure we provide the best possible program for your child. School Readiness Program; The Kinder room also runs a ‘school readiness program’ to help prepare the children for school. This involves activities and programs the children will do at school and also involves the Kinder teacher completing a School Transition report which is sent home to all families and then passed on to the child's school. We provide support and advice to parents regarding primary schools and also hold parent teacher interviews mid year to discuss your child’s progress. Child Care Benefit/Rebate ‘Child Care Benefit’ or ‘Child Care Rebate’ is a payment from the Commonwealth Government to assist with the costs of child care. You can choose to receive your Child Care Benefit or Rebate either as a reduction from your child care fees or as a lump sum payment into your account. Carrum Downs Early Learning Centre is an approved Child Care Service Provider. For more information, please contact Family Assistance on 13 61 50. Child Care Management System The Child Care Management System (CCMS) is a national child care system that will bring all approved child care services online to the government. Each child care service will use their CCMS registered software to record child enrolment and attendance information. Services will report this data to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) via the internet to allow calculations and payment of Child Care Benefit or Rebate fee reductions on behalf of children in the centre.