The Dolphin Room - Ages Three to Five
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The Carers
Current Carers:
Jacqui and Jen
The Young Children's Room is licensed for 20 children and two carers. The current standard is 1:10 - one carer for ten children.
When required, regular relief carers are used.
Our Philosophy
Our main aim for the Young Children's Room is to create a safe, happy, welcoming and child friendly environment.
Carers will support and encourage development in all major areas of growth.
Carers will respect individual needs whilst promoting the child as a whole.
Carers will expand upon children's cues to create stimulating, learning and challenging experiences, which will embrace our multicultural community.
Carers will work as a team, have empathy with children, parents and other team members. We will promote a positive self image and be able to accept criticism constructively.
Family participation in all areas of the programme will be encouraged and welcomed.
BELONGING, BEING & BECOMING
In 2010 carers are using the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Fundamental to this framework is the view of children’s lives as characterised by belonging, being and becoming. From before birth children are connected to family, community, culture and place. Their earliest development and learning takes place through these relationships, particularly within families, who are children’s first and most influential educators. As children participate in everyday life, they develop interests and construct their own identities and understandings of the world.
Belonging: knowing where and with whom you belong.
Being: Recognises the significance of the here and now.
Becoming: Reflects the significant change that occurs in the early years.
BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT
The Dolphin Room follows the centres behaviour management policy. In addition carers implement a traffic lights behaviour guidance policy. Both policies are available to view either in the Dolphin Room or in the policy folder located in the hallway.
The principles of 1-2-3 Magic are applied.
WHAT TO WEAR
Please ensure your child brings appropriate clothing for the day's weather. During summer please keep in mind the centres sun protection policy and ensure your child/ren has their wide brimmed hat (as supplied to them by Pedder Patter), sensible footwear - which must have an ankle strap, a coat without toggles, a woollen hat. Please make sure that all items are named.
SIGNING IN AND OUT
The sign in and out sheet is located in the front entrance area. When you and your child arrive and depart, you will need to sign your name. You will also need to write in the actual time of arrival and departure in the space provided. A feedback form is located in the room where you can write in any messages for the carers as well as changes to the collection of your children. This feedback form is to ensure that all carers, including lunch cover relief receive the information relevant to the care of your child for the day.
MEDICATION
If your child requires any medication, a consent form must be filled in. The medication folder is located in your child’s room. Please ensure that the form is filled in correctly, otherwise the medication will not be administered. Please also ensure that the written instructions match that what is on the medication bottle. Medications must be stored in the medication box located in your child’s room or the kitchen fridge. If you accidently leave any medication in your child's bag, it will be removed and can be collected at the end of your child's day. The centre will not administer any herbal medications.
DAILY JOURNAL / BELONGING, BEING & BECOMING PROGRAMME
Carers fill out a daily journal every day. This provides a record of the experiences that your child has participated in during the day.
The Belonging, Being & Becoming Programme is located just opposite the entrance to the room. There is a group plan as well as the fortnightly experiences plan which coincides with the group plan. The carers plan and evaluate the programme once a fortnight. During the year, we hold a Programme Planning Night; this is your opportunity to talk to the carers about your child’s individual programme and their development. However, if you have any concerns at anytime throughout the year do not hesitate to talk to the room carers.
FAMILY AND FRIEND INVOLVEMENT
Children and carers enjoy having visits from people and animals/pets.
For the children, family involvement is related to increased positive self- esteem and an improved regard for learning and themselves as learners. We understand the needs of working parents so we also encourage involvement of grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. In 2010 we would like to involve families/friends in a parent help programme. A roster will be available in the Dolphin Room for families/friends to indicate when they are available to participate.
TOYS FROM HOME
We understand that children like to bring items from home to show. Please understand that carers are unable to keep a track of extra belongings brought in as we have many children in our care. We therefore ask that parents take some responsibility and limit items to one comfort toy only which must be named. If your child has something in particular (e.g. a birthday present) to show, it could be brought in to be shown and then when the parent leaves they could take the item with them at the time. The item is then not left at the centre to get lost or broken. We appreciate co-operation from parents on this matter.
CONTACT US
You can contact us on 03 6344 9993 during business hours, or email us at childcare@pedderpatter.org.au.