BabiesInformation Booklet

2017Teachers:

Miss Steph PevinskyMiss Jyoti Poudel Miss Maddy Kann

Babies Welcoming LetterWelcome to all of our families to the babies room. Some of you have been here for a little time now while some of you will be new to the service. We are excited to be sharing in your babies first years and we look forward to experiencing in your babies wonder as they begin to develop a sense of who they are as they make their way through their first developmental milestones. Our Aim is to provide a warm and nurturing environment in which your baby can learn and develop and also allow them to feel safe

and secure during their time with us. Our goal is to form strong communication bonds with not only your pride and joy but also with you

as their parents. We ask that you provide for us as much information about your babies routines and favourite things so that we can provide

the best possible care for your little one during their day.

Staff for 2017Lead Educator –

Miss Steph (Mon-Fri)

Educators –

Miss Jyoti (Tues-Fri)

Miss Maddy (Mon), Babies/Toddler Float (Tues-Fri)

A little about babies room staff

Miss Steph:

I’m Miss Steph and here is a little bit about myself. I have been working in childcare for 5 years, in this time I have worked at two other centres and I have been apart of the Allies family for 3 of those years. I am not from Queensland originally I am from Coffs Harbour (NSW), which is where I grew up, and did majority of my schooling. The two things I am very passionate about is family that includes my boyfriend Josh his little boy Theo and our puppy Koda they are my world and I adore all of them and of course travel. This year will mark my second year in the babies room as groupleader and this would have to be one of my favourite age groups to work with, as the bonds we create with the babies throughout their first year of life is so rewarding.

Miss Jyoti

Hello, my name is Jyoti. I hold a diploma in children service and have been working in childcare for 7 years. I have been with Allies for 2.5 years. I am returning to work after having my baby girl who is now almost 5 months old and will be also attending babies room for 2 days. I love helping and watching children learn and grow. I look forward to getting to know all the children and families and creating a loving, happy and fun environment for your little ones to help them learn and grow.

Miss Maddy

My name is Maddy and I have been at Allies since January 2014. I had a shorty break to have my daughter in February 2016. Since being back I have been covering Rostered days off, however I am looking forward to returning to the babies/ toddlers end of the centre. I cant wait to see you the new and familiar faces

General Comments

Our Aim is to appropriately plan for each individual child and to maintain written records, observations and stories and keep these all together in a special portfolio belonging to your baby. From these we establish individual goals and plan activities that will best support your babies play and growth.

Observations and learning stories are just one of our methods of gathering information about your baby. We strongly encourage you to share information with us as no-one knows you’re a baby better then you do. By having a child based program we ensure that our program is relevant to them and meets their individual needs. We then evaluate how they performed in the activities and where necessary will follow up with extension activities. Each day we observe the babies through play and record behaviours. This is then recorded in their portfolio which is readily available for you to read at any time. We encourage you to add to their portfolios especially if anything exciting happens at home eg: having a holiday, special visitors or just some special moments.

Remember we are always here for you and for your baby so please do not hesitate to talk to us about any problems or comments you may be having. We look forward to working with you and your baby.

“The Playwork Approach”

In 2016 Allies embarked on a journey into playwork.

“Playwork is the work of creating and maintaining spaces full of possibilities for children to play. The theory and practice of playwork recognises that children’s play should be freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated. Playworkers understand children's play must not be 'adulterated' by any adult or external agendas to purposely redirect, encourage or plan for children’s play in order to achieve specific learning outcomes.” – Malarkey Playwork.We attended in-depth professional development to assist us in enabling your children the opportunity to truly play. We regularly call for donations of old/used/unwanted items as well as natural materials to support our program. Loose parts are an essential component of the playwork philosophy. Open-ended and real materials such as fabric, wood, boxes, pipes or shells are made freely available for the children to access whenever their need arises.

The Theory of Loose Parts: The idea that loose parts, materials which can be moved around, designed and redesigned, and tinkered with; create infinitely more opportunities for creative engagement than static materials and environments. Basically, the more materials there are the more people can interact." - Simon Nicholson, Architect.

Daily Requirements – Please Name All Items

a Hat (clearly labelled which we can assist with, this hat can be one that your baby would have received upon accepting their place)

Cot sheet set (clearly labelled) pillow is optional, blanket for cooler months and all items placed into a drawstring bag or pillowcase – these will be sent home each week for cleaning

Comforters that your baby may need for sleeping Nappies for each day – the number required will depend on how

long your baby is in our care. It is always best to have too many rather than not enough. You are welcome to bring along a box of nappies for you baby and then once this becomes low we can advise you of this so that you can replace them (nappy changes happen on a regular basis during the day)

At least 3 changes of spare clothes however more would be greatly appreciated as accidents do occur and we do enjoy water play in the warmer months.

Enough food for 3 main meals (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea). These are to be placed in your babies food basket in the fridge (please ensure your babies name is on all items) Please provide some snacks as well especially if your baby is collected later in the afternoon

Babies bottle with the amount written down, If you wish this bottle can be taken home each day or it can stay here as we wash and sterilise them after each use

Formula – you can either supply enough serves for the day or alternatively you can bring in a labelled tin which you can leave here and we can let you know when it begins to get low so that you can replace it. Please write to amount of water and scoops on top please

Water bottle or sipper cups (clearly labelled)

What to bring for the semester or double for the year

A large box of tissues Sunscreen – not the roll on type as we share sunscreen with the

babies (please let us know if your baby can only use a particular type and this will only be used for your baby)

A large packet of baby wipes – once again these are utilized for all babies (please let us know if your baby can only use a particular brand)

A plant in a pot A framed family photo

We will let you know when these items need to be replaced

Please remember to fill in the daily routine form in your babies enrolment pack and bring this along with you on their first day. This will help us to settle your baby in a relaxed and secure manner.

What you need to do when drop you little one off for the day

Put bag away in the locker Put cold food or dry food in the fridge or baskets (if nappies daily nappies in the nappy baskets)

Sign in If we are outside please put sunscreen on and their hat on

Thank you very much

The end of your week

Please take home your sheets hat and water bottle to be washed and brought back at the start of your new week

SIDS

At Allies we follow the SIDS guild lines to ensure the best care is provided for your babies. In the SIDS guidelines it states that children are to be placed in their cots on their backs (not tummy, or side) and no comforters or heavy blankets are to be left in the cot while the children are sleeping. If your child does so happen to sleep with a comforter or on their tummy

or side the staff will work closely with you to work out the best strategy that works for you and meets the policies and procedures of the centre

Signing In and Out

On top of the lockers is a folder which must be signed each time you drop off and collect your baby at the centre. This is so that you are able to receive your Child Care Benefit and is also a government requirement. This register is very important and allows you to claim your Child Care Assistance Benefits. If your baby is away then you will need to sign that on the next time your child attends. If these sheets are not signed correctly it may result in you getting charged the full fees for that day. Note: if your child isn’t signed in for the day the staff will sign your child in by initialling the day and the time your child arrived this will be the same if your child isn’t signed out for the day also. Staff will mark with a highlighter to indicate if you have missed a sing in or sing out.

Calendar

You will find a calendar located on the wall next to the door in the babies room there you will find any upcoming birthdays, events, staff days off and rdo’s etc.

Incident Forms

If your baby has an accident or injures themselves throughout the day an accident form will be completed by staff. This form details information about the incident and any action that was taken. This needs to be signed by you when you come in to pick up your baby.

Medication Forms

This area is covered by strict family services guidelines!

NO medication can be administered unless these guidelines are followed. Medication forms are located on the front counter in the foyer and need to be completed and staff notified. Medication needs to be placed in either the staff kitchen fridge or in the medication cupboard in the kitchen (above the range hood). Panadol for temperatures can be given if parents have signed the back of their child’s enrolment form and we will contact you to advise you that we will be giving Panadol. This is a once only dosage and parents will be notified prior to dosage being administered. Please refer to our Medication Policy for further information.

Sick Days

When your child is sick or not feeling well it is always best to keep them home as they will only spread the germs and make everyone feel sick.

Please notify the centre if your child will not be attending as it is advisable to obtain a medical certificate to assist in keeping absences at a minimum.

Make-Up Days

If you are after a specific day for a make-up day please notify the centre Director. If there is no day available we can write you in and let you know as soon as that day becomes available.

Birthdays

Birthdays are very important days so we like to celebrate with them. Parents are encouraged to bring along a cake or something of their choice for the class to share for this special occasion. We take plenty of photos and write a special story that will go into your babies portfolio.

Portfolios

Every baby is given their own special portfolio. This is a display folder which will record your babies days in our baby room. We follow the Early Years Learning Framework curriculum (EYLF) and these links will be listed on the stories.

Parent Hub (Facebook)

We have a closed Facebook page for parents called ‘Allies Parent Hub’ where each room post photos, stories and notices for the day/week

Daily Communications

To communicate the food/ sleep/ toileting of your child we have communal charts to refer to. The meal chart is located in the kitchen which will indicate what your child has eaten throughout the day and also then times and amount drank of any bottles your child has had throughout the day also. The Nappy chart is located next to nappy change mat in the bathroom and the sleep chart is located on the cot room door. Most of the information on these charts are communicated verbally from the staff to the parents.

Early Mornings (Hats and sunscreen)

In the mornings the babies begin their day out the back with the older children. If you arrive before 8am we ask that you bring your child out the back with sunscreen and a hat on (which are located in the babies room) thankyou

Saying Farwell

It is important to allow yourself a little extra time in the morning when you come in to drop you baby off so that you can ensure that they settle in. We find that if you are in a hurry your baby may pick up on this and thus become anxious and clingy. We encourage you to develop a special routine that promotes security and thus enabling your baby to settle easily and understand the motions of your routine eg: put bag away, put lunch box away, say to your baby – Bye bye, mummy will see you soon or you will be back after they have had a sleep. If your baby is upset during separation time tell them that you love them and that you will be back later too pick them up. Babies will then pick up a sense of predictability and security if you come back at the time that you have stated. We discourage you to sneak out or disappear as this only builds mistrust and your baby will become clingier and less reluctant to let you out of their sight even at home. If you say you are going then don’t come back in, your baby needs to know that you are leaving and will be back. The only way to build your child’s trust is to have repeated experiences of separation and reunion which follow a predictable pattern. Remember we are here to help. Let us know when you are about to leave. We encourage you to ring us if you have any concerns and feel free to talk to us at any time, our door is ALWAYS open. Finally we look forward to caring for your baby and working together with you to ensure you baby’s time in the baby room is fun, playful and full of exciting new adventures.

Thank you Miss Steph, Miss Jyoti and Miss Maddy