Policies

 

Emergency Procedures and Rehearsals

In case a fire happens at my home, I will be creating an emergency bag which has a large water bottle, plastic cups, biscuits, children’s book, colouring book and colouring in pencils, a set of gate keys for the backyard, box of tissues, disposable change mat, nappies, torch, wipes and gloves and a first aid kit inside it. Have a rope attached to the side of the bag as well.

If children are moving around the house I will be taking this bag with me as well even when we are going outside. if we are going outside the children's drink bottles are going to be taken with them. Sun cream, gloves, tissues and a bin area will already set up outside for the children.

Steps to take in an event of an emergency

Blow a whistle to let the children know an emergency has occurred (teach them about this)

Grab the emergency bag and phone (always be close at all times)​

1. Carry younger children

2. Give the rope to other children to hold on to

3. Walk to the safest exit point of the house (from the 3 available)

4. Walk children away from the house to a safe point

5. Call emergency services

6. Inform parents of this incident

7. Distract and keep children occupied and safe until emergency services say it’s clear to go inside or parents return to pick up their children.  

 

Personal Emergency

In the event of a personal emergency, such as if I become unwell or a family member requires urgent care, I may need to leave the day care immediately. In such cases, I will first contact my relief staff to cover the session if they are available. If relief staff are unavailable, parents will be notified promptly, and they may need to come and pick up their children. The wellbeing of the children is our highest priority, and all necessary steps will be taken to maintain a safe and supportive environment during any unforeseen circumstances.

 

Dealing with Parent Complaints

If a parent has a concern or complaint, I will listen carefully and respond clearly and calmly where possible. If more time is needed, a meeting will be arranged with the parent/guardian to work together on a solution that supports both the family and the daycare. If the matter cannot be resolved after these steps, families may contact Step-by-Step for further guidance, and I will also seek advice from Step-by-Step. Termination of care is considered only as a last resort, and only if all other avenues have been exhausted.

 

Excursions

Children will be taken on excursions as part of their learning and play experiences. A relief educator will attend at all times unless only two children are present. Parents will need to provide appropriate car seats for their child, and they will be notified a few days in advance for each outing. For ongoing excursions, such as visits to the local park, library, or shopping centre, parents can provide consent once for the year. Other excursions will always be communicated in advance with specific permission requested.

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TV and Media

The TV in our home is used primarily during meal preparation or for occasional educational videos and activities. On special occasions, such as birthdays or as a reward, children may enjoy a short, age-appropriate movie. Parent permission is always sought for these activities, and TV or media use is kept very occasional to support a healthy and balanced routine.  

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Animals and Pets

There are no animals or pets in our home. In the future, if there are plans to bring an animal into the day care, families will be notified before any decision is made. This policy excludes fish in aquariums, which are considered low-risk and safe for the environment.

 

Sun Protection

Before going outdoors, the UV level will be checked, and children will be dressed in appropriate clothing that covers their shoulders, including shoes, hats, and sunscreen. Parents are asked to provide hats, clothing with sleeves, and any sunscreen suitable for their child, especially in cases of allergies or sensitive skin. Sunscreen suitable for all children is also available at the daycare to ensure their safety. Sun protection is an important part of our daily routine to keep children safe while enjoying outdoor activities.

 

Program

A flexible daily routine is created each week and displayed at the entrance in the sign-in/out area for families to view. Each day, children engage in outdoor physical activities, weather permitting, as well as art and learning experiences focused on topics such as animals, plants, literacy, and numeracy. Children are encouraged to develop self-help skills daily, including putting on and taking off their own shoes and clothes, making their beds, and serving themselves at meal times. Additional hands-on experiences, such as cooking and gardening, are included on some days to support practical learning and skill development.

 

Open door

Families are always welcome to visit the daycare during regular hours. For the safety of the children, the front door remains locked; however, simply knock, and I will check through the peephole and promptly let you in after confirming your identity. We value open communication and encourage families to feel comfortable visiting at any time.

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Enrolment and Fees​

Before care can commence, families are required to complete an online enrolment form. This enrolment must be finalised prior to your child’s first day of care. In addition to the online enrolment, there will be one or two permission slips and two “About Me” information forms to complete. These documents may be completed after care has commenced; however, they must be finalised early on to ensure we can provide the best possible care for your child.

 

Families are required to keep the service informed of any changes to contact details, including address or phone number, to ensure you can be reached if required.

 

The fee is $120 per day, inclusive of the $1.80 per hour parent levy charged by Step by Step. Payments are processed through Step by Step Childcare Scheme via an email payment link or direct debit every fortnight.

 

Failure to pay fees may result in termination of care.

• If your child is absent due to sickness or family holidays, the normal daily fee of $120 per day is still due.

• If your child’s permanent booked day falls on a public holiday, the service will be closed and the normal daily fee of $120 per day is still due.

• If the day care educator is absent due to sick or annual leave, a relief staff member will be organised, and daycare will operate as normal.

• Parents will be notified in advance of educator leave wherever possible. In the event of sudden illness, notification will be provided as soon as practicable.

• If a relief educator cannot be secured and the day care must close, no fees will be charged for that day.

 

If you are planning a vacation, please provide notice in advance. By paying your regular day care fees, you are holding your child’s place. These rules apply to both full-time and part-time children. All payments are made directly to Step by Step Childcare Scheme, who will manage payments and transfers accordingly.

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Holiday Closure Policy​​

Mayz Care Day Care closes for a two-week period each year over Christmas and New Year, covering the week of Christmas and the week of New Year.

 

Policy Details

• No fees are charged for days the service is closed during this holiday period.

• Public holidays that fall within this period are charged at the normal daily rate, as they are counted as absent days under Child Care Subsidy guidelines.

• Closure dates may vary slightly each year, however they will always fall within this two-week Christmas and New Year period.

• Families will be notified in advance of the exact closure dates each year.

 

Example Closure Period For 2025, the service will be closed from Monday 22 December to Friday 2 January, reopening on Monday 5 January.

 

This policy applies to all enrolled children, including full-time and part-time bookings.

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Immunisation and Birth Certificates

A copy of your child’s up to date immunisation record and birth certificates will need to be provided before enrolment can take place.

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Hygiene

To ensure a healthy and safe environment for all children, we ask that children arrive each day clean and well-groomed, with fresh clothing and diapers as needed. We also encourage parents to keep children’s fingernails trimmed to help prevent accidental scratches. Maintaining good personal hygiene supports the wellbeing of every child in our care.

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Meals

I provide nutritious and balanced meals and snacks for the children, including breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea, and a late snack. Drinks provided are water or milk; no juice or soft drinks are offered. Meals and drinks are included in the weekly fees, with the exception of infant formula or specific types of baby food, which parents will need to supply if required. Fresh baby food will be puréed on-site as needed.

 

If your child follows a specific diet, parents are asked to provide meals as appropriate. A four-week rotating menu is used one for summer and one for winter but menus are flexible and may be modified based on the children’s preferences, interests, and needs.

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Sickness Policy

For the health and safety of all children, please do not bring your child to the day care if they are unwell. Use your best judgment - if your child is too sick to participate in normal activities or be around other children, they should stay home. Please notify me by call or text by 7:00 AM if your child will not be attending that day.

 

If your child has a contagious illness, they may not attend day care until they have been cleared by a doctor and are no longer contagious, usually 24 hours after starting antibiotic treatment or 24 hours after symptoms have subsided, depending on the illness. If your child is unwell over a weekend or while away from day care, please inform me so I can monitor potential exposure to other children. If your child becomes unwell while at day care, including a fever of 38°C or higher, I will contact you immediately to arrange for pickup. Children must be collected as soon as possible, ideally within one hour. In the event that immediate pickup is not possible, Panadol can be administered if a parent permission form has been completed in advance; however, the child must still be picked up as soon as possible.

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Potty Training

I will work alongside families to support each child’s potty training journey. Assistance at daycare will begin once training has been started at home and when the child shows signs of readiness. I believe that children should only go through potty training when they are truly ready, as pushing a child too early can make the process more challenging. Together, we will create a consistent and supportive approach that encourages independence and success.

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House Rules

I ask the children:  

• Do not hit, push, bite, spit, kick, scratch or pinch each other.

• No name calling, teasing, bullying or using bad words.

• No mistreatment of the day care items or furniture.

 

These will be communicated and chatted about in group discussions with the children. 

 

End of Care

Termination of care requires two weeks’ written notice from families. The day care provider may also terminate care if fees are not paid. If your family is experiencing financial hardship, please speak with me so we can discuss a suitable payment plan or explore possible government assistance options. Our goal is to work together to support families while ensuring the smooth operation of the day care.

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