About Horsley Kids - Early Childhood Centre

• Purpose built childcare centre situated on 2.5 acres
  
  
• 4 classrooms, 3 separate age appropriate playgrounds with fixed play equipment, sandpits and softfall on all external pavements
  
  
• Air conditioning throughout the building and security doors with parent passes upon entrance to the centre
  
  
  

PHILOSOPHY AND GUIDELINES

The program developed at Horsley Kids is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach of "Early Childhood Learning" that 'play' is essential for children to learn.

We believe that through 'play' activities children will develop the skills to become self-confident, self-motivated and self- disciplined.

The best learning experiences happen when children choose what they want to do. This is called ''self- directed play"'.

• Horsley Kids will provide programs that will foster personal and social development, gross motor and physical development, cognitive and memory skills, fine motor and coordination skills, creative and imaginative skills, language and intellectual development.
  
  
• The curriculum will appreciate and reflect the interests, uniqueness and developmental needs of all the children in the centre.
  
  
• Children will have the opportunity to grow at their own pace and develop a respect for others in a tolerant and non-sexist environment. Each classrooms goal is to enhance and engage children in 'high level thinking'. Through exposure to a variety of media and expressive materials children are free to choose, explore, observe, create and learn in a literacy rich environment.
  
  
• We will respect each child's cultural heritage and values by including a multicultural and non bias curriculum, which presents all children with a wide variety of learning experiences.
  
  
• With an Inquiry-based curriculum, all children are exposed to a variety of learning experiences:
  • Reading and writing activities
  • Science and mathematic based activities
  • Cooking experiences
  • Dramatic play, music, dancing and singing
  • Drawing and painting, art and craft
  • Gross motor and outdoor play
  • Building and construction activities
  • Gardening and nature walks
  • Water, sand & clay 'play' activities
  • Sculpture making
    
    

"Each child is unique and the protagonist of his or her own growth. Children desire to acquire knowledge, have much capacity for curiosity and amazement, and yearn to create relationships with others and communicate."

Malaguzzi 1996

STAFFING

The staff at Horsley Kids are our biggest asset. The Centre has employed staff with a wide range of qualifications, experience and expertise.

All staff access current information and resources on Early Childhood Education by attending training and development courses and conferences and hold current First Aid Certificates.

Staff members work closely with parents, providing care that meets the needs of the children, parents and local community.

To comply with the Child Protection (Prohibited Employment) Act 1998 and the Commission for Children and Young People Act 1998, all full and part time employees of the Centre undergo a Working with Children check.

RATIOS

• Non-teaching Director to provide staff support and on going communication with parents.
  
  
• All staffing ratios meet the licensing requirements from the Department of Community Services (DOCS).
  
  
• Above staff child ratio
  • 0-2 years old 1:4 (government regulations enforce a 1:5 ratio)
  • 2-3 years old 1:8
  • 3-5 years old 1:8.3 (government regulations enforce a 1:10 ratio)

Please Note: Currently government regulations state that the required staff to child ratio for children 0-2 years is 1:5 and in the instance of children 3-5 years a 1:10 ratio is required. At Horsley Kids Early Childhood Centre we have lowered the ratio to 1:4 for the 0-2 year age group and to 1:8.3 for children in the 3-5 year age group to provide supervision and quality care for each and every child.

For further information, please click on the link below:

LICENSING & OPERATIONAL FRAMEWORKS

All childcare centre's must be licensed by the Department of Community Services (DOCS) standard following the Centre Based and Mobile Child Care Service Regulations 2004. Our policies and procedures incorporate The Department of Community Services (DOCS) Regulations 2004, National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) & Principles of Occupational Health and Safety.

ACCREDITATION

'The Quality Improvement and Accreditation System' (QIAS) and its seven (7) 'Quality Areas' is a Commonwealth Government initiative, administered by the National Childcare and Accreditation Council (NCAC), to improve the quality of childcare services.

All childcare services go through the accreditation process to achieve a rating of Satisfactory, Good or High Quality to help parents choose quality childcare for their children.

We have incorporated many principles of high quality childcare into our centre operations, policies and procedures to ensure we are always providing you with the highest quality care and education programs. (For more information see accreditation policy).

 

'Horsley Kids Early Childhood Centre is very proud to announce that in our first accreditation in 2006, we achieved high distinctions in all seven 'Quality Areas'. The assessor claimed that no other new centre had achieved this result in all her years of assessing childcare centres. We proudly display this notice in all our classrooms for all to see.'

THE KITCHEN AND MEAL TIMES

The choice of having an on-site kitchen at Horsley Kids is another positive characteristic of the centre. The qualified and experienced kitchen staff will prepare nutritious daily meals following the balanced dietary guidelines.

A registered dietician has assessed the weekly menu plans. The kitchen staff are available to discuss menus, suggestions and recipes. Displayed in all classrooms is a copy of the current menu. The centre will provide 5 nutritious and tasty meals throughout the day. All menus will follow the Balanced Dietary Guidelines and have bee approved by a certified dietitian. We will provide organic foods in all planned nutritional meals such as chemical free chicken and fresh seasonal vegetables. All meats are minced onsite using only quality meats. All meals are freshly prepared daily by our fully qualified commercial chef. All notified food allergies and intolerances will be considered by staff in meal preparation.

Meals provided:

1. Breakfast
2. Morning tea
3. Lunch and dessert
4. Afternoon tea
5. Light supper