| Monash home | About Monash | Faculties | Campuses | Contact Monash |
| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
| Monash home | About Monash | Faculties | Campuses | Contact Monash |
| Staff directory | A-Z index | Site map |
MUSHP PoliciesPolicies
ALLOWABLE ABSENCESAccording to the Department of Family & Community Services Child Care Service Handbook (2004), Child Care Benefit is paid for up to 30 allowable absence days for each child per financial year across all approved child care services, and can be taken for any reason. Families will be notified of the number of allowable absence days each of their children have taken from care at the Monash University School Holiday Program. Families who receive CCB as a fee reducation at more than one approved child care service must inform your service when they have used their 30 allowable absence days for each child. APPROVED ABSENCE DAYSChild Care Benefit is also payable for absences taken including some of the following reasons:
Absence days taken for the above reasons are called approved absence days. There is no limit on the number of approved absence days a child's family may claim providing they are taken for the specific reasons. Once a child has reached 30 allowable absence days, Child Care Benefit is not paid for any further absences, unless the absences are taken for an approved absence day reason. A family may still take absences that exceed 30 allowable absence days and are not for an approved absence day reason, but CCB will not be paid. Sick days Child Care Benefit is payable for absence days where a child, parent or sibling is ill. A medical certificate is required to support the claim for CCB. These absences do not count towards the 30 allowable absence days. Absences due to sickness, which are not supported by a medical certificate, do count towards the 30 allowable absence days. For further information concerning other reasons for absence as well as an overview of the Department of Family & Community Services policy of Child Care Benefit and allowable absences, visit the Department's website: http://www.facs.gov.au/childcare/handbook2004-05/part2/chapter12/12.htm Parents have a responsibility to ensure that: • Written notification of allowable absences is provided by the service. • Parents also need to inform the service if the child enrolled attends any other Before, After or Vacation Care service as each child is only entitled to 30 allowable absence days across all services attended. Parents will be informed when an allowable absence is being claimed on their behalf by the Monash University School Holiday Program. If your child is sick, University staff members are eligible for Family Leave to care for sick children (Staff Handbook) 4 year olds (starting Primary school) and enrolling in the Holidy Program.The Program can accept enrolments from families with 4 year old children who are enrolled and attending Primary school at the commencement of the school year. There are limited places for 4 year olds and a priority of access for Monash University families exists. 12 year olds (starting Secondary school) and enrolling in the Holiday Program.The Program is able to accept enrolments for January only; of the year the child/ren commence/s Secondary school, where children have already used the program and/or have siblings in the program. Late FinesFines will apply when parents are late in collecting their children. Finishing time in the Program is 5:30PM sharp. If a parent is late collecting their child, contact must be made to notify staff. A late fee must be paid to the staff who will collect the money and write a receipt. If the parent does not have the amount with them, it must be paid to the office within three working days of receiving the fine. If payment is not received within this time and no other arrangements have been agreed to by the Head of Department, then the child cannot be signed into the program. Monies received will be used to pay staff overtime and purchase Holiday Program supplies. Fines will be as follows:
Behaviour ManagementOne of the aims of the Monash University School Holiday Program is to create an environment that cares for and promotes the childrens wellbeing, their involvement and participation, personal responsibility, respect for others and co-operation. The Holiday Program behaviour management policy sets out standards and expectations promoting appropriate behaviour with a focus on teaching self control, responsibility and respect, including a childs understanding of the consequences of their behaviour. Program staff are trained to provide clear, age appropriate expectations for the childrens social behaviour, by giving positive direction, support and encouragement to involve children in the program activities. To help facilitate this aim, consequences and behavioural guidelines will be determined in conjunction with staff and children on the first day of the Program. These rules will be restated to new participants as they enter the Program. It is important that consequences of behaviour are also discussed at the first meeting with children. If children are unable to follow the rules that were agreed to, staff are encourage to use the following guidelines to assist in setting clear expectations concerning the childs behaviour:
In devising the rules, the consequences for breaking them will also be agreed to. It is essential that sanctions be presented to children an atmosphere of mutual respect so that the child will feel positive motivation to choose more acceptable behaviour in the future. These consequences may include:
Incidences involving unacceptable behaviour will be recorded in the incident book and will be discussed with the parent by the group leader. Each report requires both the staff's signature and the parent's signature. After three reports in any one program, a child's participation is reviewed in consultation with parents, and could result in a child not permitted entry into the Program. In more serious breaches involving physical harm to another child or staff member, abusive language and behaviour, parents will be contacted by either the Program Co-ordinator or the Head of Family and Child Care to determine the appropriate course of action. Sign In & OutSign In Each time your child attends the Holiday Program they are required to be signed in. You are required to note the time and sign beside your child's name. Sign Out Each time your child attends the Holiday Program they are required to be signed out, recording the time and signature next to your child's name. Lunchtime ~ Sign in - sign out As the School Holiday Program is an employer sponsored service, parents have the benefit of collecting their children for lunch. This has proved to be an invaluable experience for children in having contact with parents during their lunchbreak. If parents choose to do this, they must sign in and out on the lunchtime form. It is worthwhile checking with staff to confirm the group's activities as to where the group will be at the end of the lunchtime period. Lunchtime is used as an opportunity for children to rest (green group) and participate in general activities, and is used a free time session for children to work on their art and craft or general play. Infectious DiseasesIn order to minimise the spread of infection, children suffering from certain infections are excluded from care. Parents need to be aware that the School Holiday Program does not have the facilities or staff to care for sick children. Leaving an unwell child in Holdiay Program may cause additional stress for your child. The School Holiday Program follows the National Health and Medical Research Council's current "infectious diseases of children" guidelines, which identifies infectious diseases and exclusion times for children in care. Some common illnesses which may prevent your child from access to the School Holiday Program:
Parents are responsible for informing the Program Co-ordinator immediately an infectious condition has been discovered in their family. This is important to minimise the risk of the spread of illness. A medical clearance, including doctors certificate and presented to the Program Co-ordinator, is required prior to your child returning to care. Medication & Asthma ManagementIf your child is taking medication, this needs to be discussed with the Program Co-ordinator prior to your child attending as a medication administering form will need to be completed. If your child is taking a regular medication for asthma, diabetes, or any other medical conditions, this will need to be discussed with the Program Co-ordinator to ensure the correct procedures are followed for the administration of medication. All medications need to be signed in each day. A medication booklet is provided for each group, and parents are asked to discuss their child's need with their group leader at the time of signing their children in for care. In the case of medication for asthma, an Asthma Management form must be completed and given at the time of enrolment. If your child does not have an Asthma Management form, the enrolment will not be processed. Nut Free ProgramMUSHP is a NUT FREE program, please ensure your child does not bring any nuts or nut based products to the program, this includes nuts, peanut butter, nutella and chocolate bars containing nuts. Additional NeedsChildren with additional needs are welcome at the Monash University School Holiday Program. To assist staff with your child's care, we request that in addition to the information provided on your child's enrolment form, that parents make contact with the Program Co-ordinator and Head, Family and Child Care Services, (03) 9905-3156, to discuss your child's needs. |