DO YOU HAVE A WAITING LIST?
Yes. Our waiting list is up to 2 years for care at our service. We have an online waiting system where reminders are sent out every month to ensure the people on our list are all actively seeking care.
DO YOU PROVIDE MEALS?
Yes. We have two on site cooks who prepares meals daily. We serve Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. You may provide breakfast and/or dinner for your child to have at the centre. The menu is written a month at a time and is always full of fresh and new ideas that are seasonal and meets your child's nutritional needs. All health and dietary needs are accommodated by the centre.
DO YOU PROVIDE NAPPIES?
Yes. We provide nappies across the day and use unscented baby wipes. We cannot provide nappy rash creams - however you may provide your own - please see Educators in the room as you will be required to complete a permission form.
Please note: we do not provide "Pull-ups" for children toileting.
DO YOU HAVE CENTRE PETS?
Yes. We have many!
Rex the Turtle in Whinham
Harry the rabbit in Vaughn
Georgie the guinea pig in Vaughn
Tropical Fish in Hepburn
Clara the rabbit n Redmond
Chickens in Hepburn
Hopsy the rabbit in Whinham
And we breed stick insects in Whinham as well.
The children help to care for our Pets and we learn about caring for our environment through interaction and discussion.
DO YOU GO ON EXCURSIONS?
Generally, no, we do not. Each month we bring in a performer to help us celebrate a cultural event, learn more about our environment or engage the children in an area of interest.
We also have Zumba lessons with Zoey from BeatzDance on a Wednesday in Redmond and Yoga lessons in Whinham.
Whinham Children also visit at our local Primary Schools on a fortnightly basis.
We also welcome family members to come in and talk with the children on a variety of topics.
DO YOU "TEACH" THE CHILDREN?
YES! We believe in learning through play and engage the children in developmentally appropriate activities designed to further their skills at an age appropriate level. Each child has their own Focus Educator in the room and the team as a whole complies a Learning Portfolio for your child.
We have an Early Childhood Teacher in Whinham and two additional Teacher qualified educators on staff.
Children in the service engage in regular cooking activities, messy play (great fun!), physical activities, music, movement, pre-skills (writing and numeracy), amongst others.
Our Educators can always make time to meet with you and discuss any concerns you may have or a general chat regarding your child's progress.
DO YOU PROVIDE OHSC?
No. The current provider of OSHC for Prospect Primary School and Rosary School is Prospect Primary School. Their contact details can be found here.
WHAT IS AN ELC / EARLY EDUCATION / KINDERGARTEN
What is the difference?
In mid 2014 our service changed its name. We were Prospect Community Child Care Centre, the change came about after several years of discussion and seeking input from our Community.
The final name – Prospect Community Early Education and Care was the most reflective of who we are and how we want to be seen.
Prospect – defining our location
Community – defining our Community run service, parent management committee and not for profit status
Early Education – defining our commitment to our curriculum and learning undertaken at our service
and Care – defining our care and compassion for those who attend our service
Services can choose to name their business as they wish and can be:
Services may also choose to name or align their business with a philosophy of learning:
We choose to not align ourselves with a single philosophy, rather work with families in a way that meets their requirements and choosing strategies from different philosophies to support our choices and centre beliefs. We like to continuously learn and research, to listen and observe a range of philosophies.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EYLFPLP_E-Newsletter_No15.pdf
There are also defined differences in care types:
All of the care center’s, no matter the name:
To look up ratings of centres:
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/national-registers
Ultimately, there is no real difference and it is personal choice. You will get told by people that one is better than another as that was their choice.
I always suggest to families to have a look and see what they offer. See what suits yourself and your family. We do not believe one is better than an another or offers more or less in curriculum. We work with families as individuals and provide the best service we can to each child in our care environment. We can work with families and therapists as needed and will do all we can to support each child in our service.
Yes. Our waiting list is up to 2 years for care at our service. We have an online waiting system where reminders are sent out every month to ensure the people on our list are all actively seeking care.
DO YOU PROVIDE MEALS?
Yes. We have two on site cooks who prepares meals daily. We serve Morning Tea, Lunch and Afternoon Tea. You may provide breakfast and/or dinner for your child to have at the centre. The menu is written a month at a time and is always full of fresh and new ideas that are seasonal and meets your child's nutritional needs. All health and dietary needs are accommodated by the centre.
DO YOU PROVIDE NAPPIES?
Yes. We provide nappies across the day and use unscented baby wipes. We cannot provide nappy rash creams - however you may provide your own - please see Educators in the room as you will be required to complete a permission form.
Please note: we do not provide "Pull-ups" for children toileting.
DO YOU HAVE CENTRE PETS?
Yes. We have many!
Rex the Turtle in Whinham
Harry the rabbit in Vaughn
Georgie the guinea pig in Vaughn
Tropical Fish in Hepburn
Clara the rabbit n Redmond
Chickens in Hepburn
Hopsy the rabbit in Whinham
And we breed stick insects in Whinham as well.
The children help to care for our Pets and we learn about caring for our environment through interaction and discussion.
DO YOU GO ON EXCURSIONS?
Generally, no, we do not. Each month we bring in a performer to help us celebrate a cultural event, learn more about our environment or engage the children in an area of interest.
We also have Zumba lessons with Zoey from BeatzDance on a Wednesday in Redmond and Yoga lessons in Whinham.
Whinham Children also visit at our local Primary Schools on a fortnightly basis.
We also welcome family members to come in and talk with the children on a variety of topics.
DO YOU "TEACH" THE CHILDREN?
YES! We believe in learning through play and engage the children in developmentally appropriate activities designed to further their skills at an age appropriate level. Each child has their own Focus Educator in the room and the team as a whole complies a Learning Portfolio for your child.
We have an Early Childhood Teacher in Whinham and two additional Teacher qualified educators on staff.
Children in the service engage in regular cooking activities, messy play (great fun!), physical activities, music, movement, pre-skills (writing and numeracy), amongst others.
Our Educators can always make time to meet with you and discuss any concerns you may have or a general chat regarding your child's progress.
DO YOU PROVIDE OHSC?
No. The current provider of OSHC for Prospect Primary School and Rosary School is Prospect Primary School. Their contact details can be found here.
WHAT IS AN ELC / EARLY EDUCATION / KINDERGARTEN
What is the difference?
In mid 2014 our service changed its name. We were Prospect Community Child Care Centre, the change came about after several years of discussion and seeking input from our Community.
The final name – Prospect Community Early Education and Care was the most reflective of who we are and how we want to be seen.
Prospect – defining our location
Community – defining our Community run service, parent management committee and not for profit status
Early Education – defining our commitment to our curriculum and learning undertaken at our service
and Care – defining our care and compassion for those who attend our service
Services can choose to name their business as they wish and can be:
- Child Care Centre
- Early Learning Centre
- Community Children’s Centre
- Day Nursery or Nursery School
- Long Day Care
- Preschool (as a name as opposed to DECD Kindergarten)
- Development Centre
- Advanced Early Education
Services may also choose to name or align their business with a philosophy of learning:
- Montessori
- Reggio Emilia (Inspired by)
- Marte Meo
- Waldorf
- Steiner Education
We choose to not align ourselves with a single philosophy, rather work with families in a way that meets their requirements and choosing strategies from different philosophies to support our choices and centre beliefs. We like to continuously learn and research, to listen and observe a range of philosophies.
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/nqsplp/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/EYLFPLP_E-Newsletter_No15.pdf
There are also defined differences in care types:
- Long Day Care – open for longer hours average 10-12 per day
- Occasional Care – casual care
- OSHC – school based care
- Kindergarten – DECD – eligible for 15 hours per week – funded by Government in part.
All of the care center’s, no matter the name:
- All follow the same legislation and the same rating and assessment.
- All follow the same curriculum.
- All are required to have a 4 year trained Teacher on staff – we have Ranjana, Liz and Antonia.
To look up ratings of centres:
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/resources/national-registers
Ultimately, there is no real difference and it is personal choice. You will get told by people that one is better than another as that was their choice.
I always suggest to families to have a look and see what they offer. See what suits yourself and your family. We do not believe one is better than an another or offers more or less in curriculum. We work with families as individuals and provide the best service we can to each child in our care environment. We can work with families and therapists as needed and will do all we can to support each child in our service.