Prospect Community Early Education and Care
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  • About Us
  • Our Vision
  • Our Educators
  • Our Learning Environments
  • Fees
  • Waiting List
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Links for Families
  • Forms for families
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NO STUDENT PLACEMENTS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
Employment and Student Opportunities
We are a welcoming and diverse workplace, PCEEC does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability or marital status. 
Credit Card Payment Form
Waiting List Application
Immunisation Requirements
What is Child Care Subsidy?
parent_handbook_2024.pdfO YOU HAVE A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PLAN?
Yes. You can review our Quality Improvement Plan, Strengths and Exceeding Themes, here

DO YOU HAVE A WAITING LIST?
Yes. Our waiting list is up to 18 months 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. Priority of Access can be viewed here.
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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. 
Find out more about nutritional needs here
Have a browse through some of our previous menus here
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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
A variety of birds - cockatiels, budgies and quails in the fence line aviary between Redmond and Vaughn, an aviary in the front garden and an avairy in Redmond.
Chickens in Hepburn
Hopsy and Poh the rabbits in Whinham
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.
Whinham Children also visit at our local Library and Primary Schools on a fortnightly basis.
We also welcome family members to come in and talk with the children on a variety of topics.
For the past several years we have had inter-generational visits with  ECH Walkerville. 

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.
​To find out more about planning in Early Childhood, click here.
 
CAN WE READ YOUR POLICIES?

Certainly! There is a policy folder in each room and the foyer and they can be requested via email if needed.

DO YOU HAVE A PARENT HANDBOOK?
Certainly! You can access it 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
(non definitive list)
 
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
(non definitive list)
 
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.

 
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.
To find out more about the different types: Starting Blocks
All of the care centre'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.
https://www.acecqa.gov.au/nqf/about
 
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.  

WHAT IF I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SERVICE?
Firstly, make a time to speak to the centre Director.
If you do not feel you were heard or your concern was resolved you can escalate your complaint to the Management Committee.
If you still do not feel your concern was resolved or there are circumstances where it is not possible or appropriate for the complaint to be managed at the local level, you may lodge a complaint with the Educations Standards Board. on 1800 882 413 or [email protected].Complaints will be:
  • assessed for risk to the health, safety or wellbeing of any child
  • investigated by an authorised officer
  • reviewed for non-compliance with the legislation.
Action taken will:
  • be based on the seriousness of the matter
  • assess the level of risk to children.
For more information click here

We would love to hear from you!


Hours

Monday to Friday 7.00 am - 6.00 pm

Telephone

08 8344 3066

Email

[email protected]
  • About Us
  • Our Vision
  • Our Educators
  • Our Learning Environments
  • Fees
  • Waiting List
  • Contact
  • FAQ
  • Links for Families
  • Forms for families