Outside School Care
Phone 9476 6901
Fax 9476 3904
Located at Hornsby Heights Public School (next to the music room)
Somerville Road, Hornsby Heights
Our Service
Hornsby Heights Outside Of School Hours Care (HHOOSH) provides care for primary school children through the services of Before School Care, After School Care, Vacation Care and Pupil Free Day Care. HHOOSH operates for a minimum of 48 weeks per year, Monday to Friday. We are closed on Public Holidays and for a few weeks over the Christmas/New Year period.
The service provides creative and recreational programs that are carried out in a secure and safe environment. Activities include craft, cooking, indoor games, and use of the playground equipment, sandpit and oval whilst outdoors. HHOOSH aims to meet the broad range of each child's social, emotional, recreational, physical, intellectual and creative outside school hours needs. We are aware of the differing needs of “older OOSH” children and program accordingly.
Hours of Operation
Before School Care 7:00am – 9:00am
After School Care 3:10pm – 6:30pm
Vacation Care 7:30am – 6:30pm
Pupil Free Day Care 7:30am – 6:30pm
Staffing
Our Coordinator is a trained teacher who has been working in after school care since 1998 and our Assistant Coordinator is studying Paediatric Nursing. Casual staff includes university students studying teaching, psychology, early childhood, or other related courses. The staff has a wide variety of skills and interests, which enables us to offer a program with diverse activities and experiences.
All staff are subject to DOCS screening.
We adhere to the staff/child ratios set out by the National Standards for Outside School Hours Care services. There is a maximum of 15 children to one staff member. For excursions there are 8 children to one carer.
Management Committee
A voluntary committee of parents who meet twice a term runs the service. All parents/carers are welcome to attend these meetings to raise any concerns and offer suggestions as to how we can improve the service. Newcomers are always welcome! An annual general meeting is held every year in September to select office bearers for the following year.
Family Involvement
Parents/carers are an integral part of HHOOSH and are encouraged to spend as much time as they like at the centre and are welcome to come and share a particular skill they may have.
It is important that families are kept informed about day-to-day happenings at the centre and what their children are doing. HHOOSH communicates with families in a variety of ways including informal chats, newsletters and notice boards. Individual meetings with the Coordinator can be organised, particularly if you wish to discuss more sensitive issues. Information provided by families is confidential and personal details are secure.
Communication
HHOOSH recognises the benefits for children when parents/carers and staff regularly share information and support each other in the care of a child. Please get to know the staff that are caring for your child and let us know if your child has any current interests that may be incorporated into the HHOOSH program.
Conversely, staff members need to be informed if your child is experiencing any changes or difficulties. This information can help explain changes in behaviour and can enable staff to establish realistic expectations. If you have any concerns or queries don’t hesitate to call or make an appointment to speak with the Coordinator.
It is essential to advise staff promptly of any changes to contact phone numbers, including emergency contact numbers.
Policies and Procedures
The Policy and Procedures Manual is kept in the HHOOSH room and is available to all parents/carers. A summary of relevant everyday policies is given below:
Enrolment
An enrolment form must be completed before your child attends the centre. Please fill in every section of the form and bring in your child's ‘blue book' detailing their immunisation history. Depending on the availability of care, children may be enrolled at any time throughout the year.
Enrolment forms are to be updated yearly or when there are changes to family circumstances. It is the parents/carers responsibility to notify staff of any changes to enrolment form details.
If a child is subject to an access order or agreement, the service must have a copy on record plus any subsequent alteration registered by the court. This should be provided upon enrolment to minimise the likelihood of distressing situations
Collection of children
Staff will only allow authorised people to collect your child – these are people you have included on your enrolment form.
Persons collecting children from HHOOSH may be asked for identification if staff members do not recognise them.
The centre closes at 6:30pm. If a parent/carer is running late they should call the centre and let staff know approximately how long they will be. If they expect to be over 15 minutes late then another authorised person should be contacted, as they may be able to collect your child sooner. Late collection fees apply
Staff may contact a person authorised to collect your child after 6:45pm if they have not received a message from the parent/carer.
Signing In and Out
An authorised person must sign the attendance record daily. Children must be signed in at the commencement of Before School Care and signed out at the conclusion of After School Care. If a child is attending Before and After School Care on the same day, signatures may be accepted for both sessions at the end of the day
Notification of Non-attendance
Before and After School Care
Parents/carers must notify the centre if their child will not be attending Before or After School Care. If your child does not arrive as expected, and OOSH has not been notified, a search fee will be charged.
Please notify the centre as soon as possible if your child cannot attend. All monies are non-refundable. If your child is unable to attend due to illness they may attend on another day provided places are available. If you child is absent we will credit your account only if another child fills your position
Food
HHOOSH provides breakfast (fruit, yoghurt, toast or muffins with juice or Milo) for children during Before School Care. This is optional and free of charge. Afternoon tea is served during After School Care and Vacation Care and consists of fruit, sandwiches, muffins, slices, biscuits with dip, vegetables etc. During vacation care please provide your child with morning tea, lunch and drinks. Water is available to the children at all times.
Nut Free Policy
The centre only serves food that is nut free. There are a number of children in the school who have severe allergies to peanuts.
Please do not send your child to the Centre with any food that contains any type of nut (this includes peanut butter, Nutella, muesli or breakfast bars)
Sun Protection Policy
The Centre has a “No Hat-Shade Play” policy. Please ensure your child has a hat whilst at OOSH.
Exclusion Due to Illness
If your child is unwell, or has a contagious condition (including head lice), please do not send them to OOSH. If your child becomes ill, or develops symptoms whilst at the Centre, parents/carers will be contacted and asked to collect their child.
Child Protection Policy
Staff undergo Child Protection Training and are “mandatory reporters” i.e. persons required by law to make a report to DoCS if they have current concerns about the safety, welfare or well-being of a child.
Payment of Fees
Accounts are issued fortnightly. Fees are to be paid before the next account is sent out. Parents/Carers may also pay monthly or by the term – speak with the Coordinator about payment arrangements. Casual visits and emergency care must be paid for on the day of care.
Fees must be paid by BPAY or cheque and – this can be placed in the fees box located at the sign in desk. A dated receipt will be issued upon payment. Please ensure fees are paid on time to avoid an overdue fee.
Child Care Benefit
All families are entitled to a Government rebate. To claim your rebate please apply via the Family Assistance Office on 13 61 50.
Our customer reference numbers are:
- Before School Care: 555 010 689V
- After School Care: 555 007 149S
- Vacation Care 555 007 270K
Fees 2008
- Registration $25 per family per year
- Before School Care $8 permanent $9 casual
- After School Care $14 permanent $15 casual
- Vacation Care and Pupil Free Day Care $32 per day
Full payment for vacation care must accompany a booking form to secure your child's place
- Excursions An extra fee is charged according to costs involved
- Search Fee $5 – if your child does not arrive as expected, and OOSH has not been
notified, a search fee will be charged