Policies & Framework

Management of Hughesdale Kinder

Hughesdale Kindergarten is a community based, not-for-profit early childhood centre. The Kindergarten is managed and operated by a volunteer Committee of Management made up of parent representatives from both the three and four-year-old groups, elected at the Annual General Meeting each October/November.

The Committee functions to share the responsibilities of the running and maintenance of the kindergarten and help towards the smooth and successful running of Hughesdale Kinder. Joining the teachers, the Committee attend the monthly Committee meetings. Any matter that parents feel need discussing can be channelled through these representatives, or in a letter for this meeting.

The Kindergarten also operates under the Children’s Services Act 1996 and Children's Services Regulations 2020.

Fundraising

At Hughesdale Kinder there is a true sense of community amongst the families and we enjoy coming together for social events and activities. Our social and fundraising committee is committed to regularly providing activities to encourage families and our lovely community to come together. Our events are a great way to meet other young families and the children, making lovely connections and lasting friendships along the way.

As Hughesdale Kinder is a not-for-profit community-run Kinder, we rely on community support and the support of our families through fundraising in order to raise money to improve our facilities and offerings to provide our young children with the best possible start to their schooling education. The committee ensures fundraising income is kept separate from the kinder operating budget, and families are informed about how fundraising income will be utilised.

Throughout the year Hughesdale Kinder provides families with many fantastic fundraising initiatives to take part in, with the proceeds going straight back into the kindergarten. Participation in fundraising is voluntary; however the support of every family evens the load. Each year is different, but in the past we have had: picture plates, Cadbury chocolate drive, Tea-Towel drawings, Fun Run in the park, Bunnings sausage sizzle, as well as Mother’s and Father’s Day gifts and raffles.

Quality Framework

What is it?

The National Quality Framework was introduced in January of 2012, and applies to most long day care, family day care, preschool (or kindergarten) and outside schools hours care services. It was established to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services across Australia.

Why was it introduced?

The National Quality Framework was introduced to raise quality and drive continuous improvement and consistency in education and care services through:

A national legislative framework
A National Quality Standard
A national quality rating and assessment process
A new national body called the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority.

What does this mean for our kinder?

The National Quality Framework stipulates that a kindergarten program must be based on an approved learning framework and delivered in a manner that accords with the approved learning framework.

About the approved learning framework

The Early Years Learning Framework is part of the Council of Australian Government’s (COAG) reform agenda for early childhood education and care and is a key component of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care. It underpins universal access to early childhood education and has been incorporated in the National Quality Standard in order to ensure delivery of nationally consistent and quality early childhood education across sectors and jurisdictions.

The Early Years Learning Framework describes the principles, practices and outcomes essential to support and enhance young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school.

The Framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning as play is the best vehicle for young children’s learning providing the most appropriate stimulus for brain development. The Framework also recognises the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development.

Quality Improvement Program

We believe in continuous quality improvement at Hughesdale Kindergarten. Staff, Management Committee and Families are involved in writing and contribute to our Quality Improvement Plan.

Our Quality Improvement Plan is available on request to parents of a child enrolled at our service or those who are seeking to enrol.

Child Safety Statement

Hughesdale Kinder has zero tolerance for child abuse and all forms of harm to children. Hughesdale Kindergarten is committed to child safety in accordance with the Child Safe Standards. To achieve the best outcomes for children and young people who engage with us, we expect our staff, Committee members, contractors and our families or service providers to work in line with the Victorian Child Safe Standards (including the 11 child safety standards effective 1 July 2022) and meet these obligations. Hughesdale Kinder is committed to:

hold the care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people as a central and fundamental responsibility of our Kinder.
have zero tolerance of child abuse, and all allegations and safety concerns will be treated very seriously and consistently with our policies and procedures.
the promotion of cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and children from culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds and providing a safe environment for children with a disability.
do the best we can to keep ALL children safe from harm and abuse and for them to be safe, happy and empowered.
preventing child abuse and identifying risks early and then reducing or removing them.
supporting and respecting all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.
having legal and moral obligations to contact authorities when we are worried about a child’s safety, which we follow rigorously.
the establishment and continuous improvement of our child safe policy and supporting procedures.
preventing child abuse and identifying risks early, and removing and reducing these risks.
have robust human resources and recruitment practices for all staff and volunteers.
working to minimise risk to the wellbeing and safety of children in both online and physical environments.
the prevention of child abuse by having regular training and educating our employees and volunteers to identifying risks early, and work on removing and reducing those risks.
taking all reasonable steps for thorough recruitment due diligence, including the requirement that all employees, contractors and volunteers in public facing roles hold a valid Working with Children Check.
support and respect all children, as well as our staff and volunteers.

If you have any concerns regarding child safety, please do not hesitate to Contact Us. If you believe a child is at immediate risk of abuse phone 000.