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    Family Handbook

    In our Family Handbook, you'll discover lots of useful information around:

    • Our early education and care programs
    • Our educators
    • Food and nutrition
    • Our orientation process
    • Booking and account information
    • Drop off and pick up
    • Policies and procedures

    If you have any questions that aren't covered in the family handbook, you're welcome to contact us. Our friendly Customer Care team will be happy to help.

    Download Family Handbook

    Policies and procedures

    We've developed our policies and procedures in line with the Education and Care Services National Regulations. Copies are available at our early learning centres. Below is a summary of key policies and procedures; more details can be found in the Family Handbook.

    • Immunisation requirements
      The 'No Jab, No Play' policy requires all children to be fully vaccinated to enrol in child care or kindergarten in Victoria (unless they have a medical exemption). You must provide a Immunisation History Statement as evidence of up-to-date vaccination.
    • Allergies and medical management plans

      If your child has a chronic illness or medical condition, the following must be recorded on your child's Enrolment Record:

      • Details of their medical condition on their Enrolment Record
      • A medical management action plan from a registered medical practitioner
      • An individual risk minimisation and communication plan, which has been developed with us

      All staff should be made aware of your child's medical condition and requirements, and any specialised training to help them care for the child must be arranged before the child starts attending our service.

      If you child requires medication, please complete all details on the Medication Record & Sign In/Out Form and give medicine to a staff member upon arrival. You can request a copy of the Administration of Medication Procedure at the centre. Please ensure this is handed to a staff member. Medication is not to be left in children's bags.
    • Safe sleep practices
      Our centres implement safe sleep practices in accordance with the nationally-recognised children's sleep authority, Red Nose Australia. This ensures our processes reflect current evidence-based best practice principles.
    • Illness policies
      To help us keep children and staff safe and healthy and prevent the spread of infectious diseases, children who display signs of illness must be kept at home. Please let your centre know if your child is not attending because they have been diagnosed with an infectious illness.

      If your child becomes unwell at the service, we'll monitor and record their symptoms and inform you by telephone. We may ask you to collect your child.

      In the event that your child has a temperature, our educators may administer paracetamol (with your authorisation) to keep their temperature at bay until you can collect them.

      If a child attending the service has contracted an infectious disease, our educators are required to notify all parents.

      Please refer to Exclusion Periods for Primary Schools and Children’s Services to learn more, or see Approved Absences for information about Centrelink approved fee assistance for days of illness.
    • Drop-off and pick-up
      Drop-off and pick-up is a wonderful opportunity to speak with us how your child is going at home, and hear from us about their day.

      You can check your centre's opening times to see when you can drop off and pick up your child. If you're running late, please arrange for someone else to collect your child and notify your centre as soon as possible.

      Please note that all children must be dropped off and picked up by an authorised person (we must have their names, contact numbers and photo ID).
    • Payment policies
      Direct debit calendar 2025

      Payment terms and conditions

    Early learning FAQs

    • How do I choose a child care centre?

      Choosing a child care centre for the first time is exciting, but it can stir up different feelings. With so many things to consider, how do you know where to start? We recommend considering the following things:

      1. Quality of education: Look for a centre that provides a variety of valuable learning experiences that supports children's holistic development. The rooms should be well-equipped, stimulating and nurturing environments where your child can explore and feel inspired.
      2. Centre credentials: Check that the centre is licensed and registered to provide child care services. You can also look at the centre's National Quality Standards rating, the qualifications and experience of its educators, and reviews from other families.
      3. Atmosphere: Book a tour at the centres you're interested in to see how they feel. Is the centre safe, welcoming and comfortable? Do the children seem happy? Are the staff kind and do the educators have a good relationship with the children? This is a great way to see if a centre is right for you.
      4. Logistics: What is the ideal location of your child care centre? This could be somewhere close to home or nearby your workplace. Also think about how many hours of care your child will need and check whether there is availability at the centres you're looking at.
      5. Food menus: Take a look at the centre's approach to food and nutrition. A great centre will provide fresh, healthy food options and all centres should be able to cater to your child's dietary and religious requirements if needed.

      If you have any questions about whether our early learning centres will suit you and your child's needs, please contact us. We'll be happy to help guide you through the process.
    • Can I get the Child Care Subsidy for your early learning programs?
      Yes, if your family is eligible for the Child Care Subsidy then you can receive it at our early learning programs. This can significantly reduce your child care fees. Find out more about the Child Care Subsidy.
    • When can my child start kindergarten?

      Your child can start kindergarten the year they turn three years old. They'll need to turn three by 30 April to attend that year.

      Four-year-old kindergarten (Pre-Prep) is the year before school. Your child will need to turn four years old by 30 April the year they start.

      If your child is born between January and April, you can choose whether to start three year old kindergarten when they are two years old (turning three that year) or wait until they are three years old (turning four that year).

      Not sure when would be best for your child to start kindergarten? Please contact us. We're happy to help!
    • Can I get Free Kinder for your kindergarten programs?
      Yes, all of our early learning centres in Victoria are participating in the Victorian Government's Free Kinder program. Learn more about Free Kinder.
    • Am I eligible for Early Start Kindergarten?

      To be eligible for Early Start Kindergarten (ESK), your child must be three years old by 30 April of the year they are enrolling and meet one of the following criteria:

      • Identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
      • Be from a refugee or asylum seeker background
      • Have had contact with Child Protection Services

      You can learn more about ESK on the Victorian government website.

    Our programs

    • What qualifications do your early learning educators hold?

      All of our educators have:

      • Educational qualifications in children's services
      • Senior Level 2 First Aid training, including in CPR, asthma management and anaphylaxis
      • Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting training
      • A current Working with Children Check

      Beyond their impressive qualifications, our educators truly care about your child. They'll work with you to help your child settle in and reach their full potential. They also research and uphold best practice and use a variety of techniques to support every child's learning.

      Our kindergarten programs are delivered by early childhood teachers who have a Bachelor of Education qualification.
    • What food do your centres provide?
      We provide nutritious meals and snacks prepared daily by our in-centre cook. Meals are fresh and seasonal with many herbs coming from our very own gardens. We can cater to almost all dietary requirements, including allergies and religious preferences, so please let us know if your child has any dietary needs.
    • Do you follow a curriculum?
      Yes, all of our centres follow a play-based curriculum-based that supports children to explore and discover. Our curriculum is also informed by children's interests and curiosity.

      Our curriculum aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework, which was developed by the Australian government to ensure children have the best start in life. It focuses on literacy, communication, numeracy, science, creativity and art, as well as building self-confidence and an appreciation of the natural world.

      We also the National Quality Framework, which sets a high standard for early learning education and care services in Australia.
    • What child safety and quality standards do you have in place?

      At the Y, nothing is more important than the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We embed-child safe practices into everything we do, and our centres and services are independently reviewed by the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF). We also aim to exceed the National Quality Framework (NQF) in our everyday practice, ensuring that we operate to a high quality standard. Learn more about child safety at the Y.

    Enrolments

    • How do I book a place in an early learning centre?
      The first step to booking a place at one of our early learning centres is to book a tour. From there, our team will guide you through the enrolment process.
    • Do I have to be on a waitlist?
      You will only need to go on a waiting list if your early learning centre is full. The length of the waiting list can vary depending on the centre. Once a place becomes available, we'll notify you via email. You'll need to accept your offer within three days, otherwise the offer will expire and go to the next family on the waiting list.
    • How do I pay for early learning?
      All payments are made by direct debit. Unfortunately, we do not accept cash or cheques at our centres.

      Your payments will be direct debited from your nominated account in advance for the upcoming fortnight. You'll receive your statement every fortnight on a Monday and the direct debit is processed on a Thursday.
    • How do I change or cancel a permanent booking?

      Any cancellations or changes to permanent bookings require two week’s notice by completing this cancellation form in advance of your final bookings.

      To receive CCS your child must attend on their last booked day. If they do not attend, you will be charged full fee for this day and any subsequent absent days. Full details are in the Family Handbook.

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