“It’s our polite nudge in the ribs to help you and your team stay organised and on task.”
This week’s subject is Parent / Family Handbook
Element 6.1.3 Families are supported
Current information is available to families about the service and relevant community services and resources to support parenting and family wellbeing.
When did you last review the content of your family handbook?
Is the information provided in the handbook an accurate representation of the current service practices? And does it provide new (and current) parents with all the required information?
Your service’s Parent/Family Handbook is just one of the tools used as a ‘welcome’ and an introduction to your service. Your parent handbook should contain all of the necessary information parents need to become familiar with your service and your practices. Your service, operational details, service philosophy and management structure are a good place to start.
Information to include in your parent/family handbook:
- Service information and operational details
- Service philosophy and service values
- License and approval information by the regulatory authority
- Management structure
- Communication with families including what platforms are used for regular communication
- Information about the National Quality Framework and approved Learning Framework
- Information about enrolment and waiting list
- Supervision and educator to child ratios
- Priorities regarding children’s health and safety, child protection and emergency evacuation procedures
- Information regarding procedures for arrival and collection of children
- Fee structure
- Information regarding penalties, e.g. for overdue fees and late collection
- Child Care Subsidy
- Absences
- Medical conditions and additional needs
- Information about the educational program and routines
- Detailed information about what children are required to bring to the service each day
- Menu and nutritional information
- Sleep and rest
- Sun safety
- Withdrawal from care
- Information about the service policies and procedures, the review process and where parents can access them
- Information about complaints procedure
Ensure your family handbook is easily accessible to all families, including families where English is a second language. Support families by engaging in discussion around the content of the handbook, providing them with opportunities to make enquires and ask questions.
Within System7 go to QA6 – Module 1 and QA7 – Module 2 to submit self-assessment notes and if required, open a QIP issue if you identify any areas of improvement.
The Childcare Centre Desktop has parent/family handbook templates for Long Day Care, Family Day Care and Out of School Hours Care.
Resources, NQS Element, Regulation and System7 links
Childcare Centre Desktop – LDC, OSHC and FDC
National Quality Standard – Element 6.1.3: Families are supported
National Regulations – 168, 169, 171
System7 Module – QA6/ Module 1 & QA 7/ Module 2
If you have any questions send us a note via the Contact page here!
