Opening hours

 
Early Childhood Centre

• Monday to Friday
• 7.30am to 5.15pm
• 48 weeks per year

Kindergarten

• Monday and Tuesday
• 8.30am to 4.30pm

Office

• Monday to Friday
• 9.00am to 2pm 

Fees

 
Hughenden Kindergarten & Early Childhood Fee Schedule as at 1 January 2017

• Weekly $295.00 0- 2 years
• Weekly $295.00 2-3 years
• Weekly $295.00 3-12 years
• Daily $61.00 0-2 years
• Daily $61.00.00 2-3years
• Daily $61.00 3-12 years
• Before School $15.00 per session
• After School $20.00 per session
• Session Fee $40.00 for 6 hours (after 6 hours day rate will apply)

Kindergarten Program

At the time of enrolment all families will be advised of and provided with information regarding all centre level fee payment policies, the Child Care Benefit and Cash Rebate.

As a community managed centre, annual fees are determined by the establishment of a non-profit budget. Should any surplus result this will be expended into improving equipment, facilities, building improvements etc at the centre. Fees are reviewed bi-annually and maintained as low as possible while ensuring the provision of quality care is maintained.

Child Care Benefit (CCB) & Childcare Cash Rebate (CCR)

 
As the early childhood component of the centre is now registered for CCB all families are eligible to apply for both CCB and CCR. Eligibility to child care benefit is assessed on family income, the number of children in care and the type of care. It is calculated as a percentage of the centre fee for eligible families and paid direct to the centre. Alternatively families may elect and advise their intent to the Family Assistance Office (FAO) to claim CCB as a lump sum at the end of the financial year.

If the fee reduction method is nominated, once CCB is approved, families only need to pay the ‘gap’ fee to the centre (the difference between the centre fee and the CCB paid).

The following process needs to be followed in order for CCB to be claimed:

1. Contact the Family Assistance Office (FAO) on 13 6150 to lodge a claim for CCB reduced fees or notify intent to claim as a lump sum
2. The FAO will provide both you and your child/ren with a customer reference number or CRN
3. Provide all CRNs to the centre as soon as received (fees will be charged at full rate until such a time as all CRNs are provided)
4. Your data will be entered into the Centre’s CCB software system ‘Hubworks’ and you will be advised of the CCB fee reduction and the balance of your fee payable for booked care each week
5. The Centre will provide your user name and password to Hubworks, the Centre's web based CCB software system. (Please ensure you provide an email address to facilitate this process)
6. Access your personal account at http://www.hughenden.hubworks.com.au/ via user name and password, to view the status of payments, fees payable.

In addition to claiming CCB, families are also eligible to claim 50% of ‘out-of-pocket’ expenses for child care up to a maximum of $7778 per recipient per child per year. CCR payments for the 2009-2010 tax year can be paid on either a quarterly or annual basis into a nominated bank account. Payments are paid once the FAO has received your child care usage/attendance details from the centre as an approved service and any CCB fee reductions have been calculated. Families receiving minimal amounts or no CCB are still eligible to claim CCR.

Curriculums

 
Early childhood curriculum

Observation and interactions form the basis of all programming. Through observation staff learn about each child’s changing developmental needs and their interests. Each day staff observe children engaging in play, their social interactions and care routines and interpret what they see to make programming decisions about the needs of each individual child.

The program is then developed in consultation with all child contact staff to be flexible and responsive to the unique needs of each child. Parents/guardians can view the daily program at the ‘Parent Information Desk’, as well as access information about the care routines of younger children on individual sheets in the change room.

Kindergarten curriculum

The staff of the Hughenden Kindergarten will follow the Building Waterfall Curriculum as set down by C&K.  For further information on this curriculum you are welcome to talk with the teacher.

Parents/guardians are encouraged to be partners in the planning process by discussing the needs of their child/ren with staff and providing feedback about their child’s development and response to the program throughout their time at the Hughenden Kindergarten and Early Childhood Centre. Arrangements can be made with the Director for an interview time to discuss your child’s progress.

We encourage family participation

  
Our policy is that:

• Parents/guardians and families of the children who attend are always welcome as visitors in our Centre at any time.
• New families are encouraged to spend time with their children to help settle into the routine. This is flexible to suit the individual needs of the family and their cultural beliefs. The Director will assist the family by completion of an orientation process to familiarise them with the daily routine of the centre.
• Parents/guardians and other family members are encouraged to be active participants in our program and activities by:
  – Regular newsletters
  – Informal and formal discussions with staff (daily verbal communication and with the Director/Group Leader)
  – Celebrations/special days throughout the year
  – Parents/guardians are encouraged to attend the general meetings and share their ideas
  – Sharing special skills, talents
• Programming, activities and routines that reflect and foster the involvement of families and the unique characteristics, skills and qualities that each child’s family can bring to the centre.
• Parents are encouraged to participate in the development of the daily routine and to share their ideas about what they want for their child.
• Encourage attendance at special events such as open days, meet and greet evening, Christmas party, and/or book fair.
• Parents/guardians are also invited to share their ideas with the staff and committee members on ways we can encourage families to become involved with the centre.

This policy developed from the following sources: The Childcare Act ‘02, Childcare Regulations ‘03.