Centre Philosophy for 2016.

Each child brings to Hughenden kindergarten and early childhood centre a uniqueness, individuality and cultural heritage. Partnerships between families and the Centre are essential to the growth and development of the individual child.

We strive to create and promote these strong partnerships with families and create a sense of community.

Hughenden kindergarten and early childhood centre recognizes the importance of play in the learning process for young children.

Play is the basis for learning in our programs. We aim to provide a full, stimulating, developmentally appropriate environment which encompasses the many learning styles and needs of young children, and also supports them having fun and enjoying their childhood as they learn.

The environment allows for children to develop and master skills at their own pace.

Hughenden kindergarten and early childhood centre believes  in empowering children, promote individuality as well as community, and develop strong partnerships with families while creating an environment that helps young children attain physical, cognitive, social, and emotional achievements, supports their wellbeing while also preparing them for the next step in life.

The spirit of the Hughenden kindergarten and early childhood centre is thoughtful, warm and compassionate.

To support it the Centre will strive to be consistent with these values.


Playrgound Upgrade Stage 3

GREAT NEWS!!

The Playground Upgrade stage 3 is completed!!!!! This was the final stage of our playground upgrade and was completed at the beginning of January 2013, more news and info about the project can be read in our news section.

Welcome

 
The descision to place your child in child care and your choice of an appropriate centre, is one of the most important decisions that you, as a parent, can make.

The Hughenden Kindergarten and Early Childhood Centre is a non-profit community managed centre providing early education and quality care for children aged 6 weeks to school age for families in Hughenden and the surrounding district.

The Hughenden Early Childhood Centre is licensed by the Queensland Department of Communities and is also accredited under the National Quality Improvement and Accreditation System which includes 7 quality areas and 33 principles encompassing areas such as staff interactions/communication with children and peers, positive guiding of behaviour, programming and evaluation, children’s experiences and learning, health, hygiene and safety.

Welcome to the Hughenden Kindergarten and Early Childhood Centre website.  This site is designed to provide you with some basic information.  Parent Information Handbooks which include more detailed information are available at the Centre.


Our mission

  
The staff and Committee seek to provide a physically safe and emotionally secure setting where children can explore and experiment with a variety of materials and experiences, in a supportive confidence building atmosphere that promotes physical, emotional, intellectual, creative and social growth.

Our mission statement is based on our philosophy and the goals of staff and the parents/guardians who volunteer their time to be part of the Management Committee.

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.

The Facilities


Early Childhood - The Hatchling's Room

The Early Childhood Center is licensed to accommodate 21 children from birth and older.

Hatchlings have access to a wider range of equipment in their customized space.  The facilities include...


  








Kindergarten - T Rex Room

The Kindergarten is licensed to accommodate 20 children who are from 2 years of age to school age.

T'-Rex's have access to a wider range of equipment in their customized space. The facilities include...








The playground

The playground at the back of the facility boasts a wide range of play equipment including...











The Center also has .... (staff offices, shed, laundry)

Team description

  
Our team are dedicated to providing a physically safe and emotionally secure setting where children can explore and experiment with a variety of materials and experiences, in a supportive confidence building atmosphere that promotes physical, emotional, intellectual, creative and social growth.

All staff hold current First Aid, CPR certificates and a valid ‘Blue Card’ (positive notice for child related employment).

Staff members

Donna Jardine - Director

ADV Diploma Children Services, Cert IV Workplace Trainer & Assessor


Dorinda Shean - Kindergarten Teacher







Samantha Townley - Trainee Assistant

Studying Cert III in Children's Services





















Newsletter

2013 News

The 2013 year started with great excitement for the Hughenden Kindergarten And Early Childhood Center because the third and final stage of our playground upgrade project was completed over the end of year break. The final stage involved removing our old play gym and installing a brand new play gym and rubber soft fall to the area. The work was completed in seven days thanks to the hard work of the team from Urban Play in Brisbane.

This project was made possible by the hard work of our past committee, especially our ex President Cathy Holden who worked tirelessly to get this project completed before the beginning of 2013. We would also like to thank the organizations who funded our project through their grants program, The Gambling Community Benefit Fund, The Flinders Shire Council's Community Small Grants Program and the Blackwood Community Grants Program. Without the support of these grants programs our project would have never been realized and we are very thankful for their support.







The new play gym looks fantastic and the children are loving using the equipment, the slide in particular is a huge hit. Our playground is now modern, safe and of a standard that you would stand up anywhere in a bigger town.

Plans for the future

Now that our third and final stage of our playground project is complete the center will begin assessing what projects are next on the to do list. Some of the potential projects are upgrading the flooring in the Hatchlings room and upgrading the air-conditioning and heating systems in the Hatchlings room.

Our playground upgrade works were completed by Active Play. Active Play also installed the Council’s playground in Brodie Street and has provided quality equipment that complies with child safety standards.

Carter Sheds installed the shelter over the swing set and Les Carter also installed the concrete pathways. This has provided the children with a good track around the playground to ride their trikes and scooters and they are loving every minute of it.

This project has been funded by five bodies over the three stages. The Gambling Community Benefit Fund has funded this project with approximately $70,000 in funding. The REACH – Rural Early Childhood Program has provided approximately $10,000.The Flinders Shire Council Community Small Grants Program has provided approximately $10,500. The Blackwoods Community Grants Program has provided approximately $3,500. Perpetual Philanthropic Services has provided $25,000 through the E Robert Hayles & Alison L Hayles Charitable Trust towards our project.

Thanks to the support from the Staff and Committee in doing these applications. We are all looking forward to long use of our new playground. Thanks also to Ms Betty Kiernan and Mr Bob Katter who have visited the Center and offered support to our applications for funding over the course of the project.


Our new side fence was installed in 2012, this was thanks to support from FRRR and it has been very useful in fixing drainage and run-off issues that we have had in the past.

Job vacancies

If you are interested in joining the team at Hughenden Kindergarten And Early Childhood Center please contact us to submit an application and cover letter.

Contact details

   
We are located at:

41 Gray Street
Hughenden Q 4821

Our postal address is:

PO Box 51
Hughenden Q 4821

Phone: 07 4741 1355
Fax: 07 4741 0300
Email: hughkindy@bigpond.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HughendenKindergarten

Additional contacts

   
Family Assistance Office (FAO) for CCB applications
Commonwealth Centre
143 Walker St
Townsville QLD 4810
Phone: 13 6150 8am to 8pm Mon-Fri
13 1202 - For information in languages other than English
http://www.familyassist.gov.au/

Qld Department of Communities (Licensing Department)
PO Box 1656
Aitkenvale QLD 4814
Phone: 1300 653 227
Fax: 07 3005 6099
http://www.communities.qld.gov.au/

Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Development
4th Floor State Government Building
Corner of Wagga and Stanley St
TOWNSVILLE QLD 4810
Phone: 07 4799 7470
Fax: 07 4722 1549

Hubworks CCB
http://www.hughenden.hubworks.com.au/

National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC)
http://www.ncac.gov.au/

Kidsafe Australia
http://www.kidsafe.com.au/

Napcan
Phone: 02 9211 0224
http://www.napcan.org.au/

Parentline
Confidential support and information for parents/guardians 8:00am - 10:00pm 7 days/week
Phone: 1300 301 300
http://www.parentline.com.au/

Salvo Care Line
Phone: 1300 363 622
http://salvos.org.au/

Lifeline Australia
Phone: 13 1114
http://www.lifeline.org.au/

The management committee

The management committee is incorporated and consists of office bearers and members elected annually to represent the association (all families using the center are eligible for voting rights at the AGM and for election to the Management Committee on payment of the Association Fee). The management committee volunteer their time and skills working closely with the center staff team to provide the highest quality of care possible.

The Center relies on this and other forms of parental involvement to manage the service and we therefore encourage all families to be actively involved in supporting the Center and their child’s education and care. For details regarding management committee positions please see the Director.

Currently we are seeking involvement from parents for the open positions below

Management Committee Members

  • President - Karen Mills
  • Vice President - Sara Haydon
  • Secretary - Leah Peddle
  • Treasurer - Samantha Hamilton