Centacare Child Care Services is keen to ensure that parents/carers are able to have an ongoing involvement in the service through an Advisory Committee. the role of the advisory Committee is to provide advice and support to the child care service and Centacare in relation to local issues to provide feedback on operational issues and participate in the annual review of policies. Further information regarding the Advisory Committee is available from the co-ordinator.

Responsibilities:

To ensure the centre is operating in accordance with the conditions and guidelines in accordance with the Child Care Act 2003 and the Child Care Regulations 2003.

Duties:

• To plan and be responsible for the daily running of the centre
• To apply for funding and report to funding bodies
• Be responsible for financial decisions relating to the organisation's budget and develop appropriate accounting systems
• Ensure appropriate insurance policies are in place
• Employ, supervise and support staff and appropriate training
• To develop and implement an overall philosophy for the centre and policies on safety, behaviour, fees and enrolments
• Provide and maintain equipment and furnishings
• Ensure there is an understanding of and respect for the Christian tradition at the centre
• Develop and maintain effective complaint handling mechanisms.

Parents/Carers Roles Rights and Responsibilities

Role: To work in partnership with the centre, in attending to the physical, social and emotional needs of their child/ren and develop positive attitudes of the centre.

Parents/Carers have a right to:

• receive accurate and fair information concerning their child/ren whilst attending the centre;
• expect the centre to provide quality care which aims to meet the individual needs of their children and encourage community participation;
• insist that the centre’s environment be safe and supportive both for children and parents/carers; and
• be treated with courtesy and respect.

Parents/Carers have the responsibility to:

• listen and respond appropriately regarding information given;
• communicate effectively with the centre;
• inform the centre of any issues or circumstances which may be affecting their child/ren;
• treat other people and property in a safe and caring manner;
• report safety concerns to staff and Executive Management Executive Committee members; and
• treat others with courtesy and respect.

Children's Roles, Rights and Responsibility

Children’s Role: To actively participate in, and support all aspects of the centre.

Children have a right to: enjoy their time at the centre have an equal opportunity to participate as others play and learn in a clean, safe, nurturing and supportive environment have their property cared for know what is acceptable behaviour and know the consequences of inappropriate behaviour feel free to express an opinion in an acceptable way have appropriate access to facilities be treated with courtesy and respect

Children have a Responsibility to: allow everyone to enjoy themselves at the centre use opportunities provided effectively play in a safe manner maintain a clean and hygienic environment practice behaviours that are nurturing and supportive care for the property of others follow rules and accept consequences listen and respond courteously to others share and care for centre facilities treat others with courtesy and respect

Grievance Procedure:

If parents have a grievance, whether it concerns another child or a staff member, please talk to the co-ordinator on duty. If we cannot resolve the issue, or if the grievance is with the co-ordinator, the matter may be referred to the Regional Co-ordinator from Centacare for resolution and guidance.