2020 Family Handbook - PACC Petersham
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2020 Family Handbook
At PACC we are excited about creating environments where children
are safe, supported and encouraged to grow and learn. We love to
see kids thrive as they become part of our PACC family.
Hours of operation:
Before school: 7:00am - 9:00am
After school: 3.15pm - 6:00pm
Vacation Care: 7:00am - 6:00pm
Office Hours: 9:00am – 2:30pm daily, during term time
PACC is closed for two weeks over the Christmas and New Year period. No
care is offered in those two weeks.
Address & Contact details:
25 Hunter St, Lewisham, NSW, 2049
(Access the PACC building via the West St gates of Petersham Public School)
T: 02 9560 1030
M: 0439 721 118
E: pacc@paccpetersham.com.au
W: www.paccpetersham.com.au
PACC Family Handbook Page 1
PACC Philosophy
Petersham Activities Centre for Children (PACC) is a community-based service run by
Petersham Public School’s Parents. PACC aims to provide a safe and caring environment for
primary school aged children. PACC also aims to offer high quality care, where the parents
can feel confident and assured that their children are welcomed and having an enjoyable
time.
We endeavour to provide activities and experiences to cater for a variety of ages, cultural
backgrounds, interests and needs. We hope to develop self-esteem, self-discipline and self-
expression through the programmed activities and staff interactions with the children.
The staff will treat each child as an individual. They will show an awareness of the children’s
social, physical, emotional and mental stages of development.
PACC welcomes participation and feedback from the parents, schools and the local
community.
Enrolment
Enrolments to PACC are done via the My Family Lounge software. No bookings can take
place until an enrolment is completed and submitted online.
Please contact the PACC director for more information and guidance on how to enroll or
visit our website.
Booking applications
Permanent care at PACC is offered to all families that attend Petersham Public School.
Bookings are taken each year, during a nominated booking period, for the following school
year.
Every family, new and current, is invited to place a booking application for their care needs.
Bookings do not roll-over year to year so if you would like to apply for care you must place an
application each year.
Booking applications include listing the days of care needed for each child, a priority of
access form and membership form.
To find out more information about specific booking application procedures and schedules
please contact the PACC directors.
Termination of care
Two weeks written notice in advance is required when care for your child at the Centre is no
longer required. If less or no notice is given you will be responsible for paying two weeks fees
from the day notice is given or when the child stops attending PACC.
CCS cannot be paid after the last day a child was physically in care at your service. All
absences at the beginning or end of a booking must be charged full fee.
All fees must be paid up to date before the last day of care.
PACC Family Handbook Page 2
Child Care Subsidy
Your family may be eligible for federal government fee assistance in the form of the Child
Care Subsidy (CCS). CCS is means tested and paid directly to the service, leaving families
who receive the subsidy to pay reduced fees to PACC. CCS is administered through MyGov
– we strongly recommend parents/guardians establish a MyGov account to manage CCS
details.
Families who are not receiving the CCS should check their eligibility by contacting Centrelink.
When the notice of assessment has been received, contact PACC to arrange for the CCS to
be applied to your fees.
Families who’ve received CCS with another childcare provider do not need a new
assessment, simply include the following information in your PACC enrolment:
- Customer Reference Numbers (CRN) for each child and the registered
parent/guardian
- Correct date of birth for each child and the registered parent/guardian
*Full fees will be charged until the required information for a CCS registration is provided.
While PACC will attempt to back-date the CCS where possible, government restrictions may
not allow this.
Bookings and Care Types
At PACC we offer 3 main types of care for children:
- Before School Care (BSC) during school term time
- After School Care (ASC) during school term time
- Vacation Care – during school holidays
Permanent bookings at PACC do not roll-over year to year. For each new calendar year
PACC opens a booking request period and invites all families who will be attending
Petersham Public School in the following school year to apply for care.
Priority of Access to care
Each year PACC attempts to prioritise access to care based on the following criteria:
1. Children who rely on, and benefit most, from access to care for their social
development and emotional wellbeing
2. Families needing to access care due to a parent/guardian’s work, study and
family commitments
3. Families abilities to arrange and afford alternative care options
PACC reviews, and if necessary, updates the priority of access criteria annually. To
participate in that process, contact the PACC director or office-bearers on the parent
management committee.
Casual bookings can be made at anytime and are subject to availability. Our preferred
method of managing casual bookings is through the My Family Lounge app. In the app our
availability calendar shows the sessions that have available care. If a session is fully booked
and you would like to be waitlisted for that session, please contact the centre in writing.
PACC Family Handbook Page 3
The My Family Lounge app
For all Vacation Care and casual BSC/ASC bookings we encourage parents/guardians to
use the My Family Lounge app. This is the quickest and easiest way of viewing available
sessions and booking your care needs.
Bookings must always be placed electronically. No bookings will be taken over the phone,
and all bookings must be made in writing if the app or browser is not accessible.
Dropping off your child to PACC
Signing in
PACC opens at 7.00am for Before School Care and Vacation Care. Child Care subsidy (CCS)
regulations require you to sign your child in and out of the service as proof of attendance.
Each parent, guardian or emergency contact person will have their own log in- please do
not share your details with anyone. For regulations each person must use their own details so
that we have a correct record of people collecting and dropping off the children.
You may not receive Child Care Subsidy and be charged full fees if your child is not signed in
or out.
Collecting your child from PACC
Signing Out
PACC closes at 6pm for After School Care and Vacation Care. All children must be collected
by a parent or guardian by 6:00pm. The parent, guardian or emergency contact person
must sign the child out on the iPads using their own details.
If your child is to be collected by anyone not named as a contact on your file, you must
have personally informed PACC in writing prior to the event. The nominated person will be
asked to show photo identification (driving license or photo ID card) on arrival. A copy of this
identification may be made and retained by staff.
Late Collection
If you are running late you must notify PACC as soon as possible. If you have not arrived by
6.00pm PACC staff will attempt to call you or the emergency contacts on your file. Two
PACC Leaders will remain with your child until an authorised person arrives. If no contact can
be made with the parents or emergency contacts two staff members will remain at the
Centre until 6:30pm where they will then leave a note on school gate and take the child to
the Marrickville Police Station (contact on 02 9568 9299).
There are extra fees applied to late collections- please see section on fees.
Absences
If your child is going to be absent from PACC you must record their absence in the My Family
Lounge app or browser, or notify PACC in writing at least 30 minutes prior to the session
starting.
PACC Family Handbook Page 4Fees
Before School Care (BSC): $16.00 BSC - permanent
$18.00 BSC - casual
After School Care (ASC): $24.00 ASC - permanent
$26.00 ASC – casual
Vacation Care: $50.00 (+ activity costs )- early bird
$60.00 (+ activity costs )- last minute bookings
Other Fees:
Annual Membership Fee $50 per calendar year per family
$25 per calendar year per family (if you use VC only)
Non-Notification Fee $5 will be charged if you do not notify us of an absence
Late Fee $15 for every 15 minutes or part thereof for children collected
after 6pm
PACC is approved by the Australian Government for Child Care Subsidy (CCS) purposes.
Payment of fees
BSC & ASC
Accounts are billed each fortnight in advance and a statement is emailed to the nominated
parent on your enrolment form (you can choose for both parents to receive these).
Fees are direct debited from your account every 2nd Thursday. You must pay fees two weeks
in advance unless prior arrangement has been made with the approval of the Parent
Management Committee.
Where payment of fees falls into arrears families will be contacted by PACC Directors to
address the situation, offering assistance and flexibility where possible. Families unable to
maintain payments as agreed may have their care suspended, at the discretion of the
PACC Directors and parent management committee.
Vacation Care
Fees for Vacation Care run on the same fortnightly cycle as the BSC & ASC payments. If you
have made Vacation Care bookings two weeks prior to Vacation Care you will receive an
email with a statement confirming your bookings and the fees that will be placed on your
account. As with BSC & ASC, Vacation Care fees will be taken 2 weeks in advance and be
charged via your direct debit preferences.
Once bookings are confirmed they cannot be cancelled without penalty so please read the
Vacation Care cancelation policy carefully to avoid disappointment.
Casual
Fees for casual places booked will be charged to your account in line with the fortnightly
payment cycle, outlined above. These fees will be charged on the next scheduled payment
date to fall after the booking.
Absences
If a child is booked on a permanent basis, BSC or ASC, all fees are to be paid even if the
child is absent for such reasons as holidays, illness and public holidays.
PACC Family Handbook Page 5If a child is booked on a Vacation Care day all fees are to be paid even if the child is absent
for such reasons as change of plans or illness.
Unrecorded absences
If your child is absent and you have not notified PACC 30 minutes prior to the session starting
a $5.00 charge may be placed on your account due to staff having to confirm the absence.
It is not the responsibility of the school to notify PACC of your child’s absence.
Late Fees
PACC closes at 6:00pm. All children must be collected before 6:00pm.
Children collected after 6:00pm will be charged a late fee $15 for every 15 minutes or part
thereof. This fee will be added to your account and must be paid when your next statement
is issued.
You must contact the Centre as soon as possible if you are running late. If you are repeatedly
late your child’s place at PACC may be withdrawn.
PACC Family Handbook Page 6Rights and Responsibilities of Children and Adults at PACC
At PACC we value all people and want our space to be a place where children and adults
alike feel equal, empowered and valued. The following pages outline the expectations of
everyone involved at PACC.
PACC Family Handbook Page 7PACC Family Handbook Page 8
THE PACC CODE OF
CONDUCT
There are rules for PACC leaders as well as
children.
Here are some of the most important rules for PACC
leaders:
1. Treat children fairly, whether they’re boys or girls, who their parents are,
where they live. Respect the different cultures that other people at
PACC come from.
2. Make sure no child feels left out of PACC activities because they
have a disability
3. No physical punishment.
4. No inappropriate language, no threats, no shaming - we show respect.
5. Make sure all children are supervised properly.
6. You should always be supervising more than one child at a time.
Make sure you’re not alone with a child.
7. Make sure children have privacy when they’re going to the toilet
or getting changed.
8. If a child has a health issue or can’t eat some kinds of foods, make sure
you know what to do.
9. Leave your personal phone off and keep your life on social media
separate from your time at PACC.
10. If you’re worried about a child or PACC leader’s behaviour,
tell a teacher, your parent or contact The Kids Helpline
Endorsed by the Parent Management Committee – March 2019
PACC Family Handbook Page 9Program and Routines
PACC’s programming is guided by the Middle Years Learning Framework, titled My Time, Our
Place. The framework identifies 5 learning outcomes which give the PACC program structure,
inspiration and direction. Please see our website for more details about this framework.
BSC and ASC programs are planned by the staff with input from children and include a
variety of activities that aim to support wholistic child development.
While at PACC children are free to choose from a variety of structured and unstructured
activity and are given the resources needed to facilitate learning through play and
community interaction.
Here is an example of a usual week at PACC:
WEEKLY PROGRAM TERM 4 WEEK 2 2019
TERM 4 MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY
WEEK 2 21st Oct 22nd Oct 23rd Oct 24th Oct 25th Oct
Before School PACC Canvas Group PACC Canvas
Lego City with Spooky Spider
Group Work
Cute Monster
in PACC Craft with
Work with Katie Art with Carl
Jordan Angus
Part 2
After School in Pull away tape Jewellery PACC Record Book
Raspberry & White
Chocolate Muffins
Face painting
PACC painting with with Steph with Taidhg W Steph
Ursula
with Taidhg
After School in Dance with Jordan Harry Potter Photography Cubby
Construction
Hall or 3/4A Hip Hop week Bookmarks with Portrait Week with challenge
Ashley
Ursula
Outdoor Group Sports with Ashley Soccer with
One Bounce Basketball
Cricket Snow Dough Angus
Tree
Activities with Chris Climbing
Tournament with Chris 4-way Soccer
Senior Cooking with Carl Excursion to Harlequin Tree Halloween Decorations
Program Officeworks Climbing
Breakfast Yoghurt
Special
Afternoon Tea Cabanossi, Macaroni Frozen Yogurt
Raisin Toast Soft
served with
Cheese and and or
seasonal fresh Tacos
fruit Rice Crackers Cheese Icy Poles
The program is emailed to families weekly as part of the Weekly PACC-age newsletter. PACC
welcomes any feedback, comments, suggestions or ideas relating to the program and
would encourage families to participate where possible.
Each term there will be term long projects that run once a week for the whole of term. This
gives children the opportunity to build toward a common goal, strengthen skills in a focused
area and allows growth and development to occur over a whole term.
Some examples of past term projects are:
- Sewing - Clay -Dance
- Woodwork - Drawing -Drama Games
- Gardening - Cooking
- Basketball - Team games
PACC Family Handbook Page 10Senior Club
This club is for children in year 5 & 6. It gives these children more freedom and autonomy over
their activities and challenges them to become more involved learners. Senior club is usually
held in a space separate from the juniors and requires a signed agreement to a set of
behaviour guidelines.
Homework
PACC provides the basic necessary equipment for children to complete their homework
including stationary and quiet areas when possible. PACC team members are not tutors but
will assist children when possible.
In 2020 PACC is investigating formalising a homework schedule that families will be able to
opt in to for a small extra fee.
Food
A healthy breakfast is available every day, consisting of:
Cereals including muesli, oats, weetbix, rice bubbles and corn flakes
Wholemeal toast with honey, jam and vegemite
Afternoon Tea is served every day at the beginning of each session. A variety of 4-5 fresh
fruits is always provided, along with a more substantial snack.
‘Treat’ foods are provided at breakfast and afternoon tea, but infrequently and in smaller
portions in order to maintain a balanced diet for our children.
PACC caters for the various dietary preferences and food allergies of our children. Parents of
children with restricted diets should contact PACC to develop a range of menu options that
fit their child’s needs.
PACC is a nut-free centre. Please do not pack any products containing nuts in your child’s
lunchbox.
The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating informs the options and portion sizes of PACC’s menu.
Vacation care
PACC provides a holiday program during each of the school holiday periods. The Centre is
closed only for public holidays and for 2 weeks during the Christmas and New Year period.
A program is developed incorporating a variety of in centre theme days and excursions. All
excursions and activities are compulsory, with most incurring an activity cost additional to the
daily fees. The program is released usually mid-term and early bird bookings are taken until 2
weeks prior to Vacation Care starting.
Vacation Care operating hours are from: 7:00am - 6:00pm
PACC cannot be responsible for children who arrive prior to 7am and like term time you must
collect your child by 6:00pm to avoid extra charges.
PACC Family Handbook Page 11PACC Staff & Parent Management Committee
PACC Staff
Director: Liam Hinchcliffe
Assistant Director: Katie Clisdell
Senior Program Coordinator: Carl Levido
Educator & Newsletter Editor: Steph Broadbridge
PACC Educators:
Chris Wahlin Ursula Hartung Angus Prott Taidhg Ryan
Ashley Boyle Jordan Berry Kara Boye Sam Duckworth
Claire Bowen
PACC Parent Management Committee (PMC)
The PMC is made up of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer as well as general
members.
For PACC to operate successfully it requires the support of the attending children’s parents.
The PMC oversees the management of the Centre. The members of the committee are
voted in at an Annual General Meeting held each October. If you are not able to commit to
being an active member of the committee there are others ways you can support the
centre, including attending committee meetings when possible, volunteering at a PACC
clean up or maintenance Working Bee, providing a skill such as graphic design, human
resources expertise, photography etc.
PMC meetings occur approximately every month.
PACC PMC Members
President: Sally Aitkin
Vice President: Sean Richardson
Treasurer: Catherine Hanrahan
Secretary: Ingrid Van Steenwyk
P & C Liaison: Rebecca Goodlud
General Members: Jason Sevil
Chris Hilliard
Natalie Saad
PACC Family Handbook Page 12PACC Policies
All our policies are currently undergoing review. As they are updated full copies will be
available on our website, alternatively if you wish to view our current policies in full contact
the PACC office. If you would like to be involved in the review process, please contact the
centre director.
PACC has a range of policies which inform and give structure to the everyday workings of
the centre.
These policies cover aspects of PACC’s operations such as:
- Child Protection
- Health and Safety
- Staffing arrangements
- Service Management and Governance
- Complaints
Welcome to the PACC family. We look forward to your family’s involvement in the service
throughout your child’s time at Petersham Public School.
PACC Family Handbook Page 13You can also read
