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NSW FAMILY DAY CARE ASSOCIATION AND PEAK TRAINING NEWSLETTER • AUTUMN 2013

Wagga Wagga celebrates 80 years of early childhood education Late last year, Wagga Wagga Regional Family Day Care held their 37th annual celebration night. This night recognises the years of service for educators and staff. Four educators celebrated their years of service. The four ladies represent 80 years of education and care to the Wagga community. Below are some testimonials from people close to Marie Thornton, celebrating her 20 years of service. The sentiments expressed would be true for educators in general! ‘We certainly struck gold with Marie. Not only was Marie respectful of our needs and took the time at the end of the day to discuss the day’s events, but she totally understood the individual needs of the children she cared for.’ ‘Marie treats her day care children like one of her own. Birthdays were special days and little “parties” were given to celebrate each milestone in the child’s life. Being at work we would miss out on so much, so we treasure photos taken at Marie’s.’ ‘Marie paved the way for his future academic abilities, which we are so proud of. His promising career as a pharmacist is just ahead of him with one

Sitting left-to-right: Loraine Stevens, Kerrie Williams, Marie Thornton Standing: Janette Bewsell.

SAVE THE DATE!

NSWFDCA Annual Networking and Professional Development Forum 2013 Park Royal Hotel, Sydney 4-5-6 September 2013

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WELCOME Anita Jovanovski, CEO

Welcome to the Autumn edition of Connections: the start of a new year. According to Chinese astrology, 2013 is the Year of the Water Snake. The element of water is generally associated with money and wealth so, hopefully, this will be a prosperous year for all Family Day Care services in NSW. It’s great to be back after the holidays and at the Association’s office. I’ve picked up business as usual again – we’re already taking the first steps towards the 2013 conference and I’ve just finalised the venue and dates. The 2013 Annual Networking and Professional Development Forum will be held in the Park Royal Hotel in Sydney on 4–6 September 2013 and I’m playing with ideas for different themes for the conference. A focus will surely be on the proposed ratio changes starting in 2014 and how Family Day Care can stay financially viable. This has been of great concern to me and has kept me thinking over the holiday period. Changes under the National Quality Framework will mean that from 2014, educators will only be allowed to care for four children under school age. This could mean the loss of 5,000 Family Day Care places daily throughout NSW. We need to know whether there are educational and social advantages to children within Family Day Care that justify this loss. That’s why the Association has proposed a research to be carried out by an independent group of researchers. I’ve sent a proposal to Children’s Services Central for funding to conduct ‘think tanks’ across NSW to gather solutions from members. I’m also compiling fact sheets for educators and service providers that should be available to our members soon. I’m still looking for a new property for our steadily growing Association office. At the moment we’re running out of space to put the desks and the Association would like a purpose-designed training room. I have some options in mind and hopefully we’ll be able to move into a more suitable office soon. Happy reading!

Anita Jovanovski CEO NSW Family Day Care Association

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Wagga Wagga celebrates 80 years of early childhood education Continued from page 1. final exam next week and his educational start was with the assistance of Marie.’ ‘It was like finding a little piece of day care heaven.’ ‘Never a boring moment with so many small kids around, there was always someone who needs you. Being exposed to a wide array of people and families was great life experience that allowed me to see how families work in different ways and that no one way is right.’ Sarah, Marie’s daughter ‘I remember the times when there was always some little person hanging off my leg or wanting to show me a toy they had found. Growing up in the Family Day Care home taught me what to expect when I have children of my own.’ Matthew, Marie’s son Does you service also have a special celebration for educators or staff who receive Long Service Awards? Let us know and we’ll publish it in our newsletter.

Regulations info In the past, FDC educators could appeal to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal if they are deregistered from a FDC service. Under the National Law and Regulations, the right to a review is when the decision or action has been made by the Regulatory Authority. Family Day Care Educators would have the right to appeal to the Administrative Decisions Tribunal, if the decision to suspend or cancel an approval was taken out by the Regulatory Authority under clause 191 of the Law. In the case where the Family Day Care Scheme has taken the action to suspend an Educator’s registration, the Educator should contact NSW Industrial Relations with regards to the termination of employment. Their website address is: www.industrialrelations.nsw.gov.au. NSW Industrial Relations can also be contacted on 131 628.

AUTUMN 2013 • CONNECTIONS

NEWS IN BRIEF

Kids and Traffic Kids and Traffic, the early childhood road safety education program, is a joint effort by Transport for NSW and Macquarie University. There is a new free resource guide available for early childhood professionals. The guide includes four inserts that encourage conversations about various road safety issues, including driveway safety. Find an order form on their website: www.kidsandtraffic.mq.edu.au or send an email to: [email protected]

New Working With Children Check postponed A new Working With Children Check will start in NSW in 2013. The previously advised start date of 11 February is no longer applicable. A rescheduled start date will be advised in early 2013. Until the start of the new check, the current check continues.

Funding approved The PSSP of NSWFDCA is part of a consortium with Children Services Central. This photo with Anita (CEO NSWFDCA) and Mandy (PSSP manager) was taken at the celebration of funding approved for the next three years.

Dad and Partner Pay scheme The paid parental leave scheme funded by the Australian Government will include a ‘Dad and Partner Pay’ payment for working fathers or partners who will be caring for a child born or adopted from 1 January 2013. This payment will be available to adopting parents and same-sex partners. A claim lodged by the dad or partner up to three months before the birth or adoption, or within 12 months following, can amount to two weeks of pay at the rate of the national minimum wage. More information on www.fahcsia.gov.au.

CONNECTIONS • AUTUMN 2013

Excellent rating guidelines out now The Excellent rating guidelines are now available online in anticipation of ACECQA being able to accept application from services later in 2013. The guidelines provide information on the process for applying for the Excellent rating. They outline how you can apply and what you should include in your application. The guidelines and information sheet on the Excellent rating are available at acecqa.gov.au/excellent-rating

ASSOCIATION NEWS PSSP The February–June 2013 Children’s Services Central professional development handbook is available online at www.cscentral. org.au and all services should have received a hard copy. This is an invaluable resource for professional development and training for the Family Day Care sector. NSW Family Day Care is delivering 30 funded professional development sessions around NSW in the next six months. Please refer to the handbook for a session near you and bookings. Topics covered are: n Educational Leaders in FDC; n WH&S Risk Management for FDC; Guiding Children’s Behaviour in FDC Sustainable FDC Environments; n Design, Implement and Evaluate Programs and Care Routines for Children; n Community Conversations; n Governance Training for Community-based FDC Sponsors; n Partnerships in Learning; n FDC Educator Forum; and n Role and Responsibilities of an FDC Nominated Supervisor. Fee for Service Training is also available through the PSSP. To request training for your FDC service please contact Mandy or Rosie on 1800 157 818 press 2 for FDC.

NQF support Have you been assessed and rated? Do you have new staff? Has your QIP identified some professional development needs? The PSSP at NSWFDC is funded to provide support to FDC services at a maximum cost of $110 for up to 10 hours support. For further information please contact Mandy or Rosie on 1800 157 818 press 2 for FDC.

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Invitation to Family Day Care Educators A one-day FDC educator forum will be held in Sydney (6 April 2013) and Coffs Harbour (8 June 2013). Hear from experienced FDC facilitators about FDC specific issues such as ratio changes from 2014, EYLF, documenting and managing risks. For $66 per person you will receive morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea and listen to some exciting and inspirational speakers. To book a place please visit: www.cscentral.org.au. For enquiries, please call NSWFDCA on 1800 157 818 press 2 for FDC.

IHC PEAK WELL news update WELL partially funded English supported Certificate III courses have been very successful! n The trainers report all learners have settled into classes in a very relaxed manner. They are enjoying their learning and using their new knowledge in their services. n Learners are enjoying learning from each other. They are developing friendships with each other. They enjoyed Christmas parties, sharing food and Christmas celebration stories at the end of 2012. n Learners are getting positive feedback from families and co-ordination units. n Learners are putting into practice what they have learnt in class, e.g. communication books and emailing a daily report to families. n Learners who have trouble writing are taking on computer courses to help with documenting. n Learners are also getting wonderful feedback from families and coordination units and the children regarding Aboriginal studies, many learners have brought resources, e.g. books, music, pictures and incorporating these into their programs. n Co-ordination units have been very responsive, giving learners feedback on assessment their tasks.    n WELL learners are proving to be a pleasure to work with and have provided truly inspirational feedback regarding the course.

Great news Funded Sydney places still available. Waiting lists are in place, so please phone PEAK Training on 9572 9440 or send an email to: [email protected].

More funding We have had an additional 150 funded places through National Workforce Development Fund available for Certificate III, Diploma in Children’s services and TAE Trainer and Assessor qualifications. Skill sets and correspondence paths of study available. Waiting lists are in place, so please phone PEAK Training on 9572 9440 or send an email to: [email protected].

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NSW In-Home Care Services (NSWIHCS) would like to welcome back all its existing In-Home Care Service Providers along with some new services; Gunnedah FDC, Upper Hunter FDC, Camden FDC and Orange FDC. A trip to Camden FDC care is scheduled in late February to explain the process of In-Home Care to FDC co-ordinators. NSWIHCS is excited about 2013 and is looking forward to providing quality early childhood education for all families across NSW through our brokerage service, as well as our own service provision. Our Project Officer has been busy recruiting families and educators through referral agencies and word of mouth. We are planning an induction day in late February for new Educators. The induction day will cover Educators responsibilities and legal obligations while working for NSWIHCS.

‘What to See, Say and Show’ Educator Resource back in stock Our popular educator resource ‘What to See, Say and Show’ is available again for members and non-members. More than 100 pages link the all the 58 elements of the National Quality Standard to the questions: ‘What would I see?’ ‘What would I say?’, ‘What would I show?’ and the EYLF outcomes. This is supported by beautiful colour photos. Members can enjoy a discounted price of $20; non-members pay $50 (this includes postage and handling). You can find the order form on our website: www.nswfdc.org.au.

Regs and Law packs now available NSW Family Day Care Association has printed the ‘Education and Care Service National Regulations’ and the Children (Educational and Care Services National Law Application) Act 2010 and they’re available as a pack. The ‘Regs & Law’ packs are sold at cost price to our members for $25, non-members pay $40 (includes postage and handling). Order form is available on our website.

AUTUMN 2013 • CONNECTIONS

(iii) is mistakenly locked in or locked out of the premises where the Activity is being undertaken or any part of those premises. Note: this definition refers to the same matters as the definition in regulation 12 of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 published on the Legislation Website of New South Wales.

‘Serious incident’ re-defined The Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care has advised us of a re-definition of ‘Serious Incident’ in the National Regulations. “Most of the Family Day Care Services have a 2011–2012 Funding Agreement with us, which we extended on 30 May 2012 for the 2012–2013 financial year. The Notice to Extend the Community Support Program Funding Agreement included an Attachment A (amendments to Activity Schedules) and Attachment B (amendments to the Terms and Conditions).” Attachment B (1.16) re-defined Serious Incident: ‘Serious Incident’ means: (a) the death of a child: (i) while being educated and cared for as part of the Activity; or (ii) following an incident while being educated and cared for as part of the Activity; (b) any incident involving injury or trauma to, or illness of, a child while being educated and cared for as part of the Activity for which: (i) the attention of a registered medical practitioner was sought, or ought reasonably to have been sought; or (ii) the child attended, or ought reasonably to have attended, a hospital; (c) any incident where the attendance of emergency services at premises where the Activity is being undertaken was sought, or ought reasonably to have been sought; (d) any circumstance where a child being educated and cared for as part of the Activity: (i) appears to be missing or cannot be accounted for; or (ii) appears to have been taken or removed from the premises where the Activity is being undertaken in a manner that would contravene the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011, regardless of whether the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 apply to the Activity; or

Attachment B 13.1        Clause 16 (Liaison and monitoring) A Serious Incident must be reported as follows: (c) notify us in writing, in accordance with any requirements specified in the Guidelines, including the format for notification, within 24 hours of: (i) a Serious Incident occurring; or (ii) any circumstance that could have resulted in the occurrence of a Serious Incident but did not; and a service still needs to inform DEEWR of Serious Incidents.  Details of the incident can be emailed to: [email protected] or a fax can be sent to: (02) 6123 7429.   If a service has a question regarding their reporting requirements they should contact Sonja Marte from the Child Care Services Support Team at the Office of Early Childhood Education and Child Care on (02) 9297 9324.

NSW FDC ASSOCIATION

Anita Jovanovski CEO Mandy Ross Manager PSSP Rosie Pupo Project Officer PSSP Jenny Hoang Accounts Officer Magda Jansen Association Membership Officer

PEAK TRAINING

Anita Jovanovski CEO Julie Brooks PEAK Manager Valerie Knezevic Senior Administration Officer Fatima Livotto Administration Support Josua Mataitoga Administration Support Margaret Logan Training Support

NSW IN HOME CARE SERVICES 1300 795 401 E: [email protected] Maria Fazio Manager Sonia Vicario Project Officer Dusanka Romic Administration Anne Bentley Administration Marissa Black Administration 442 Parramatta Road, Petersham NSW 2049 PO Box N107, Petersham North NSW 2049 T: (02) 9572 9440 F: (02) 9572 8759 E: [email protected] www.nswfdc.org.au www.facebook.com/NSWFDC

FREE CALL 1800 157 818

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Disclaimer This newsletter is provided for information only and should not be used in place of professional advice. The NSW Family Day Care Association Inc. and PEAK Training, the author/s and any other person/s associated in any way with the development and or production of this newsletter expressly disclaim all and any liability (both in contract and for negligence) to any person or organisation whatsoever in respect of anything done or omitted to be done by any such person or organisation in reliance upon any part of the text or any inference drawn from the text appearing in this material.

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