Early Childhood Out of Home Care Agreement

The Agreement on Early Childhood Care for Children in Out-of-Home Care (OoHC) aims to increase the participation of young children in the OoHC in high-quality early childhood education and care. The agreement reflects the early childhood sector`s shared commitment to children in the OOHC. It outlines the requirements and responsibilities of all parties to work together to ensure these children have access to high-quality early childhood education and care experiences. It also aims to increase the participation of young children in care at OoHC in high-quality early childhood education and care. Food and nutrition: Providers can provide meals and snacks, or they can ask parents to pack food for their children. If the supplier serves meals and snacks, ask to see the supplier`s weekly menu. The child care provider`s menu should include healthy meals and snacks that meet federal dietary guidelines. If meals and snacks are not provided, ask the provider if there are any types of foods that are not allowed in the facility (e.B many programs are nut-free) so that you can ensure that the meals and snacks you pack for your child comply with program policies. Open Door Policy: You should be allowed to consult your child care provider at all times. Make sure your provider allows you to visit unexpectedly whenever your child is there. Termination Policy: You should agree on the notice period required if you or the provider must terminate your child care contract Sick Child Policies: When is your child too sick to be with other children and should they stay at home? Some programs are able to care for mildly ill children in a way that does not put other children at risk. However, many programs do not offer child care for sick children.

This means that you will need other care arrangements if your child is sick. High-quality child care programs have written policies and procedures. Some may summarize this information in a parent`s manual. Some providers may also ask you to sign a statement stating that you have received a copy of the policies and procedures. Even if you don`t have to sign a declaration, it`s important that you review policies and procedures with your provider to make sure you agree. If you have any questions about the agreement, please contact early.childhood.oohc@edumail.vic.gov.au. Here are the goals and actions that the agreement partners will work to achieve over the next three years: You want your child to be safe, healthy, happy and learning, both with you and in the care of others. How you want your child to be cared for is extremely important. Knowing that your child will be cared for the way you want, you will have more peace of mind when you are gone.

The agreement is a partnership between the following organizations: Emergency Preparedness Plans: Emergencies such as natural disasters may result in the temporary suspension of child care programs. An emergency closure may occur while your child is in care. How will you be informed of the closures and the reopening plan? Is the provider able to provide adequate care for your child if you can`t reach them for several hours or even days? If the facility needs to be evacuated due to an emergency, do you know where to pick up your child? All of these issues should be addressed in a written contingency plan. This plan may be part of the policies and procedures or it may be a separate document. The agreement was also extended to Indigenous agencies, non-profit organizations and specialized health services. View the agreement and accompanying documents here. An independent review of the agreement in 2016 recommended extending it to Indigenous and community service organizations. Parties to the agreement now include the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA), the Victorian Aboriginal Children and Young People`s Alliance (the Alliance), the Centre of Excellence for Child and Family Welfare (the Centre), the Community Child Care Association (CCC) and the Victorian Aboriginal Educational Association Incorporated (VAEAI). The need for greater integration in health was also recognised and reflected in the inclusion of key partners in the health field, including the Vic Tas Primary Health Network Alliance (VTPHA) and the Victorian Healthcare Association (VHA). The agreement has also been updated to highlight the importance of data sharing and tracking and to reflect policy and legislative changes. You should have a signed contract with your provider before you start care.

The contract must include items that you have agreed to with your child care provider. This includes your child`s schedule, the prices and fees you will be charged, who is eligible to pick up your child, how the vacation will be managed, and what you will need to do if you want to end care. Mandatory vaccinations: Vaccinations are essential to keep your child and other children in the child care program healthy. Find out more about why vaccinations are so important. A contract includes details about the partnership between you and your child care provider and can help avoid misunderstandings. Some elements that you will find in a child care contract may also be included in the child care provider`s policies. Alternative care and alternative care providers: What is the policy for proxy or replacement care if your child`s primary caregiver is unable to attend? It is important that the information is written. Having the information in writing is a great sign that a provider has invested time and effort in deciding how to care for children and run their business. In addition, written policies and procedures must be made available to all employees and volunteers so that they can understand and follow them.

Transportation policies: If your child care provider is driving your child on a bus or car, make sure the drivers are licensed and insured. You must also ensure that the vehicle is in good condition and that your child is secured with the right type of car seat, booster seat or seat belt, depending on your child`s height and age. There are many topics that can be addressed in the policies and procedures of a child care program. The following list describes some of the things to look out for: Exclusion and Exclusion Policies: Programs may have their own exclusion and exclusion policies, or the state you live in may have a policy that licensed child care programs must follow. It is important to know what these guidelines are. Daily schedule: Look for a schedule that suits your child`s needs. Things like naps, meals and snacks, outdoor games, and free play are usually included in the daily routine. The daily routine should be age-appropriate and flexible enough to meet the needs of the children in care. Ask how the daily routine supports your child`s learning and development. The agreement is intended to meet the following requirements: If you visit a potential child care program, you should receive a copy of their policies and procedures.

If the supplier does not offer this information, ask for it! You want to make sure that you agree with the way your child is being cared for. The agreement has been updated to ensure that Victoria`s most vulnerable children can thrive. The updated agreement includes new priorities, goals, and actions, while continuing to focus on: The terms of the child care license agreement say a lot about how a licensed provider cares for your child. Before choosing a child care provider, you can find out from several locations. In addition to visiting and asking questions, you can check a supplier`s license, view their inspection history, and find their quality score (if available). Depending on your condition, you may be able to perform these tasks online. Our State Resources page can provide you with more information on these topics and provides an online search link for child care in your state, which, if possible, also displays some of this information in provider lists if your state makes this information publicly available. The agreement also affects all children in kinship care and their caregivers who engage in supported play groups or playgroups supported by Koorie. The agreement aims to address the health, learning and developmental needs as well as the cultural needs of children and the inclusion of children in universal services in particular: The Early Childhood Agreement for Children In Care Away from Home (OOHC) was first established in 2014 as a joint commitment of the Victorian Ministry of Education and Training (DET), of the Department of Health and Social Services (DHHS), developed.

the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) to support the young children of the OOHC in Victoria, Australia, with access to important early childhood services. .