Belrose Children's Centre

Page Updated: July 1, 2011

Belrose Children's Centre

Cnr Bambara Rd & Forestway, Belrose Telephone: 9451 8126 / 9451 8091 Fax: 9451 0295	Other Long Day Care Centres
	Brookvale
	Dee Why
	Narrabeen

Growing & Learning Together

We are a purpose built, high quality accredited long day care service operated by Warringah Council. Belrose Children's Centre has been in operation since 1995. We currently provide care for 54 children a day aged eight weeks to school age. Our opening hours are between 7.30am and 6pm. The centre has three rooms that cater for children between the approximate ages of eight weeks to two years, two to three years and three to five years.

Our premises are located in a leafy environment, set back from the main road & adjoining a large playing field. The playrooms are spacious with large windows allowing for plenty of natural light. This gives a sense of bringing the outdoors in.

The centre is well equipped with resources that allow not only educational opportunity but also lots of fun. Our annual budget permits us to continue updating our facilities and resources. This enables us to continue creating an environment that fits with 'best practice' within the industry and is also responsive to community need.

Philosophy

The staff in partnership with parents aim to provide a high quality, educational, individualised, friendly environment for all children to grown and learn.

Within this we aim to:

Foster an environment that allows staff and parents to work effectively in partnership together, utilising and respecting the knowledge that both parties bring (parents the unique understanding of their child, and staff their professional knowledge and experience in the early childhood setting).
Implement a program that respects & encourages the diversity of roles & backgrounds of children, parents & staff within our centre.
Provide educational experiences that interest, challenge and promote creativity across all areas of each child’s development (social, emotional, physical, language, cognitive).
Provide a safe environment that allows children to take risks and success, thus allowing each child to develop to their full potential.
Provide and environment which promotes and encourages independence, responsibility and co-operation.
Support meaningful and developmentally appropriate play by providing a balance between structure and spontaneity.
Foster and develop each child’s confidence, self-esteem and individuality.
Appreciate the individuality of each child as well as characteristics all children share.
Foster an understanding and respect for the natural and made environments in which we work and play.
Provide an environment that caters for the health, welfare and wellbeing of the children, parents and staff within our centre.

Fees

Children in the 0-2 group - $91 per day (Lambs Room)
Children in the 2-3 group - $82.50 per day (Turtles Room)

Children in the 3-5 group - $70.50 per day (Starfish Room)

Fees are payable from the child's commencement date until the closing date. Payment can be made by cash, cheque or credit card.

Belrose Starfish Yard 1 As we are an approved service, all families (except non-resident) are eligible to claim the Child Care Benefit, either in the form of reduced fees or through their taxation return at the end of the financial year.

Grouping of Children

0-2 years – 8 children per day
2-3 Room – 20 children per day
3-5 years - 28 children per day

The Program

When developing programs for the children information is gathered through close observation of the children ‘at work’ and ‘at play’. We also take into account the uniqueness of every individual (different experiences, family background & culture). Staff are happy to work in partnership with you to encourage growth and development in specific areas, ensuring that appropriate opportunities are provided through programming.

Staff observe and document information about the processes children use, about their interactions and relationships, and their overall development. Staff use a range of techniques and tools to gather information about the children in our care such as observations, checklists, ongoing information from parents, reflecting on what the children are talking about and doing, their interests, as well as what is going on in the community and its impact.

Staff meet weekly to talk about the information they have gathered about individual children, they look critically at what has been provided in the environment (inside and out), and what the children were involved in and interested in. Staff also reflect on information gathered from families about their children (informal day to day communications, Parent Information Feedback Forms, formal Parent Teacher Meetings). Using all this information, staff think critically about the ongoing provisions in the centre while also ensuring that they can support the children’s spontaneity and choice.

Parent Participation

We strongly believe in a creating an inclusive environment and one that welcomes all family members equally. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate in all facets of the centre program. Input is sought annually concerning the centre’s current philosophy and broad centre goals. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to contribute to their child’s individual program by providing verbal and written information. We also welcome family members sharing aspects of their lives, such as skills and interests in order to broaden our program.

Accreditation

We are Accredited under the Quality Improvement & Accreditation System. This is administered by the National Childcare Accreditation Council who are an independent government body operating to monitor the quality of childcare services nationally. When last reviewed in June 2004 the Centre received a high quality rating for all 10 quality areas. A copy of the Centre's quality profile can be viewed at the Centre.