FAQs

• Bullen Bullen (6 months to 2 ½ years old)
• Yiagaith (2-year-old)
• Yiagaith (3-year-old kindergarten)- Must turn 3 by the 30th April
• Kurnbook (4-Year-old Funded Kindergarten)- Must turn 4 by the 30th April

• Nursery Room (6 months to 18 months old)
• Toddler (18 months to 2½ years old)
• Pre-Kinder (2½ – 3½ years old)
• 3 Year Old Kindergarten
• 4 Year Old Kindergarten
• Three-year-old Kindergarten program (must turn 3 by the 30th April)
• Four-year-old Kindergarten program (must turn 4 by the 30th April)

When you arrive at the centre, please sign your child/ren into the allocated attendance tablet located in the foyer. This is used as a tool for an emergency and is also used for CCS purposes. When you arrive to pick your child up from the centre, please let the educators know that you are taking your child and sign them out.

All educators are qualified to work in our early childhood setting and hold a minimum Certificate III in Children’s Services. All of our educators are trained in First Aid, CPR, Asthma, Anaphylaxis, Food Handlers and Child Protection. Management and educators in the three and four-year-old rooms hold a Bachelor in Early Childhood or equivalent and BRELC has a Registered nurse.

In the early childhood setting curriculum is defined by all the interactions, experiences, activities and routines and events, planned and unplanned, that occur in an environment designed to foster children’s learning and development. The Framework puts children’s learning at the core and comprises three inter-related elements: Principles, Practice and Learning Outcomes. All three elements are fundamental to early childhood pedagogy and curriculum decision-making. The curriculum encompasses all the interactions, experiences, routines and events, planned and unplanned, that occurs in an environment designed to foster children’s learning and development. The emphasis in the Framework is on the planned or intentional aspects of the curriculum. Children are receptive to a wide range of experiences. What is included or excluded from the curriculum affects how children learn, develop and understand the world. The Framework supports a model of curriculum decision-making as an ongoing cycle. This involves educators drawing on their professional knowledge, including their in-depth knowledge of each child. Working in partnership with families, educators use the Learning Outcomes to guide their planning for children’s learning. In order to engage children actively in learning, educators identify children’s strengths and interests, choose appropriate teaching strategies and design the learning environment.

Yes, at Bridge Road and Monash Vale Early Learning Centres we have a funded four-year-old kindergarten program and employ kindergarten teachers who hold either a Bachelor or Masters of Education. Our Kindergarten programs are the same as a council run (sessional) kindergartens and private schools. The difference is we operate our kindergarten program through our long day care with the program running within 3 different session times Monday to Friday and are open 50 to 51 weeks a year inclusive of school holidays catering to all family and work situations.

Yes, a minimum of two days.

We assess the waiting list on a monthly basis or if a vacancy opens. The waiting list is assessed a month before your requested enrolment date. Positions are offered according to the days requested, your child’s age and availabilities in the room/centre.

For many children who enter our centre, it is the first experience of being separated from their parents/families. To overcome separation anxiety, it is important that parents and educators work together to build that special relationship which ensures the transition from home to our centre is as smooth and anxiety-free as possible. Even if your child has been separated from you before, they will undergo an adjustment period. Orientation plays an important role in the settling process of your child. Our recommended steps ensure each child’s transition is a successful and positive one.

Orientation 1: We recommend you arrive at 9.30am and stay with your child for one hour. This is a suitable time for your child to explore their new environment whilst having someone familiar around. It is also a good opportunity to get to know your child’s educator and discuss your child’s routine and interests.

Orientation 2: We recommend you arrive at the same time as orientation number one and pass on any relevant information to the educator. We suggest you leave your child for two hours at the centre to assist them to become familiar with the new environment, and educators.

Orientation 3: We recommend you arrive at 9.30am and leave your child at the centre for half a day. Orientation three will build on the relationships formed in orientations one and two and the educators will begin to introduce the child into the current curriculum.

We actively seek and encourage families to be involved in our service. This can range from evaluating and adding input to your child’s program and observations, sharing skills and experiences that the children and the program will benefit from. If you are interested please see the educator in your room to organise a suitable time to participate within the program.

Breakfast, Morning Tea, Lunch, Afternoon tea and a light snack for supper. Milk, water and S26 formula are provided throughout the day. Sippy cups are also provided for the Toddler Room.

We are a nut free and egg free centre. We kindly ask that no food/drink is to be brought into the centre.

The Educators will communicate with you when you pick up your child. There is also an online portfolio and communication app called Story Park.

Yes, the sun smart website is checked daily and if the UV rays are above 3, sunscreen is applied every two hours and hats are to be worn. If the UV is above 3 and your child has no hat, they are to play in the shade for the day. Alternative sunscreen can be brought in and left at the centre if your child is sensitive to the centre sunscreen.

Dr Chan attends Monash Vale Early Learning Centre every Wednesday morning from 10.00/10.30 (excluding term holidays) and Bridge Road Early Learning Centre every Thursday morning from 9.00/9.30 (excluding term holidays). Dr Chan is a GP who attends early childhood settings to provide check-ups, vaccinations and scripts.

All children are to be immunised to attend Bridge Road ELC and Monash Vale ELC. It is your responsibility to provide the centre with updated immunisation records. If an outbreak occurs and your child is not old enough to have the immunisation, you will be asked to pick up your child.

If your child has a temperature, we will administer Panadol (if permission is given on your enrolment form) if the temperature remains above 37.5, you will be asked to come and collect them. You will be asked to collect your child if they have any other illness deemed infectious or if your child is deemed too unwell for care. For any infectious diseases, a medical certificate will be required before your child can attend the centre. if a child is unwell, they are required to stay at home for a 24hour period since their last symptom.

In case of an accident or illness, parents will be informed and a form will be left at the reception desk for you to sign.

Medication is to be signed in and handed over at the reception desk. A medication form is to be filled in correctly and the medication labelled with the child’s name or medication cannot be administered. At the end of the day, you can collect the medication from reception and sign the medication form to acknowledge the medication was administered.

A full week fee will be required on the last day of orientation. Fees must be paid in advance in full and will be modified when Centrelink informs us of how much they are contributing to your fees.
Payments are to be two weeks in advance at all times.

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure you are up to date with your payments, that you have applied for Centrelink and that your Centrelink is up to date. All correct information needs to be forwarded to the centre as soon as possible.

Fees are paid on booked care, not on attendance. If absent for any reason fees still apply.

0-3 years 1:4

3-5 years 1:11

Yes, we are a registered childcare provider. You will be able to claim Government benefit relating to your childcare.

Please call your nominated Early Learning centre, Richmond on 9429 2944 or Clayton on 9543 5099 to arrange a tour. Once the tour has been completed you will be able to complete a waitlist form.

you can join our waitlists before your baby is born.

The daily fee depends on the age group. We will provide you with a fee structure during your tour

No. From the 1^st January 2018, all children attending BRELC or MVELC will need to be fully up – to – date with their immunisations, or be on a catch-up schedule, or have a medical exemption to be enrolled.

 

Children who are not vaccinated will not receive the Child Care Subsidy.