Policies
To ensure the safety and wellbeing of all those who utilize our programs and facilities, Aspendale Gardens Community Services has a number of policies in place. The following is a summary of these policies (you can click on the links for further information).
Privacy Policy
We believe your privacy is important and have in place a Privacy Policy which illustrates how we collect, use, disclose, manage and transfer personal information as well as health information (as per Health Records Act (Vic)). This policy is available on request.
Information is usually collected to provide for the care and education of children attending our service as well as committee members, employees, volunteers, students and job applicants. This enables us to manage and administer services as required.
Sunsmart Policy
Our Sunsmart Policy, we believe meets the essential criteria as outlined by The Cancer Council Victoria's SunSmart Early Childhood Program. This policy is followed whenever UV Index levels reach 3 and above, usually from September to April (Terms 1 & 4).
As part of this policy, children are required to wear a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen (or sun protective clothing) during outside activities.
This policy is in place to minimize the risk of sun damage to young skin and eyes and to initiate sun smart habits at an early age. Our dedicated preschool and child care staff act as role models by practicing SunSmart behaviours.
See also:
Cancer Council Victoria at www.cancervic.org.au
SunSmart at www.sunsmart.com.au
Anaphylaxis Policy
We are committed to provide, as far as practicable a safe and healthy environment for all who attend our centre, especially those at risk of anaphylaxis (a severe and life threatening allergic reaction) and to raise community awareness about allergies and anaphylaxis.
It is not possible to achieve a completely allergen free environment in any centre open to the general community. Therefore our Anaphylaxis Policy has been devised to adopt a range of procedures and strategies to minimize the risk and provide emergency treatment should the need arise (including training staff to recognize symptoms and in the competent use of an epipen).
For further information on our policy, or information about allergies and anaphylaxis, see also:
Australasian Society of Clinical immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) at www.allergy.org.au
Anaphylaxis Australia Inc at www.allergyfacts.org.au
Royal Children's Hospital, Department of Allergy at www.rch.org.au
Nutrition and Food Safety Policy (incl. hot drinks guideline)
Our nutrition and food safety policy has been put in place to ensure that the nutritional needs and/or dietary requirements of the children are catered for as well as ensuring the safety and well being (see Anaphylaxis Policy) of children attending our centre.
This policy is also intended to educate staff, parents/carers and other users of the centre on prevention of burns or scalds from hot drinks and potential food hazards such as choking, anaphylaxis and safe food preparation guidelines.
For further information see also:
Kidsafe (hazardous foods) www.kidsafewa.com.au/factsheets/NEW%20Choking%20and%20Suffocation%202005.pdf
Dept Human Services-Children's Services Guide, www.dhs.vic.gov.au/earlychildhood
Policy for picking up/dropping off children at preschool
We require that children are picked up or dropped off at preschool by a responsible adult (defined as a person over 16 years of age).
Parents/carers must also make staff aware if they have arranged for their child to be picked up by someone else.