July 2024
As we embrace the Winter season, it’s fascinating to reflect on how Aboriginal peoples have historically adapted to cooler weather through ingenious methods and a deep connection with nature. Winter provides unique learning opportunities for young children, from exploring the science of rain and ice to engaging in seasonal arts and crafts. It’s a perfect time to teach about the changes in nature, the importance of staying active even in the cold, and the joys of winter storytelling and traditions. By incorporating these elements, we can create a rich, multifaceted learning experience that celebrates the season.
Nature Alliance Staff Update
We are happy to say that our newly restructured team has settled in beautifully. It has been a long process to find the right people and we couldn’t be happier. Mandy and Sandra have been amazing at accepting all the challenges that have come their way and the whole team has gracefully accepted the extra tasks that had to be managed while the Admin team learn the processes and systems. It has been a hectic time of year to get started but our processes and routines have become established and are now being fine-tuned so that we can be as efficient as possible. We would like to thank all the Educators who have reached out with feedback along the way as this helps us recognize areas that we can support you better. We know that it’s not always easy adjusting to changes in processes and we thank you for being patient with any delays that you may have experienced. If you do have any feedback or would like to chat to us, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your ESO or other relevant staff member. As always, we encourage open and honest discussions to problem solve because without effective communication conflict, tensions and misunderstandings are more likely to arise in the workplace and growth is limited.
Welcome
We would like to extend a very warm welcome to Cassie Lawler in Australind, Nicola Oldham in Leschenault, Karley Gibbons in Hazelmere and Regan Bruce in Dalyellup. We are all very excited to be working with you and seeing all the wonderful things you and your children get up to in your Family Day Care services. Welcome to the Nature Alliance family!
Updated Administration Processes
We have had a few questions from Educators about the enrolment process and also some concerns about rejected timesheets. We thought we would explain what the process is so that you have a greater understanding.
Enrolling Children
1. Educator sends enrolling Parents email and booking details to the Admin team
2. Admin email the Educator’s fee schedule and Enrolment link to Parent.
3. Parent completes and submits the online enrolment form
4. The enrolment is uploaded (or sent back to be completed correctly if incomplete with a message)
5. Parent is sent a Welcome email asking them to confirm their enrolment in MyGov and with Harmony
6. Once confirmed the initial Enrolment and Holding fees are issued
7. Parent pays initial fees and sends confirmation of payment
8. Payment is receipted and the child is now active on Harmony
9. Educator and Parent are emailed an Official Enrolment Confirmation
10. Care can now begin!!!
Rejected Timesheets
1. Admin Staff find an administrative error on a timesheet while checking for compliance.
2. Timesheet is returned to Educator with a message of correction required in service comments.
3. Educator clears parent authorization to return timesheet to editable format. (no need to reauthorize)
4. Educator corrects error e.g. Add missing sign out or selecting absent or cancelled.
5. Educator resubmits timesheet.
6. Timesheets are processed and submitted to CCS.
Please don’t feel bad if your timesheet is “rejected”. We understand it is a negative word and incites a negative feeling, but it really is a positive as it ensures you are being paid correctly for your time and meet compliance. Feel free to call if you require assistance with any of our processes as we are always happy to offer guidance.
Protective Behaviours Training
During your visits this month, you would have heard that Nature Alliance has secured Protective Behaviours Training for you in September 2024. Since you will be Mandatory Reporters from November 2024, we thought that this course would be a perfect accompaniment to your new status. Protective Behaviours is a personal safety program that teaches children skills and strategies to identify and respond to a range of unsafe situations. When the Ombudsman conducts their visits to assess your understanding of Mandatory Reporting they may ask you how you are teaching the children about protecting themselves. This course will definitely meet those requirements; therefore, we are requiring that all Educators complete the course before November 2024. We are offering two dates, Tuesday, 3rd and Thursday, 26th September for you to complete the training so please check your calendars to decide which one is better suited to you.
Mandatory Reporting
Educators and Educator Assistants will be required to complete the Mandatory Reporting training annually. We have uploaded certificates and set reminders for those Educators who have already completed the training provided by the Department of Communities. For those who are yet to complete the training, please ensure that this is done before the end of September. The link for the webinar can be found here.
Hi from Geraldton….
In this new segment of the newsletter, we thought that it would be a great idea to share Educator profiles with you! This month we would like to introduce you to the magic that is Adele Lancaster from Wandina Family Day Care in Geraldton! Adele has a phenomenal outdoor environment which has just grown and blossomed over the years that she has been with Nature Alliance. She enjoys making beautiful spaces and natural resources and is always teaching the children something about caring for the planet and nature. Adele has a wonderful sense of humour and inspires such interesting conversations with the children. Thank you for all the hard work you do Adele and for always providing such an inviting and magical Family Day Care environment!
Nature Alliance Annual Membership
The Annual Membership Invoices were sent to you via email at the beginning of July for payment by the end of August. The Annual Membership amount remains the same at $350.00. If you would like to enter into a payment plan to pay this, please contact Sandra in the office by phoning 0431 449 567 or emailing her at info@naturealliancefdc.com.au.
FDCA Tax Webinar
Family Day Care Australia hosted a special end of financial year Family Day Care Tax Tips webinar last month and those Educators who watched it thought that it would be a valuable webinar to share with other Educators. The guest for the webinar was Ben Mueller from FDC Tax and he discussed a range of topics including a 2024 tax update for FDC, getting the best value from your accountant, 2024 tax cuts and how much should you save for tax and super. To watch the webinar, click here.
Regular Outings and Excursions
Policy 5.2 states that Educators will notify parents and the Service prior to any excursion other than the regular drop off or collection of children to or from school. It is essential that this is done as we are required to know your whereabouts at all times that children are in your care. Before leaving please log onto Harmony to ensure all children have been signed in and then either send a text or email to the office or to your ESO. Our working days are at the bottom of this newsletter. If you do decide to text the office, please send your message to 0431 449 567.
First Aid Kits without Expiry Dates
We have had some information shared with us about First Aid Kits that are available without expiry dates on items. The brand of the First Aid Kit is MERRITS and there are a few companies that sell them. We have found that the best website is Cleaning Products Australia Group. They have a 300pc kit for $42.31
Great Resource
Have you seen the Yarning Cards from Koori Curriculum? This resource has been created to engage children in conversations and to mentor “out of the box” thinking. Try this out with your children, “Would you rather be a Koala or a Kangaroo? Why?”
Word of the Day
Multimodal Play – Modes are ways or means of communicating meaning in some way so multimodal play is about children and Educators using the many different types of resources and materials around them that can potentially be a mode to communicate and make meaning, eg. Exploring space through dress-ups, art, block play, in the reading corner, through music and during outdoor play!
2024 Excellence in Family Day Care Awards
Congratulations to all of the Educators and staff who have been nominated for the FDCA Excellence Awards. We are also very grateful for the nomination for the Service and are excitedly putting our submission together. We encourage all Educators to take a moment out of your busy week to develop your submission. You do amazing work and your families have taken the time to let Family Day Care Australia know how much you mean to them. Hold your head up high and proudly share what you do in your service! Remember that submissions close on Sunday, 21st July. We would like to wish you all good luck!
PD in Your Pocket: Ensuring Safe Arrival and Transport of Children
Attending professional development is crucial for Educators as it enhances teaching skills, keeps you updated with the latest research and best practices, and can reignite your passion. This continuous learning not only improves your ability to manage and support children’s development but also ensures you provide high-quality education and care. By investing in your professional growth, you contribute to better outcomes for the children and families you serve, and you may find renewed inspiration and motivation in your important work. PD in Your Pocket is a great resource for free online training that is specific for Family Day Care. Last month they had a session on Safe arrival / Transport of children in Family Day Care. If you didn’t get to view this session on the night you can access it here Safe arrival/Transport of children in Family Day Care: June 2024 – NSWFDCA. You will also be able to have access to all previous sessions.
The next PD in your pocket will be Using technology in FDC with Dr Kate Highfield! You can register to attend on the website here PD in your Pocket – NSWFDCA
Office Hours
Our office hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm. If you have a query outside of these hours, please phone and leave a message. If you need to speak with someone in an emergency, please ring Jo Georgiou and if your call is not answered immediately, leave a message and your call will be returned.
Phone Numbers
Sandra / Mandy: 0431 449 567 (Mon – Fri); Joy: 0429 030 362 (Mon, Tues, Wed & Fri); Jo C: 0477 029 531 (Mon – Fri); Jo G: 0477 029 132 (Mon – Thurs); Lea: 0477 029 228 (Mon, Tue, Thurs & Fri).
To ensure that we respond to your emails promptly please send your queries to: info@naturealliancefdc.com.au
“Inspiration comes from within yourself. One has to be positive. When you’re positive, good things happen.” Deep Roy