The Program

The Out of School Hours Program at Watsonia North Primary School is affectionately known to the school community as ‘Cool Care’. It is a community owned service sponsored by the School Council. Cool Care is a 105 child service, licensed through the Department of Education and Training and the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority. Cool Care is rated as meeting No 5 within the National Quality Framework. The service operates before and after school care, Monday to Friday during school terms and on Pupil Free Days when a minimum number of 20 attendances is obtained.

Before School

Before care operates from 7.15am-8.45am, serving breakfast between 7.30-8.00am. Our menu consists of a large variety of cereals, toast, raisin toast, fresh fruits, yoghurt, and throughout cooler months a choice of hot foods. Milk and water is also available.

After School

After care is available immediately following the school bell at 3.30pm and operates until 6.00pm. Following roll check, an afternoon snack from a variety of nutritious foods and is offered to the children. Fruit is also served later in the afternoon. Drinks are available throughout all sessions.

Venue

The program is held in the Performing Arts & Physical Education Centre with access to the kitchen and toilet facilities as well as all outdoor areas of the school.

ENROLMENTS and Attendances

Our program is available to all families enrolled at our school. Through the online enrolment process, My Family Lounge, families may enrol and request or cancel bookings anytime. To guarantee the correct ratios of staff to children (1:15) and each child’s safety, it is a requirement that all bookings are made prior to the session required. The service may be used on a regular or casual basis, or if an emergency arises. An enrolment is required annually to ensure access to the service. Messages for staff may be left on our answering machine 24 hours a day by calling 9432 3213 or via email. Calls will be returned upon request once staff are next in attendance.

BOOKINGS AND CANCELLATIONS ARE TO BE MADE DIRECTLY TO COOL CARE NOT THROUGH THE SCHOOL GENERAL OFFICE. Cool Care is operated independently from the School Office.

What Does the Program Offer Your Family?  

Cool Care offers children a caring, safe, relaxing and stimulating environment. Cool Care offers a play based environment with the program meeting the 5 educational outcomes of the My Place Our Time framework. We provide a large range of indoor and outdoor sports based activities with full use of all school amenities. Our indoor program offers experiences which include art and craft, construction, literacy and numeracy educational activities, drawing and colouring, board and floor games, cooking, technology and much more. A homework area is available each session. As well as our in house experiences, outside providers are often engaged to offer incursions for the children. Our intention is to provide for each individual child, meeting their needs and encouraging their suggestions and input into our program.

Staffing

Two staff members are in attendance at all times during sessions, with a required ratio of 1 staff member per 15 children present. Educators hold a Diploma of Childcare or alternatively are working toward a higher qualification. Level 2 First Aid, Anaphylaxis, Emergency Asthma Management, Diabetes and Epilepsy Management are amongst additional recognised qualifications. Educators will be aware of each child’s individual health management needs through information gathered within the enrolment process.

Fees and Payments

Before Care sessions are $13.50 per child per session. After School session fees are set on a sliding scale with one child costing $16.00 per session, two children $27.50 and three or more children, $36.00 per family. Pupil Free Days are $75.00 per child for a full day of care and $37.50 for half a day. End of term day after care session, has an additional hourly charge of $9.00 per child, per hour. Centrelink benefits are deducted from fees as per each family’s entitlement. Annual registration is $15.00 per family.

Cool Care is an approved service offering families a reduction in fees through the Childcare Subsidy System (CCSS), following family income assessment through Centrelink. To ensure entitlements are available, it is necessary families contact Centrelink on 136150 or online through their myGov account to determine their entitlement. Family benefits are sent back to our service with fees calculated and the parent required to pay the gap. More information can be found at education.gov.au/childcare

Families will be requested to provide us with relevant details within their enrolment to correspond with information required through Centrelink. All personal information will be held in confidence.

Payment of fees is required by Friday afternoon each week for permanent bookings, and at the end of each day for casual users. It is greatly appreciated if correct money can be tendered or payments be made by cheque or direct deposit to the school bank account.

For further information regarding ‘Cool Care’, please contact Donna Leahy (Coordinator) on (03) 9432 3213 (24 hour answering machine), or alternatively by email to Donna at: 4988-cc@schools.vic.edu.au

Donna Leahy – Cool Care Coordinator