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GEORGES RIVER COUNCIL
Children’s ServicesStrategic Plan2017 - 2020
DRAFT
2 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Georges River Council recognises that a range of community services, facilities and programs are vital in contributing to a community where people feel safe, have access to services they need for themselves and their families.
Contents3......... Introduction4......... A Look at Our Community6......... Our Vision9......... Our Services12....... Our Beliefs14....... Where to Next?28....... Measuring Our Objectives
3Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Introduction
On 12 May 2016 the Councils of Hurstville and Kogarah were amalgamated to form Georges River Council.
Our new community begins with a strong foundation. Between 2015 – 2016, Kogarah and Hurstville Councils Children’s Services educated and cared for approximately 700 children. Through community consultation, previous Community Strategic Plans established that childcare was considered to be a high priority for both Councils, due to the affordability and high quality standards of services.
As a newly formed Council, our combined childcare services offer families a range of service types to choose from that are tailored to meet their needs.
The Georges River Local Government (LGA) Area covers 43 square kilometres, and is comprised of the following suburbs: Riverwood, Peakhurst, Kingsgrove, Penshurst, Hurstville, Mortdale, South Hurstville, Kogarah, Carss Park, Peakhurst Heights, Lugarno, Beverly Hills, Carlton, Allawah, Narwee, Oatley, Connells Point, Blakehurst, Beverly Park, Kogarah Bay and Sans Souci. The Georges River LGA is close to Sydney Airport and the M5
Motorway, as well as the foreshores of Botany Bay and the Georges River.
The five wards that make up Georges River Council are:
1. Blakehurst Ward2. Kogarah Bay Ward3. Mortdale Ward4. Peakhurst Ward5. Hurstville Ward
The Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 – 2020 has been developed in consultation with that part of the community that uses the services, and is underpinned by Georges River Council’s Operational Plan 2017 – 2018, together with both State and Federal Education and Care frameworks.
Our Key Performance Indicator (KPI) which measures the success of our services, is an utilisation rate of 95% or greater. This is outlined in Council’s Operational Plan 2017 – 2018.
Our objectives set out in this plan will detail the ways in which we aim to achieve this KPI whilst continuing to monitor, review and adapt our services to provide children with high quality childcare provision. A matrix of objectives, key measurables and outcomes over the next three years can be found at the end of this document.
4 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Data collected in the 2016 Census shows that 16.7% of the Georges River LGA population are children aged 0 – 14 years. The community is culturally and linguistically diverse, with over half of residents (50.2%) born overseas.
The largest non-English speaking country of birth in the LGA was China, where 16.1% of the population were born. Other countries of birth represented in the community include Nepal (3.3%) Hong Kong (2.5%) Greece (1.6%) and The Philippines (1.5%).
42.3% of residents speak English only at home, and 56.1% speak a language other than English. The most common non-English languages spoken at home were Chinese (Mandarin 14.4% and Cantonese 9.9%) Greek (5.4%) Arabic (3.6%) and Nepali (3.4%).
The statistics provided above highlight the rich cultural diversity of the Georges River LGA. Our Childcare Services are designed to acknowledge and respect the varied cultural backgrounds of children attending our services. This is achieved through teaching children about different traditions around the world, celebrating international events, and employing staff from a variety of ethnic and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Approximately 150,000 people reside across the five wards of the local government area, making quality Children’s Services crucial to our diverse community.
16.1% of the Georges River population was born
in China
1.6% of the Georges
River population was born in Greece 2.5%
of the Georges River population was born
in Hong Kong
3.3% of the Georges River population was born
in Nepal
1.5% of the Georges River population was born in The Philippines
A look at our community
5Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
16.1% of the Georges River population was born
in China
1.6% of the Georges
River population was born in Greece 2.5%
of the Georges River population was born
in Hong Kong
3.3% of the Georges River population was born
in Nepal
1.5% of the Georges River population was born in The Philippines
6 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Welcoming Engaging
Affordable Unique
Excellence Education
Care
Our visionAt Georges River Council, we put a high priority on providing quality education and care within our services that is affordable, engaging and unique.
7 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
8Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Over the next three years we will benchmark quality outcomes for our community. This document will guide Council’s Children’s Services by laying the foundation that will support our vision.
9Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Our services
Georges River Council owns and operates six Children’s Services across our LGA:
Carss Park Narani Childcare Centre72 Carwar Avenue, Carss Park 2217 9546 7462
Hurstville Early Learning CentreHurstville Westfield Shopping Centre (Roof Top) Hurstville 2220 9570 6445
Jack High Child Care Centre70 Vanessa Street, Beverly Hills 2209 9330 6280
Penshurst Long Day Care Centre5 St. Georges Road, Penshurst 2222 9579 4029
Ocean Street Kindergarten62 Ocean Street, Kogarah 2217 9587 9869
South Hurstville Kindergarten4 The Mall, South Hurstville 2221 9546 4899
We provide families with the opportunity to choose between service types, selecting a service which best suits their current and future needs.
10 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Carss Park Narani Child Care Centre
Carss Park Narani Child-care Centre is approved to provide care and education for 60 children aged from 0 to 6 years daily from 7.30am to 6.00pm.
2017Servicing 80 families and 93 children
Jack High Child Care Centre
Jack High Long Day Care is approved to provide care and education for 75 children aged from 0 to 6 years daily from 7.00am to 6.00pm.
2017 Servicing 100 families and 113 children
Hurstville Early Learning Centre
Hurstville Early Learning Centre is approved to provide care and education for 23 children aged from 3 to 6 years daily from 7.45am to 5.45pm.
2017Servicing 43 families and 48 children
Our services
11Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
South Hurstville Kindergarten
South Hurstville Kindergarten is approved to provide care and education for 40 children aged from 2 to 6 years daily from 8.00am to 5.00pm with core pre-school hours of 8.00am to 4.00pm.
2017 Servicing 80 familiesand 80 children
Ocean Street Kindergarten
Ocean Street Kindergarten is approved to provide care and education for 29 children aged from 2 to 6 years daily from 7.30am to 5.30pm.
2017Servicing 39 families and 43 children
Penshurst Long Day Care Centre
Penshurst Long Day Care Centre is approved to provide care and education for 40 children aged from 0 to 6 years daily from 7.00am to 6.00pm.
2017Servicing 63 families and 73 children
We will build on our developing strengths to achieve strong community outcomes and partnerships.
12 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
1.It is our belief that children must have quality programs that meet and exceed the standards outlined in the National Quality Framework. The Early Years Learning Framework that guides our practice is grounded in research and best practice principles together with strong experiential knowledge.
2.Our programs are delivered by well trained, professional staff who are committed to improving their practice through ongoing education. A greater number of staff with Certificate III and above qualifications are employed in order to maintain high quality service delivery. This above-industry requirement is typical of our commitment to ongoing education, training and development for staff.
3. Our educational practice stems from a belief that a variety of strategies should be employed which will enrich quality outcomes for children. Strategies such as involving children in decision making, reflective practice, emergent curriculum, planned and spontaneous learning and an evolving philosophy are just a few ways we will deliver sound research-based learning and discovery.
4. Providing quality outcomes for children with additional needs is a priority. Together our families and educators collaborate and contribute to our education and care strategy, resulting in outcomes.
5. We continue to embrace diversity in multiple ways – our educators are from culturally different backgrounds, and we provide varied visual and auditory representations of cultural difference. We actively discuss and teach children about Aboriginal culture. This rich heritage we so highly value will be taught through written and spoken stories, art, song, dance and performance.
6. Our services provide children with a safe space to learn and grow in surroundings which are natural, sustainable and beautiful environments. We carefully construct our settings to reflect a pleasing aesthetic balance of natural and manmade play spaces in which children’s interests, cultures and emergent knowledge are clearly visible. Our services are not homogenised, but are a true reflection of each services community identity.
Our beliefs
13Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
14 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
We will:1. Develop strong community partnerships.
2. Develop strong relationships with local agencies to provide positive outcomes for children.
3. Support research-based education and care programs. In particular, the Early Years Learning Framework will guide educator-driven practice.
4. Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and Traditions.
5. Invite external agencies to discuss strategies that support young children with additional needs.
6. Support staff to undertake further education.
7. Develop affordable, quality service provision.
8. Develop sustainable, unique environments for the children.
9. Strive to exceed compliance requirements with the Regulatory Authority and the National Quality Framework.
10. Be proactive in analysing the community’s future childcare needs in new developing areas of the LGA
11. Focus on how we transfer knowledge in our organisation ensuring that knowledge-management is always kept up to date, relevant and dynamic.
Our objectives
Where to next?
15Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
16Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Working with local schools to promote Children’s Services and Council
• All services will liaise with local primary schools each year to establish smooth transitions for children moving on to school.
• Staff will regularly facilitate information exchanges with relevant staff at local primary schools to strengthen connections and support for families.
• Provide primary schools in our LGA with annual updates on our Children’s Services.
Facilitate the delivery of programs that meet the needs of families and children
• We will assess the needs of families by conducting annual surveys.
• Every year we will tailor programs that are important to families. This will include sessions on positive parenting, behaviour management classes, dental hygiene information, first aid courses and occupational therapist input.
• We will provide updated information as it becomes available from the Department of Education and Communities, Health Department, speech therapists and local audiologists and occupational therapists.
We will1. Develop Strong Community Partnerships
17Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
High quality evidence- based programs that promote health, safety, social relationships and positive self esteem
• Every year, educators from all services will investigate and implement programs that are appropriate and in keeping with our beliefs. The Munch and Move program – a government initiative established to combat obesity in children through promoting healthy eating and exercise – is one example of a program our Childcare Services staff will implement.
• Children’s safety around the home and on the road is always a concern for families and educators alike. We actively promote information exchange from Kids and Traffic organisers, and home safety checklists from the Royal Children’s Hospital. This is achieved by including helpful hints to promote child safety with every newsletter we send to families.
Children’s interests will be developed, nurtured and enhanced with educator input
• Observing children and their developing interests is a daily occurrence for all educators. Play-based learning is developed by working with a cycle of observation, planning, implementing and evaluating children’s interests. The educators will then meet bi-monthly with the educational leaders of each service and discuss the long term implications of children interests and the connection to current theory to develop learning programs that meet children’s needs.
• Together with children’s interests, educators will often introduce a subject to a group of children in order to enhance learning. For example, an educator may introduce nursery rhymes to a group of children who may not have had access to these rhymes.
Children’s health and safety will be monitored and appropriate action taken on a case by case basis
• Along with monitoring children for play-based learning, all educators monitor children for appropriate health, well-being and their ability to meet age appropriate milestones. Observations include checklists, time samples, running records and anecdotal observations. In instances where staff have concerns about the health or development of a child, we will invite the family to meet with the coordinator of the service that their child attends to discuss the need for further referrals to take place.
• We support families through this process by giving them information about appropriate recommendations, such as local developmental paediatricians and support groups, which will help families through the next phase in the child’s development.
2. Develop strong relationships with local agencies to provide positive outcomes for children
18 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Curriculums that reflect children’s and families cultural diversity
• The Early Years Learning Framework is the nationally recognised curriculum document which guides our services practice. This document provides broad guidelines with a focus on Being, Belonging and Becoming, which is a holistic view of children and their families. We will refer to the objectives in this document in all of our monthly, weekly and daily programs.
• The document provides clear guidelines on the inclusion of culturally diverse communities such as those within the Georges River LGA. These guidelines validate long standing practice in all of our services.
• Our references to cultural diversity will continue to range from representations in books, puzzles, dolls, posters and other toys. Most significantly though, we will continue to employ educators with a strong understanding of the importance of making all cultures visible in our diverse community.
Programs that are collaborative with a strong sense of community
• Celebrations are an integral part of our services community. Through celebrations, we will strengthen our collaborations and connections to our community further. We understand each other better when we celebrate together. Our celebration of all things such as birthdays, Grandparents day, and Mothers and Fathers days brings us together through shared understandings.
We will3. Support research-based education and care
programs. In particular the Early Years Learning Framework will guide educator-driven practice
19Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
20 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
Support NAIDOC week with a particular focus on Aboriginal languages, customs and newly developed traditions
• With support from Council’s Multicultural and Indigenous Officer, we will develop activities that explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait languages and customs. Invitations will be extended to members of the Aboriginal community to visit our services and talk about contemporary Aboriginal traditions and customs.
Provide visual, musical and cognitive resources that reinforce positive contemporary and traditional images of Aboriginal culture
• Areas of interest will be created in each service that support positive images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Puzzles, art works, instruments, fabrics, cushions, maps and books will support a growing understanding. Musical references to Aboriginal culture play intermittently throughout the day. During NAIDOC week, modern and traditional Aboriginal music will be featured throughout the day.
Provide training for our staff in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competence
• The Centre for Cultural Competence provides extraordinary learning experiences for adults. Courses range from short courses lasting several hours to diploma style courses. Over the next three years, all coordinators and room leaders will undertake a minimum of one of these courses.
Georges River Council acknowledges that Aboriginal People are the original inhabitants and custodians of all the land and water in the LGA, and recognises Aboriginal spiritual, social and cultural connections to the Council’s land and waters.
We will4. Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture
and traditions
21Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 - page 21.
Image: Gunyah - created by Penny and the children of South Hurstville Kindergarten.
22 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
We will5. Invite external agencies to discuss strategies that
support young children with additional needs
6. Support staff to undertake further education
Agencies including The Shepherd Centre, Cerebral Palsy Alliance, Autism Spectrum Australia and KU Inclusion Support Agency will be invited to our Childcare Centres when required
• We believe that good strategies happen when we collaborate with others. Over the next three years, we will invite agencies into our services to discuss important strategies as they relate to children that require support with additional needs.
• Georges River Council Childcare Staff are committed to strengthening existing relationships with partner agencies to develop strong multidisciplinary networks of professionals that can provide children with additional needs with tailored programs of support.
• Children who are at risk will be given first priority in our services; not just because it is a requirement of the Department of Education and Communities but because Council’s Children’s Services consider it a vital part of supporting positive outcomes for young children and their families.
Ensure that best practice principles are implemented to develop well informed educators
• Educators will review the National Quality Standards at each staff meeting. This will ensure that educators will be well versed in best practice principles and apply these to their work.
• Implementation of best practice will occur through open, genuine discussion with families as well as reviewing the standards.
Ensure that our future leaders have the best training possible
• Opportunities for further education will be supported yearly through sponsored study programs. Our staff will be invited to undertake leadership programs, tertiary and diploma study, and short courses.
23Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
6. Support staff to undertake further education
7. Develop affordable, quality service provision
Affordability will be reflected in each service through sustainable budget-neutral targets
• One of our KPIs is to achieve greater than 95% occupancy rates in our services at all times. We will monitor this KPI consistently and report on it every quarter, as it bears a direct relationship to affordability. Our budgets will be developed with the view to ensuring that at the end of each financial year, we are at budget neutral or better.
• Each service’s income and expenditure will be closely monitored throughout the year by Service Coordinators and the Children’s Services Manager to ensure affordability for families.
24Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
8. Develop sustainable, unique environments for the children
Provide sustainable, unique environments that are responsive to children and their emergent needs, interests and cultural diversity
• We actively maintain our environment to reflect the communities we serve. Each service is different precisely because we are responsive to the needs of our families. We will achieve this through daily informal conversations with families and bi-annual surveys.
The aesthetic of the outdoor environment will be nature focused, in line with community expectations and current philosophies of play and associated risk standards
• “Carefully chosen resources and materials contribute to a sense of belonging and challenge children to explore new possibilities. These resources play a part in fostering children’s knowledge of and connections with the natural environment.” (National Quality Standards 2011) With this in mind, and with the help of our families, we will develop strong connections to nature.
• Learning about biodiversity, sustainability, natural elements in the play space and what it means to focus on sustainable practices will be the context in which children will explore, discover and learn. We will evaluate our success in understanding and delivering environmental education among children and their families every quarter.
We will
25Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
9. Strive to exceed compliance requirements with the Regulatory Authority and the National Quality Framework
Examine our compliance requirements and where we can improve on the requirements. For example, we insist that all staff hold a senior first aid qualification and a child protection qualification, which is above regulatory requirements
• We will develop staff and support them in further education by offering short courses through our sponsored study program. Our staff will complete mandatory training in First Aid, Asthma/Anaphylaxis and Child Protection every three years.
• Throughout each year, staff will also be required to undertake a minimum of two interest-based short courses. This will ensure that our educators are well trained professionals.
Policies and Procedures will be continuously monitored and evaluated for their efficacy and innovation. All Policies and Procedures will be renewed every three years
• Every year our educators will examine our processes and procedures through discussion at staff meetings. By adopting this approach, every year there will be a wealth of information gathered, which will be factored into the renewal of Children’s Services Policies and Procedures.
Council strives to actively look for opportunities to engage with the community in order to gauge a better understanding of their thoughts and ideas.
26Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
We will10.
Conduct community surveys.
• Over the next 20 years the Georges River LGA will develop to ensure housing and employment opportunities are in line with projected growth targets from the Greater Sydney Commission, as outlined in the Southern District Plan. This growth will occur within areas accessible to public transport and services. With increased growth, additional infrastructure and services will be required to meet the needs of those new residents. This may include increased capacity in schools, new recreation facilities and additional childcare centres. Community analysis will take place as development occurs to help inform Council of childcare needs within these developing areas. This analysis may result in new centres being established, which may include the need for services with a greater spread of opening hours (up to 24 hours) or closing a smaller centre currently in operation and relocating that centre into an area that has a greater need for such a service.
Prepare a demographic study.
• Demographic Studies will be conducted in order to support the community surveys to understand community needs, expectations and the economic viability of new or improved childcare services necessary to future proof the LGA. A range of mechanisms to deliver these additional services will be explored, and may include the use of the planning system through rezoning of land and height/density increases and development contributions
Be proactive in analysing the community’s future childcare needs within developing areas of the Georges River LGA
27Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
11.
Develop a knowledge matrix by conferring with staff, children, families and management to determine which information will be included
• Coordinators of each service will determine a baseline of information about service operations, which must be continuously monitored and updated where necessary on a quarterly basis.
• A detailed matrix will be developed with support of the Children’s Services administration team. This will inform new and existing staff on the complexity of Council’s Children’s Services, including information on knowledge, practices, processes, procedures and legislation that will ensure continuity and consistency across our services.
Focus on how we transfer knowledge in our organisation ensuring that knowledge management is always kept up to date, is relevant and dynamic
28 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
OB
JEC
TIVE
AC
TIO
NS
MEA
SUR
AB
LEY
EA
R 1
YE
AR
2
YE
AR
3
1.
Dev
elop
Stro
ng C
omm
unity
P
artn
ersh
ips.
Wor
king
with
loca
l sch
ools
to p
rom
ote
child
ren’
s se
rvice
s an
d C
ounc
il.
Faci
litat
e th
e de
liver
y of
pro
gram
s th
at m
eet t
he n
eeds
of f
amilie
s an
d ch
ildre
n.
Sur
vey
fam
ilies
to id
entif
y cu
rren
t co
mm
unity
requ
irem
ents
.
Num
ber o
f vis
its to
loca
l prim
ary
scho
ols.
Eac
h se
rvic
e pr
ovid
es 1
info
rmat
ion
sess
ion
to fa
mili
es p
er a
nnum
.
6 vi
sits
to p
rimar
y sc
hool
s (1
per
ce
ntre
)
Ong
oing
12 V
isits
to p
rimar
y sc
hool
s (2
per
ce
ntre
) and
6
prim
ary
scho
ols
visi
ting
the
Cen
tres
(1 p
er c
entre
)
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
2.
Dev
elop
stro
ng
rela
tions
hips
with
loca
l ag
enci
es to
pro
vide
po
sitiv
e ou
tcom
es fo
r ch
ildre
n.
Dev
elop
hig
h qu
ality
evi
denc
e-ba
sed
prog
ram
s th
at p
rom
ote
heal
th, s
afet
y, s
ocia
l rel
atio
nshi
ps
and
posi
tive
self
este
em.
Chi
ldre
n’s
inte
rest
s w
ill b
e de
velo
ped,
nur
ture
d an
d en
hanc
ed
by e
duca
tor i
nput
.
Chi
ldre
n’s
heal
th a
nd s
afet
y w
ill
be m
onito
red
cont
inuo
usly
and
ap
prop
riate
act
ion
take
n on
a c
ase
by c
ase
basi
s.
Mun
ch a
nd M
ove
– tra
inin
g an
d de
liver
y of
pro
gram
acr
oss
all
serv
ices
, enh
anci
ng h
ealth
and
w
ellb
eing
of c
hild
ren.
Uni
vers
ity o
f New
cast
le re
sear
chin
g m
enus
at c
entre
s to
ens
ure
nutri
tiona
l con
tent
of m
eals
to
circ
umve
nt o
besi
ty in
chi
ldre
n.
All
room
lead
ers
to
unde
rtake
Mun
ch
and
Mov
e pr
ogra
m
train
ing
All
room
lead
ers
to
unde
rtake
Mun
ch
and
Mov
e pr
ogra
m
Ong
oing
3. Sup
port
rese
arch
-bas
ed
educ
atio
n an
d ca
re
prog
ram
s. I
n pa
rticu
lar,
the
Ear
ly Y
ears
Lea
rnin
g Fr
amew
ork
will
gui
de
educ
ator
-driv
en p
ract
ice.
Cre
ate
curr
icul
ums
that
refle
ct
child
ren’
s an
d fa
mili
es c
ultu
ral
dive
rsity
.
Dev
elop
pro
gram
s th
at a
re
colla
bora
tive
with
a s
trong
sen
se o
f co
mm
unity
.
Num
ber o
f cul
tura
lly d
iver
se
fam
ilies
that
are
refle
cted
with
in th
e pr
ogra
ms
of e
ach
serv
ice.
Sta
ff ar
e re
spon
sive
to c
hang
es in
de
mog
raph
y of
enr
olm
ents
.
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
MEA
SUR
ING
OU
R O
BJE
CTI
VES
2017
- 20
20
29Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
OB
JEC
TIVE
AC
TIO
NS
MEA
SUR
AB
LEY
EA
R 1
YE
AR
2
YE
AR
3
4. Exp
lore
Abo
rigin
al a
nd
Torr
es S
trait
Isla
nder
cu
lture
and
trad
ition
s.
Sup
port
NA
IDO
C w
eek
with
pa
rticu
lar f
ocus
on
Abo
rigin
al
lang
uage
s, c
usto
ms
and
new
ly
deve
lope
d tra
ditio
ns.
Pro
vide
vis
ual,
mus
ical
and
co
gniti
ve re
sour
ces
whi
ch re
info
rce
posi
tive
cont
empo
rary
and
tra
ditio
nal i
mag
es o
f Abo
rigin
al
cultu
re.
Pro
vide
trai
ning
for s
taff
in
Abo
rigin
al a
nd T
orre
s S
trait
Isla
nder
Cul
tura
l Com
pete
nce.
Liai
se w
ith C
ounc
il’s M
ultic
ultu
ral
and
Indi
geno
us D
evel
opm
ent
Offi
cer t
o pr
ovid
e ac
tiviti
es fo
r N
AID
OC
wee
k.
See
k gu
idan
ce/a
ppro
val o
n pl
anne
d ac
tiviti
es b
y su
bmitt
ing
repo
rts to
th
e A
borig
inal
Adv
isor
y C
omm
ittee
.
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
5. The
She
pher
d C
entre
, C
ereb
ral P
alsy
Alli
ance
, A
utis
m S
pect
rum
Aus
tralia
an
d K
U In
clus
ion
Sup
port
Age
ncy
will
be
invi
ted
whe
n re
quire
d.
The
Shep
herd
Cen
tre, C
ereb
ral
Pal
sy A
llian
ce a
nd A
utis
m
Spe
ctru
m A
ustra
lia a
nd K
U
Incl
usio
n S
uppo
rt A
genc
y w
ill b
e in
vite
d w
hen
requ
ired.
Info
rmat
ion
sent
to o
rgan
isat
ions
to
crea
te n
etw
orki
ng o
ppor
tuni
ties.
Link
s to
Geo
rges
Riv
er C
ounc
il D
isab
ility
Incl
usio
n A
ctio
n P
lan’
s co
mm
itmen
t to
incl
usiv
enes
s by
co
ntin
uing
to p
rovi
de c
hild
care
se
rvic
es to
chi
ldre
n w
ith d
isab
ilitie
s at
the
high
est l
evel
.
Mai
l out
to 1
0 lo
cal
orga
nisa
tions
Liai
se w
ith lo
cal
orga
nisa
tions
to
deve
lop
stro
ng
netw
orks
Hos
t a c
omm
unity
fo
rum
with
ne
twor
king
par
tner
s
6. Sup
port
staf
f to
unde
rtake
fu
rther
edu
catio
n.E
nsur
e th
at b
est p
ract
ice
prin
cipl
es
are
impl
emen
ted
to d
evel
op w
ell
info
rmed
edu
cato
rs.
Ens
ure
that
our
futu
re le
ader
s ha
ve
the
best
trai
ning
pos
sibl
e.
Teac
her a
ccre
dita
tion
requ
riem
ents
ar
e co
mpl
eted
with
in 3
yea
rs.
Edu
cato
rs e
xam
ine
the
requ
irem
ents
of t
he N
QF
requ
irem
ent.
50%
of s
taff
have
co
mpl
eted
teac
her
accr
edita
tion
50%
of e
duca
tors
un
derta
ke tr
aini
ng
spec
ific
to N
QF
75%
of s
taff
have
co
mpl
eted
teac
her
accr
edita
tion
75%
of e
duca
tors
un
derta
ke tr
aini
ng
spec
ific
to N
QF
100%
of s
taff
have
co
mpl
eted
teac
her
accr
edita
tion
100%
of e
duca
tors
un
derta
ke tr
aini
ng
spec
ific
to N
QF
30 Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
OB
JEC
TIVE
AC
TIO
NS
MEA
SUR
AB
LEY
EA
R 1
YE
AR
2
YE
AR
3
7. Dev
elop
affo
rdab
le, q
ualit
y se
rvic
e pr
ovis
ion.
Affo
rdab
ility
will
be
refle
cted
in
each
ser
vice
thro
ugh
budg
et-
neut
ral t
arge
ts.
Enr
olm
ents
at g
reat
er th
an 9
5%
occu
panc
y th
roug
h ad
just
men
ts to
op
erat
iona
l stru
ctur
es.
Bud
gets
are
cos
t ne
utra
l
Enr
olm
ents
are
gr
eate
r tha
n 95
%
Bud
gets
are
5%
ab
ove
cost
neu
tral
Enr
olm
ents
are
gr
eate
r tha
n 96
%
Bud
gets
are
7.5
%
abov
e co
st n
eutra
l
Enr
olm
ents
are
gr
eate
r tha
n 97
%
8. Dev
elop
sus
tain
able
, un
ique
env
ironm
ents
for
the
child
ren.
Prov
ide
sust
aina
ble,
uni
que
envi
ronm
ents
that
are
resp
onsi
ve to
ch
ildre
n an
d th
eir e
mer
gent
nee
ds,
inte
rest
s an
d cu
ltura
l div
ersi
ty.
The
aest
hetic
of t
he o
utdo
or
envi
ronm
ent w
ill b
e na
ture
focu
sed
in li
ne w
ith c
omm
unity
exp
ecta
tions
an
d cu
rren
t phi
loso
phy
of p
lay
and
asso
ciat
ed ri
sk s
tand
ards
.
Sta
ff to
revi
ew c
entre
env
ironm
ents
an
nual
ly a
nd a
dapt
inte
rnal
en
viro
nmen
ts a
ccor
ding
ly.
Sta
ff to
car
ry o
ut c
omm
unity
co
nsul
tatio
n to
iden
tify
need
s.
Sta
ff to
con
duct
ann
ual r
evie
w o
f ex
tern
al e
nviro
nmen
ts a
nd a
dapt
w
here
nec
essa
ry.
Con
tinuo
us
com
mun
ity
cons
ulta
tion
cond
ucte
d vi
a
bi-a
nnua
l sur
veys
Con
duct
revi
ews
of in
tern
al
envi
ronm
ents
Con
duct
revi
ews
of e
xter
nal
envi
ronm
ents
Ong
oing
Ong
oing
9. We
striv
e to
exc
eed
com
plia
nce
requ
irem
ents
w
ith th
e R
egul
ator
y A
utho
rity
and
the
Nat
iona
l Q
ualit
y Fr
amew
ork.
Exa
min
e ou
r com
plia
nce
requ
irem
ents
and
whe
re p
ossi
ble,
im
prov
e on
thes
e re
quire
men
ts.
Pol
icie
s an
d pr
oced
ures
will
be
con
tinuo
usly
mon
itore
d an
d ev
alua
ted
for t
heir
effic
acy
and
inno
vatio
n. A
ll po
licie
s w
ill b
e re
new
ed e
very
3 y
ears
.
All
staf
f to
com
plet
e m
anda
tory
tra
inin
g in
Firs
t Aid
, Ast
hma/
Ana
phyl
axis
and
Chi
ld P
rote
ctio
n ev
ery
3 ye
ars.
All
staf
f to
com
plet
e at
leas
t 1 s
hort
cour
se p
er y
ear l
inke
d to
enh
anci
ng
thei
r ski
lls a
s C
hild
care
sta
ff.
100%
of a
ll st
aff
to c
ompl
ete
man
dato
ry tr
aini
ng
requ
irem
ents
100%
com
plet
e at
le
ast 1
sho
rt co
urse
New
sta
ff to
rece
ive
train
ing
New
sta
ff to
rece
ive
train
ing
31Draft Children’s Services Strategic Plan 2017 - 2020
OB
JEC
TIVE
AC
TIO
NS
MEA
SUR
AB
LEY
EA
R 1
YE
AR
2
YE
AR
3
10.
Be
proa
ctiv
e in
ana
lysi
ng
and
unde
rsta
ndin
g th
e ch
ildca
re n
eeds
with
in
deve
lopi
ng a
reas
of t
he
Geo
rges
Riv
er L
GA
.
Und
erst
and
the
proj
ecte
d gr
owth
ta
rget
s fro
m th
e G
reat
er S
ydne
y C
omm
issi
on a
s ou
tline
d in
the
Sou
ther
n D
istri
ct P
lan,
and
con
duct
co
mm
unity
sur
veys
to g
age
thei
r ex
pect
atio
n of
nee
d fo
r chi
ldca
re
serv
ices
.
Con
duct
dem
ogra
phic
stu
dies
to
sup
port
com
mun
ity s
urve
ys in
un
ders
tand
ing
com
mun
ity n
eeds
, ex
pect
atio
ns a
nd e
cono
mic
via
bilit
y of
new
or i
mpr
oved
chi
ldca
re
serv
ices
to h
elp
futu
re p
roof
the
LGA
.
Mem
bers
hip
of C
ounc
il’s
Dev
elop
men
t Con
tribu
tions
C
omm
ittee
by
Sen
ior C
ounc
il st
aff
resp
onsi
ble
for d
evel
opm
ent a
nd
deliv
ery
of c
hild
care
ser
vice
s to
the
com
mun
ity.
Res
ults
of c
omm
unity
sur
veys
re
latin
g to
chi
ldca
re n
eeds
with
de
velo
ping
are
as o
f the
Geo
rges
R
iver
LG
A to
be
mad
e ac
cess
ible
to
publ
ic v
ia C
ounc
il’s w
ebsi
te.
Pub
lish
dem
ogra
phic
stu
dies
as
pap
er a
nd/o
r web
bas
ed
docu
men
ts, m
ade
avai
labl
e to
C
ounc
il an
d pu
blic
.
Res
ults
of
com
mun
ity s
urve
ys
Atta
in m
inim
um o
f 20
0 re
spon
ses
to
com
mun
ity s
urve
y
Ong
oing
Initi
ate
dem
ogra
phic
st
udy
proc
ess
Ong
oing
Com
plet
ion
and
publ
icat
ion
of
dem
ogra
phic
stu
dy
11.
Focu
s on
how
we
trans
fer k
now
ledg
e in
our
or
gani
satio
n en
surin
g th
at
know
ledg
e m
anag
emen
t is
alw
ays
kept
up
to d
ate,
is
rele
vant
and
dyn
amic
.
Dev
elop
a k
now
ledg
e m
atrix
by
conf
errin
g w
ith s
taff,
chi
ldre
n,
fam
ilies
and
man
agem
ent a
nd
dete
rmin
ing
the
info
rmat
ion
to b
e in
clud
ed.
Dev
elop
men
t of m
atrix
docu
men
tatio
n.
Sta
ff m
aint
ain/
upda
te m
atrix
qu
arte
rly.
50%
of m
atrix
co
mpl
ete
75%
of m
atrix
co
mpl
ete
100%
of m
atrix
co
mpl
ete
Thank you to the children, families and staff who contributed to the development of this document.
Acknowledgements:
Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011- National Quality Framework 2011- National Quality Standards
NSW Educator’s Guide to the Early Years Learning Framework for Australia
Georges River Council Operational Plan 2017- 2018.
GEORGES RIVER SERVICE CENTRE Corner MacMahon and Dora Streets, Hurstville Opening hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.00pm
HURSTVILLE LIBRARY AND SERVICE CENTRE Corner Queens Road and Dora Street, Hurstville Opening hours: Monday - Friday 9.30am - 9.00pm Saturday - Sunday 9.30 - 4.00pm
KOGARAH LIBRARY AND SERVICE CENTRE Kogarah Town Square, Belgrave Street, Kogarah Opening hours: Monday - Friday 8.30am - 7.00pm Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday 10.00am - 1.00pm
Phone: 9330 6400 24 hours, 7 days a week Email: mail@georgesriver.nsw.gov.au Web: www.georgesriver.nsw.gov.au
GEORGESRIVER COUNCIL
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