Our Philosophy

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Fundurba Kids Club Outside Hours School Care (OSHC) programme aims to provide the highest quality care for all children who attend our service. We provide care that protects our children from harm whilst respecting their dignity, individual needs and privacy. We have created a welcoming environment where all children and families are respected and we view every child as a unique individual. We have strong partnership with our families and strive to exceed parental expectations by offering a unique family environment.

Our philosophy, like our program, fosters children’s wellbeing, development and learning through recreational play and leisure experiences and is adapted from “My Time, Our Place Framework for School Aged Children in Australia”. We believe our program is enhanced by incorporating the theoretical perspectives of Vygotsky and Howard Gardiner and also the Playworks approach. As educators we offer a variety of learning experiences to help the children achieve certain learning outcomes and provide opportunities for continual and ongoing learning. The children are involved in the program design, decision making and life skills that give them the opportunity for being, belonging and becoming and develop a strong sense of agency. Fundurba educators have a variety of different skill sets and are passionate about providing an equal opportunities service taking into account each child’s abilities and interests. Educators are involved in a variety of professional development trainings and reflective practice opportunities which they are always looking for continual improvement and best practice within the service. Educators have the knowledge and understanding to support all children including those with additional needs. We plan activities to enhance children’s learning opportunities and build memorable and valuable relationships and experiences and ensure the children have FUN when attending the service.

Fundurba aims to respond to these wants and needs by offering children a stimulating challenging environment for exploring and developing their skills and abilities. In doing this, Fundurba aims to manage the risks so that the children benefit from the experiences but are not exposed to unacceptable risks.

In relation to the children and their families we will:

• Provide a safe and healthy environment where we provide a variety of experiences for all the children to give them a strong sense of wellbeing and belonging.

• Ensure the children have the right to be cared for in a comfortable, relaxed, safe, secure, nurturing environment.

• Provide a nutritious breakfast, afternoon tea and drink, as part of our program, to foster the children’s sense of health and wellbeing.

• Build a secure, trusting, inclusive, supportive, caring and fun environment for the children and their families.

• Role model fairness and respect to one another and our environment.

• Encourage all families to become involved in the service. Understand that each family and individual in our community is unique with their own individual interests, abilities and cultural customs and beliefs.

• Invest in promoting a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture within our service that is valued and respected.

• Encourage children to become involved in community groups by showing interest in the community.

• Encourage children to care for their environment and take an active role in sustainable practices.

• Ensure the children connect with the community through our service involvement in excursion, incursions and special events and also extra-curricular school activities.

• Promote through our program the importance of play and leisure where the children:

1. learn at their own pace through involvement;

2. are given opportunities to create, explore, experiment and be active;

3. practise skills;

4. interact with others whilst being engaged in various experiences;

5. have fun.

• Provide the children and educators with a happy and supportive environment where open communication is encouraged and respected and teamwork is valued.

We value ongoing learning and reflective practice as a way to inform and enrich the decisions made that continuously promote positive wellbeing, learning and developmental outcomes for children.

Parent/Guardian Communication

Fundurba Kids Club recognizes and acknowledges the importance of effective communication with families and strives to encourage their participation to enhance the service provided.  Families are welcome to attend the Service or talk to educators during operation.  We encourage families to voice any concerns in a way that will assist us to provide a better service.

For new families at Fundurba Kids Club, the first point of contact will be the Senior Co-ordinator, Assistant Co-ordinator and/or Administrator, who will meet with the parents/guardians and the child to discuss the Service and the child’s needs and to answer any questions.

On enrolment, a Family Handbook will be provided as part of the Service enrolment package.  The information contained in this handbook is based on the Service policies and procedures and should be used as a reference.

Parents/guardians will have access to meet with the Senior Co-ordinator by appointment, to discuss any issues or concerns with respect to their child and/or the Service.  Information is available to families about their child which includes documentation of their child’s learning, development and participation in the program.

Information provided by families relating to their child’s participation in the program will be documented and stored as appropriate.

Before entering the premises, all persons will need to be identified by the Senior Co-ordinator, or other educators.  An approved person is a person who has been given permission by the parent/guardian, Senior Co-ordinator/educators or Management Committee.

The Senior Co-ordinator will treat all enquiries and concerns, and the persons making them, seriously and with respect and will endeavor wherever possible to answer questions and provide required information.

Any deficiencies in the Service which are identified through this process, and can be rectified, will be taken into account by modifying or enhancing these Policies and Procedures, or the program, as appropriate.

The Senior Co-ordinator may refer families to information relating to appropriate community support and resource agencies that are accessible and available at the parent sign in/notice board area. 

Information for parents will also be communicated through:

• regular newsletters; and/or

• Emails;

• parent sign in and notice board area; and/or

• regular meetings between Senior Co-ordinator/educators and parents/guardians; and/or

notices written by the Senior Co-ordinator, and approved by the Management Committee, being given to parents/guardians when there are matters of changed policy and it is important for the changes to be communicated before the next newsletter or monthly meeting.

The Senior Coordinator is responsible for the day to day running of the centre. Any concerns about your child, staff of the centre should be directed to the Senior Coordinator, should you not be satisfied with the outcome, your concerns can be directed to our Sponsor body the Undurba State School P & C Committee.