Parents Rights & Responsibilities

As a parent using the scheme you have the right to:

• know your child is receiving quality care. Building a working relationship with your carer will ensure that your child is developing well and happily because you are both working for the same outcome. Your coordinator can give you feedback from visiting your child while they are in care.
• Information about the scheme policies and their application
• Continued contact with coordinators
• Participate in the Advisory Committee
• Information and assistance where appropriate in dealing with your concerns
• The name and address of the nearest office of Department of Communities
• View on request the records kept under Section 101 of the Child Care Regulation 2003.

Responsibilities

As a parent using the scheme, you also have certain responsibilities

Fees

Please pay child care fees in advance as detailed on your contract. It is important that you read the FEES section of this handbook very carefully. If you have any questions about your fees please contact the Coordination Unit for clarification

Delivery and Collection of Children

Please deliver and collect your child on time. This is in the best interests of your child. If it happens that you may be later than usual, telephone the carer. She will be able to help forestall any anxiety your child may feel.

Also, notify your carer if a person other than the one named on the consent form will be collecting your child. A child will only be given into the care of a parent or person authorised by the parent. You will need to add this persons name to SECTION D "persons authorized to collect children on behalf of parent" on the scheme change of details of form. (your carer will give you this form to complete).

Extra Hours

If you require additional hours to your contract hours you must contact the office to authorise this as there may be situations where unauthorized additional care may not attract CCB. The scheme has a limit to the number of child care hours that it can provide and must not exceed this limit.

24 hours care needs Coordinator's prior approval and the appropriate paperwork needs to be completed.

Administration

Ensure your enrolment, contract and consent forms are completed before your child begins care and sign timesheets correctly each day. Notify your carer in advance if you want to change hours or are going on holidays. N.B. When using alternate care, please ensure you complete a new consent form with the alternate carer before leaving your child in their care. Your alternate carer will be able to provide this form. You will pay the alternate carer according to her fee schedule.

Change of Details

Notify your carer and the scheme of ANY changes in information relating to your child or contact details. This includes addresses, phone numbers, who can collect your child in an emergency etc. You need to complete our scheme change of details form which your carer can provide you.

Absences and Illness

Notify your carer if you will not be using care for any reason. Also, telephone your carer to check their policy for accepting sick children into care before taking a child who is unwell to the carer's home. It is also your responsibility to notify your carer if your child had or has been in contact with any infectious diseases.

Child Care Benefit

All families are eligible for CCB. This can be claimed as a weekly reduction in fees or as a lump sum at the end of the financial year.

Families wishing to receive their CCB entitlements must
• register with the Family Assistance Office (FAO) and obtain a Customer Registration Number (CRN) for themselves and each child. The FAO will make an assessment based on annual family income to determine your entitlement.
• advise the FAO that your child will be Using Balmoral Family Day Care and provide them with our CRN 555 001 750H.
• Advise the FAO of any changes to you income or work status that may affect your entitlements
• Advise the scheme if you have any other children using another service and wish to use a multiple child percentage.
• On termination, the care needs to be used or CCB will only be paid if a medical certificate is provided for absences.

Fees

Please read this section carefully

Fees are paid according to the carer's current fee schedule. Please note that CCB is available to assist in paying the cost of your child care. Ask your Coordination Unit for details or contact the FAO.

All fees are requested to be paid in advance directly to your carer. If you receive CCB you pay a percentage of the cost of care to your carer and the Commonwealth pays the remainder through the scheme. Alternatively you may wish to claim a lump sum payment at the end of the financial year.

Non-payment of fees may result in care being withdrawn.

For all other details please see the Carer's Fee Schedule.

Hints for Parents

Talk to your child about going to family day care where possible

Plan another meeting with your carer before the first day of care

Feel comfortable about leaving your child: if you feel guilty or unhappy, these feelings will be conveyed to your child

Leave as soon as you have said goodbye to your child, prolonging the farewell may further distress him/her

If problems arise please communicate with your carer and a Coordinator if necessary (you may need to telephone out of hours if time does not allow when collecting or dropping off your child)

Please make sure you deliver your child to your carer in a clean and tidy manner: relevant health and hygiene standards are to be observed

Make sure you have supplied enough food, drinks and nappies (if needed) for the day

Ensure your child has a hat and changes of clothes etc.