Out Of School Care Policy
Introduction
This policy outlines the structure for our Out-of-School-Hours Care (OOSH) service at The Pal Buddhist School. This service provides essential care, supervision, and opportunities for growth for school-aged children outside regular school hours, including before and after school, during school holidays, and on pupil-free days. We ensure compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements in New South Wales, while aligning with The Pal Buddhist School's educational philosophy and core values. This policy guides our staff, parents, and children, fostering a consistent, high-quality standard of care that reflects our commitment to wisdom, morality, and discipline.
Philosophy and Goals
Our Guiding Principle: The OOSH service operates under our school's motto: "Enlightenment through Wisdom, Morality and Discipline," and supports our vision of nurturing virtuous leaders.
Our Core Values: We actively integrate and promote Buddhist values of wisdom, morality, discipline, compassion, loving-kindness, selfless joy, and equanimity in all interactions and activities. This includes:
Age-appropriate mindfulness and meditation practices.
Stories and discussions sharing moral lessons.
Opportunities to practice kindness, generosity, and compassion.
Encouraging mindful communication and conflict resolution.
Modelling respectful, ethical, and mindful behaviour.
Promoting focus, self-discipline, and diligence.
Our Educational Framework: Our program is guided by the principles and learning outcomes of the nationally approved "My Time, Our Place" Framework for School Age Care, focusing on play, leisure, and children's social-emotional development. The five learning outcomes are:
Children have a strong sense of identity.
Children connect with and contribute to their world.
Children have a strong sense of well-being.
Children are confident and involved learners.
Children are effective communicators.
Our Goals:
To provide a safe, secure, and nurturing environment guided by Buddhist principles.
To deliver an engaging, child-centred, and play-based program aligned with "My Time, Our Place".
To foster positive relationships, social-emotional well-being, and a sense of belonging, reflecting Buddhist values of compassion and loving-kindness.
To maintain the highest standards of health, safety, and child protection.
To work together with families and our school community.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance
Our OOSH service operates in full compliance with:
Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 and National Regulations.
The National Quality Framework (NQF) and National Quality Standard (NQS) across all seven quality areas.
NSW Child Safe Standards and mandatory reporting obligations under the Children and Young Persons (Care and Protection) Act 1998.
We maintain all necessary licenses and approvals (Provider Approval, Service Approval) from relevant authorities like the NSW Early Childhood Education Directorate and ACECQA.
Our operations adhere strictly to mandated staff-to-child ratios for NSW at all times:
Under 24 months: 1 educator to 4 children.
24 to 36 months: 1 educator to 5 children.
Over 36 months to preschool age: 1 educator to 10 children.
Over preschool age: 1 educator to 15 children.
We have procedures to manage staff absences and attendance fluctuations to maintain ratios.
Operational Procedures
Enrolment and Orientation:
We have a clear, transparent enrolment process that collects all required family, medical, dietary, and immunisation details, ensuring privacy.
We maintain accurate attendance tracking (sign-in/out) and procedures for managing absences, late arrivals, and departures.
We have a defined withdrawal process.
We provide a comprehensive orientation to familiarise new children and families with routines, staff, the environment, and policies.
Staffing and Professional Development:
Our recruitment processes prioritise candidates with relevant experience and commitment to our school's Buddhist ethos.
All staff and volunteers hold a valid Working with Children Check.
Our comprehensive induction covers school philosophy, OOSH policies, "My Time, Our Place", child protection, emergency procedures, and Buddhist values.
Ongoing professional development is required, covering child protection, first aid, behaviour guidance, inclusive practices, and integrating Buddhist values.
Program and Activities:
We plan, implement, and evaluate a child-centred, play-based program aligned with "My Time, Our Place".
Our program is flexible, responsive to children's interests and abilities, and includes diverse activities (creative arts, STEM, sports, play, etc.).
Children are involved in planning activities.
Activities integrate Buddhist principles like mindfulness, morality, compassion, and discipline.
We regularly evaluate our program using observations and feedback to inform improvements.
Health and Safety:
We have comprehensive procedures to manage allergies, medical conditions, medication administration, and parent communication.
Sufficient staff hold current First Aid, Anaphylaxis, and Asthma management qualifications.
We conduct regular safety checks of indoor and outdoor environments and equipment.
Our protocols cover supervision, sleep and rest management, sun safety, and water safety (if applicable).
We conduct risk assessments regularly to identify and mitigate hazards.
Child Protection:
We maintain a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse.
We have clear procedures to guide staff on identifying and reporting child protection concerns according to mandatory reporting requirements and the NSW Child Safe Standards.
Contact details for reporting authorities are readily available.
All staff receive initial and ongoing child protection training.
Behaviour Guidance:
We use positive reinforcement, clear expectations, and fair, consistent consequences.
Our approaches align with Buddhist values of respect, compassion, and mindfulness.
We encourage mindful communication and conflict resolution skills, inspired by Buddhist teachings.
Corporal punishment and harsh disciplinary measures are strictly prohibited.
Staff support children in developing self-regulation, empathy, and responsibility.
Communication and Partnerships:
We foster open, respectful, regular two-way communication with parents using various methods (verbal updates, newsletters, email, meetings).
We maintain strong collaborative relationships with school administration and teachers for seamless transitions and alignment with school values.
We actively seek and use feedback from parents, children, and the school to improve our service.
Incident and Emergency Management:
We have detailed procedures to cover responses to incidents (injuries, illness, missing child) and emergencies (fire, medical, lockdown).
We have clear communication protocols for informing parents, school administration, and authorities during incidents and emergencies.
We practice regular emergency drills (fire, lockdown) at least quarterly.
Cultural Sensitivity
Our OOSH service is inclusive and respectful of the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of all children and families. We show sensitivity towards specific cultural or religious observances, including dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarianism) and significant Buddhist dates or festivals, which we acknowledge through appropriate activities or discussions.
Policy Review and Continuous Improvement
We review this policy regularly (e.g., annually or bi-annually) by designated personnel. Our reviews consider legislative changes, best practice updates, and stakeholder feedback. We have mechanisms (e.g., surveys, meetings, informal feedback) to gather feedback from children, parents, staff, and the school. This feedback informs policy revisions and drives continuous quality improvement.
This policy reflects The Pal Buddhist School's commitment to providing a high-quality, safe, engaging, and values-aligned OOSH service that supports the holistic development of our students.