In keeping with our best practice standards, our policies have been developed based on current research and practice.We appreciate that some of our families may be interested in finding out more about the policies we have in place at Friendly Faces which is why we have made our policies available on our website for families to access.If you would like a copy of a policy that is not on our website, please speak with your Centre Director or office manager.
There’s a huge amount of compelling recent research on the first five years of a child’s development and how it affects the rest of their lives. We know that 90 per cent of a child’s brain is developed by age three. We also know that children who start ahead stay ahead and keep accelerating beyond their peers.
Over time, it becomes harder to close gaps between children who are excelling, and those falling behind. That’s why it’s so important to get it right from the start. To give our children the best possible opportunities for their future, we need to lay the foundations early.
Friendly Faces has links with facilities and support for children with additional needs – from minor allergies to greater care needs such as physical or learning disabilities and behavioural issues.
We are committed to ensuring all children, regardless of life circumstance, have access to and inclusion in early learning in Australia. Please speak with the Centre Director or centre manager about how we can work together to manage your child’s specific needs.
The National Quality Framework (NQF) is an Australian Government initiative aimed at bringing consistency to the level of quality of early learning and care across the country in the critical areas of education, health and safety. The NQF will also provide clearer and comprehensive information for families so they can choose the best services for their child. The main reforms being implemented through the NQF are:
There are seven quality standards being introduced as part of the NQF. These standards will form the basis of how a centre’s quality is rated. The seven quality standards are:
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) describes the principles, practices and outcomes essential to young children’s learning from birth to five years of age, as well as their transition to school. It’s part of the Australian Government’s National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care.
The framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning, recognising the importance of communication and language (including early literacy and numeracy) and social and emotional development. There are five learning outcomes defined by the EYLF:
Find out more about the EYLF here or talk to the early learning professionals at our centre.
Friendly Faces programming is built around play-based learning. It allows young children to make sense of their world through exploration, developing and practising language and physical skills and experimenting with new ideas. Children build confidence, express themselves creatively, and develop their sense of self and identity. Besides individual exploration, they also learn co-operation and how to interact as part of a group.
You’ll see play-based learning in solitary and group play activities, indoors and outdoors. Activities range from building spatial awareness with playdough or blocks, to honing fine motor skills and knowledge of colours and shapes with drawing and painting.
You are still required to pay full fees while not in attendance at the centre. The Child Care Benefit covers up to 42 unspecified absence days a year, so unless you exceed this quota, you’ll be eligible for CCB on family holidays.
Like most early learning centres, Friendly Faces closes for public holidays. If your scheduled day falls on a public holiday, we still need to charge to cover staff costs. This is a sector-standard practice. Early learning professionals are entitled to be paid on public holidays as in other industries. The Australian Government’s Child Care Benefit (CCB) covers up to 42 absence days a year, which includes public holidays. So unless you exceed this quota, you will be eligible for the CCB discount on public holidays.
Child Care Subsidy helps families with the cost of approved child care.
The government pay this subsidy directly to child care providers to reduce the fees you pay. The amount you may be eligible for depends on:
Friendly Faces is open Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm. We are open for business 51 weeks a year, closing down between Christmas and New Year.
Friendly Faces caters for children aged 0-5 years. Our centre is split into three age groups. Nursery 0-2 years, Toddler room 2-3 years and Pre School room 3-5 years.
Child Care Subsidy is the main payment to assist families with the costs of childcare. It is paid directly to the childcare provider and passed onto families as a fee reduction wherever families meet the criteria. The level of subsidy you receive, as well as the number of hours you will be subsidised, depends on your individual family’s circumstances. If you do not already have one, you will need a MyGov account linked to Centrelink to claim any subsidy you may be eligible for.
We provide fresh, nutritious, homestyle meals for breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late afternoon snack for all children.
Yes, Friendly Faces needs to charge for sick days to cover operating costs. This is standard practice across the industry. The Child Care Benefit will cover up to 42 absence days a year with no documentation and unlimited sick days if you are able to provide a medical certificate or similar.
Friendly Faces provide child-safe sunscreen as we are committed to being a sunsafe organisation. However, if your child has sensitive skin, please feel free to pack your own preferred brand.
No. All meals are provided.
Yes, we provide nappies, wipes and nappy creams.