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Frequently Asked Questions about MUSHPFrequently Asked Questions
1. How do I book to use the program?If you are a regular user, you will receive an enrolment pack in the mail which needs to be completed and returned. Follow the instructions on the enrolment form, and return to MUSHP office with payment, either via mail or in person. If you are enrolling your children for the first time and want to claim the Child Care Benefit (CCB), you must apply to the Family Assistance Office / Centrelink (PH 13 61 50) and link your family to our service: Monash University School Holiday Program - Customer Reference Number: 555 007 699C www.familyassist.gov.au/internet/fao/fao1.nsf/content/online_services We are unable to provide any reduction in fees until we have your status in writing.
School Holiday Program - MUSHP
If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact MUSHP at Family and Child Care. Health, Wellbeing and Development on 9905 3156. 2. My child is 5 and is starting school in January/February, can I book my child in for care for the Holiday Program?Recent clarifications from the Commonwealth Department of Family & Community Services concerning access to school holiday programs and the unmet demand for places has implications for the care of non-school aged children (those who have turned 5 and will be starting school in the year that care is required) and children entering secondary school (over the age of 12 years). "Non-school age" means that children are not regarded as school age until the commencement of the school year - 28th January. Those children who will be starting school for the first time, are unable to access January school holiday programs, and parents will be required to seek alternative care. Provision has been made that four non school aged children may apply to a service for care. As MUSHP is an employer sponsored service, first priority is given to University staff and students. Within this category, priority of places will be given to those with siblings already in the program or "at risk" children. 3. If I have a query who can I contact?Enquiries are welcome at any time. You may have a specific enquiry concerning your enrolment form or a general enquiry concerning the program. If so, please contact MUSHP at Health, Wellbeing and Development on (03) 9905 3156, or email: dinah.humphries@adm.monash.edu.au or janita.grant@adm.monash.edu.au 4. How are children allocated to groups? The Monash University School Holiday Program offers care for 90 children across three age appropriate groups. Children are allocated according to age:
When allocating children to their groups, the Program Co-coordinator takes into account the age appropriateness of activities, children's particular needs, including special needs, and opportunities for children to mix with children their own age. Group allocations may vary during January holidays or during periods of low utilisation. If this is to occur parents will be notified of the group allocations and the age range for each group. I Family groupings can be taken into account if the children are in the same age range. Generally we find that older children placed with younger siblings are isolated from peers, and younger siblings placed in groups with older siblings struggle to keep up with the pace of the age group. If you have a concern or query regarding family groupings, please contact the Program Co-ordinator on (03) 9905 3156 or email: dinah.humphries@adm.monash.edu.au or janita.grant@adm.monash.edu.au Due to the high demand for places, allocating children to their groups by the Program Co-ordinator ensures that the majority of families will be allocated their days as requested, although there is no guarantee. 5. How does Priority of Access work at the Program?In keeping with the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaSCIA) Priority of Access requirements, Monash University is an employer sponsored school holiday program, and where a waiting list exists, priority is given to staff and students of Monash University. 6. Can I pay by credit card or cash?Unfortunately credit card facilities are unavailable, and the handling of cash is not possible due to security. Payments must be cheque or money order only. 7. Once I've made my booking and it has been confirmed, can I book additional days?After the closing date for enrolments, additional days can be booked (subject to availability) from the first day of the holiday program. Please contact the Program Co-ordinator on 0408 507 101. Additional days after the close of enrolments will not be charged a late fee. Any new enrolments booked in after the closing date will be charged a $10 late fee. 8 . Can I speak with someone regarding the progam or my child?Contact can be made with the Program Co-ordinator by phoning Health, Wellbeing and Development on (03) 9905 3156. It is best to make an appointment time to meet with Dinah or Janita to discuss with her any aspect concerning the Program and your child's venue. 9. Can I visit to see how the Program works?As the Program only operates during school holidays, it is not possible to visit outside these times. A visit to the venue can be arranged if parents wish to see the Program during school holidays, while in operation. 10. Who is responsible for the Program?The Program has been operating since 1988, and is an employer sponsored program for Monash University students, staff and community families. Family and Child Care is a cross campus service, to all University students and staff, and provides a referral and advisory service concerning family life resources and child care. The program is managed by Family and Child Care, within Health, Wellbeing and Development at the Clayton Campus. The Program Co-ordinator reports to the Head, Family and Child Care. Both the Head, Family and Child Care, the Program Co-ordinator and the Assistant Co-ordinator liaise with parents, and visit all venues during the course of each Program. The Program Co-ordinator and Assistant Co-ordinator are based at the venues full time during the school holidays. In the absence of the Program Co-ordinator, parents can contact the Assistant Co-ordinator or the Head, Family and Child Care, to follow up on any concerns. Family and Child Care is located at Health, Wellbeing and Development on the first floor, Western Extension of the Campus Centre (Building 10), Clayton Campus, telephone: (03) 9905 3156. 11. What venue will my child be at?Each group is allocated a venue within the University, with one venue used for morning and afternoon collections. Red and Blue groups move off to their own venues from 9.15am and return at 5.00pm for collection at the end of the day. Green Group is based at the venue used for morning and afternoon collections. A range of on campus facilities, including sporting venues, are used by the groups for various activities. For further details concerning venue locations for each group, including maps, please contact MUSHP at Health, Wellbeing and Development. All details regarding programming and venues will be sent out to families in a Confirmation of Enrolment pack. 12. How will I know where I can collect my child? Once an enrolment has been processed, each family receives a confirmation information package, including a timetable and campus map for your child's group. This timetable gives a detailed overview of the day and week's schedule, including venues and times for various activities. Parents can also contact MUSHP mobile phone, which operates during the course of each holiday program to confirm their child's location. The phone number for this service is listed in a number of places, including the timetable and the parent information booklet. You can also check with staff or the timetable on arrival for the day's scheduled activities. When groups leave their venue, a note, will show parents where the group is located and their estimated time of arrival back to their venue. In the event of weather being too hot or wet, activities may be rescheduled to an alternative venue. In the event of a weather change, contact the MUSHP mobile phone service to confirm your child's group location. 13. Where can I find a copy of the timetable if I don't have one?For copies of the timetable, please contact Health, Wellbeing and Development or ring the MUSHP mobile phone (0408 507 101) during the program. Extra copies of the timetables are kept at the main venue. Just ask a staff member for your child's group timetable. 14. What sort of activities will be scheduled during the program?A wide range and scope of activities are scheduled to give the children a broad experience, with a balance between education and entertainment; structured and unstructured activities. Activities include swimming, indoor and outdoor sport, water polo, Adventures (Incursions), Drama and Music, Cinema, Science, Cooking, and Art and Craft. 15. Are the children shown videos?Video viewing is scheduled once per week per group. The videos chosen for viewing are selected with careful consideration to age appropriateness and ratings. A list of videos is available at MUSHP and is displayed at the main venue. 16. Do the children go swimming?Monash University School Holiday Program has access to excellent sporting facilities, including the Monash University indoor heated swimming pool (Doug Ellis Aquatic Centre). There is no additional costs charged for this activity. It is the responsibility of parents to indicate on the enrolment form, their child's swimming group that accurately reflects children's abilities, for their own safety. On swimming days please pack a towel and bathers in a plastic bag, you may also send thongs for use at the pool if you wish. If you are going to collect your child from swimming, please staff know at the start of the day, so that your child has all their belongings with them ready to be picked up from the pool. 17. Do I need to supply two emergencies, and can I list myself and/or partner down instead?In the event of an injury/accident/emergency, families will be notified immediately. However, the emergency contact details are vital in the event of families not being contactable. Any enrolment form that does not include...
...will not be processed until completed. 18. How is enrolment information used? What sort of privacy protection is there for personal information?There is a privacy statement on the enrolment form. For any concerns you may have regarding privacy protection and Monash University's procedures for this, please contact the University's Privacy Officer on (03) 9905 6043. 19. Will my children be going on bus trips off campus on excursions?MUSHP arranges for incursions or Adventures, bringing various organisations to run workshop activities on campus for children. The University campus experience for children is quite extensive, and provides a vast assortment of resources to ensure that the children are given a broad range of experiences. 20. Are there any additional charges for these incursions / Adventures or other activities?The daily fee as quoted includes all activities. Where an additional costly Adventure is scheduled, an additional cost is charged. This is included on the enrolment form. Great care is taken to ensure the children are given the benefits of the scope of resources available on campus as well as bringing a variety of individuals and individuals on to campus as way of offering variety in the program. 21. Who will be responsible for caring for my children?The staff employed to work in the holiday program come from a diverse field in educational experience as well as other tertiary education disciplines, including outdoor education, art, music, primary education and secondary education. Staff selection is based on experience and educational interests in working with children. All staff are required to provide a Working with Children's Check and the majority of staff have first aid certificates. Staff are also required to attend a one day workshop prior to each program. The aim of the workshop is to provide staff with suitable training in programming, behaviour management, OH & S, policies and procedures, including OSHCQA as set out by the National Child Care Accreditation Council (Commonwealth). 22. What are the opening hours and how often does the Program operate?MUSHP operates 8.00am - 5.30pm, Monday to Friday of each school holiday term break, including a 4 week program in January. In the first week of the January program, two groups will normally operate and weeks 2 - 3 will offer three groups (subject to demand). The program does not run on University public holidays. 23. What does my child need to bring along to the program?It is important for your child to wear suitable clothing, including footwear. Additional clothing may be packed, and important items to be packed include a windcheater and coat in the event of rain. Hats and Sun block are essential items for the September, January and April programs, and are recommended for July. This recommendation is made as the children spend more time outside compared to their school day routines. For further information concerning hats and sun block, visit the Sunsmart website www.sunsmart.com.au. 24.What should I do if I'm running late to collect my child?It is very important that you ring MUSHP mobile phone service to notify the Program Co-ordinator that you will be late. This is to reassure your child that you are on your way. A late fine applies to those families where children are collected after 5:30PM.
Payment of late fees should be made to staff on duty. If not, payments may be made to Program Co-ordinator the next day. Receipts will be issued after the program. Monies received are used to pay staff overtime. If late collections continue, the Program Co-ordinator may schedule a meeting with families to discuss the matter. 25. Am I entitled to a refund if my child is sick?MUSHP do not provide refunds / credits if your child is sick. ALLOWABLE ABSENCESAccording to the Department of Family & Community Services Child Care Service Handbook (2004), Child Care Benefit is paid for up to 30 allowable absence days for each child per financial year across all approved child care services, and can be taken for any reason. Families will be notified of the number of allowable absence days each of their children have taken from care at the Monash University School Holiday Program at the end of each financial year. Families who receive CCB as a fee reduction at more than one approved child care service must inform the service when they have used their 30 allowable absence days for each child. APPROVED ABSENCE DAYSChild Care Benefit is also payable for absences taken including some of the following reasons:
Absence days taken for the above reasons are called approved absence days. There is no limit on the number of approved absence days a child's family may claim providing they are taken for the specific reasons. Once a child has reached 30 allowable absence days, Child Care Benefit is not paid for any further absences, unless the absences are taken for an approved absence day reason. A family may still take absences that exceed 30 allowable absence days and are not for an approved absence day reason, but CCB will not be paid. For further information concerning other reasons for absence as well as an overview of the FaCSIA policy of Child Care Benefit and allowable absences, visit the Department's website: http://www.facs.gov.au/childcare/handbook2004-05/part2/chapter12/12.htm Absences are also indicated on your invoices from MUSHP. If your child is sick, University staff members are eligible for Family Leave to care for sick children (Staff Handbook) 26. Can I claim Child Care Benefit?To receive Child Care Benefit you must apply to Family Assistance Office / Centrelink (PH 13 61 50) and link your family to our service: Monash University School Holiday Program - Customer Reference Number: 555 007 699C. www.familyassist.gov.au/internet/fao/fao1.nsf/content/online_services Once this has been done, the Family Assistance Office will notify the Program of the calculated percentage of CCB to be used when calculating your fee. At the time of booking, you will need to contact MUSHP or use the calculator on our website to have your fee calculated prior to sending in your enrolment form. (see "Booking Procedures"). 27. Is MUSHP able to cater for children with additional/special needs?MUSHP welcomes the opportunity to work with families in ensuring that their children who may require additional care can be catered for in the program. It is important for families to note that to ensure this partnership, contact must be made with the Program Co-ordinator prior to completing your enrolment form to arrange a meeting time to discuss your child's particular requirements. MUSHP's local Inclusion Support Facilitator (ISF) may be included at this meeting with families permission. 28. Is there a governing or regulatory system to ensure that MUSHP offers quality care for my child?There are currently two complimentary processes in place to promote quality care for the Out of School Hours Care Sector. The National Standards are Commonwealth standards, developed through the Department of Family, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaCSIA). In addition to the National Standards which sets out the minimum in care requirements, the Commonwealth has also developed the Out of School Hours Quality Assurance (OSHCQA) process. All OSHC programs must achieve a minimum satisfactory standard in all 8 areas:
For further information concerning these systems, visit the NCAC website: www.ncac.gov.au The Victorian Government are currently reviewing the Children's Services Regulations with the view to including all OSHC and FDC services. It is envisaged that regulations will be implemented in this sector in 2008. |