Good Shepherd Hoxton Park Vacation Care

Yes, SCECS is an approved Australian child care provider. CCS is paid directly to SCECS based on family entitlements. Families are required to pay the gap, also known as the out of pocket fee.

To get an estimate of your family entitlements, use our CCS calculator found under fee information on your service webpage. This will allow you to view how much your gap fee could be.

You may apply for CCS via ServicesAustralia. You can find more information here.

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To claim CCS you will need to make a claim with Centrelink via this link.

To get an estimate of your family entitlements, use our CCS calculator found under fee information on your service webpage. This will allow you to view how much your gap fee could be.

Yes, SCECS is an approved Australian child care provider. CCS is paid directly to SCECS based on family entitlements. Families are required to pay the gap, also known as the out of pocket fee.

If your child only attends during Vacation Care you will need to provide the service with their medication for the . The service will require completed authorisation forms and medications prior to attending your first day of care. Please note that medication must be provided in its original packaging with prescription labels attached.

Your child should wear sun safe clothing, including a hat and enclosed shoes and pack a water bottle, morning tea and lunch. SCECS will provide sunscreen, breakfast, and afternoon tea. Please note that Vacation Care is a nut free environment due to allergies.

Vacation Care has a base fee per day. However, depending on the type of activity taking place there could be an additional charge depending on what is involved. Please check your service program for the total fee for each day. Note: CCS is applied to the total fee.

You are required to provide 7 days’ written notice to cancel a vacation care booking. If you do not provide 7 days’ written notice, you will be charged the full fee including any extra charges (minus any CCS if applicable).

You must be enrolled with SCECS to attend our Vacation Care program. In order to make a booking, you will need to complete a booking form. The booking form can be found on your service webpage, along with the program. Upon receiving your booking form, the service will confirm in writing whether you have received your requested days.

Yes, if there is sufficient demand from families. If the demand is insufficient, families are welcome to attend any SCECS Vacation Care service that is most convenient for the family. Please note that you will not be required to re-enrol.

The programs our qualified and experienced teams provide are specifically designed with each child and service in mind – you won’t find the same program at each SCECS service! A new program is carefully put together each vacation period, keeping our programs exciting and new. We offer a variety of fun experiences including games, drama, physical activity, cooking, craft, STEM activities, gardening and so much more.

At SCECS, we follow a rigorous recruitment process to ensure we hire highly qualified and dedicated educators. We are committed to fostering diversity and equality and do not discriminate based on gender.

At SCECS, the safety of our children, staff, and families is our highest priority. Our staff provide constant supervision to maintain a secure environment for everyone. We also conduct thorough risk assessments to identify and address potential hazards proactively.

All SCECS staff are required to hold a valid Working With Children Check (WWCC). Our Coordinators are certified in First Aid in Education and Care Settings, Child Protection, and hold a Diploma in Children’s Services (or are actively working toward it). We employ a diverse team of staff with qualifications ranging from Early Childhood Teachers (4–5 years of university training), Diploma-trained educators (2 years of TAFE or RTO training), Certificate III-trained educators (6 months of TAFE or RTO training), and trainees undertaking on-the-job training. Additionally, we have clerical staff and cooks/chefs who hold a Certificate III, IV, or Diploma in Commercial Cookery or Hospitality.

At SCECS, we encourage all educators to complete first aid training and provide a wide range of professional development opportunities, including traineeships. Our team regularly engages in professional goal-setting and training to stay current with the latest research in Early Childhood Education and maintain Teacher Accreditation Standards, ensuring the highest quality care and education for children.

In NSW, the educator to child ratio is 1:4 for 0-2 year old children, 1:5 for 2-3 year old children and 1:10 for 3-6 year old children. SCECS uses this law as a minimum standard and in most circumstances employs more staff to children.

All staff employed by SCECS must have a Working With Children Check (WWCC), and our Coordinator holds First Aid in Education and Care Setting, Child Protection and a Diploma of Children’s Services (or is working towards completion). SCECS actively encourages all educators to undertake first aid courses, and offers other professional development opportunities, including traineeships.

At SCECS, safety of our children, staff and families is our number one concern.  The Educator to Child ratio of 1:15 for OSHC services applies in NSW.  This ratio means that for every 15 children in an OSHC service, there needs to be 1 Educator available. For example, for 30 children, 2 Educators working directly with the children.Our staff will be supervising at all times to ensure the safety of all. Risk assessments will be completed to ensure that any risks have been mitigated. ‍

‍Our Statement of Commitment to Child Safety: SCECS is a Child Safe Organisation dedicated to the Protection of every child in our care. SCECS aims to create environments where children’s safety and wellbeing is the centre of thought, values and actions. This framework is underpinned by the United Nations Convention on the rights of Children and aims to ensure that every child’s safety and wellbeing is maintained.

In NSW, the educator to child ratio is 1:15. This ratio means that for every 15 children that are present, there must be one educator on supervision. However, at SCECS, we have a minimum of 2 staff regardless of whether there are less than 15 children present.

Yes, we provide a range of nutritional, healthy foods for breakfast and afternoon tea. We are guided by the Eat Smart Play Smart (ESPS) manual. Each session, we offer a mix of various in-season fruit and vegetables, wholemeal breads, and cereals, heart-healthy lean protein and low-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. We are an allergy aware service.

We collaborate with children and families to design an engaging program that reflects the specific interests of the children, ensuring their time at SCECS is enjoyable and enriching. Adopting a child-centred approach, we provide a balanced mix of educational, play, and leisure activities. We actively encourage families to share feedback and suggestions, while our educators facilitate spontaneous activities based on the children’s interests during each session. Since each service is unique, routines may be adjusted based on input from children, parents, and the wider community.

Yes, we understand the importance of family time and have incorporated a dedicated, well-resourced space in our afternoon routine to support children with their homework. We collaborate with parents to meet each child’s homework needs. From 5:00 pm to 5:30 pm, children may use electronic devices for homework in small groups under close staff supervision. If you would like your child to use a device for homework, please complete the 'Acceptable Use of Technology' form.

Yes, SCECS provides nappies for children who are not yet toilet trained.

SCECS provides breakfast, morning tea, lunch, afternoon tea and a late snack each day. We employ a qualified onsite cook/chef, catering for each child’s dietary needs and providing fresh, nutritious and healthy meals. Meal time is a special time for children and staff to come together and enjoy a diverse range of cuisines.

Our services operate from 7:00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday, 50 weeks a year. We’re not open on weekends or public holidays.

Yes, you can join the waitlist. We will require your baby’s surname and for their first name, you can write ‘baby’. We also require an estimated date of birth. Once your child is born, you are required to contact us and update your details.

Your Wait List Application / position for care will be allocated in line with the Priority of Access guidelines at the service.

We adhere to the Commonwealth Government's Priority of Access guidelines;

Priority 1: a child at risk of serious abuse or neglect

Priority 2: a child of a single parent or parents who satisfy the work/training/study test under Section 14 of the 'A New Tax

System (Family Assistance) Act 1999'

Priority 3: any other child.

Within these main categories, priority should also be given to the following children:

‐ children in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families

‐ children in families which include a disabled person

‐ children in families which include an individual whose adjusted taxable income does not exceed the lower income threshold, or who or whose partner is on income

support

‐ children in families from a non‐English speaking background

‐ children in socially isolated families

‐ children of single parents

We recommend placing your child’s name on a waitlist early to ensure that you do not miss out on a place. You should also confirm your requirements as regularly as possible.

Yes you can join the waitlist.  We will require your baby’s surname and for their first name, write ‘baby’.  We also require an estimated date of birth. Once your child is born, please contact us to update your details.

At SCECS we are an inclusive environment who provides for children with additional needs and is available to every child.  For specific advice on how we could best accommodate your child/ren, you should speak with the Director at the SCECS service you are interested in.

Toilet training usually occurs between the ages of 18 months and 3 years. We work in partnership with families to encourage and implement toilet training when you feel that your child is ready, based on their individual stage of development and signs of toileting readiness.

Families are encouraged to pack the following items, labelled with their name:

• A water bottle
• 3 spare changes of clothing to suit the weather conditions
• Any comforters that assist your child to feel settled
• Sun safe hat
• Bib - if required (Remove)
• Dummy - if required
• Sleep sheet or blanket (Remove)
• Bottles with formula or expressed milk
• Any medications

We suggest dropping your child off prior to 10 am to assist your child’s connection to the service and familiarity with the routine of the day.

We recommend families to visit a minimum of 1 to 3 orientation sessions with your child. This allows your child to get use to the routine, educators and learning environment. It also allows us the time to get to know your child/ren and how best we can support their learning and development prior to formally commencing at the service.

Every child will be different. Some children settle in quickly, while others may take longer. Children who attend 3+ days per week are more likely to settle sooner than children who attend less often. Our caring team of educators will work with you and your child to tailor the enrolment and make the transition smooth.

Submit an online ‘’Waitlist" from the SCECS website. Click here to access our guide to using Storypark Manage. The guide will show you how to enrol and request care.

Once a position becomes available the service will make contact and organise orientation sessions with you and your child.

Yes, each service is licensed to operate with a maximum number of children based on the physical space available to each service.

Unfortunately, we are unable to cater to session swaps due to staffing.

If your booking falls on a public holiday you will be charged for this.

To cease care, you are required to provide 2 weeks’ written notice. If you are receiving CCS, please note that CCS is not payable for any absences after your child’s last day of physical attendance. Therefore, you are required to attend your last booked day of care to ensure that CCS is paid.

It is important to notify your service via email or phone if your child is not attending a booked session. Please note that if the absence falls on a day that is booked permanently you will still be charged for the session. For flexible care arrangements, please contact your service to discuss casual bookings.

Transitions to older rooms are based on developmental readiness and availability, not just age. Please speak to your service Director if you have any questions.

SCECS requires children to be fully up-to-date with their immunisations, or be on a catch up schedule, or have a medical exemption to be enrolled into care. Documentation supporting the child’s immunisation position, must be provided at the time of enrolment. Children who are not vaccinated will not receive the Child Care Subsidy and are not eligible for enrolment.

The following are acceptable to prove immunisation:

• AIR Immunisation History Statement – those that are fully immunised for their age
• AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption Form – those that have a medical reason not to be vaccinated, or
• AIR Immunisation History Form – those that are on a recognised catch-up schedule

No other documents will be accepted and the enrolment cannot be confirmed without one of these.

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The following are acceptable to prove immunisation:

• AIR Immunisation History Statement – those that are fully immunised for their age
• AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption Form – those that have a medical reason not to be vaccinated, or
• AIR Immunisation History Form – those that are on a recognised catch-up schedule

No other documents will be accepted and the enrolment cannot be confirmed without one of these.

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SCECS requires children to be fully up-to-date with their immunisations, or be on a catch-up schedule, or have a medical exemption to be enrolled into care. Documentation supporting the child’s immunisation position must be provided at the time of enrolment. Children who are not vaccinated are not entitled to receive the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and are not eligible for enrolment.

What documents do I need to supply to show my child’s immunisation status? 

The following documents are acceptable to provide immunisation:

• AIR Immunisation History Statement - those that are fully immunised for their age
• AIR Immunisation Medical Exemption Form - those that have a medical reason not to be vaccinated, or
• AIR Immunisation History Form - those that are on a recognised catch-up schedule

No other documents will be accepted, and the enrolment cannot be confirmed without one of the above documents.