Perthville–Mondays and Fridays on the grounds of Perthville Public School, 24-26 Rockley St, Perthville
O’Connell–Wednesdays and Thursdays at St Thomas Anglican Church Hall
3870 Beaconsfield Road, O’Connell
Our Preschools operate 41 weeks per years in line with NSW School Terms.
Perthville: 9:00am – 3:15pm
O’Connell: 9:00am – 3:00pm
About UsGalloping Gumnut Mobile has been providing quality education and care opportunities to children and families living in regional and rural areas for over 30 years. Galloping Gumnut is a community based, not-for profit Organisation managed by a voluntary committee. We receive funding from both the Federal and State Governments and operate, Child Care, Preschool and Out of School hours Care. Our Office Base is in Lithgow, and we have three venues – Oberon, O’Connell, and Perthville.
All our venues are licensed in line with the Education and Care National Regulations, and we operate according to the National Quality Standards and will undergo Assessment and Rating. Enrolments are allocated according to the Priority of Access. Experienced and qualified Educators are employed to provide quality care for your children. All Educators hold the mandatory Working with Children Checks required by the NSW Office of the Children’s Guardian and undertake a comprehensive induction process prior to employment. All permanent and contracted Educators are also required to hold current First Aid Education and Care Certificates. The Nominated Supervisor and ‘Responsible Persons’ all hold accredited Child Protection Certificates.
The program is play based and centred on the Early Years Learning Framework that encompasses “Belonging, Being and Becoming”. Educators collaborate with children and families to provide play and leisure opportunities that are meaningful, reflective of children’s interests and support their wellbeing, learning and development. Children are supported to build warm and trusting relationships with educators and their peers. The program provides opportunities for children to explore, investigate, discover, and learn new skills and concepts. There is a focus on intentional teaching that supports interests and school readiness. Experiences are open ended to support all children to achieve success. Group experiences and routines throughout the day enable children to develop a range of skills and knowledge to assist in providing a smooth transition to the school environment. The program and service delivery is led by the Educational Leader, who is an Early Childhood teacher, and qualified experienced Educators. We work collaboratively with local schools to create a comprehensive Transition to School Program. The Program Book is on display and Educators use this book to write about your child’s day.
In line with our Nutrition Policy, we ask that families send a packed morning tea and lunch that includes healthy options (sandwich, yoghurt, fruit, cheese, vegetable sticks etc.). Please speak with an Educator if you are unsure or would like further suggestions. If you are sending perishable foods (cheese, yoghurt, meat) please include an ice pack or ask staff to place in the refrigerator. We also have microwave ovens to reheat food. Please also send a refillable water bottle with water only.
Sun SafetyThe Service provides sunscreen. If your child requires a specific brand, this will need to be supplied (Permission is required for the application of sunscreen – refer to Agreement and Permission Form). The enrolment fee includes a Sun Safe hat that stays at the Service and is laundered on a regular basis. We also ask that children wear or have access to, ie. packed in the child/ren’s school bag, appropriate sun safe clothing (no sleeveless tops) for outdoor play.
We ask that all children have at least one set of spare clothes in their bag for messy play and/or toileting accidents. It is important that children wear, or have access to in their bag, to appropriate footwear that allows them to safely engage in outdoor play (no thongs or slip shoes). We play outside in all weather conditions, therefore please always send a jacket and in Winter and extra layer and a beanie. *Please don’t forget to label all your child/ren’s belongings.
Each family is required to complete an Online Enrolment Form. Families will be given a login to our Hubworks third party software system. All upfront fees must be paid prior to children commencing with the Service. Our Funding Agreement with the NSW Department of Early Childhood Education requires us to follow priority of access and guidelines. We use the following to determine where a child is placed on the list:
NOTE: An equity child is a child who is of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background or who is listed on a low-income earner’s health care card. A child is deemed to be 4 years old if they turn 4 years old on or before 31st July during that year.
Procedure should a vacancy occur during the current school year: Should a vacancy arise during the school year, we consult the Waiting List, offering a position in accordance with the above priority of access.
Enrolment and Administration Fee (upfront fee): $50.00 for the first child and $30 for every subsequent child. PLEASE NOTE: These amounts include the purchase price of a Galloping Gumnut hat. $10.00 per child re-enrolment fee will be charged in subsequent years, unless a new hat is required.
Membership of Association Fee (upfront fee). As an Incorporated Association this is a legal requirement $3.00 New Members and $2.00 renewal for every other year. Membership fees are GST inclusive. Bond (upfront fee) $50 per child – refundable upon leaving the Service when the required 2 weeks’ notice has been given and all fees are up to date.
Session Fees
Full fee: $32.00 per day
Reduced fee: $6 – $20 per day 2 years (ie. turning 3 years after 31st July): $36.00 per day For further information in relation to fees and enrolments please refer to our Fee Policy and Enrolment Policy.
Outside Hours Fees
If a child is at the Service outside of operating hours, and staff have not been advised of extenuating circumstances, the following fees may be applied to your Invoice: $20.00 for the first 15 minutes and $20.00 for each additional 15 minutes or part thereof.
Cancellations Two weeks’ notice is required or equivalent payment of fees. PLEASE NOTE: The Bond will be applied to any outstanding fees.
Immunisation
Our Service has a legal responsibility to comply with the Public Health Act 2010. Therefore, before a child can start families MUST provide a copy of the child’s up to date Official Immunisation History Statement. For more information go to: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/Pages/vaccination_enrolment.aspx
Families are required to keep sick children at home. Please notify the Service if your child is going to be away. If any child becomes unwell during the Session, the family WILL BE contacted and asked to collect their child/ren from the Service. If your child has a known medical condition, including Asthma/Anaphylaxis/Diabetes, this has to be indicated on the Enrolment Form and additional documentation will need to be completed. If your child requires medication whilst at the Service, you must inform staff accordingly and fill out the necessary forms. PLEASE DO NOT leave medications in your child’s bag.
Each of our venues has a Mobile phone to enable families to contact Educators throughout the Session. In the event a Session should need to be cancelled, families will be asked to indicate on their Agreement and Permission Form their preferred method of communication to receive notification.
Legislation requires the Service to have appropriate Policies and Procedures. A Policy folder is kept at each venue and is available to view. Parents/carers may request a copy of a Policy. All Policies are reviewed on a regular basis and parents/carers are provided with opportunities to be actively involved in this process. Policies being reviewed can be accessed on our Website at www.gallopinggumnut.com.au You may also request a copy be emailed to you.
Family ParticipationOur Service has an ‘Open Door’ policy, offering families the opportunity to stay for as little, or as long, as they wish. Families can spend time playing and interacting with the children and Educators. This is particularly important during the transition to Preschool period. During this time, Educators work in partnership with families to develop individual routines if required, respecting that all families come from diverse backgrounds. Families are welcome and encouraged, to contribute and become involved in the program in whatever capacity they feel comfortable. The Service is Community Based and operated by a Management Committee comprised of volunteer parents, other family, and community members. We welcome and encourage you to join our Management Committee. Our AGM is held in October/November each year.
Should you feel dissatisfied or have a complaint about any aspect of our Service, that you feel has not been adequately addressed by the Educators at the Session, please contact one of our Directors on the Mobile numbers or email addresses listed on the front page of the Handbook. If you still feel that your complaint has not been adequately resolved, contact the Early Childhood Education and Care Directorate by telephone on 1800 619 113.
