1. Who owns the centres?
Gowrie Victoria is a not-for-profit organisation, managed by a Board with over 70 years of History in the Early Childhood Sector. Gowrie Victoria and the City of Melbourne are proud partners in the development of The Harbour Family and Children's Centre located in Docklands.
2. Are both centres accredited?
Yes The Quality Improvement and Accreditation System (QIAS) is based on 7 Quality Areas and 33 Principles that guide the centre in maintaining and improving the quality of their practices. The QIAS encourages long day care centre staff, children and families to work together to develop and review the service's philosophy, policies and procedures. This helps to enrich the quality of the children's experiences and the interactions between staff, children and families.
3. What is the Gowrie Children Philosophy?
We believe that a statement of the centre’s philosophy changes as new insights are gained and practice is evaluated. The philosophy is reviewed annually.
4. What type of program is offered to children and families?
Gowrie implements a play based, emergent curriculum using a strength based approachwhich responds to children's interests, ideas and individual needs.
5. How do educators utilise the National Early Years Learning Framework (NEYLF 2009) and Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF 2009) when planning for children?
Gowrie Victoria’s approach to early childhood learning & development is reflected in the Early Years Learning Framework’s vision to provide children with a sense of Belonging, recognise and celebrate their Being & support their Becoming. When documenting children's learning and development, educators consider what they NOTICE about what children are engaged in; they RECOGNISE what learning is occurring by reflecting on the National and Victorian Frameworks (NEYLF & VEYLDF) and they RESPOND to children by adding resources, providing guidance as needed and considering further planning opportunities.
6. Do you have a Kindergarten program?
Both centres provide a funded integrated kindergarten program within the long day care setting for 4 and 5 year olds. The kindergarten teacher is the Pedagogical Leader in this room. Additional Kindergarten teachers are employed to support the program during term holidays and in scheduled program planning times. At the Carlton North centre, an additional kindergarten teacher is employed to deliver the 3-4 year old program.
7. How does Gowrie Children provide for children with additional needs?
The centre provides education and care for children with a diverse range of needs and abilities. Educators will support your child's specific needs, utilising additional training, resources and educators to implement an inclusive program. Educators will also support families to access funding if required.
8. Does Gowrie Children meet specific cultural and religious needs?
Educators are responsive to the cultural and religious needs of all families. Significant and everyday experiences are incorporated into the program to reflect the diversity of each family.
9. What qualifications do the educators have?
All our educators have a minimum Certificate III qualification in early childhood. Each room also has an educator with Diploma and/or Kindergarten Teaching Qualifications. Gowrie Victoria supports ongoing staff professional development and growth.
10. What are the ratios when working with children of different ages?
Gowrie Children have a well supported children’s program and where possible, staff at a higher than required ratio. We maintain a 1:4 ratio when working with children under 3 years and a 1:14 (or smaller) ratio when working with children over 3 years.
11. Is there an orientation program?
Both sites have an orientation program for all new children and families. An information evening is held in October, followed by family meetings with educators and visits to the centre. Current children also have opportunities to visit their new rooms and meet the educators who will be educating and caring for them the following year. Families are also encouraged to spend time with their child on commencement and where possible begin with shorter days. Educators will also provide further strategies to help make the transition as smooth as possible as they strengthen links between centre and home. A sense of belonging and the development of partnerships is the focus during the orientation period.
12. What do I need to provide for my child?
Each day children and families will need to bring a bag with a hat, change of clothes (which must be labelled), nappies (where applicable) and a piece of fruit to share. Families are required on a daily basis to help their child to wash their hands and assist them to settle into the program. From September to April, when UV levels are high, families are also required, on arrival, to apply the first application of sunscreen to their child.
13. What type of feedback will I receive about my child’s learning and development?
Each child has their own individual portfolio, which is regularly updated with information about their learning and participation in the program. Each room also has a Reflections Folder which enables children, families and educators the opportunity to revisit, discuss and reflecton their work. This form of emergent curriculum enables staff to respond to, support and extend the current interests and ideas of the children in their daily work. Families are invited to participate in annual interviews or arrange a time to meet with educators to discuss their child's progress as the need arises.
14. How do the educators communicate with families?
Strong partnerships are fostered through the exchange of information with families on an ongoing basis via informal conversations at drop off and pick up times, through email, telephone & through various forms of written documentation (children's individual portfolios, reflection folder, newsletters & noticeboards). Parents can also elect to become a member of the Parent Sub-Committee of the Board.
15. What type of food is provided? Do you cater for allergies?
Both services have been awarded the Start Right Eat Right Award. We are up to date with current research into good nutritional health. We provide children with 50% of their daily nutritional requirements and encourage positive attitudes to food by allowing children to eat in response to their hunger through flexible meals. The menu is planned in a 6 week rotational cycle and includes a variety of healthy and nutritious food. All children's allergies and dietary requirements are accommodated. Fresh seasonal produce is used to create appetising meals.
16. Can I bring food from home including birthday cakes and party food?
We do not allow food to be brought in from home because of the risk some children have toward certain foods. Educators support children to celebrate their birthday in a range of different ways.
17. How do I apply for a place in your centre for my child?
You will need to fill out a Waiting List Application Form. Contact Carlton North Ph: 03 9347 6388, email: reception@gowrievictoria.org.au or Docklands Ph: 03 8624 1000, email: theharbour@gowrievictoria.org.au.