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Following the confusion from ACECQA's announcement that HLTAID004 (Provide an emergency first aid response in an education and care setting) course will be superseded by HLTAID012 (Provide first aid in an education and care setting) first aid course, both the Australian Children's Education & Care Authority (ACECQA) and the NSW Department of Education's Early Childhood Education and Care Directorate have since provided written clarifications.

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Notwithstanding ACECQA's website (as of 16 February 2021 still) saying that "HLTAID004 was superseded by HLTAID012 on 15 October 2020" (as shown below), ACECQA has written to ACA NSW saying "please be assured that HLTAID004 remains on our published list of approved first aid qualifications. This means that any individual who holds HLTAID004 and satisfies the requirements of Regulation 136 is not impacted by the release of the new First Aid Training Package products."

The NSW Department of Education has also written to ACA NSW saying "that the validity of an educator’s qualification under the superseded units will remain fully recognised for its full intended duration (until it expires or they are required to take a refresher)."

 2021 02 16 ACECQA webpage HLTAID004

ACA NSW now anticipates that all NSW Authorised Officers will be updated with the above information.  

Should any ACA NSW member require any further information/clarification, please contact ACA NSW on 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au

PUBLISHED: 16 FEBRUARY 2021 

The video of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW Network meeting held on 8 February 2021 is as follows:

 

The corresponding slides for the above Network Meeting are here.

The topics discussed presented/discussed were:

  • COVID-19 Update:
    • COVID vaccine(s) and their implications
    • Temporary shutdowns, restrictions and legal exclusions
    • CCS, gap fees and absences
  • Regulatory Update:
    • Waivers to staff:children ratios due to labour shortages
    • NESA changes Professional Development requirements
    • Revised local councils’ planning rules
    • Changes for new services in multi-storey buildings
    • Return-to-work programme
  • New platform to attract parents towards services
  • NQF: Anticipated public consultation of the proposed changes
  • Assessment & Ratings and Spotchecks in 2021
    • Use/Not use NSW’s (not ACECQA’s) Self-Assessment Working Document
    • Guidelines for Authorised Officers
  • Current/Upcoming Issues:
    • Transition to School Statement
    • NSW funding for free community preschool programmes for 2021
    • Breaches/Non-compliances
    • Streamlining Approval Processes nationally

Should ACA NSW members require any further information, please do not hesitate to call the office on 1300 556 330 or e-mail nsw@childcarealliance.org.au.

PUBLISHED: 10 FEBRUARY 2021

International Mother Language Day

What does International Mother Language Day?

International Mother Language Day celebrates and raises awareness for the importance of language, cultural diversity and multilingualism around the world each year. 

This day reminds us the importance of different languages spoken around the world, culture and it's history is learnt and remains to not fade out expecially the indigenous languages which is increasingly under threat of extinction.

When is International Mother Language Day?

Sunday, 21st February 

Activities:

  • Learning how to say hello in different languages around the world.
  • Displaying the world map and learning about a differnet country each day; their language, traditional clothings, foods and culture.
  • Inviting the children to come dressed in their traditional clothes and sharing what they do as a family and the language their family speak at home.
  • Setting out cultural diversity children books in book corner for the children to read, learn and ask questions.
  • Displaying flags from around the world around your centre. 
  • Learning and listening to songs in different languages 

    Frere Jacques lyrics

    Frère Jacques, frère Jacques,
    Dormez-vous? Dormez-vous?
    Sonnez les matines! Sonnez les matines!
    Ding, dang, dong. Ding, dang, dong.

    The song is traditionally translated into English as:

    Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
    Brother John, Brother John,
    Morning bells are ringing! Morning bells are ringing!
    Ding, ding, dong. Ding, ding, dong.

 ACA NSW corp pic tiana novelli

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Tiana joined the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW in January of 2021. She began her early childhood education and care journey after leaving school and beginning her traineeship. With a Diploma in early childhood education and care, she has 8 years of early childhood education experience, of which 3 were as a nominated supervisor and centre director. 

Her experiences are primarily in long daycare and preschool services as an educator as well as having led a team of educators. She now leverages her extensive knowledge of the National Quality Standards (NQS) and the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) for the benefit of the ACA NSW members as Approved Providers and for their services, educators and teachers and ultimately children under their care.

You might also find Tiana on a wakeboard, kayak, or cooking up a storm in the kitchen!

Working With Children Check (Expiry September 2023)

For the benefit of members of the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW, the following are answers to members' frequently asked questions.
Members will need to use their username and password in order to gain access.

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RL-01 What is the required indoor and outdoor encumbered square metre?
 

The required space for indoor and outdoor encumbered square metre are:

  • Indoor space=  3.25 square metres of unencumbered indoor space
  • Outdoor space= 7 square metres of unencumbered outdoor space
RL-02 What are the requirements for fencing?
 
  • Fencing requirements at an early childhood centre should have a minimum height of 1.8 metres.

  • Fencing surrounding the outdoor space is designed to not allow children to climb over, under or through the fence and not allowing people outside the centre to gain access by climbing over, under or through the fence.
RL-03  Can I employ an employee working towards a qualification under the age of 18 and be counted in ratio?
 

Yes, you can employ an employee under the age of 18 years and if they have, or are actively working towards an approved qualification they can be counted into your educator and child ratio .

You must ensure that the employee under the age of 18 years:

  • Does not work alone at the service; and
  • Is adequately supervised at all times by an educator who has attained the age of 18 years.
RL-04 Does an employee under the age of 18 years require a working with children check?
 

A Working with children check can only be applied for candidates that are 18 years or over.

Those under the age of 18 years are exempted in providing a working with children check.
RL-05 What is the Educator to child ratio?
 

The minimum number of educators required to educate and care for children at a centre-based service is to be calculated in accordance with the following ratios:

  • For children from birth to 24 months of age= 1 educator to 4 children

  • For children over 24 months and less than 36 months of age= 1 educator to 5 children

  • The educator to child ratio for children aged 36 months or more but less than 6 years of age= 1 educator to 10 children. (New South Wales—specific provisions )

Educators must be working directly with children at the service to be counted to be included in the educator to child ratio for the centre-based service.
RL-06  Must educators be covered when on Meal breaks, rest pauses and programing time?
 

Yes, if educators are not working directly with the children (on a meal break, rest pause, programming or taking on other duties) they must be replaced by another educator to ensure educator to child ratio is met at all times. 
RL-07 How many diplomas’ must I have rostered on?
 

When children are present at the service, you must ensure at least 50 per cent of the educators who are required to meet the relevant educator to child ratios for the service must have, or be actively working towards, at least an approved diploma level education and care qualification.

The above must be met immediately once there are children present and signed in at the service. 
RL-08 Is there a regulation that requires two people on open and close a service?
 

No, there is no regulation that outlines that there must be two educators required to be rostered on for opening and closing the service.

However, it is best practice to have two educators on the premises on open and close for:

  • Meeting educator:child ratio
  • Ensuring adequate supervision
  • In case of an emergency

One of the educators is required to hold or is working towards their approved diploma qualification to comply with regulation 126 (1)a
RL-09 What are the Early Childhood Teacher (ECT) requirements in NSW?
 

Early Childhood Requirements in NSW are as follows:

Number of children

Requirements

Fewer than 25

The service must have access to an early childhood teacher working with the service for at least 20 per cent of the time that the service provides education and care.

(2) To comply with subregulation (1), the early childhood teacher may be working with the service by means of information communication technology.

(3) For the purposes of this regulation the period that an early childhood teacher works with a centre-based service may be calculated on a quarterly basis.

More than 25 but fewer than 29

One early childhood teacher must be in attendance:

(a) For at least 6 hours on that day, if the service operates for 50 or more hours a week; or

(b) For 60 per cent of the operating hours of the service on that day, if the service operates for less than 50 hours a week.

30 to 39 preschool age and under

 One early childhood teacher must be in attendance at all times that a centre-based service is educating and caring for 30 to 39 children preschool age or under.

40 to 59 preschool age and under

Two early childhood teachers must be in attendance at all times that a centre-based service is educating and caring for 40 to 59 children preschool age or under.

60 to 79 preschool age and under children

Three early childhood teachers must be in attendance at all times that a centre-based service is educating and caring for 60 to 79 children preschool age or under.

80 or more preschool age and under

Four early childhood teachers must be in attendance at all times that a centre-based service is educating and caring for 80 or more children preschool age or under.

RL-10  What are the criteria for a person working towards early childhood degree to be qualified to apply for a waiver?
 

For a candidate who is working towards their Early Childhood degree and to qualify to be the acting ECT waiver they must meet the following:

(a) Is actively working towards an approved early childhood teaching qualification; and
(b) Provides the approved provider with documentary evidence that—
(c) The person has completed at least 50 per cent of the course; or
(d) Holds an approved diploma level education and care qualification.

NOTE: Temporary waivers may be granted for up to 12 months.

Approved waivers must be displayed at the entry of the service.
RL-11 Does my educational leader need to be an ECT?
 

No, the educational leader can be the approved provider, nominated supervisor, early childhood teacher or a qualified educator who is suitable to lead the development and implementation of educational programs in the service.
RL-12 Who can be appointed as a responsible person / nominated supervisor?
 

An approved provider can appoint any candidate they believe is fit and proper to be the services’ nominated supervisor or responsible person.

The person must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Have adequate knowledge and understanding of the provision of education and care to children

  • Have an ability to effectively supervise and manage and education and service

  • Hold a current first aid qualification

They must have knowledge and understanding of and must have completed and hold the approved Child Protection Training courses:

  • CHCPRT001 - Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

  • CHCPRT002 - Support the rights and safety of children and young people
RL-13 What are the current and approved Child Protection Training courses?
 

The current and approved Child Protection Training courses since 1 October 2017:

  • CHCPRT001 - Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

  • CHCPRT002 - Support the rights and safety of children and young people

If any educators have obtained a child protection certificate or recognition prior to 1 October 2017 and does not meet the approved course codes above may want to complete a refresher.
RL-14 How long must children, staff records and other documents must be kept and for how long?

Below is a table of the duration of how long children, staff records and other documents must be stored for:

Type of Record

 Timeframe

Regulation

Incident, illness, injury or trauma suffered

Until the child is aged 25 years

Regulations 87, 183,

177(1)(b)

Death of a child while being educated and cared for by the service

Until the end of 7 years after the death

Regulations 12, 183(2)(c

Other records relating to a child enrolled: 

  • Child enrolment record

  • Child attendance record

  • Child assessments or evaluations for delivery of the educational program

  • Medication record

Until the end of 3 years after the last date on which the child was educated and cared for by the service

Regulations 160, 183, 177(1)(l)

Regulations 158, 183, 177(1)(k)

Regulations 74, 183, 177(1)(a)

Regulations 92, 183, 177(1)(c)

Records relates to the approved provider

Until the end of 3 years after the last date on which the approved provider operated the education and care service

Records relating to a nominated supervisor or staff member:

  • Staff record

  • Record of access to early childhood teachers

  • Record of educators working directly with children

  • Record of volunteers and students, contact details and days in attendance

  • Record of responsible person in dayto-day charge including nominated

  • Supervisors placed in day-to-day charge
 Until the end of 3 years after the last date on which the nominated supervisor or staff member provided education and care on behalf of the service

Regulations 145, 183(2)(g)

Regulations 152, 183(2)(f)

Regulations 151, 183(2)(f)

Regulations 149, 183(2)(f)

Section 162

Regulations 145, 150, 177

Any other record:

Checklist

Until the end of 3 years after the date on which the record was made

RL-15 When do you commence the count for 60 days in any 12 month period when an Early Childhood Teacher
is absent from the centre-based service due to short-term illness or leave?
 

Regulation 272(7) clarifies an early childhood teacher may be replaced for a maximum of 60 days in any 12-months period.

The 12 month period does not have a set commencement date and is not based on a calendar year. Instead, it is determined by looking at the 12 month period immediately prior to the day an early childhood teacher or suitably qualified person is replaced, and calculating whether or not the 60 day maximum has been exceeded during that period.

The total period of 60 days applies in respect of each full-time equivalent role required to be filled by an early childhood teacher.
The 60 day limit is not intended to be divided amongst multiple roles in relevant services, it can be calculated per the ECT position’s rather than across the service.

In case of a part-time early childhood teacher, the 60 day limit is to be calculated on a pro rata basis under Regulation 272(8).

Please be advised that services who allow a diploma qualified or primary teaching qualified educator to replace an early childhood teacher under Regulation 272(6) must ensure that all decisions around the relieving educator are documented, including:

• Relevant qualifications

• Impact on continuity of education and care

• Difficulty in accessing other relieving educators

PUBLISHED: 17 JUNE 2019
UPDATED:23RD FEBRUARY 2021 

  1. Days of Interest 2021
  2. World Day of Social Justice
  3. ACA NSW can help ... when the media wants to interview you
  4. Office to reopen on Monday, 11 January 2021
  5. Australian Compliance Management