The Saturn room can accommodate up to ten children aged from 1 year to 2 years (approx), depending on their individual development needs. The room is staffed by three staff members and extra staff if required is always on hand. This information sheet is designed to answer most of your concerns and questions that you may have. At all times our staff are free and willing to answer any questions that you may have.

Basic Daily Routine

The above are just guidelines. It is our aim to follow the children’s routines as closely as possible, with special consideration to sleep times.

Transition Period

At 5 Star Childcare we know that placing your child in care can sometimes be difficult and stressful for both parents and your child. Depending upon the child we recommend that a transition period be undertaken to assist with the adjustment into the childcare environment. Please discuss your individual requirements with us.

Information Board

The information board will contain information on your child’s day i.e. what they had lunch, bottle routine, nappy change times and any other relevant information for that day.

Communication Book

There is a communication book for every child where everything (except nappy changes) is transcribed from the information board on a daily basis. An overall comment on how your child’s day has been is part of the book. This book is one of the vehicles that we use to communicate with you and parents are encouraged to advise us by writing in the book any developments on their child such as ; restless nights, teething, medical conditions, or any general comment that may have.

Kitchenette

We have our own small kitchen with fridge and microwave in the Milky Way room, allowing us to heat meals and bottles without a staff member leaving the room.

Daily Routine

Indoor Plan: the indoor plan is designed to provide a different set of morning and afternoon experiences to meet both group and individual needs and interests.

Outdoor Plan: the outdoor plan is run daily and is very weather dependant. Our outdoor area is divided into specific areas catering for the particular age group. A copy of the daily outdoor plan is posted on the information board. 5 Star Childcare is a registered and accredited Sunsmart Centre which means that children are kept indoors between 11.00am and 3.00pm from September to April. When outside in the summer period children must wear sunscreen and a approved hat and in the winter period a coat and woolen hat.

Food and Nutrition

5 Star Childcare employs a qualified cook who prepares fresh nutritional meals on a daily basis. We run a 5 week rotating menu (the current week’s menu is displayed on the notice board). We encourage children to try all meals that are offered, with the exception of any special requests by you, or if your child is allergic to any ingredients or you have any specific religious food beliefs. If your child does not like lunch a variety of sandwiches will be offered to them. Second servings are always available to those children who would like more. A major emphasis is put on nutritional and healthy eating habits. Each day for lunch we serve fresh vegetables or salad with the main meal and we serve water with the main meal and offer both milk and water with morning and afternoon tea. We offer breakfast (toast and cereal) for early attendees and a late snack for any child being picked up after 5.00pm.

Nappies

5 Star Childcare supplies disposable nappies for your child during the day and children are changed regularly on a needs basis. We ask you to supply just one home nappy for your child to leave the centre in.

Extra Curricular Activities

5Star Childcare offers extra curricular – programmed activities to children, which are at an additional cost. One example is the “Hey Dee Ho” a music program, where children learn to dance, use musical instruments and sing various songs. For further information about scheduling and costs please talk with staff or the Director.