Policies and Guidelines

Community playgroups are informal opportunities to come together to play and to socialise with other families. In order for a group to run smoothly and to ensure everyone is aware of general expectations we have developed the following policies.

Welcoming Members

All children and families are welcome at playgroup. Mt Colah Uniting Church does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, disability, religion, sexuality or gender identity. All children and adults who attend playgroup will be treated with respect and dignity.
New members are important to ensure a playgroup continues to grow and thrive. All playgroup members are responsible to help make new families feel welcomed and included.

Smoking

Garden Playgroup and the surrounding area is a smoke-free environment. Please do not light up at playgroup.

Hot Drinks

Scalding can be a serious problem if babies and young children are exposed to hot liquids like tea and coffee. Hot drinks should, wherever possible, be in safe, insulated and securely lidded containers.

Swearing and offensive language

Children learn behaviours by watching their parents and carers and often repeat what they hear and see. Please use respectful language at playgroup and refrain from using swearing and offensive language, even when talking with another adult.

Disciplining Children

Research has found that children respond to positive reinforcement far better than negative actions. Never strike a child or children in your care, and never attempt to discipline someone else’s child. If you notice behaviour that you are concerned about, have a quiet word with the parent in a non-judgmental, supportive manner. Remember your child may come to someone else’s attention at another time.
If you think a child is at risk of harm from abuse or neglect, contact the Child Protection Helpline on 132 111.

Supervision of Children

The parent or carer who brings a child to playgroup is responsible for supervising children in their care while at playgroup. Where a parent/carer cannot keep a child in their direct line of sight (e.g. while feeding a baby or accompanying another child to the bathroom), seek support from another member to make sure their child has an adult who is aware of their wellbeing and safety.

Help out and pitch in

Garden Playgroup is run by volunteers for other parents and carers. If everyone at playgroup helps out, no one person is burdened with an unacceptable workload. If you have a passion or skill that you can bring to the group, discuss with the coordinator and see if it can be incorporated into the group activities.

Immunization Statement

Mt Colah Uniting Church advises parents/guardians to note:

1. Decisions about immunization and immunizing a child are wholly the responsibility of parents and guardians. Therefore, any attendee of Garden Playgroup may or may not be immunized.
2. Mt Colah Uniting Church supports the NSW Public Health Act 2010, that children will not be enrolled in an education and care service unless the child is fully immunized for their age; or has a medical reason not to be immunized; or is on a recognized catch-up schedule. However, these regulations do not apply to playgroups as playgroups are not Approved Services under the Education and Care Services National Regulations and National Law.
3. Mt Colah Uniting Church advises that any attendees with known infectious illnesses, visible symptoms of illness, that are feeling unwell, or have been in contact with someone exhibiting any of the aforementioned, should not attend playgroup. If a playgroup coordinator observes an attendee displaying visible signs of an infectious illness, or appearing generally unwell, they may respectfully request the attendees withdraw from the playgroup session.
4. In the case of an outbreak of an infectious illness within the group, every effort will be made to notify other members to enable appropriate protection and response.
   For information about early childhood immunization in NSW the following website may be useful.
   https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/immunisation/pages/vaccination_enrolment.aspx
   Strengthening vaccination requirements for child care – Immunisation programs (nsw.gov.au)

Covid Safe Plan

As per current Mt Colah Uniting Church Covid Safe Plan

Emergency procedures

As per Mt Colah Uniting Church emergency procedures