Littlehampton Child Care Centre

INCLUSION
Rationale:
At Littlehampton Child Care Centre our intention is to ensure that our service is
distributed fairly to families across our community. We endeavour to provide a unique
opportunity to reduce the inequalities of socio-economic circumstances and disability.
Current research indicates that inclusion and early intervention programs may
significantly assist children in their overall development and future learning
outcomes.
The inclusion of children with additional needs in our Centre with supported and
targeted programs aids all stakeholders in reducing bias and prejudice and
encourages awareness of individual differences and similarities.
We actively promote individual opportunities for acceptance, belonging and
participation within the community allowing and encouraging children to form
friendships, build social skills, develop positive attitudes and share experiences with
people of varied ability and background.
We endeavour to follow the objectives of the South Australia Equal Opportunity Act
which seeks to eliminate discrimination against persons based upon age, gender,
race, religion, ability, geographic location or socio-economic circumstance.
We are mandated by DEEWR and DECS to allocate places within our Centre based
upon the following Priority of Access Criteria;

Priority 1
Priority 2

Priority 3

A child at risk of abuse or neglect

A child of a single parent who satisfies, or of parents who both
satisfy the work/training/study test under Section 14 of the
Family Assistance Act
Any other child

Within these main categories priority must further be given to the following children;
Children in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander families
Children in families which include a disabled person
Children in families on lower incomes
Children in families with a non-English speaking background
Children in socially isolated families

Definitions for the purposes of this Policy:

Children in our Centre are identified as having additional needs under the following
circumstances;

Children from financially disadvantaged families

Children from Indigenous families

Children who have a disability

Children from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) families

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Centre Practice:
We will;
Abide by the mandated regulations determining Priority of Access as
described above. To this end;
o Where a priority placement is required for a Priority 1 or 2 child we will
seek the cooperation of a Priority 3 childs family to transfer care
sessions to accommodate the mandated placement
o Where a priority placement is required for a Priority 1 or 2 child we will
take into account the family circumstances of a Priority 3 child,
including employment and study commitments, when requesting a
change in care sessions
o Where a priority placement is required for a Priority 1 or 2 child we will
only ask a Priority 3 child to relinquish their position after 14 days
notice has been given.
Accommodate a child with additional needs based upon the availability of
sessions, facilities and resources to meet their individuals needs, as well as
the safety, and needs of other children currently enrolled and staff employed
Consult with appropriate staff to ensure details of disability or disadvantage
necessary to ensure appropriate support and programming is communicated
clearly
Seek assistance, guidance and where possible, financial funding from
recognized inclusive support agencies to promote the development of skills in
children with identified additional needs
Undertake a risk assessment and implement a risk mitigation in consultation
with the legal guardian of a child with additional needs, their registered health
care professional(s) (where applicable) and/or any external organisation
specialising in the treatment and care of individuals with the identified
additional need (with permission from the authorised guardian noted on the
enrolment form)
Adhere to the terms and requirements of the Additional Needs
Communication Plan agreed to between the Centre and the family, their
registered health care professional(s) (where applicable) and/or any external
organisation specialising in the treatment and care of individuals with the
identified special need (with permission from the authorised guardian noted
on the enrolment form)
Utilise the services of an additional worker by;
o Enabling the additional worker to focus on the targeted child with
additional needs
o Ensuring that the additional worker is able to work with all children
within the Room Group to foster inclusiveness and integration
o Seeking and providing regular feedback between the Centre,
specialists, support agencies and home to ensure that all stakeholders
are aware of management strategies and developmental opportunities
for the child
o Seeking active input into the Developmental Learning Plan and
subsequent Program development and observations for the child
Assist families where possible to gain additional support from government
agencies to meet or reduce fees incurred in the care of their child/ren
Ensure that all individuals are treated equally and with respect at all times
Ensure that all children and staff have equal opportunity to participate in all
activities
Regularly communicate with families and specialists to ensure we
consistently meet the needs and aid in the development of children with a
disability and set an achievable long-term planning approach in place.
Review the progress and outcomes of our long-term planning approach
quarterly with children, families, staff and specialists involved and where
appropriate, set new milestones or remedial practices in place for the next
quarterly review

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Focus specific programming of inclusive practice on identifying similarities

and commonalities as well as celebrating differences
Build and maintain resources and develop and implement programs which
support positive messages regarding inclusive practices
Encourage and support our staff in professional learning opportunities to
develop personal and centre-based understanding of inclusive practices
Provide an information rich environment to support families in accessing
community based agencies to assist parenting and family skills.

Policy Source Acknowledgements:

Consultation with staff, management & families

http://www.aifs.gov.au/afrc/pubs/issues/issues1/issues1.pdf
http://www.unicef.org/crc/
http://www.childaustralia.org.au/
http://www.dadhc.nsw.gov.au/dadhc/People+with+a+disability/Supporting+Ch
ildren.htm

Policy Reviewed: February 2012

Next Review Date: February 2013

This Policy satisfies the following National Quality Framework documents;

Education and Care Service National Regulations:

Part 4.1, Educational Program and Practice

Part 4.2, Division 3 - Medical Conditions Policy

Part 4.5 - Relationships with children

Part 4.6 - Collaborative partnerships with families and communities

Part 4.7, Division 1, Sub-division 1 - Attendance and enrolment records

Part 4.7, Division 2 - Policies and procedures

Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010;

Part 6, Operating an education and care service

This Policy satisfies the following National Quality Standard Quality Areas;

1.1.2 - Each child's current knowledge, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program
1.1.5 - Every child is supported to participate in the program
2.1.1 - Each child's health needs are supported
2.3.2 - Every reasonable precaution is taken to protect children from harm and any hazard likely to cause injury
5.1.1 - Interactions with each child are warm, responsive and build trusting relationships
5.1.3 - Each child is supported to feel secure, confident and included
5.2.3 - The dignity and rights of every child are maintained at all times
6.1.2 - Families have opportunities to be involved in the service and contribute to service decisions
6.2.1 - The expertise of families is recognised and they share in decision making about their child's learning and wellbeing
6.3.1 - Links with relevant community and support agencies are established and maintained
6.3.3 - Access to inclusion and support assistance is facilitated
7.1.2 - The induction of educators, coordinators and staff members is comprehensive
7.3.1 - Records and information are stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality, are available from the service and are
maintained in accordance with legislative requirements

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