FAQ's

Bathurst Regional Council has been providing child care to the Bathurst Community for a total of 106 years. The longevity of our service speaks volumes through the generations of children who have grown and flourished under the guidance and care of our experienced and dedicated staff.

All services operate according to Early Childhood Education & Care National Regulations and the National Quality Standards and Framework, producing the highly professional standard of care that is exhibited across each of the services.

The diverse range of child care options for the children ages 0-12 years include long day care - Scallywags, Little Scallywags, along with Bathurst Family Day Care and the Bathurst Regional Council Vacation Care. Parents and carers are able to choose from our multiple services to find the perfect option for their child depending on personal family needs.

Long Day Care is often called a child care centre. It is centre-based child care provided by professional staff where babies and children up to school starting age can be cared for while their parents work, study or have other commitments.

Family Day Care is an approved form of child care that is provided in the Educators own home. Family Day Care Educators are early childhood education and care professionals, registered with a Family Day Care Service that is responsible for approving, supporting, training and advising its Educators.

Family Day Care operates under the same National Quality Framework (NQF) as other forms of childcare, incorporating national regulations, quality and qualification standards, educational frameworks and an assessment and rating process. Parents are eligible for the same Federal Government Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate subsidies.

Educators work in partnership with the local Coordination Unit who provide regular visits to monitor the children's progress and to provide support.

Medical Management Plans are required for children with allergies, epilepsy, dietary requirements, asthma and skin conditions.

Non prescription medication will not be administered without a doctor's certificate. The dosage must be in accordance with the instruction on the bottle. Prescribed medication must be in the original bottle and in the name of the child indicated on the Medication Form completed by the parent.

If your child becomes unwell, we will contact you immediately and you may be required to collect your child.

We are committed to providing and maintaining a healthy environment so please don't send your child to the Centre if you are concerned they are unwell.

All Services provide a flexible program that allows children to feel free to follow their own interests and ideas. The program is based on the Early Years Learning Framework or the My Time, Our Place which aims to develop children into successful, confident and creative learners.

All children are given the opportunity to rest or have quiet time during the day, Parents are consulted on an ongoing basis to determine the needs of each child. All Services promote 'Safe Sleeping' procedures as recommended by SIDS.

Please contact the office either by phone: 6333 6560, email or in person at 34 William Street, Bathurst to discuss your child care needs. The office has a list of Educators with current vacancies and can provide you with information and advice.

Collect an enrolment pack, this can be done by downloading one from the website phoning the office on 6333 6560, emailing the office or in person at 34 William Street, Kelso. Enrolment forms must be completed for each child prior to commencing care and a current immunisation statement from the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register (ACIR).

When you have selected an Educator, please advise the office. Parents are invited to attend the office for a parent interview. The parent interview provides the parents with an opportunity to ask any questions and discuss topics including:

Does your child have any special needs or requirements?

Days and hours of care you require?

Are there court orders in place?

Who has authority to collect your child?

Have you been assessed by the Family Assistance Office for Child Care Rebate (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR)?

Please bring along copies of your child's birth certificate, immunisation statement, the Customer Reference Number (CRN) for yourself and your child.

Your child is ready to commence care when the Scheme has received a completed enrolment form, copies of birth certificate & immunisation statement. 

Educators determine their own fees, conditions and charging practices. Your Educator will advise you the fees payable for their service. Fees are paid directly to the Educator by the end of the week or by individual agreement with the Educator. If eligible for Child Care Benefit (CCB) and/or Child Care Rebate (CCR) the fees paid to the Educator will be reduced according to the amount of Child Care Benefit entitlement or Child Care Rebate.

Parents are requested to complete a Confirmation of Care Contract. The contract must be signed by both the Educator and parent before care can commence. If the Child Care fees are not paid to the Educator by the end of the week the Educator has the right to forfeit the child's place.

• Spare clothes
• Sun hat with a brim
• Water bottle
• Jumper or coat
• Disposable nappies (if required)
• Meals

Children can develop separation anxiety when their routine changes, some suggestion to help prepare your child for Family Day Care include:

• Encouraging your child to have contact with a number of people to build confidence and overcome fears.
• Develop a routine that can be adapted to the Family Day Care environment.
• If possible, start your child in Family Day Care with short separations and gradually increase the length of time.
• On the first day of Family Day Care explain to your child where they are going and when you will be back.
• Set up an activity for your child and find a simple phrase to let your child know you are going and a phrase to let them know you're coming back.
• When it is time to say goodbye remind your child where you are going and when you will be back, do not leave without your child knowing and stay calm.
• If your child becomes upset hold them and try to calm them, cuddle them and speak warmly to them, remain calm and reassure them they're safe.

Please feel free to phone your Educator at any time of day to see how your child has settled in.

Educators are permitted to have up to four (4) children under school age, this includes their own children. Educators can also care for school age children and have a maximum of seven (7) children in care.

Educators are required to hold a minimum of Certificate III in Children's Services or be working towards a qualification in Early Childhood. Educators are carefully selected and assessed by the Coordination Unit. Registered Educators are required by law to have completed a Working with Children Check, training in Child Protection, Senior First Aid, Asthma & Anaphylaxis in addition to being compliant with Workplace Health and Safety Regulations.

Qualified early childhood staff support and monitor Educators through regular visits to the residence. The Child Development Officers ensure Educators are meeting the regulatory requirements in relation to health & safety, provide Educators with training, resources & policies, guidance, assistance with alternate care, professional advice and support and assistance in emergencies.

The Service encourages parents to raise any questions they may have with the Educator first, then speak to a Child Development Officer (CDO) or the Family Day Care Coordinator. The Scheme is always open to feedback.

Scallywags is an approved child care service that offers Child Care Benefit to families to assist with the cost of care and complies with the Commonwealth Governments Priority of Access Guidelines.

Parents interested in enrolling their child need to complete the following steps:

Parents need to complete a Waiting List/Registration Form, these forms are available by contacting Scallywags in person at 34 William Street, Bathurst, phoning 6333 6560, emailing the centre at email, or downloading the Waiting List/Registration Form.

A copy of the completed Waiting List/Registration Form must be returned to Scallywags to secure your place on the waiting list.

The lists are reviewed regularly and parents are contacted as vacancies arise. When a suitable vacancy becomes available, parents are contacted and an enrolment pack is sent to them with further information.

When the completed enrolment form, birth verification and immunisation statement have been received, your child will be enrolled in the centre. Please note that completed enrolment information MUST be received prior to the child commencing in care.

Fees are charged at the end of each week, public holidays, absent days and holidays must be paid for. Child Care Benefit (CCB) and Child Care Rebate (CCR) are available. Fees can be paid at the Scallywags office between 8.30am to 2.00pm for EFTPOS & cash payments. Fees can also be paid by direct debit or internet banking.

Fees should be paid a week in advance and the centre reserves the right to terminate a child's enrolment in the event of outstanding unpaid fees.

Families are invited for one or more orientation visits prior to commencing care. During the orientation visit, families will be provided with a tour, introduced to staff and given information regarding routines, collection requirements and the attendance register.

The Eduators at Scallywags are happy to assist you settle your child and have a number of strategies in place to assist you. Please feel free to phone at any time of day to see how your child has settled in.

• Spare clothes which covers your shoulders for sun safety
• Sun hat with a brim (available at centre)
• Water bottle
• Jumper or coat
• 4 - 5 Disposable nappies (if required)
• Changes of underwear especially if toilet training
• Bottles & formula
• Set of cot size sheets for rest time (not required for babies in the nursery) in a named bag of pillow case. Some children also bring a small cot size pillow or cushion.
• All belongings should be labelled.

The centre provides all food and drink to the children throughout the day, with the exception of bottles for babies. The menu is written on the board outside the kitchen and on the whiteboard near the front door. Meals are planned in advance in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations set down by the Department of Health, and with input from the families and children.

Lunch consists of a hot main meal, occasionally with a salad or sandwich day for a change. A variety of dishes are provided, incorporating red or white meat, fish or egg dishes, vegetarian, with a variety of fresh vegetables. Dessert generally consists of fruit and or a milk based pudding. Lunch is always accompanied by water. Fruit and vegetables from the garden are used in the meals.

Children are provided with a selection of seasonal fruits for morning and afternoon tea with milk or water to drink. Afternoon tea also includes sandwiches, scones, cheese and biscuits or tea cake.

The centre aims to provide attractive, nutritious and well balanced meals and encourages the children to try all foods, however they will never force a child to eat and will offer them an alternative.

Children are encouraged to bring their own water bottle, so they can recognise it and have ready access to water at all times.

Parents are encouraged to discuss with Educators new foods they may be introducing. Parents who are breast feeding are welcome to come to the Centre at any time to feed and can be phoned when their baby wakes. Babies on formula will need to bring clearly labelled bottles either made up or with the appropriate formula and placed in the fridge in the nursery.

The Centre caters for children with special dietary requirements, any allergies or food intolerances should be indicated on the enrolment form. The Centre is NUT FREE environment.

We are happy to bake cupcakes for your child's birthday, please allow two days notice. Please feel welcome to bring a birthday cake for your child to share, a list of ingredients must accompany a cake. Please also ensure that there are No Nuts or nut products in the cake.

Quiet time for all children is part of the daily program. Children are provided with the opportunity to ‘rest’ quietly for a period after lunch, to rejuvenate, and prepare for the afternoon activities. Children who no longer sleep are asked to rest and will then be provided with quiet activities, listening to music and stories, or reading. Some parents request their child only sleeps for short time periods, these children will be woken after the agreed time.

The sleep patterns of the babies is individualised and will depend on the information provided by the families and on the educators observed needs of the individual. Babies will be given opportunities to sleep when they need to.