Preschool News
Welcome back to Preschool for Term 3!
It has been wonderful to see all the smiling faces of the students as they have returned to the ELC for another exciting term of exploring and learning. We hope you were all able to enjoy some time to slow down and enjoy the term break with your family and friends.
Lots of our students were able to enjoy the Holiday Care program over the term break. A big thank you to the wonderful team who create and run a program filled with fun, high quality and engaging experiences over the 2 weeks.
Child Safety and Devices
In partnership with all state governments, ACEQA have released a set of recommended child safe practices for the use of electronic devices when taking, sharing and storing photos and/or videos of children in early childhood education and care (ECEC) services. The recommended practices are outlined in a National Model Code. The National Model Code is voluntary for Early Learning services while governments consider what regulatory reform around these issues is needed. If you would like to find out more about the Code – you can access a short information video using this link.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swtyKZM4oU0
Along with all Catholic ELCs in the ACT, we are adopting the model code.
We are working on what this means for our service:
- Currently staff keep their mobile devices in baskets in the kitchen area – if they need to send a text or answer a call for an essential purpose they can step into the kitchen area, away from students to do this.
- Staff do take personal mobile devices on excursions and local walks outings for the safety of students. Phones stay in our excursion back packs or first aid bags unless required for an essential purpose – for example to contact parents or the ELC in the case of an emergency.
- We only take photos of students using our centre based ipads, where photos are uploaded and stored securely.
Please come and have a chat with us if you would like to know more about how we are implementing the National Model Code at St Anthony’s ELC.
Did you know all our Catholic ELC Policies are available for you to look at online?
The link below will take you to the website where all our Policies are located. The noticeboard in the ELC foyer also has a QR code that will take you to these policy documents.