Kids Campus is a child care service established by the University
of Technology Sydney's, UTS Child Care Incorporated, a non profit organisation. Kids Campus is a child care service established by the University
of Technology Sydney's, UTS Child Care Incorporated, a non profit organisation.
The service was established as a work based centre to enhance access of families to work or study within UTS.
In the course of meeting over 100 families needs each year for campus based care the centre provides a range of services for children from 0 to 12 years old.
We are dedicated to provide financially efficient, quality services within a nurturing, educational environment, that seeks the involvement of families and staff within the management of these programs.
We do this "because we care" that students and staff of UTS and our community families may work or study in an environment which shares their concern for their children's wellbeing and "because we believe" that high quality services for children are an important function of our society.
We are a work based service funded by the University of Technology and the UTS Union for staff and students of the University. Film Australia also provides funding for their employees with child care needs. After March each year vacancies are offered to the community. At present we have approximately 50% UTS families and 50% community families.
The centre is licensed to offer care to 68 children between the
ages of 0-6 years, and provides a range of services dependent upon demand including; Long
Day Care/ Preschool, Evening Care, and Graduation or other Special Event Care.
In order to meet the special needs of students and staff of the University we provide a range of enrolment possibilities, including, short day, long day, or weekly care, hourly care being available after 6pm. Children may attend regularly or for a semester only. Some occasional and emergency care is possible for UTS families. While all families once enrolled regularly may utilise our additional casual care service. We recommend that children are enrolled for at least 2 days per week in order to settle and develop confidence within the program. However we will enrol children of UTS students for one half day session only if transport is an issue.
The centre reviews opening hours from time to time based on demand, though is generally open 51 weeks per year, Monday to Fridays for a minimum hours of 8am to 6pm with additional hours established annually based on demand for evening care up until 10pm. Please refer to the current fee policy for hourly rates and opening times.
The centre aims to provide a warm, nurturing environment that fosters the development of children's positive self image. Acknowledging that play is the main strategy for young children to construct their own knowledge. A child's education begins at birth.
We provide this quality by ensuring, adequate child to staff ratios, qualified staff, staff continuity and a healthy and safe environment. Our program develops our children in all areas through a balance of stimulation and variety and is based on small groups of children interacting with their peers and adults.
Kids Campus is managed by UTS Child Care Inc a non profit charitable Association of the University of Technology. All our members have an opportunity to participate in the decision making through the organisation's management structure. Parents and staff meet each year to decide the format of family involvement within the functioning of the service.
How to join this big family, - The centre's philosophy recognises the importance of parents to the centre as the primary carers for their children.
As the enrolment is often the first time for parents and staff to meet it is important that the time is made available for both parties to sit away from the activity and discuss the child's needs, the way in which parents meet their child's needs and the centre's procedures.
Because Kids Campus is a busy service with many families enrolling throughout the year and coming and going within a wide range of hours, it is important that time is allocated to the enrolment process by both parents and the centre.
1 Getting together. On enquiry of a position for that year a family will be requested to make an appointment in a time mutually convenient with parents and Director of KC. In order for this to be possible with regard to those families coming and going in the day it is best to aim for a 10am appointment, other times may be arranged if necessary.
2 Getting to know us. The Director/authorised supervisor (or a staff member trained to do so) will conduct a interview, introducing parents to the centre's physical layout, information book, the centre's philosophy, routines, programming, and policies will be highlighted including our grievance procedures and management structure. Arrangements for the payment of fees and claims for Child Care Benefit (CCB) etc will also be discussed.
3 Booking into the Program. Once a parent has decided that this is the centre for them they may reserve a place in the future, up to a month away by payment of a non refundable enrolment fee, ($30) and booking the days they wish to reserve. The booking fee covers all children within the family within any of our programs.
4 Settling in. As part of the enrolment process each new
child will go through a visitors program. This involves a child and parent/friend visiting
for a period of time in order for the child to feel familiar and settled prior to being
left. The time required to settle in is an individual assessment made in consultation with
families needs and the staff's observations of the child's adjustment.
The visitors program is free, children are encouraged to visit often and whenever possible prior to enrolment.
Under some circumstances a child may be enrolled without going through the visitors program but this is at the Director's discretion. The decision being made with a view to the overall centre and child's needs.
The program of the centre offers children a comprehensive learning experience. Our aim is to equip the child with age appropriate skills enabling them to function as an independent and caring person within our society. The staff provide a range of suitable experiences, and spend time each week to plan, implement and evaluate the program. You will find a copy of the centre's programming policy within our policy manual.
For a more detailed discussion on how we meet children's needs for learning please read Our Educational Philosophy.
Click here for our Programming Policy