Frequently Asked Questions

Nourishing meals play a vital role in the quality of care and well-being we provide at Melton South Early School. Our menus are carefully prepared by our “Cucina” (kitchen) staff, following a comprehensive nutrition checklist. We ensure all meals meet stringent Food Safety and Nutrition Australia standards, because we respect how important healthy eating is for growing bodies and curious minds.

We treat every child’s dietary needs with the utmost respect and care. Our Cucina staff are experienced in catering for specific dietary, cultural, and medical requirements. Each room maintains a clear record of all dietary needs and food allergies. We warmly encourage families to connect with our Cucina team during orientation to discuss your child’s specific needs, ensuring their well-being and inclusion at mealtimes.

To ensure strict compliance with nutrition guidelines and to protect all children, especially those with allergies, we kindly ask families not to bring any outside food into our school, including birthday treats. We value this connection with you in helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone’s well-being and can discuss with you how we celebrate special occasions in an inclusive and respectful way.

Your child’s safety, security, and overall well-being are our absolute top priorities. Melton South Early School is accessible only via a single-entry security system (keypad or swipe card), with no external entry points to our playgrounds or outdoor areas. We aim to create a nurturing environment where children feel safe to explore their curiosity.

We maintain a detailed digital record of every child’s daily arrival and departure times. The adult responsible for dropping off and picking up must sign this record. For your child’s safety and well-being, a child will not be released to an unauthorised person or anyone under the age of 18. These procedures are handled with respect for your family’s security and peace of mind.

Yes, absolutely. The well-being of your child is paramount. All our educators are trained in first aid, asthma, and anaphylaxis care. Furthermore, no staff member will be present without a current Working With Children check. We hold our safety procedures in the highest regard, ensuring a secure connection of trust with our families.

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a Federal Government initiative designed to help make quality early learning and childcare more accessible and affordable for families, supporting your child’s well-being and development. It’s a single, means-tested subsidy that is generally paid directly to us (the service provider), and we then pass this on to you as a fee reduction. You then pay the difference between our fee and the subsidy amount. We encourage your curiosity to explore this benefit.

Eligibility for CCS generally depends on a few key things: your child must be 13 or under and not attending secondary school, they must meet immunisation requirements, and the person claiming (or their partner) must meet residency rules and an activity test. The childcare must also be provided by an approved provider like Melton South Early School. We respect that every family’s situation is different and encourage you to verify your specific eligibility.

The activity test is one of the main factors determining your level of CCS. It relates to how much you and your partner (if you have one) are involved in recognised activities. The great news is a broad range of activities count, such as paid work (including self-employment), approved study or training, volunteering, actively looking for work, and even unpaid work in a family business. This system aims to support families in various situations, contributing to community connection.

There are provisions to support families in various circumstances. For instance, low-income families (those below a certain threshold, which you can check with Centrelink) may be able to access a set number of hours of subsidised care per fortnight without meeting the full activity test. We encourage you to connect with Centrelink to discuss your individual circumstances with respect and find out what support is available for your family’.

We respect and celebrate every child as a unique individual. If your child has special or individual needs, including any cultural requirements, we warmly encourage you to connect with us before enrolling. Thoughtful planning, sometimes with the help of specialists, allows us to understand how we can best support your child’s learning, participation, and overall well-being. Our goal is to create an inclusive environment where every child’s curiosity is nurtured and they can thrive.

The health of every child is taken very seriously. Administering medication is strictly monitored and governed by clear procedures to ensure safety. All our educators who administer medication hold current First Aid and CPR qualifications. We will connect with you to establish a clear plan if your child requires medication, ensuring it’s handled with respect and care.

If your child is unwell, we kindly request they stay home to support their well-being and that of our school community. If your child suffers from any severe allergic reactions, please notify us so we can take appropriate measures with respect for their needs; for example, an EpiPen can be securely stored on-site. While bumps and scrapes are a part of childhood curiosity and exploration, should an accident occur, a full report is documented and provided to you, ensuring open connection.

Yes, we are a SunSmart school. We respect the importance of sun safety for children’s health. Further information and specific guidelines about our SunSmart practices are available, and we encourage you to connect with us or refer to your child’s room information to learn more.