FAQs | Happy Days

Happy Days is open from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm Monday to Friday. We are open most of the year closing only for approximately two weeks between Christmas and New Year and Public Holidays.

We understand how difficult it is to leave your child, especially for the first time, but we would like to suggest to parents that they call us during the day to check on how their child is settling in. We also send emails with still photos so you can see your child at play. Please let staff know when you are leaving, this will ensure that your child will receive extra support on separating from you, if needed.

Parents are required to sign their child/ren in and out, each time they attend Happy Days.

Please ensure that you sign your child out each day. Staff are required by law to only allow parents or persons authorised to collect children. If you are unable to collect your child, please ensure that staff are advised. All persons collecting children must be 18 years or over. Identification may be requested if the person collecting your child/ren is not known to staff. 

By working together, parents and staff can help each child develop positively. We encourage parents to participate in our Programs in providing suggestions and feedback to us in relation to programming ideas and Quality Practices. Please be assured that we welcome your involvement. Please feel free to come to Happy Days any time or call us; staff are always happy to see our families and work with them in developing the best outcomes for children.

We distribute a regular Newsletter via email and hard copy which helps keep families informed of current events at the Service. Accounts, receipts and other communications may be emailed. In addition, daily communications about the children’s day are emailed to all families in attendance and a copy is displayed. Parents can also view, print or download our Parent Handbook.

Please let staff know if you would like us to celebrate any occasion with your child (E.g. Birthdays – we welcome birthday cakes, however cupcakes are preferred). It is also important that parents advise staff if their child is to be excluded from certain celebrations (E.g. Easter). 

Please ensure that ALL of your child’s belongings have their name labelled clearly (E.g. Bags, clothes, shoes, food containers, bottles, etc.). 

Please do not bring toys or valuables from home, unless they are requested for a special activity or event, and then please let staff know so they may be kept in safe-keeping throughout the day.

Hats, sunscreen, purified drinking water, and all children’s sleeping linen will be provided by Happy Days.

Babies require a labeled bag containing:

• Nappies
• Labelled bottle for milk/formula/breastmilk
• Labelled drinking cup for water
• Comforter – dummy, teddy, blankie etc.
• Change of clothes

Toddler Group and Preschool Children require a labeled bag containing:

• Change of clothes (labeled)
• Labeled lunch box
• labeled drink bottle (water)
• Comforter – if required

Morning Tea: Provided by Happy Days. We provide children with a range of seasonal fruits and vegetables for morning tea – additional snacks if required are also available to children.

Lunch: Parents to provide, please ensure that it is nutritious and ample.

Drinks: Please provide a bottle of water for your child – we will refill as required. Please do not bring flavoured milk, cordials or fizzy drinks.

— Happy Days is a nut and egg free zone! —

Please ensure all scripted medications are labelled correctly showing name of Doctor and expiry date. All medications and health products should be taken from the child’s bag and hand delivered to a staff member. 

During the day your child will be participating in many different experiences, some messy. Although aprons are provided for the children during painting, water play etc., it would be appreciated if you could dress your child for play and weather conditions, with spare clothing – just in case. 

Our Centre has televisions which are mainly used for music and movement activities as well as short documentaries and ‘Play School’. iPads are also utilised by Educators for recording observations and photos and the children are also able to access the iPad in undertaking research (usually science) in the Preschool Room. Be assured that televisions and iPad are only used to complement our programs. 

A complete Policy and Procedure document can be found in the office. We encourage parents to read our Policies and Procedures when convenient and to feel free to ask questions in relation to them or our practices. 

These meetings are held occasionally and are of great assistance to staff in putting forward ideas and thoughts about our Programs as well as assisting to review and formulate Policies and Procedures. Please feel welcome to come along – we appreciate how busy families can be and consequently do not expect parents to always find the time to attend. 

Our Service upholds the rights of families and staff to privacy afforded to all citizens in personal matters. Confidentiality of information regarding background, health and other personal information will be maintained by us according to Regulations and Law under Privacy Legislation. 

If you have a court order/legally written agreement about Custody arrangements or restricted access by a person to your child/ren, please ensure that our Service has a copy and has the relevant child’s name listed and dated as being current. 

We encourage parents to speak to the Nominated Supervisor (Director) or other supervisory staff in her absence, regarding any problem or concern that may arise. Our aim is to resolve issues with families in a professional and supportive manner at all times. Developing trusting and open relationships with families remain a fundamental goal of all staff. Please be assured that confidentiality will be maintained at all times.

Child Care Assistance is available to families in reducing their child care fees. Please contact Centrelink to find out more.