Clovelly Out of School Care News: December 2007
Dear Families
This is our last newsletter of another good year for the Centre; the following provides a round up of the year’s highlights and some housekeeping news regarding registration for 2008. The summer holiday programme is up on the website – www.coosc.org.au, bookings will be accepted on the condition that all 2007 accounts are paid.
Management Committee
One of the ongoing challenges of running the Centre is having a committed management committee. This group is made up of parents with children at COOSC and is a volunteer committee. COOSC thanks the 2007 committee and urges parents who anticipate using the Centre for the next 2+ years to consider participating on the Committee in 2008 to fill current vacancies. No particular skills are needed however experience in Management, Accounting, Communications, etc are always useful. There is one monthly meeting, which is held in the aftercare rooms from 6.30pm on the last Thursday of each month. Committee members’ children may attend if necessary. The meetings are open to registered centre users. Email celiadonovan@smartchat.net.au if you believe you can participate in 2008.
Finance and Administration
The budget for 2007-2008 is expected to return a small surplus to the Centre, $5000 or less. There have been some problems with Smartfees, the accounting software that the Centre uses, and these have not yet been resolved. The Management Committee is seeking a commitment from the service provider to rectify the problems. In the event that this is not possible, COOSC will look at an alternative software package for 2008.
Operations
COOSC has become significantly busier in the past two years and now provides approximately 500 childcare places every week.
No major works were undertaken in 2007 – after some unavoidable delays the computers were networked on the NSW portal and put into use. COOSC made a donation to the school towards the upgrade of the lower playground and finalised plans to commit the lower room as a space for older children.
A website was developed for COOSC and is now a useful resource for important documents such as holiday programmes, policies, enrolment forms and so on.
www.coosc.org.au
Staffing
COOSC has been fortunate to have Mark Leporelli at the Centre as Acting Coordinator in 2007. Mark’s dedication and leadership has enabled the Centre to go from strength to strength. Scott continued to work with older children in his role as permanent carer and the Centre welcomed back Paula Gray on a part time basis in Term Four. Both Mark and Paula will continue to work together in the first half of 2008. Staff training included first aid and nutrition/food handling.
Programming
Sports coaching was successful all year and was paid for with a grant from NSW Department of Sport and Recreation. This funding is likely to be likely to be available on a repeat basis until 2010. Mark was also successful in securing a grant from Waverley Council for activities for older children which will be launched in Term 1 2008. Older children took part in the WAYS outings in Terms 3 and 4 and went Barefoot Bowling on Tuesdays from Term 3.
Holiday Programming
The summer holiday programme is available online and at the Centre. Overall bookings for holiday care have been very strong this year and programmes well received. The Centre has endeavored to expand the choice of excursions to cater for differing age groups. These initiatives have met with a positive response from families. The Centre successfully applied to increase the number of children who may attend the “in” days and booked second buses to meet demand for popular outings. Feedback on programming is always welcome and may be sent to clovelly.OOSC@education.nsw.gov.au
Registration for 2008
Registration for 2008 opens in December 2007. COOSC aims to have all returning families registered by the end of December as there is always a huge rush of new families a the start of each school year. There is an annual registration fee of $50 per family and an enrolment form MUST be completed annually for each child before your bookings for before, after and holiday care can be accepted. There is a possibility that returning families may be able to register online and further information will be provided in the school newsletter or via email directly to you.
Communications
COOSC keeps families up to date on what is happening at the Centre by the following methods: website, e-news, school newsletter, emails and direct communication. Please ensure we have your most recent contact details at all times including your email address. The Centre welcomes your feedback and suggestions and you can contact the Centre at clovelly.OOSC at education.nsw.gov.au
