Contact Us

Phone
(03) 9391 1415

Email
emma.mclean.kin@kindergarten.vic.gov.au

Address
71 Hope Street, Spotswood
Victoria, Australia. 3015}

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Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare

CODE OF CONDUCT

This code of conduct has been drawn up to outline the standard of conduct expected of members of the committee of management, staff, parents, contractors and others involved with the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare. The fundamental principles outlined in this code of conduct are intended to guide the above-mentioned group of people to act in a fair and ethical manner for the benefit of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare and its members.

The Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare is committed to the following values underpinning the interactions that committee, staff members, parents, students, volunteers and contractors have with one another and when they are representing the service.

The values that are most relevant to the Emma Mclean Kindergarten and Daycare are: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness and courtesy.

All parties bound by this code will:

  • strive to achieve the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare vision and mission of the organisation and uphold its core values
  • take a zero tolerance to racism, child abuse and discrimination.
  • ensure all the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare activities and decisions are in compliance with relevant legislation, and in line with the constitution, by-laws and policies of the organisation
  • promote the work of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare and keep informed about its programs and activities
  • ensure that the activities of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare are responsive to the needs and interests of the children and their families.
  • acknowledge that the organisation is funded by public money and ensure that decisions are made appropriately, and are open to public scrutiny (while recognising the need to be confidential and comply with the service’s privacy policy when individual users and staff are under discussion)
  • ensure accountability to the members by documenting and communicating actions and decisions, as appropriate
  • apply the principles of equality and diversity, and ensure that the organisation is fair and open in all of its activities
  • actively seek input from and communicate with all members
  • act with honesty, fairness and openness in all dealings as representatives of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare.
  • uphold and assist others dealing with the organisation to uphold the highest standard of professional conduct
  • conduct themselves in a manner which does not undermine the reputation of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare or its staff
  • exercise the powers vested in them in whatever capacity for the good of all members of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare and not secure any benefit or advantage for themselves
  • disclose any real, potential or perceived conflicts of interest promptly and comply with agreed processes for the management of such conflicts
  • respect the privacy and confidentiality of all information, papers, discussions, and decisions and use information gained in their roles appropriately
  • act prudently and with probity to protect all financial assets and resources of the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare and ensure that they are used to deliver the service’s objectives
  • Committee members must ensure that the committee performs effectively by:

   – ensuring cooperation of all committee members to manage the committee’s operations

   – striving to attend all committee meetings and contribute productively to meetings

   – acknowledging and respecting diverse views on the committee and amongst members

   – participating in annual committee performance appraisal, renewal and succession planning

   – developing a risk management plan and taking actions to mitigate identified risks

  • accept collective responsibility for the decisions of the committee
  • utilise their individual skills, personal qualities and knowledge for the benefit of the organisation.

 

 

Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare

CHILD SAFETY CODE OF CONDUCT

Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We recognise the importance of, and are responsible for, and ensure our organisation provides a safe, supportive and enriching environment which respects the rights and wellbeing of and fosters the dignity and self-esteem of all children and young people, and enables them to thrive in their learning and development.

This Code of Conduct aims to protect children and reduce any opportunities for child abuse or harm to occur. It also assists in understanding how to avoid or better manage risky behaviours and situations. It is intended to complement child protection legislation, Department policy, service policies and procedures and professional standards, codes and ethics.

The Committee of Management and staff of Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare will support the implementation and monitoring of the Code of Conduct, delivering inclusive, safe and orderly learning environments and provide information and support to enable the Code of Conduct to operate effectively.

The Code of Conduct applies in all situations, including excursions and in the use of digital technology and social media.  

All staff, contractors, volunteers, students and any other person involved in child related work at the Emma McLean Kindergarten and Daycare are responsible for supporting and promoting the safety of children and complying with the Code of Conduct by;

Acceptable Behaviours

  • Adhering to the Child Safe Environment and Wellbeing, Inclusion and Equity and the Interactions with Children Policies.
  • Taking all reasonable steps to prevent children from abuse and harm
  • Working to prevent racism, discrimination and actively promoting the participation and inclusion of all children, recognizing in particular
    • The cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
    • The cultural safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or linguistically diverse backgrounds
    • The safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability
    • Gender diversity and the safety of same sex attracted young people.
  • Modelling appropriate adult behavior
  • Listening to children and young people and responding to their needs appropriately.
  • Reporting any allegations of child abuse or other child safety concerns to DHHS Child Protection, the Police or Child First immediately.
  • Working with children in an open and transparent way
  • Encouraging children to “have a say” and participate in matters that are important to them
  • Upholding the centre’s “Statement of Commitment to Child Safety” at all times
  • Treating everyone with respect, children and families alike, within the centre and outside the centre’s environment as part of normal social and community activities.
  • Listening and responding to the views and concerns of children, particularly if they are telling you that they or another child has been abused or that they are worried about their safety or the safety of another child
  • understanding and complying with all reporting or disclosure obligations (including mandatory reporting) as they relate to protecting children from harm or abuse.
  • if child abuse is suspected, ensuring as quickly as possible that the children are safe and protected from harm and a report to the police and child protection is made immediately.

Unacceptable Behaviours

All staff, volunteers, contractors, students and any other member of the Emma Mclean Kindergarten and Daycare community involved in child related work individually must NOT:

  • Seek to use children in any way to meet the needs of adults.
  • Ignore or disregard any concerns, suspicions or disclosures of child abuse or harm
  • Use discriminatory or oppressive behaviour or language with children.
  • Engage in rough physical games.
  • Discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, culture, religion, disability, vulnerability, sexuality or other protected attributes under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010.
  • Develop ‘special’ relationships with specific children or show favoritism through the provision of gifts or inappropriate attention.
  • Initiate unnecessary physical contact with children or do things of a personal nature that children can do for themselves, such as toileting or changing clothes.
  • Exhibit behaviors or engage in activities with children which may be interpreted as abusive and not justified by the educational, therapeutic, or service delivery context
  • Ignore behaviours by other adults towards children when they appear to be overly familiar or inappropriate
  • Discuss content of an intimate nature or use sexual innuendo with children, except where it occurs relevantly in the context of parental guidance, delivering the education curriculum or a therapeutic setting
  • Treat a child unfavorably because of their disability, age, gender, race, culture, vulnerability, sexuality or ethnicity.
  • Exchange personal contact details such as phone numbers, social networking site or email addresses with children.
  • Have unauthorized contact with children and young people, online or by phone.
  • Photograph or video a child, except in accordance with center policies.
  • Within the centre grounds when children are present, consume alcohol or take illicit drugs under any circumstances.