Victorian Children’s Services Standard licence Fact sheet | September 2010 Last updated April 2015 What is a standard service? A standard service is a children's service that may care for or educate children under three and children three years or more, including school aged children. Places for school aged children can comprise up to 30 per cent of the total number of places (regulation 10). Typically, standard services provide an early child intervention service, occasional care service, mobile service or budget based service. Staffing All staff members included in the child/staff ratios must meet the minimum training requirements. Staff to child ratios Standard service – The staff to child ratios for a standard service are as follows: if the children are aged under 3 years— 1 staff member for every 4 children or fraction of that number, and 1 qualified staff member for every 12 children or fraction of that number if the children are aged 3 years or more— 1 staff member for every 15 children or fraction of that number, and 1 qualified staff member for every 30 children or fraction of that number (regulation 53). If a standard service cares for or educates 12 children or less, the prescribed number of qualified staff members is one (regulation 53). Alternatively, regulation 59 allows a child/staff ratio of one staff member for every four children and one qualified staff member for every 12 children where there are children under three years and children three years or more being cared for or educated by the service. Minimum staff on duty At least 2 staff members must be on duty whenever children are being cared for or educated by the service (regulation 50). Being duty’ does not necessarily mean that a staff member is caring for or educating the ‘on children at all times. For a staff member to be considered duty’ they are required to remain on the premises ‘on and must be able to support the staff member caring for or educating children and intervene if necessary. Effective communication mechanisms and policies must be in place. Staff members aged under 18 years A staff member under the age of 18 years can be considered as part of the child/staff ratios if they are under the direct supervision of a qualified staff member aged 18 years or over (regulation 5). Qualified staff members
Victorian Children’s Services Standard licence Fact sheet | September 2010 Last updated April 2015 What is a standard service? A standard service is a children's service that may care for or educate children under three and children three years or more, including school aged children. Places for school aged children can comprise up to 30 per cent of the total number of places (regulation 10). Typically, standard services provide an early child intervention service, occasional care service, mobile service or budget based service. Staffing All staff members included in the child/staff ratios must meet the minimum training requirements. Staff to child ratios – Standard service The staff to child ratios for a standard service are as follows: if the children are aged under 3 years— 1 staff member for every 4 children or fraction of that number, and 1 qualified staff member for every 12 children or fraction of that number if the children are aged 3 years or more— 1 staff member for every 15 children or fraction of that number, and 1 qualified staff member for every 30 children or fraction of that number (regulation 53). If a standard service cares for or educates 12 children or less, the prescribed number of qualified staff members is one (regulation 53). Alternatively, regulation 59 allows a child/staff ratio of one staff member for every four children and one qualified staff member for every 12 children where there are children under three years and children three years or more being cared for or educated by the service. Minimum staff on duty At least 2 staff members must be on duty whenever children are being cared for or educated by the service (regulation 50). Being ‘on duty’ does not necessarily mean that a staff member is caring for or educating the children at all times. For a staff member to be considered ‘on duty’ they are required to remain on the premises and must be able to support the staff member caring for or educating children and intervene if necessary. Effective communication mechanisms and policies must be in place. Staff members aged under 18 years A staff member under the age of 18 years can be considered as part of the child/staff ratios if they are under the direct supervision of a qualified staff member aged 18 years or over (regulation 5). Qualified staff members