The centre director has weekly meetings with the room leaders. These discussions are recorded in the weekly director’s report. Meal times are unhurried and consist of small groups. The provision of learning experiences is reflective of children's interests, strengths and levels of learning. Educators communicate daily with families through verbal conversations at arrival and departure times. Daily reflections include photos, observations and interesting events that are shared with families daily and distributed electronically. Daybooks record events that unfold each day and offer an insight to reflecting on the learning occurring. Families are invited to contribute. First tier review At first tier review, the provider disagreed with the inference in the quality improvement notes in the Outcome Summary that older children did not serve themselves and submitted that all children serve themselves during mealtimes and use real cutlery and crockery. The provider submitted that the evidence recorded by the authorised officer in the Evidence Summary shows this happens. For example, the Evidence Summary states: Educators wear gloves and use tongs when handling and serving food. The older children use tongs to serve themselves morning and afternoon tea. The younger children are encouraged to use tongs and educators assist in this process. (This evidence was recorded under Standard 2.1). Children can choose what to eat and how much to eat for afternoon tea. A boy wanted more fruit and this was provided. An educator asked another educator inside to cut up more fruit. The provider submitted that the service is known for providing an authentic meal experience with a focus on independent serving. At first tier review, the regulatory authority considered the approved provider’s claim that all children serve themselves during mealtimes, and reviewed the evidence recorded by the officer in the Evidence Summary about this practice. The regulatory authority discussed the observations and noted those officer’s that illustrate children having age appropriate opportunities to serve themselves and demonstrate independence at meal times, including: Morning and afternoon tea is served on wooden serving platters with tongs.
The centre director has weekly meetings with the room leaders. These discussions are recorded in the weekly director’s report. Meal times are unhurried and consist of small groups. The provision of learning experiences is reflective of children's interests, strengths and levels of learning. Educators communicate daily with families through verbal conversations at arrival and departure times. Daily reflections include photos, observations and interesting events that are shared with families daily and distributed electronically. Daybooks record events that unfold each day and offer an insight to reflecting on the learning occurring. Families are invited to contribute. First tier review At first tier review, the provider disagreed with the inference in the quality improvement notes in the Outcome Summary that older children did not serve themselves and submitted that all children serve themselves during mealtimes and use real cutlery and crockery. The provider submitted that the evidence recorded by the authorised officer in the Evidence Summary shows this happens. For example, the Evidence Summary states: Educators wear gloves and use tongs when handling and serving food. The older children use tongs to serve themselves morning and afternoon tea. The younger children are encouraged to use tongs and educators assist in this process. (This evidence was recorded under Standard 2.1). Children can choose what to eat and how much to eat for afternoon tea. A boy wanted more fruit and this was provided. An educator asked another educator inside to cut up more fruit. The provider submitted that the service is known for providing an authentic meal experience with a focus on independent serving. At first tier review, the regulatory authority considered the approved provider’s claim that all children serve themselves during mealtimes, and reviewed the evidence recorded by the officer in the Evidence Summary about this practice. The regulatory authority discussed the officer’s observations and noted those that illustrate children having age appropriate opportunities to serve themselves and demonstrate independence at meal times, including: Morning and afternoon tea is served on wooden serving platters with tongs.
STR0024_Decision_notice_de-identified.docx