Parent handbook and code of conduct "School aged service"

Glór na nÓg Afterschool ServiceParent Handbook and Enrolment Information

Welcome and Ethos 

Welcome to Glór na nÓg Afterschool Service. Established in 2008, we are a community-based childcare service providing high-quality care and educational opportunities for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. We are committed to maintaining a safe, happy, respectful and stimulating environment in which every child feels valued and included. Our staff work in close partnership with parents and guardians to support each child's development, independence, wellbeing and sense of belonging. 

1. Operating Hours and Service Details (Term Time) 

Our collection service operates directly from the adjacent Aghamore National School. The optional Breakfast Club is available subject to capacity and advance booking. 

Out of term opening hours are from 8:00 AM to 5:45 PM, subject to a minimum number of confirmed bookings. 

2. Daily Programme and Routine Our daily programme is designed to provide children with a balanced range of educational, recreational and social experiences. 

Homework Club Children are provided (from first class) with a quiet, supervised environment in which to complete their homework. Educators are available to offer appropriate assistance and encouragement. While staff support children with their homework, parents and guardians remain responsible for reviewing completed work and ensuring that all homework requirements have been met. 

Food and Nutrition Breakfast is served from 8am to 9am. A choice of toast, cereal and pancakes are available as well as juice and milk. A light snack is offered to children availing of the one-hour service from 2pm to 3pm. A healthy hot or cold snack is served daily at approximately 3:30 p.m., accompanied by fresh mixed fruit. Drinking water is freely available throughout the day. Parents and guardians must inform the service of any allergies, intolerances, medical dietary needs or other relevant food requirements. 

Activities Our weekly programme may include: 

• Sports and games, including football and other team activities.
• Free play, allowing children to make choices and develop social skills.
• Arts and crafts, encouraging creativity and self-expression.
• Baking and food-related activities, subject to dietary and safety requirements.
• Interactive science activities, supporting curiosity and practical learning.

 Activities may be adapted according to children's ages, interests, needs, weather conditions and available resources. 

3. Drop-Off and Collection Policy 

To protect children's safety and comply with our collection procedures, parents and guardians must observe the following requirements. 

Authorised Collectors Children will only be released to adults who have been named as authorised collectors on the child's registration form. If someone who is not listed on the registration form is to collect a child, the parent or guardian must notify the service in advance. Staff may request identification before releasing the child. No person under 18 years of age is permitted to collect a child from the service.

 Collection Arrangements Parents, guardians and authorised collectors must collect children directly from the designated door for the child's pod or group. Once a child has been handed over to an authorised collector, responsibility for supervising the child transfers to that person. Children must be supervised carefully around the grounds, car park and parked vehicles. 

Late Collection The service closes promptly at 5:45 p.m. Children must be collected before this time. Our insurance provides cover only during official operating hours. Staff members are not permitted to transport children home under any circumstances. Persistent late collection may result in a review or withdrawal of the child's place in accordance with the service's policies. 

4. Health, Safety and WellbeingIllness and Infection Control Children who are unwell or who may have a contagious illness must not attend the service. A child who is ill is generally best cared for at home, particularly where there is a risk of infection to other children or staff. Parents and guardians must: 

• Notify the service if their child will be absent due to illness and provide relevant information about the illness.
• Remain contactable while their child is attending the service.
• Arrange prompt collection if contacted because their child has become unwell.
• Follow exclusion periods applicable to infectious illnesses and conditions before the child returns.

 If a child becomes unwell or develops a temperature while attending the service, a parent or guardian will be contacted and asked to collect the child as soon as possible. The Manager reserves the right to request that a child be collected where this is considered necessary in the child's best interests or to protect others from infection.

Medication Where a child requires medication during afterschool hours, the parent or guardian must complete and sign the appropriate medication administration form in advance. Medication must: 

• Be supplied in its original, clearly labelled packaging.
• Be within its expiry date.
• Include clear dosage and administration instructions.
• Be handed directly to an authorised staff member.

 All medication will be stored securely and administered only in accordance with the service's medication policy and the written authorisation provided. 

Positive Behaviour Guidance We promote positive behaviour through encouragement, clear expectations, respectful communication and age-appropriate guidance. Staff support children to: 

• Respect themselves and others.
• Resolve disagreements peacefully.
• Take responsibility for their choices.
• Develop positive social and emotional skills.

 Children will be treated with dignity, and their privacy and identity will be protected. Where challenging behaviour continues despite reasonable support and partnership with the family, the service may review the child's placement. In serious or unresolved circumstances, services may be withdrawn in accordance with the relevant policy. 

Garda Vetting and Safer Recruitment 

Glór na nÓg ensures that appropriate vetting and recruitment procedures are completed for staff, students and volunteers who have access to children. These procedures include Garda vetting through the National Vetting Bureau, verification of references and any other checks required under applicable legislation and service policies. 

5. Fees and National Childcare Scheme SubsidiesFee Arrangements Afterschool fees are calculated weekly and apply from the beginning of each service year in September. The following conditions apply: 

• Booked days are charged regardless of attendance.
• Fees must be paid by Friday each week.
• Unforeseen service closures, including closures caused by weather warnings, electricity outages or other circumstances outside the service's control, remain chargeable.
• Unscheduled school closures, including staff training days that were not included in the published annual school calendar, remain chargeable where a childcare place has been reserved.

 Full details are governed by the service's fee policy and the terms accepted at enrolment. 

National Childcare Scheme 

As a registered school-age childcare provider, Glór na nÓg participates in the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). Parents and guardians wishing to claim an NCS subsidy should contact the administration office and provide the relevant CHICK code so that it can be linked to the child's registration. 

Non-Payment of Fees 

Where fees remain unpaid, the following procedure will apply: 

1. An informal reminder will be issued within two weeks of the date of the bill.
2. If payment is not received, written reminders may be issued weekly.
3. Outstanding fees will not be permitted to accumulate for more than 28 days.
4. If the debt has not been cleared or an agreed payment arrangement has not been honoured within 28 days, the service may withdraw the child's place.
5. Persistent late payment may also result in the withdrawal of services.

 Parents and guardians experiencing payment difficulties should contact management promptly to discuss the matter. 

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SERVICE 

Parents/Guardians sign up to agree in the Parents Fee Agreement Form that they will: 

• Give notice, in writing that the child/children are leaving the Centre 

• Give us one month’s notice or pay one month’s fees. 

• The Management of the Service also reserves the right to request that the Parent/Guardian withdraw their child/children from the Service e.g. if the child does not settle in, unresolved challenging behaviour, or parents not being fully compliant of our policies and parent code of conduct. The Management agrees to give 1 months’ notice of this to the Parent/Guardian so that they can make alternative arrangements.

 6. Complaints Procedure 

We value open, respectful and constructive communication. Questions or concerns about a child's care should be raised directly with the Manager at the earliest opportunity. Formal complaints will be managed in accordance with the Glór na nÓg Complaints Policy, which is available on our website and in the main reception area. Complaints will be treated seriously, sensitively and as confidentially as possible. Raising a genuine concern in good faith will not adversely affect a child or family's use of the service. 

Parent and Guardian Code of Conduct 

Parents, guardians and authorised collectors play an important role in maintaining a safe, respectful and welcoming childcare environment. Everyone involved in the service - including children, families, staff, students and volunteers - must be treated with dignity and consideration. Parents and guardians are expected to familiarise themselves with and follow the service's policies and procedures. 

Expected Conduct Parents, guardians and authorised collectors must: 

• Communicate respectfully with staff, children and other families.
• Raise concerns directly with management and follow the complaints procedure.
• Avoid discussing other children or families in front of children.
• Refrain from inappropriate conversations on the premises.
• Supervise their children once collection has taken place.
• Supervise children carefully around the car park, grounds and parked vehicles.
• Follow all parking and traffic arrangements when dropping off or collecting children.
• Respect the premises and dispose of litter appropriately.
• Address their own child's behaviour appropriately, particularly where it may lead to conflict, aggression or unsafe conduct.
• Refrain from bringing pets onto the premises or grounds, including animals kept on a lead.

 Parents and guardians should communicate concerns responsibly and directly. Nothing in this Code prevents a person from making a genuine complaint, seeking advice, reporting a safeguarding concern or exercising any legal right. However, knowingly false, abusive, threatening or defamatory communications may be addressed by withdrawing our service to you.  

Unacceptable Conduct 

The following behaviour will not be tolerated on the premises, grounds or through communications connected with the service: 

• Abusive, offensive, racist, discriminatory or threatening language.
• Shouting, aggressive conduct or displays of uncontrolled anger.
• Disruptive behaviour that interferes with the operation of the service.
• Threats of harm or physical aggression towards an adult or child.
• Approaching another person's child to confront, question, discipline or chastise them.
• Physical punishment of any child on the premises or grounds.
• Damage to or destruction of service property.
• Abusive or threatening emails, telephone calls, messages or social-media communications.
• Smoking, consuming alcohol or using illegal drugs on the premises or grounds.
• Entering the service while intoxicated or impaired.

 Incidents may be reported to the Manager and documented. Depending on their seriousness, management may restrict an individual's access to the premises, require alternative collection arrangements or take other proportionate steps to protect children, staff and families. 

Parents agree to communicate grievances directly with management and refrain from distributing defamatory, toxic, or disparaging remarks about the service, staff, or management to other families or on public platforms. 

Serious or any repeated breaches of service policies or this Code of Conduct may result in termination of the childcare place, subject to the service's procedures and any applicable legal obligations. 

If a child is unhappy or experiencing difficulties, parents and guardians should inform the service promptly so that staff and the family can work together to address the issue.

 Eligibility, Admissions and EnrolmentEligibility Criteria 

Places are available to children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, subject to capacity, staffing levels and applicable child-to-adult ratios. Applicants must meet the following criteria: 

Allocation Priorities 

Where demand exceeds the number of available places, applications may be prioritised as follows: 

1. Siblings: Children from families who already have a child enrolled in the service. 
2. Existing service users: Children moving from the Glór na nÓg preschool service into afterschool care, taking account of the family's compliance with existing and historical agreements and policies. 
3. Full-time requirements: Children requiring five days per week may be prioritised over children requiring part-time care.

Admission to our services remains contingent upon available capacity, the individual needs of the child, staffing configurations, and our operational capability to deliver appropriate care.Glór na nÓg reserves the right to decline registration for the school-age service in instances where a family has previously breached organizational policies during their enrollment in our early years service.

Required Enrolment Information 

A place cannot be finalised until all required information and documentation have been received. 

All information must be accurate and kept up to date. Parents and guardians must notify the service promptly of any change to contact details, medical information, authorised collectors or other relevant circumstances. 

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE SERVICE 

Parents/Guardians sign up to agree in the Parents Fee Agreement Form that they will: • Give notice, in writing that the child/children are leaving the Centre 

• Give us one month’s notice or pay one month’s fees. 

• The Management of the Service also reserves the right to request that the Parent/Guardian withdraw their child/children from the Service e.g. if the child does not settle in, unresolved challenging behaviour, or parents not being fully compliant of our policies and parent code of conduct. The Management agrees to give 1 months’ notice of this to the Parent/Guardian so that they can make alternative arrangements. 

Application Process 

1. Submit an enquiry or application. Contact the service on 094 9370833 or visit reception at Eircode F35 AE65.
2. Application review. Management will assess the application against the published admissions criteria, available capacity and staffing arrangements.
3. Offer of a place. Parents or guardians will be notified if a place is available.
4. Acceptance and documentation. A place is secured only when the required forms, signed agreements and have been received.
5. Completion of enrolment. The child's start date and agreed attendance schedule will be confirmed by the service.

 Contact Information 

Parent/Guardian Agreement 

I confirm that I have received and read the Glór na nÓg Afterschool Service Parent Handbook, including the Parent and Guardian Code of Conduct and the service's relevant policies and procedures. I agree to comply with these requirements and to communicate respectfully and constructively with management and staff. I understand that serious or repeated breaches may lead to restrictions or the withdrawal of the childcare place in accordance with the service's procedures. 

Parent/Guardian Name in Block Capitals: ____________________ 

Signature: _____________________________________________ 

Date: _________________________________________________ 

Child's Name: __________________________________________