17 May 2006
The Monash University School Holiday Program has been accredited by the National Childcare Accreditation Council for the first time.
In 2003 the Australian Government announced that all providers of Outside School Hours Care must be accredited. The accreditation of the Monash program was the culmination of its first time through the process.
Accreditation is granted only to those services that meet at least a satisfactory standard across the eight quality areas: respect for children; staff interactions and relationships with children; partnerships with families and community links; protective care and safety; programming and evaluation; play and development; health, nutrition and well-being; and managing to support quality.
The Monash program achieved a result of High Quality in every area. The accreditation process is repeated every three years.
Ms Dinah Humphries, the Program Coordinator, said the process had been a valuable exercise.
"I would like to thank the staff, families and children of the program for their enthusiasm in embracing this challenge and congratulate them on such an outstanding effort," Ms Humphries said. "We look forward to continuing the high quality service we offer to the families of Monash University and the local community."
The Monash University School Holiday Program has been operating since 1988. Programs run every school holidays, including a 3-4 week program in January. They feature activities such as sport, cooking, art and craft, drama and swimming.
This June, a new Masters Program will be introduced, where children can attend special interest workshops such as movie making.
The School Holiday Program is run from the Clayton campus and is available next school holidays - 19 June to 30 June 2006 - from Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5.30 pm.
For more information please contact Ms Melissa Grbec in Media Communications on +61 3 9905 9314 or Ms Dinah Humphries on +61 3 9905 3156 or dinah.humphries@adm.monash.edu.a u.
Photographs of children enjoying previous school holiday programs are available.
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