COBURG CHILDREN’S CENTRE INC
CO-ORDINATORS ANNUAL REPORT
2012
Centre History & Management
Coburg Children’s Centre was the first government subsidised childcare centre in Coburg.
The Centre opened in 1977 and was owned and operated by (the then) Coburg City Council.
In 1993 Council informed the parents and staff of its decision to cease to manage the Centre
or employ any new staff – if the Centre was to continue to operate it would have to be
managed by the parents. In July 1994 the management of the Centre was officially delegated
to the Coburg Children’s Centre Incorporated (CCCI) Board of Management. Since then the
Centre has operated as a stand-alone, financially independent service and continues to be
efficiently managed by the parents via the Board of Management.
The CCCI Board of Management (the Board)
18 parents were elected to the Board of Management at the last AGM – an unprecedented
number of members. Several members were unable to come to meetings regularly however
their skills and experiences were called upon throughout the year to work on a range of issues
and projects. Every request for time, energy and commitment was met with a willingness and
positivity that added to the development of our Centre and my feeling of pride and
amazement at their generosity and unconditional support. For the third consecutive year the
Board realised financial stability. Many members are standing for re-election and I would
like to acknowledge the following who are retiring:
Vanessa Jasper: Joined the Board in 2007 and initially took up the position of Secretary. Over the
past 4 years some of you will remember seeing several variations of proposed plans for the
renovation/relocation of our Centre displayed in the hallway. Using her skills as a Project Coordinator with over 15 years of experience in commercial interior design Vanessa worked with, guided
and supported Michelle Hocking and myself in the development of these plans. She has been
inspirational and we have learnt so much from her. Thankyou Vanessa
Claudia Graham: Joined the Board in 2009 and took up the position as Deputy Chair moving into
the Chair position in 2011. Claudia led with clear, concise and practical decision making and has
been instrumental in assisting us to implement administrative systems that improved enrolment
processes and minimised error.
Anna Jenkins: Joined the Board in 2012 and throughout the year attended meetings adding clear,
equitable social justice and community spirit perspectives.
Caroline Whitehouse: Joined the Board in 2011 contributing her professional knowledge and
perspectives on best practice in the area of children’s wellbeing.
Brigid O’Brien: Joined the Board in 2011 and was generous with her support in assisting with the
submission for our Capital Grant and the Governance sub-committee.
Vanessa, Claudia, Caroline and Brigid will have children at the Centre in 2013 and are
resigning due to ever mounting time constraints. Anna’s children have gone to school. On
behalf of every family I thank returning and retiring members of the Board for their selfless
contribution to our Centre. To this I add my personal gratitude, each of you have in some
way contributed to my life long learning process.
Funding & Finances
The Board has full financial responsibility and makes all major decisions about the
management of the Centre’s resources. The Board approve the annual budget and fee
structure ensuring the service remains financially viable while providing a quality service.
As per the audited annual report, our operating result showed a surplus of $16,255. The
budget aimed to generate a small surplus.
The Moreland City Council (MCC)
MCC are the legal Operator (Commonwealth Gov.) and Approved Provider (State Gov.) of
our service. Maintaining this legal status ensures their commitment to community based
services. As reported previously, the major issue faced by MCC and CCCI has been the
renovation/relocation of our Centre. Our relationship with MCC continues to develop as we
work towards a mutually acceptable resolution. Following my 2011 report events to date are:
Jan: - DEECD visit CCCI to assess suitability for a $300,000 grant – the 2 representatives are very
impressed, particularly with our programs, innovations, nature based yard,
sustainability/environmental practices.
Feb: - Submission for $300,000 grant from DEECD lodged before deadline 27/2/12
May – MCC advise of the proposal to use land including CCCI & the historical society for a private
hospital or major health facility. As part of this negotiation MCC commit to reinstating trees and land
lost at the North end of the playground when MCC moved our fence line and acquired our tree’s in
1999 – most of the trees have died.
June - CCCI, ASCC and BBCC are successful in obtaining a $300,000 State Gov. Grant.
Centre expects renovations to commence in June 2012.
July – MCC will not have proposed hospital project confirmation until the end of August.
CCCI plans are not being progressed. The Board commences wider reconnaissance.
August – CCCI met with MCC. CEO confirmed MCC want CCCI site for development.
CCCI will be relocated. CEO proposed CCCI is relocated to the Kids on the Avenue
(KOTA) site. Further recognisance discovers plans for this to be a 160+ place centre.
September - CCCI’s rejects the KOTA proposal and requests a “timing and the next steps”
plan from MCC for CCCI. CCCI convenes a “New Centre” strategy sub-committee headed
by Rosemary Fisher.
December – CCCI met with MCC - the CEO proposed a possible site in Pentridge Village
(PV).
At the time of writing this report CCCI have formed a proactive strategy sub- committee who
meet with MCC fortnightly. MCC are pursuing the viability of the proposed P V site and the
Board continues to work in partnership with Council to relocate CCCI.
Waiting List
In September all prospective parents on the waiting list were sent:
 a letter inviting them to visit/tour the Centre
 a questionnaire to complete if they still required care for 2013
 a copy of the Centres Privacy and Access Statement
 a timetable for allocating places in 2013
By the end of October places for 2013 were allocated and confirmed with a deposit paid. In
September 173 families on the list were sent a questionnaire (34 less than 2011) - 74
questionnaires were returned. Of these, 16 families (12 less than 2012) with a total of 23
children (6 less than 2012) were enrolled in the Centre for 2013. From September to the end
of December a further 34 families (19 less than 2011) were added to the list.
Enrolments
Full-time, part-time childcare and a Kindergarten program are provided with our aim to be
flexible in meeting family’s needs being a priority. 151 children (161 in 2011) representing
121 families (119 in 2011) were enrolled throughout 2012. The Board continued the 10%
reduction in fees for the 2nd and subsequent children from the same family which applied to
30 families (41 in 2011).
Nationalities
Family origins from around the world brought many cultures to us. The following countries
represent families where one or both parents were born outside Australia:
Argentina
Bangladesh
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Columbia
Czech Republic
China & PR
China
England (UK)
Germany
Greece
India
Indonesia
Iraq
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Philippines
Poland
Russia
ScotlandSingapore
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
USA
Venezuela
Vietnam
36 different nationalities were represented - 7 more than 2011. 66 of the 121 families
attending the Centre had at least 1 parent born outside Australia. A further 6 nationalities
where represented within the staff team with 23 of the 34 staff born outside Australia. How
blessed we are to have all these cultures.
Students
Team Leaders took responsibility for the supervision of 9 Early Childhood students who
completed 12 fieldwork placements from colleges across Melbourne. 14 places were offered
– 2 cancellations (by colleges and or students) occurred throughout the year. CCCI offers
student placements from training organisations with a proven record of providing a thorough
and comprehensive standard of training ultimately producing the best graduates.
Staff
Staff attended the following training sessions throughout the year on topics including:
Feb:
May:
Developing a Quality Improvement Plan
March:
National Quality Framework (2 sessions)
March:
VEYLDF – Planning for Quality
April:
VEYLDF Training
April
National Quality Framework Workshops (all staff) x 2
First Aid Training (ongoing into June,
June:
First Aid Training
July:
First Aid Training
July:
Building Resilience in Children
August:
First Aid Training
August;
National Quality Framework Training
August:
Brain Development – Setting the pattern for lifelong learning
September:
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) language
education
September:
Sharing the Journey – Environmental Education in Early
Childhood Conference
October:
ENS International – Negotiating & Influencing
October:
Indigenous Preschool Program
October:
Interactions and Conversations – strategies to support infant,
toddlers, and pre-schoolers learning and development
October:
Living with Autism Spectrum Disorder
October:
Bush Gathering – Workshop of early childhood educators running
Bush Kinder and similar programs (e.g. Beach Kinder)
November:
Exploring Natural Environments in Education and Care
November:
Moreland Early Years Expo
November:
Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 Information
Session
Other staff news included:
 Nihal Tuncer – completed her Diploma and resigned to take up a position in a kindergarten
 Kevser Dogan - resigned in April
 Deniz Kuyucu, Heather Neyland, Khanh Nha Phan accepted permanent employment status
 Michelle Hocking – recognised for 20 years of service to Coburg Childrens Centre
 Alex Borg -recognised by MCC for 25 years of service to Coburg Childrens Centre
 Marlene Fraser -recognised by MCC for 25 years of service to Coburg Childrens Centre
 Ivana Decarolis – resigned in November
 Josphine Tripodi – finished in December
It is a privilege and pleasure to be part of this highly motivated, committed, skilled and hard
working team. We take pride in our work and each other. I thank staff for their dedication
and the passion they have for their work and look forward to another happy year in 2013.
Children’s Program
Michelle Hocking is our Program Manager and Educational Leader. Each year Michelle reevaluates our planning and documentation systems considering the latest research,
professional development, the National Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and the
Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF). Over the past few
years CCCI has used a system which included portfolios’ to document each child’s learning
and development throughout the year. At the end of 2012 Michelle identified the need for change.
The time taken in preparing the Portfolio’s cut heavily into essential tasks such as team meetings for
staff and preparation of materials and equipment for children. Our centre has always recognised that
the process of learning is more important than the end result and therefore it seems contradictory that
staff should place so much emphasis on the Portfolio as an end result. 2013 brings with it a number
of changes in our planning systems.
The National Quality Framework
The National Quality Framework (NQF) was introduced by the Federal Government on the
1st of January 2012. As required by the NQF (see my report 2011) we developed our
“Quality Improvement Plan” (QIP) which is kept on the table in the hallway and is available
to be read and added to. Last year I reported that CCCI had become part of a network of
sustainable services and collectively we worked towards recognition for our procedures
which minimise the use of chemicals and disposable items. CCCI submitted a
comprehensive response to The National Health and Medical Research Council Draft
5th Edition of “Staying healthy in early childhood education and care - Preventing infectious diseases
in education and care services”. Environmental Education in Early Childhood (EEEC) based their
submission largely on content from CCCI’s. It has been very satisfying to read the following excerpt
from the 5th Edition of this document which states:
The guidance and procedures in Staying healthy represent best practice. Education and care services are strongly
encouraged to adopt these practices. However, some services may choose to develop policies that do not follow
all of the advice in Staying healthy. For example, some services may have a philosophy of environmental
sustainability, and a consequent greater emphasis on considering the resources they use. They may have
policies and procedures in place to minimise waste or the use of chemicals. Education and care services that
choose not to use the best-practice advice in this document should ensure that their policies and procedures
minimise the spread of infection. It is not possible to prevent all infections in education and care services.
However, by using the strategies outlined here, you can prevent many infectious diseases and control their
spread
One small step for CCCI, one giant leap for common sense and sustainability. Well done.
Food Audit
As a Class 1 Food provider the State Government require an external Food Safety Plan audit
each year. Health Officers from MCC Health Department periodically inspect the kitchen
and take food samples to be analysed for bacteria/micro organisms/contaminants etc. Our
external audit was conducted in August 2012 and we were assessed as 100% compliant.
Centre Developments & Events
Bush Kinder
In June the kindergarten children commenced “routine outings” i.e. regular weekly
community outings within walking distance from the Centre to the local parks, shops, library,
market etc. Potential Bush Kinder site researched in preparation for Bush Kinder. Bush
kinder officially commences in Term 3.
Melbourne Zoo
Establishing an early year’s precinct and visited CCCI to see how we use play based learning
in a natural environment.
Research
CCCI participated in the following Research Projects:
 Childrens experiences of wellbeing in early childhood settings – Melbourne University
 Case Study of Inclusive Childcare – Macquarie University
Publications
1. Request from the publisher Teaching Solutions to use photo’s of CCCI in the early
childhood science resource book publication “A Sense of Wonder”.
2. CCCI Bush Kinder is featured in the Moreland Leader
3. Play Australia Video Production – DEECD Early Childhood Online Teaching
Resource
Centre Re-location – As per this report
Grants – DEECD grant of $300,000 to upgrade CCCI
Visitors
Christina Taylor-Sonius Early Childhood Educator from New Zealand.
Dawson Street Childcare Centre Staff Tour
Moreland Educational Leaders Network Meeting Participants Tour
Monash University Occupational Therapy Students – Playground Tour
Eltham Living and Learning Centre early Childhood students’ tour
Invitations - CCCI was invited to present at:
Spotlight on Moreland Early Years Expo to showcase CCCI Bush Kinder and our Portfolios
and Program documentation.
Evaluations and Outcomes of Directions for 2012
1. To ensure that the promised works to upgrade the Centre have commenced before
the end of the year and have a confirmed, timely completion date. Not achieved as
per this report.
2. Secure a commitment from MCC to fund major renovations within the next 12
months to bring the standard of our building in line with the standard of the service
that we provide. Not achieved as per this report.
3. To reduce my working days to 3 per week and to actively plan for my retirement
which will be within 4 years. Partially achieved until Ivana resigned
4. Continue to:
 roll out of the Staff Development Scheme
 recruit and mentor staff into leadership and administration positions, ensuring a
strong staff management team to take us into the future.
Work in Progress
Directions for 2012
1) To be successful in the National Quality Rating and Assessment Process
conducted by DEECD against the National Quality Standards
2) Successfully negotiate with MCC a suitable location to re build the Coburg
Childrens Centre Inc.
3) Launch the CCCI Website
Conclusion
2012 was a year of financial stability, proactive strategic planning and campaigning, and
preparing for the new National Quality Framework. All issues were approached with
commitment and determination by the Board and staff. A challenging year made easier by
sharing the load – I thank you all.
Report prepared by:
Marlene Fraser
Co-ordinator CCCI
27th March April 2013