Vacation Care Program
Booking and Excursion Information & Permission Form
Program: 30 March – 10 April 2015
The Surf Coast Shire Vacation Care Program in 2015 is exploring and investigating: “What is our
local/community culture within the Surf Coast Shire”.
The theme for this program is “It’s a Windy Easter”. Many of our activities have been themed around aspects of
what we love to do at this time of year, as well as the transition from summer to Autumn. We have also collated all
of the children’s ideas, thoughts and their favourite activities to create the program.
Please read the detailed information on the following pages about the variety of excursions and in-house activities
which are offered in this program.
Please note that on extreme weather or fire danger days (code red), that some in-house activities and excursions may
need to be cancelled for the safety of the children and educators.
Our
Parent /Guardian Checklist
Complete and return the Early Years Enrolment Form 2015
Immunisation Record (If your child has not attended previously)
Read Excursion Information
Complete and return the Vacation Care Booking Form
Forms can be returned:
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In person at the Torquay Children’s Hub, 27 Grossmans Road, Torquay.
Please mark: “Attention: Vacation Care Program”
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By email to vacationcare@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
For more information please call Tabitha Nelson on 03 5261 0599.
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Program Information – 30 March to 2 April (5-12 years old)
Monday 30 March 2015 - In House Activities – WELCOME BACK!
Today we welcome everyone back to our new Vacation Care home, Surf Coast Secondary College. We are going
to be busy creating Hairy Harrys and practising an emergency evacuation. You can create a marble run to be
filmed, and then bat and bowl the afternoon away with a game of cricket on the oval. In the kitchen we will be
whipping up two dips to share, avocado and creamy fruit.
Additional information regarding in house activities:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please ensure your child has a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended
Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15.
Tuesday 31 March 2015 – In House Activities – HOP TO IT AND FEATHER YOUR NEST
Have you constructed a marble run yet? – give it a go! Emily will be helping you to create beautiful feather nests
perfect for filling with Easter eggs, and you can also make cute as a button egg ornaments. We’ll also be
attempting a “hopping” corn experiment, and our budding chefs will be tempting us with chocolate wheat nests.
Additional information regarding in house activities:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please ensure your child has a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended.
Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15.
Wednesday 1 April 2015 – In House Activities – KITES AND KICKS
Are you a future Socceroo? Today you will find out at our soccer clinic. You can also construct your own paper
kite to fly later in the day. Catch a movie or just relax in the Theatre Room or make some noise with nail art.
Maybe you could try some new moves on a skateboard or scooter, or have some fun in the kitchen where we will
be making Chocolate Zucchini Muffins.
Additional information regarding the excursion:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please ensure your child has a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended.
Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15.
Thursday 2 April 2015 - In House Activities – IT’S EASTER TIME!
Today the children will be able to create yarn egg bunnies and chicks with Emily. She will also assist them with
making a funky hard wool egg. You can also make rabbit envelopes, and if you haven’t had a go at a marble run
for our film, now’s your chance! You can kick a footy outside or have a game of cricket, and we are continuing the
Easter theme in the kitchen by making Easter Egg Bikkies.
Additional information regarding in house activities:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please provide your child with a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended.
Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15
Friday 3 April 2015 – GOOD FRIDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
No session.
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Program Information – 7 April to 10 April (5-12 years old)
Monday 6 April 2015 – EASTER MONDAY PUBLIC HOLIDAY
No session.
Tuesday 7 April 2015 – DREAMING OF WOBBLES AND WHIRLIES
Sweet dreams! Today Emily will help you to create a fanciful dreamcatcher, followed by assisting you to design
your very own placemat using a photo that you bring with you from home. We are also going to make paper
whirligig mobiles, and there’s lots to do outside. Today our kitchen team will make jelly and fruit cups for all to
enjoy.
Additional information regarding the in house activities:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please ensure your child has a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended. Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15.
Wednesday 8 April 2015 - INDOOR GAME CHALLENGE AND SEWING UP A STORM
Today the children will be able to have a go at sewing. They can keep it simple or let their creativity run wild. For a
bit of fun, it will be raining rainbows with the help of shaving cream and food dye. Our indoor game challenge will
keep the children on their toes, and at the children’s request our mini frittatas will satisfy the afternoon munchies.
Additional information regarding the in house activities:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please ensure your child has a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended. Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15.
Thursday 9 April 2015 – COLOURS, COMICS AND PUPPETS
This morning Emily will be teaching us how to create a colourful masterpiece by melting crayons onto a canvas,
while in the afternoon all our budding puppeteers will be able to construct a funny and funky sock puppet. Today is
your last chance to construct a marble run for us to film, or you can create your own comic book. Ham and cheese
wraps will be created in the kitchen for a healthy afternoon snack.
Additional information regarding the in house activities:
No extra cost for this in-house activity. Please ensure your child has a sun hat. Helmets are required when skate
boarding or scooting and knee and elbow pads are highly recommended. Educator (staff) ratio: 1-15.
Friday 10 April 2015 – GO WILD AT BALLARAT WILDLIFE PARK
Today we will board a coach at 9.30am to drive to Ballarat Wildlife Park. We will have time for a quick snack
before the keepers guide the children around the park where they can discover facts and details about the animals
through observation, hands-on experiences, as well as listening to the tour guides and staff members. The park
specialises in Australian animals including free roaming kangaroos, koalas, wombats, Tasmanian devils, eagles,
giant tortoises, alligators as well as a large display of lizards and both venomous and non-venomous snakes. We
hope to meet Patrick the Wombat and Crunch the 5 metre super croc!. We will board the bus at around 3.30pm to
arrive back at Surf Coast Secondary College by 4.30pm.
Additional information regarding the excursion:
Children will need a sun hat, lunch & extra snacks and a water bottle. You may also choose to pack extra clothing
in case of a change in the weather.
Please note: Excursion will be cancelled on a Code Red Day or extreme weather day.
Melways Reference: X927 B4
Risk assessment has been conducted and is available for viewing at the Vacation Care Program.
Educator(staff) ratio: 1 – 10
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
BIG DAY OUT PROGRAM – 31 March 2015 (9-12 years old)
Tuesday 31 March 2015 - LUNA PARK - (All day excursion)
Today we will board the Surf Coast Shire community bus at 9.30am to drive to Luna Park in St. Kilda. On arrival at
Luna Park we will spend the day on the iconic theme park rides, stopping for a quick bite of lunch before continuing
to go on as many rides as we can before we board the bus and depart from Luna Park, St. Kilda at 3.30pm. We
will arrive back to Surf Coast Secondary College at 5pm.
Additional information regarding the excursion:
Children will need a sun hat, lunch, extra snacks, a water bottle. You may also choose to pack extra clothing in
case of a change in the weather.
Melways reference: 58 B10.
Risk assessment has been conducted and is available for viewing at the Vacation Care Program.
Educator (staff) ratio: 1 – 5.
Please note: on extreme weather or fire danger days (code red) the excursion may be cancelled.
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Vacation Care Program Booking and Excursion Permission Form
Program Theme:
It’s a Windy Easter
Week 1
Dates:
30 March – 2 April 2015
Child’s Name ________________________________________________________________________________
(Print full name)
Monday 30 March – Thursday 2 April 2015
Date
In-house Activities
Monday 30 March 2015
Afternoon cooking
In-house Activities
Tuesday 31 March 2015
Tuesday 31 March 2015
Marble Run Films, Hairy Harrys and Cricket
Free choice
Tour buildings and evacuation practice
Avocado and Creamy Fruit Dip
Afternoon cooking
Marble Run Films and Hopping Corn
Free choice
Feather Nests and Cute as a button egg
ornaments
Chocolate Wheat Nests
All Day Excursion
Luna Park (St. Kilda)
Emily’s Art & Craft
(Big Day Out 9 – 12 yrs)
In-house Activities
Marble Run Films, Paper Kite Making and
Flying and Soccer Clinic
Free Choice
Afternoon Cooking
Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
In-house Activities
Marble Run Films and Envelope Rabbits
Free choice
Yarn egg bunnies and chicks, and funky hard
wood egg
Easter Egg Bikkies
Wednesday 1 April 2015
Thursday 2 April 2015
Tick
days 
Activity Details
Emily’s Art & Craft
Afternoon Cooking
Friday 3 April 2015
Public Holiday
(No session)
I (full name of parent/guardian)………………………………………………….……………………acknowledge I have
received a copy of and read the Vacation Care Program Excursion Information and I give permission for my child
(full name) ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
to attend the activities which l have allocated on this Booking and Excursion Permission Form.
Parent/Guardian Signature
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Date
Vacation Care Program Booking and Excursion Permission Form
Program Theme:
It’s a Windy Easter
Week 2
Dates:
7 – 10 April 2015
Child’s Name ________________________________________________________________________________
(Print full name)
Tuesday 7 April to Friday 10 April 2015
Date
Tick
days 
Activity Details
Monday 6 April 2015
Public Holiday
(No session)
Emily’s Art & Craft
Marble Run Films and Paper Whirlygig
Mobiles
Free choice
Dreamcatchers and Personal Placemats
Afternoon Cooking
Jelly and fruit cups
In-house Activities
Tuesday 7 April 2015
Wednesday 8 April 2015
In-house Activities
Afternoon cooking
Thursday 9 April 2015
In-house Activities
Afternoon cooking
Friday 10 April 2015
Marble Run Films and Sewing with
Daina
Indoor games challenge
Free Choice
Mini Frittatas
Marble Run Films and Make Your Own
Comic Book
Free choice
Ham and Cheese Wraps
Emily’s Art & Craft
Crayon Canvas Masterpieces and Funky
Sock Puppets
Excursion
Ballarat Wildlife Park
I (full name of parent/guardian)………………………………………………….……………………acknowledge I
have received a copy of and read the Vacation Care Program Excursion Information. I give permission for my
child (full name) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. to
attend the activities which l have allocated on this Booking and Excursion Permission Form.
Parent/Guardian Signature
Date
Surf Coast Shire Council is committed to protecting all personal and sensitive information consistent with the principles
set out in the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and the Health Records Act, 2001. The personal or health information
requested is being collected by Council for the Vacation Care Program and will be used solely by Council for that primary
purpose or directly related purposes as permitted by law. The applicant understands that the personal or health
information provided is for the Vacation Care Program and that they may apply to Council for access to and/or
amendment of the information.
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Important Information for Vacation Care 2015
Cost of Program
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The daily fee for vacation care is $52 per day.
Additional cost for excursions is $32 per child per day.
CCB is available for eligible families.
Once vacation care begins, all absentees will incur an absence fee with CCB applied.
Invoices will be sent to families after vacation care period is completed.
Booking Information
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Children must be between the ages of 5 and 12 years old and enrolled in a primary school program
Maximum enrolments per day is 60 children.
Maximum enrolments for the BIG DAY OUT (children 9 -12 years) is 20 children.
Priority will be given to parents who are living, working, training or studying in Surf Coast Shire.
Bookings can only be made by families if their account is at a zero balance (no outstanding fees owing).
Collect enrolment form and booking form from Torquay Children’s Hub, Sport and Recreation Centre, Surf Coast
Shire offices or from the Surf Coast Shire website.
Completed enrolment forms can be dropped off to the Torquay Children’s Hub reception or scanned and emailed to
vacationcare@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
A 2015 Enrolment and Booking Form must be fully completed before processing.
Families will receive a phone call for confirmation of care requested.
All booking forms are to be completed and returned to Surf Coast Shire Council by 26 March 2015.
Changes and Cancellations
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Additional changes to original booking must be in writing to vacationcare@surfcoast.vic.gov.au
Additional charges may apply for bookings made after 26 March 2015.
Cancellations require seven days notice, or the full fee will apply.
If medical certificate is presented, families accessing CCB will only be charged the discounted rate.
Program details may change due to inclement weather and any unforeseen circumstances.
Excursions will be cancelled on Code Red Day if the excursion is entering a high risk area.
If a Code Red Day is declared for Torquay, the program will be closed for the day. No fee will be charged for the
day.
Refunds are not available for changes or cancellations made after 26 March 2015 (unless 7 days notice is given).
Payment
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Payment is due after the end of the program.
You are able to pay via internet, phone or in person at the council office. Method of payment includes BPay, Visa
card, Eftpos, cheque or cash. No fees will be taken at the Sport and Recreation Centre or the Torquay Children’s
Hub.
On receiving your bill you will have 30 days to pay. Outstanding fees from previous programs must be paid in full. A
late fee will apply to outstanding balance of 11.5%.
Other
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Staff ratios are 1:15 as per Education and Care Services National Regulations. Council adopts a 1:10 ratio for
excursions (unless otherwise stated).
Children are able to bring personal items such as skate boards, scooters, iPods, iPads, etc. These will be at your
own risk. Surf Coast Shire will take no responsibility for lost, broken or stolen items.
All excursions risk assessments are available from the service.
For more information please see over or contact the Vacation Care Program on 5261 0549 or 5261 0599.
What Your Child Needs to Bring Each Day
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Safe and supportive footwear (no thongs, crocks or open-toed shoes will be accepted).
A packed healthy lunch, snacks and refillable water bottle (no nut products).
Appropriate clothing, no sleeveless tops.
Change of clothes.
Sunhats are required (Sunsmart Broad brimmed hats - no caps).
Additional Notes for Excursions
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Children must be at the centre by 8.30am.
No spending money is allowed.
A packed healthy lunch, snacks and refillable water bottle.
Jumper, coat and change of clothes.
Sunhats are required (Sunsmart Broad brimmed hats - no caps).
Sunsmart clothing (t-shirts) for excursion.
1 Merrijig Drive / P.O. Box 350, TORQUAY, VIC, 3228
Ph: 03 5261 0600 / 1300 610 600 / Fax: 5261 0525
Email: info@surfcoast.vic.gov.au