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Page Last Updated:
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 |
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Home>Residents>Children's services
Council is involved in providing a range of services for children. These include Maternal and Child Health services for infants and their parents and to child care services.
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 Maternal and Child Health service
Child Care Centres operating in the Alpine Shire
Family Day Care
| Maternal and Child Health service | | The Maternal and Child Health Service is a free service provided by Council throughout the Shire to all families with children aged 0-5 years. The service aims to promote the health and well being of children and provide assistance and support for:
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| Breastfeeding | | Child health and development | | Maternal health and wellbeing, including postnatal depression | | Parent/child relationships | | Family planning | | Nutrition | | Immunisation | | Parenting support and new parents' groups | | Childhood illnesses
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| Soon after the birth of your baby, the hospital will contact the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) nurse. The nurse will contact you, and arrange to to visit you and your baby in your home.
Regular follow up appointments will be made for you and your baby to visit your local MCH centre.
On occasions the local MCH nurse may refer families who are experiencing difficulties to the Enhanced Maternal and Child Health Service. This is a free home visiting service.
A 24 hour MCH advice and support line is also available and can be contacted on 132 229.
The Council's MCH central number is 0417 147 120. This number is used to make appointments, general enquiries and to speak to a MCH nurse. The central number is one of a number of initiatives designed to improve the service to families with young children in the municipality.
Facilities and appointment times
Council operates three Maternal and Child Health Centres. For addresses, contact details and opening times please see the list below.
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| Maternal and Child Health Centres |
| Town |
Phone |
Address |
Hours |
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| Myrtleford |
(03) 5751 1959 |
55 Prince Street, |
Mondays and Wednesday –
9am to 4pm
by appointment |
| Bright |
(03) 5755 5101 |
Lyndhurst Childcare
Centre, Hawthorn Lane, |
Tuesdays –
9am to 4pm
by appointment |
| Mount Beauty |
(03) 5754 4734 |
Lakeview Children's
Centre, Reserve Drive |
Thursdays –
9am to 1pm
by appointment |
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| In addition, the service is available on alternate Tuesday evenings by appointment.
The service is staffed by nurses with general nursing, midwifery and maternal and child health qualifications
Recommended key visits
It is recommended that all children attend the maternal and child health centre for assessment at:
2 weeks
4 weeks
8 weeks
4 months
8 months
12 months
18 months
2 years and
3 ½ years.
These ages are important in a child's development. However families are welcome to access the service at any other time by telephone or by visiting a centre by making arrangements with the nurse.
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| History | | In the past, a privately run child care centre operated in Myrtleford and Council operated a facility in Bright. When the Myrtleford centre experienced operational difficulties, Council determined a new approach for the delivery of child care services in the Shire.
In 2003 Alpine Children’s Services Inc. was formed. This incorporated body is run separately from Council but Council’s Manager Community Services and a councillor sit on the board and Council owns the child care centre buildings.
In 2006 a new child care centre was built in Mount Beauty, bringing long day care to the Kiewa Valley for the first time. There are now three child care facilities in the Shire, all of which are managed by Alpine Children’s Services.
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| Alpine Children's Services Inc. | | Alpine Children’s Services (ACS) is a non-profit incorporated association, responsible for the majority of childcare and education for preschool-aged children in the Alpine Shire. A committee of management controls and manages the business and operations of Alpine Children's Services.
Child care centres
Child care centres provide full-time and part-time long day care for children aged six weeks to six years. Childcare provides a caring and educational program promoting the physical, social, emotional and intellectual development of the child.
Qualified staff have a range of training and experience and offer programs which are sensitive to the needs, cultural background and values of families.
What is long day care?
Long day care is a centre-based form of childcare service. Long day care services provide quality all-day or part-time care for children of working families and the general community. Each of the three centres managed by Alpine Children’s Services are rated as ‘high quality’ through the national childcare accreditation system.
A long day care centre operates extended hours to provide support to families who work or study. Long day care is also available to non-working/studying parents requiring a ‘break’ or for socialisation/education for their children. The long day care services operated by Alpine Children’s Services provide care for 50 hours per week, five days per week for at least 48 weeks of the year. Children can attend a long day care centre part-time or full-time depending on the requirements of the family and availability of care. Full day, half day and respite (9 am to 3.30 pm) sessions are available.
Long day care centres provide a safe environment where children can play, learn and develop in their formative years. In partnerships with families, long day care centres nurture a child’s development through sensitive guidance and extensive opportunities for play. Children have the opportunity to play in groups and to spend time alone.
Fees are determined according to family income and are subsidised by the Australian Government through the Child Care Benefit scheme.
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| Child Care Centres operating in the Alpine Shire | | The Child Care Centres operating in the Alpine Shire are:
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| Centre |
Address |
Phone |
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| Lyndhurst Child Care Centre |
Hawthorn Lane, Bright |
(03) 5750 1367 |
| Lake View Child Care Centre |
Reserve Drive, Mount Beauty |
(03) 5754 4848 |
| Mountain View Child Care Centre |
51 Prince Street, Myrtleford |
(03) 5752 2111 |
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| Family Day Care | | What is family day care?
A family day care service can provide flexible care, including all-day care, part-time, casual, before and after school care, and care during school holidays.
Family Day Care offers individual attention to children in a small group setting and combines the benefits of other child care options with the warmth and intimacy of growing up at home.
Carers ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of children in their care while working with families to provide excellent care experiences for children. They often develop long-term relationships with families and provide a link with community, care and education services.
To request family day care or if you are interested in becoming a Care Provider, please phone the Family Day Care Team Leader at Lyndhurst Family Day Care on (03) 5750 1367.
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| Parents play an important role in the day to day administration of child care centres as members of the volunteer Committee of Management, and by participating in child care programs. Discuss these options with the centre Team Leader or the Manager of Alpine Children’s Services on enrolment of your child.
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