About Us
SHARAF FAMILY DAY CARE
Vision
- Sharaf Family Day Care service will be recognized as an education and care sector leader by achieving and maintaining the highest quality outcomes for children.
Mision
- We provide the highest quality education and care service for families in a safe and respectful environment, that nurtures and realizes the full potential within each child in their journey of life-long learning.
Our Values
- Our service believes that children are our future and must be nurtured. We are committed to the following Values and apply those Values to the highest ethical standards through continual review and application of best practice.
Founders
Sarah Hosan
Emely Jane
Angel Chen
Our Philosophy
SHARAF Family Day Care Service focuses on the needs of the child the child’s safety, the child’s wellbeing, their interest and enthusiasm in activities and their development as a human being with social skills and a high self-esteem. We believe that quality day care can enrich a child’s life by providing a range of play-based learning opportunities that reflect a family’s beliefs, expectations and culture.
Sharaf Family Day Care supports and respects the uniqueness of every family, child and
individual and actively works to ensure the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF)
outcomes are promoted and fostered throughout the Service.
Children
We have a passion to assist children to grow to be confident and socially competent members
of the community who positively embrace the world and engage respectfully with the people
in it.
We have a passion to assist children to grow to be confident and socially competent members
of the community who positively embrace the world and engage respectfully with the people
in it.
We Demonstrate This by:
- Embracing and supporting each child’s sense of Belonging, Being and Becoming.
- Facilitating children’s learning through enriching play-based experiences, discovery, creativity, exploration of the natural world, built environments, social and community interactions.
- Respecting families and children’s values, rights, believes and culture.
- Building and maintaining responsive and trusting relationships with children and role modelling desirable behaviours.
- Complying fully with the National Quality Standards.
- Committing to and implementing the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and My Time Our Place (MTOP), a Framework for School Age Care.
STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY
Sharaf Family Day Care (FDC) Service is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all
children and young people. We understand our responsibility and statutory duty of care to
comply with both the Victorian Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme to
build our capacity as an organisation to prevent and respond to allegations of child abuse.
Sharaf family Day Care is committed to implementing our Child Safety and Wellbeing Policy
and Child Safe Environment Policy based on Child Safe Standards in Victoria (2022), which
accentuates our zero tolerance for child abuse and raises awareness about the importance of
child safety in our Service and the community.
At Sharaf Family Day Care, we adhere to our comprehensive Child Protection Policy,
standing by our mandatory reporting responsibilities to protect children from physical,
sexual, emotional and psychological abuse and neglect. Our reporting mechanisms are clear,
accessible, and designed to protect the privacy and well-being of all parties involved.
At Sharaf Family Day Care, we are committed to ongoing professional development for
employees to maintain their ability to distinguish and respond to situations of abuse and
neglect, ensuring employees are responsive to their responsibilities in keeping children safe.
We ensure all staff, volunteers and students engaged at our Service are suitable to come into
contact with children and young people through rigorous employment procedures and
Working with Children Checks.
We work in collaboration with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and
have confidence in educating children about their right to be safe. We believe in listening to
and empowering children to express their view and thoughts on matters that directly affect
them and raise any concerns regarding their safety or safety of others.
We are committed to maintaining a physically safe environment for children by conducting
regular risk assessments, inspections and conducting evaluations and audits to identify and
address potential hazards. We believe children have the right to develop a strong sense of
identity by providing an inclusive, safe and supportive atmosphere where children build
confidence, self-worth, and social skills through interactions and play.
Sharaf FDC values diversity and cultivate empathy, respect, and care in all children,
including Aboriginal children and those from diverse backgrounds whether cultural,
linguistic, disabled, or encompassing gender identities. We encourage children to recognise
stereotypes and diversities, gain a deeper grasp of cultural identity and learn about their rights
and responsibilities as engaged citizens through connections with local communities.
At Sharaf FDC, our commitment to child safety is embedded in every aspect of our Service
and is reflected in our philosophy, policies, practices, and interactions. We value feedback,
children’s voice and communication with families and the community to assist with input
towards the reviews of our policies and procedures, ensuring continuous improvement in
child safe practices. The Service policies and procedures are developed with the children’s
voice to help keep all children safe from harm and abuse.
This Statement of Commitment to Child Safety is prominently displayed at our facilities and
on our website, demonstrating our dedication to child safety and ensuring that it is accessible
to all members of the community.
CODE OF CONDUCT
Our Code of Conduct aims to provide a framework for all employees of Sharaf Family Day Care
to ensure an understanding of the standards of conduct and appropriate behaviour expected at
all times. Our Service is committed to creating and maintaining an environment that promotes
the safety of all children and embeds the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations. All
educators, students and volunteers are responsible for promoting a culture of safety and
wellbeing to minimise the risk of child abuse or harm to children whilst promoting children’s
sense of security and belonging.
The approved provider, nominated supervisor, educators, educator Assistant, staff
members, volunteers, and students will maintain the following ethical conduct ideologies
at all times, and demonstrate positive interactions within the Service and the local
community by:
• committing to our Service philosophy and values, inclusive of best practice in early
childhood education and building positive relationships with children, families, staff and the
community
• developing a Statement of Commitment to Child Safety to demonstrate a strong culture of
child safety within the Service.
• adhering to our Child Safe Policies including Child Safe Environment Policy, Child
Protection Policy, Code of Conduct Policy, Reportable Conduct Policy and Child Safety and
Wellbeing Policy at all times and take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse
and harm
• upholding the rights of children and always promoting their needs
• promoting a commitment to a workplace that values and promotes the safety, health, and
wellbeing of employees, volunteers, children and families
• promoting the cultural safety, participation and empowerment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
islander children to express their culture and enjoy their cultural rights
• promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with culturally and/or
linguistically diverse backgrounds to support children to express their culture and enjoy their
cultural rights
• promoting the safety, participation and empowerment of children with a disability.
• treating colleagues, children, and families with respect. Bullying or insulting behaviour,
including verbal and non-verbal aggression, abusive, threatening, or derogatory language or
intimidation towards other employees, children, visitors, or families is unacceptable and will
not be tolerated.
• promoting honesty and integrity in all interactions with children, families, employees, and
managers
• making a commitment to an Equal Opportunity workplace and culture that values the
knowledge,
experience, and professionalism of all employees, team members, and managers, and the
diverse heritage of our families and children
• conducting a comprehensive probation and induction orientation program for all new
employees, volunteers and students to include awareness of their roles and responsibilities
in relation to Child Safe practices
• listening and responding to the views and concerns of children particularly if they are telling
you that they or another child has been abused, or they are worried about their safety or the
safety of another
• ensuring the workplace environment is free from bullying, discrimination, harassment,
including sexual harassment
• proactively contribute to ensuring a safe workplace by assisting to managing psychosocial
hazards, including identification, reducing and managing psychological and psychosocial
hazards and risks within the work environment through risk assessments in line with WH&S
legislation.
THE APPROVED PROVIDER, NOMINATED SUPERVISOR, EDUCATORS, EDUCATOR ASSISTANT,
STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL:
• ensure their Working with Children Check (WWCC) is valid and current
• ensure their work is carried out proficiently, harmoniously, and effectively
• act in a professional and respectful manner at all times whilst at work, giving their full
attention to their responsibilities and adhering to all Service policies, procedures, Child Safe
Standards, Education and Care Services National Law and National Regulations, and the
National Quality Standard
• act honestly and exercise attentiveness in all Service operations
• carry out all lawful directions, retaining the right to question any direction which they
consider to be unethical. If uncertain they can seek advice from the nominated supervisor,
approved provider or the Ombudsman
• uphold the rights of children and always prioritise their needs
• treat all children and young people with respect
• promote the safety of children and take all reasonable steps to protect children from abuse
• provide adequate supervision of children at all times
• understand their legislative responsibility as mandatory reporters to report any allegation of
child abuse, neglect or possible risk of harm to management or Child Protection authority
• understand their legislative responsibility to report any inappropriate action of any other
employee that involves children or young people to management as part of the Reportable
Conduct Scheme
• participate in all compulsory training, including update of Child Protection training every 12
months or whenever there are changes to Child Protection law.
• report any instances of suspected corrupt conduct, mismanagement of government funds or
other serious allegation to the appropriate agency (Reporting fraud via a tip-off)
• follow and comply with the Dealing with Complaints Policy when matters are raised
regarding Child Safety and Wellbeing
• have a solid understanding of the Service’s policies and procedures, Child Safe Standards
and the ECA Code of Ethics. If uncertain about the content of any policy or procedure with
which they must comply, employees should seek clarification from the nominated supervisor
or approved provider.
• be courteous and responsive when dealing with colleagues, students, visitors, children and
families
• work collaboratively with colleagues and recognise and value diversity
• be mindful of their duty of care towards themselves and others
• be positive role models for children at all times
• ensure compliance with a zero tolerance of racism within the Service
• respect the confidential nature of information gained about each child enrolled in our
Service
• engage in critical reflection to inform individual and collective decision making and ensure
continual improvement, including review of Child Safe policies and procedures.
In addition to the above responsibilities, leaders and management are expected to:
• promote a collaborative and interconnected workplace by developing a positive working
environment where all employees can contribute to the ongoing continuous improvement of
the Service
• promote leadership by working with employees and providing opportunities for professional
development and growth
• provide flexible opportunities to ensure all employees can participate in staff meetings and
professional development
• promote open and effective communication with all staff regarding Right to Disconnect
provisions under Fair Work Act- including out of hours emergency contact and expectations
of staff
• provide ongoing support and feedback to employees
• keep employees informed about essential information and any relevant changes and make
all documents readily accessible to them
• ensure copies of the ECA Code of Ethics and Child Safe Standards are available to staff
and families
• model professional behaviour at all times whilst at the Service.
THE APPROVED PROVIDER, NOMINATED SUPERVISOR, EDUCATORS, EDUCATOR ASSISTANT,
STAFF MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS WILL NOT:
• use abusive, derogatory or offensive language
• engage in conduct that is detrimental to the professional standing of our Service, is
improper or unethical, is an abuse of power, or harasses, discriminates against, victimises,
humiliates, intimidates, or threatens other educators, staff members, volunteers, or visitors
at the Service, either directly or indirectly via information technology such as email, text or
social media. Additionally, they will not support those who do this.
• condone or participate in illegal, unsafe or abusive behaviour towards children, including
corporal punishment, physical, sexual or psychological abuse, ill-treatment, neglect or
grooming
• exaggerate or trivialise child abuse issues
• fail to report information to the approved provider if they know a child has been abused
• engage in unwarranted and inappropriate touching involving a child
• persistently criticise and/or denigrate a child
• verbally assault a child or create a climate of fear
• encourage a child to communicate with an adult in a private setting
• share details of sexual experiences with a child
• use sexual language or gestures in the presence of children
• discriminate against any child, because of culture, race, ethnicity or disability
• put children at risk of abuse- refusing food/play, making threats, exposing children to
inappropriate language or material (movies, internet, photos)
• drink alcohol or use illicit substances on the Service’s premises, or come to the Service
under their influence
• smoke or vape on the Service’s premises including in the car park
• show preferential behaviour towards any child
• accept an offer of money, regardless of the amount
• seek or accept a bribe
• acquire personal profit or advantage because of their position (e.g., through the use of
Service information)
• exchange any property of the Service for own use unless properly authorised
• approach other employees, managers or visitors directly on individual matters that are
irrelevant to them
• engage in any action in breach of our Privacy and Confidentiality Policy, including but not
limited to disclosure of confidential Service or customer information, or the improper or
illegal use of that confidential information. Authorised persons will only access confidential
information for the purpose intended.
• engage in or support any action in breach of Service policies and/or procedures
All Educators are made fully aware that the following breaches of the Code of Conduct and role
responsibilities may result in disciplinary action which may lead to termination of employment as
per the Code of Conduct Policy.