Dealing with clients

Visitors may be invited in to the centre as part to the children's program ie

• members of the fire brigade, police department, medical or nursing profession
• community people with a skill, art or experience from which the children will gain experience or enjoyment.

The centre will offer student placements to:

• high school students who wish to gain work experience as part of their school program provided that the school ahs initiated the placement and the students are studying early childhood or family studies
• students attending early childhood or child care training at college or university.

All placements will be negotiated through the Director who will ensure that there are no more than 3 student placements at any one time. Students will be provided with clear guidelines in relation to their responsibilities and code of conduct whilst at the centre.

Volunteers will be accepted for work experience when there are no students on placement at the centre and there is evidence of a genuine interest in the work involved. Potential volunteers will be interviewed by the Director to determine their suitability. All volunteers will be given clear guidelines in relation to their responsibilities and code of conduct whilst at the centre.

Volunteers and students are supplementary to staff requirements and will not be used to replace absent staff unless they are on the centre's payroll.

All other visitors to the centre must make an appointment with the Director.

Any unwelcome visitor will be calmly asked to leave the centre. Refusal to leave will necessitate the Director or Senior Staff calling the local police for the removal of the unwelcome visitor. Staff will not at any time try to physically remove an unwelcome visitor.

Professional access to the centre will be at the discretion of the Director or committee and (if involving the children) with the parent's written consent. The only exception to this would be in the case of children at risk (Refer to policy on child Abuse or Neglect).

The types of professionals or officials that may require access include:

• Family and Children's Services Officers
• Police Officers (with warrant)
• Department of Health and Safety Inspectors
• Licensing Officers
• Commonwealth Officers - have the right of entry to inspect centre records for accountability requirements under the Child Care Act 1972 (Cth)
• Child Health Nurse.

Staff will direct all prospective families of the service to the Director, or senior member of staff.

Staff will direct all service personnel to Director or senior member of staff.