Staff Handbook

A staff handbook is an integral part of the on-boarding and induction process when starting new employment.

It will serve as a perfect reference point during your employment.

A staff handbook provides the opportunity for the dissemination of consistent, valuable information on service and organisation policies, processes and procedures relevant to be a new staff member.

Staff handbooks are a perfect tool for management to ensure that all staff have had access to relevant information regarding the service in helping a new staff member settle into the service during their orientation.

Generally new staff must read, and sign to acknowledge they have received and read the handbook, within a specific time frame.

This is often within the first 3 days of starting employment.

Elements of the information contained within the handbook are a requirement of the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 and relates to National Quality Standard Quality Areas.

A handbook will hold information and details relating to the organisation which is current for the length of employment and is vital in order to fulfill the role duties within the company.

• Service philosophy, vision, and goals
• Operational procedures, structure and service information – provider information, licence requirements (Owner/Approved Provider; Nominated Supervisor; Educational Leader; ECT & Room Leaders), hours of operation, approved numbers, organisational structure, service rules and guidelines, opening and closing the service, etc;
• Information on the National Quality Framework; National Quality Standard, the Education and Care Services National Regulations 2011 and the Education and Care Services National Law 2010
• Parent feedback and complaints process and procedures
• Employment conditions – relevant award or workplace agreement; any above-award conditions, sick leave and holiday entitlements, grievance procedures; signing in/out, time sheets and rosters, resignation, termination absences, etc
• Professionalism such as dress code, smoking, staff appraisal, training and in-service
• Policies including health and safety matters for staff and children and the environment including medication, sun smart, first aid, exclusion, nutrition and food safety (food handling), collection, accident, immunisation, communication, etc
• Code of ethics and Duty of Care
• Programming information which can include promoting and supporting children’s learning and development inclusive of children with additional needs
• Workplace health and safety, Work Cover, safe work practices for staff information
• Emergency and evacuation procedures, intruders, fire drills
• Approved frameworks; Belonging, Being & Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (EYLF), My Time, Our Place: Framework for School Age Care in Australia (FSAC), Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF)
• Visitor, student and volunteer information
• Contact information for complaints.