All the information you might need before starting in our programs!
Welcome to Saints Academy, we look forward to having your child or children with us. At Saints Academy we believe our students will thrive in a semi-structured, intentional unhurried learning environment, where we replace 'screen time, with green time'. Below is important information for you to know as a parent as well as some helpful documents for you to have!
Drop off and Pickup
Saints Academy Gosford is located within the grounds of St Philip’s Christian College Gosford at 20 Narara Creek Road, Gosford.
Parking - Going through the ring road, take your first left and drive past Narnia and turn left into the next car park. See the picture below. Our building is in green.
When you come in to our space you will see our sign in/out desk, where we have information on who is the Responsible Person, what our students have been up to in our Learning Reflection Journal, and an ipad to sign your child/ren in or out. The iPad will be open to 'qikkids kiosk', you can input your mobile number then set up a pin (0000 your first time using the application, then choose a new 4-digit pin). This same process is required for every authorised pickup. Please be aware that any person you wish to sign your child in or out must be listed as an authorised pickup person, which can be done through your My Family Lounge account.
After School Program Pickup
At the conclusion of the school day, the children are collected from the basketball court by a Saints Academy staff member and walked to the Saints Academy facilities, located across from the St Philips Hall. This is identifiable by the orange Saints Academy tear-drop banners and orange Saints Academy signage. If your child is new and unsure of where to go, please liaise with us and your students teacher to ensure they find their way here.
Contact Details
All of our contact details can be found on our Saints Academy Gosford homepage.
Children's Food
Before School Program: Wholemeal toast with a selection of spreads and healthy fruit smoothes are available for breakfast.
After School Program: A healthy afternoon tea of fruit, vegetables and a rotation of other healthy grains is provided.
Vacation Program: The above described breakfast and afternoon tea is provided. During the Vacation Program, parents are to provide morning tea and lunch unless otherwise notified. Please provide your child with a refillable water bottle. Please remember that we are an allergy friendly service, so we ask that you do not provide any nut products in your child’s lunch box.
See the Helpful Documents below for our Afternoon Tea Menu.
What to wear
Please ensure all items of clothing are clearly labelled and provide a jumper during cooler months as we spend significant time outdoors, weather permitting.
During the Vacation Program, children should have a hat and enclosed shoes each day. children are not permitted to wear thongs or sandals.
Medical Conditions
If your child is listed as having a medical condition, our team will have contacted you for relevant forms. Please make sure you have provided the completed form to our team prior to your child commencing. You can do this via email.
Please provide any required medications to the service on the first day of attendance. Medications should be in their original packaging, clearly labelled with your child’s name and a use by date.
Children will be unable to attend Saints Academy without their medication, action plans and Risk Minimisation forms finalised.
Medication in the Vacation Program
*As per the normal school day, if your child takes medication before or during school, we require that they continue this medication on days they attend our Vacation Program. Like school, the Vacation Program is a complex relational environment and we find that students thrive best when they continue their normal medication schedule when attending. If your child attends unmedicated, they may be asked to be picked up early. If you require your child to take medication while at our programs, please contact us so we can arrange the correct paperwork for us to administer medication onsite.
Casual Bookings
Where vacancies are available, casual bookings can be made using the My Family Lounge Application (on a web browser of the phone app). Please refer to the Saints Academy Parent Guide HERE for instructions on how to make a casual booking.
Timeframes for Casual Bookings and Cancellations:
- After School and Before School Program:
- Casual Bookings: Up to 12pm the day before the desired booking day
- Casual Cancellations: Two days or more before the booked day.
- Vacation Program:
- Bookings: 7 days in advance of the desired booking day. For example, if booking for a Monday, the booking must be made by 2pm Monday the week prior.
- Cancellations: 7 days or more before the booked day. For example, if you have a booking for a Monday, the cancellation must be made prior to 2pm Monday, the week prior.
Absences
Absences can be made via the My Family Lounge app (not through a web browser), alternatively please contact us.
Running late?
Please call or text our service phone.
The service hours are:
- 3:10pm – 6:15pm | After School Program
- 6:30am - 8:30am | Before School Program
- 7:30am - 6pm | Vacation Program.
Late charges apply when picking up children after closing time. Please refer to the fee policy for further details.
Fees and CCS
Fees will be payable in advance and will be due weekly less any eligible Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Fees are viewable in our FAQ.
Per our Fee Policy, parents are required to set up a Direct debit payment, in exceptional circumstances direct transfer arrangement can be made. Please note a dishonour fee is charged when Direct Debit payments bounce back. Cash payment is not available. Statements will be provided each week via email and all direct credit banking details for payment of your account is provided on the statement.
You can find out more information about CCS here.
Policies
Please see all of our policies HERE.
My Family Lounge
'My Family Lounge' is the Saints Academy parent portal.
From a web browser (logging into your account online via this LINK) parents can:
- Create and manage their waitlist requests
- Submit enrolment forms, make changes to enrolment details such as adding authorised contacts, changing address or phone numbers.
- Make changes to your child's permanent booking for our After School (and Before School if applicable) Programs – please note there is a 2 week notice period required for changes to your child’s permanent booking.
- Make casual bookings and cancellations for the After School Program and the Before School Program - Daybreak Boost.
- Make bookings and cancellations for Vacation Programs.
- Please note that to end a permanent booking you must contact the service in writing – bookings cannot be ended using My Family Lounge.
From the My Family Lounge App. (unfortunately not available on android phone at the moment), parents can:
- Mark your child as absent via the My Family Lounge mobile app
- Make casual bookings and cancellations for After School Program and Daybreak Boost
- Make bookings and cancellations for Vacation Programs
Please refer to the Saints Academy Parent Guide HERE for detailed instructions on using the app and your QK Enrol account.