Mission Statement
Philosophy
Constitution
AUCS Board
Board Meetings
Service Agreement
Parent Advisory Groups
Board Activities

Mission Statement

Adelaide University Childcare Services Inc (AUCS) is committed to providing high quality child care services to the Adelaide and Waite Campuses of the University of Adelaide. Children are the focus of our services.

Philosophy

Adelaide University Childcare Services Inc centres will provide safe, stimulating and secure places where children are cared for in a friendly and professional manner, through programs that aim to meet the educational, developmental and emotional needs of each child.

All children, families and staff will receive recogniton of and respect for individuality and individual needs and their diversity of culture, customs and beliefs.

Constitution

AUCS Inc is a not-for-profit association without members, incorporated under the Associations Incorporation Act 1985 (SA). It was established in 1994, and its objects are:

1. to conduct and manage child care and related services for the children of staff, students and other members of the University and wider community in accordance with the Association’s philosophy; and
2. to do all things as may be incidental to the attainment of these objects.

Rules of the Association

AUCS Board

The affairs of the Association are governed by a 7-member Board.

The members are

Person not employed by, or student of the University, and not a parent user of an AUCS centre Appointed by the University Council	Sue Graebner (appointed 5 December 2006 for 3 years)
Two persons nominated by the University's Vice-President, Services and Resources, one of whom must have financial expertise	Stuart Mossman (appointed Jan 2006 for 3 years) Leanne Atkinson-Barrett (appointed October 2008 for 3 years)
One parent member from each campus, selected according to processes determined by the Board	Robert Miotti (WCCC) Kate Keough (ACCC)
Director of each Centre	Kaarin Wilkinson (WCCC) Jessica Scott (ACCC)

 The Secretary/Public Officer is Leanne Atkinson-Barrett and the Treasurer is Stuart Mossman.

Board Meetings

The Board meets on the last Monday of each month. Its responsibilities are set out in Governance Policy 1-1: Responsibilities of the Board.

In essence, the Board has oversight of the management of the Centres. However the responsibility for management and leadership of each Centre is with the Director of that Centre.

Service Agreement

AUCS Inc has a Service Agreement with the University to manage and operate child care services in the Childrens Centres. The University provides the premises for a small rental and some funds to support governance, and AUCS operates the services. As a not-for-profit entity, all AUCS income goes entirely to operating the Centres. Income is predominantly fees from parents, and AUCS strives to balance providing the best possible service with the lowest possible fees.

Parent Advisory Groups

The Service Agreement requires AUCS to establish a Parent Advisory Group for each centre and it is something AUCS would do anyway.

The Parent Advisory Groups provide an opportunity for parents to be involved in the programs provided by, and, the development of, the Centre their children attend. They provide:

• support to the relevant Centre Director
• a forum for raising suggestions for improvement or matters of concern and
• a forum for keeping parents informed of Centre activities and other matters of significance to the Centres.

Usually one of the PAG members is a Parent Member on the Board.

For more on the PAGs, see WCCC PAG or ACCC PAG.

In 2008, the Board:

• commissioned a study of staff views on what is important to them in working at ACCC and WCCC
• introduced a Salary Sacrifice option for staff
• held several meetings with University representatives to look at possibilities for upgrading the ACCC's buildings, which are owned by the University

 In 2008/9 we will oversee negotiations for the next Collective Agreement with our staff.