Child Safety Policies

The Hawthorn Community and Youth Club website contains our Child Safe Policies. All students of Kiki Dance Collective are members of HCYC, affiliated with the club, and follow its policies and procedures. This provides parents and guardians with peace of mind, knowing that their children are in a safe and structured environment while they are at dance.

Link to HCYC Child Safety Policies

At Kiki Dance Collective, we are committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment that you and your family can trust. We want every student to feel comfortable while they learn and explore the world of dance. As part of that commitment, we have certain policies in place that all students and their parents or guardians must agree to abide by. We work hard to promote respect, responsibility and accountability inside our studio and make sure these values extend beyond the studio as well.

Kiki Dance Collective reserves the right to terminate any student's enrolment at any time should it deem that misconduct or inappropriate actions have been demonstrated by either the student or their parent(s).

Communication

Our main form of communication is via email. In order to ensure that you never miss any important emails from Kiki Dance Collective, it is fundamental to make sure your email address is entered correctly during the enrolment process. Additionally, adding Kiki Dance Collective to your 'safe senders' list– also known as whitelisting – will further guarantee that our emails never end up in your junk or spam folder. It is also advised to contact us immediately should the email address you have provided change after enrolment.

General

Being punctual is an important part of success, both inside and outside the classroom. Students are expected to be prompt to all classes and must arrive before their class is scheduled and be in the correct uniform. Not only should students strive for punctuality, but parents should enforce this rule as well; they should drop off and pick up their children on time to set a proper example and encourage them to form good habits. Encouraging students to adhere to punctuality can help build confidence and teach life lessons that will benefit them throughout their education and beyond.

Students under 18 are not allowed to leave the premises.

If your child is unwell or absent for any reason, we ask that you inform the studio as early as you can, either by email or phone.

If injured please advise teachers so that they can make adjustments to class accordingly.  

Please do not bring items such as chewing gum, jewellery or watches into the studio with you. These can be a distraction and even hazardous to other dancers in the class. At KikiDC, we also take no responsibility for lost or stolen valuables so it is extremely important that you name everything you bring including your water bottle and specially branded clothing.

Please bring a water bottle to all classes. Students are also allowed to bring food with them to eat between classes, however we kindly request that they don't bring popcorn or chips as these messy snacks tend to spread everywhere. We want all our students to be respectful of the venues they train in and make sure they clean up after themselves - this includes disposing of their rubbish correctly and keeping the area nice and tidy for fellow classmates.

Due to allergies (some anaphylactic) please do not bring any nut products to our studio or performances.

Uniform Policy

Adhering to uniform and grooming standards is an essential part of the dance experience, since it allows instructors to easily observe and accurately instruct students during class. This helps all learners receive feedback tailored to their needs, so they can make improvements in technique quickly and efficiently. It is also requested for safety reasons that students come dressed in street wear when arriving or leaving the studio.

Medical Treatment and Injury

The safety and well-being of our students is at the heart of all activities at the Kiki Dance Collective. Our experienced and knowledgeable dance teachers take every reasonable measure to ensure that students are safe throughout their classes. Despite this, sometimes injuries still occur due to the nature of physical activity, as acknowledged by both parties on the HCYC membership forms. For every class there is a First Aid trained member of staff present in case such an event were to arise. In the event that an injury occurs during a class and a parent cannot be contacted, then Kiki Dance Collective will seek appropriate medical attention for the student which may include first aid or calling an ambulance. Parents can rest assured that their children’s health and safety is always our first priority.

Pick-up/Drop-off Policy

Ensuring the safety of students is paramount when attending any classes or activities. For this reason, at our studio we ask for all parents and guardians to work with us and collect their child under the age of 18 from inside the studio or at the outside entrance where a teacher is present. We do not want children waiting outside alone without supervision. If someone else will be collecting your child on a particular day, please let us know in advance so we can be fully prepared. Your cooperation with this policy is greatly appreciated and ensures we create an environment that allows our students to learn and dance in a safe space.

Parking

Outside Hawthorn Community and Youth Club, we understand that parking can sometimes be difficult; however, we highly recommend that parents do not wait in the ‘no standing’ zones nearby, as it poses a risk to the safety of everyone. We appreciate your support and understanding on this issue – thank you for respecting the neighbours who live close by! 

Parent Viewing Policy

Parents are welcome to view their child's first class at Kiki Dance Collective, so they can have the chance to observe and get familiar with what goes on during a dance lesson. After that, however, it can be distracting for students to have people watching in the back of the class, which can lead to an unproductive lesson. Parents are welcome to come by shortly before class ends, as they can view the last five minutes of class from our designated viewing area. This will give them an opportunity to observe without disrupting the learning process. 

Waiting List

For those considering enroling in classes, it is important to be aware that high demand may lead you to be put on a waiting list. Student applications are typically managed in order of when received, with priority given to those wanting to dedicate a significant amount of time in their dance studies. 

Student Placement in Classes

At Kiki Dance Collective, we understand how important it is for your child to be placed in a class that is appropriate for their age and experience level. We want all of our students to learn and grow in a positive, encouraging environment, so we take great care when determining student placement. Most of the time, placement is made based on age; however if the director believes that another class might be more beneficial for the student's growth, we will consider moving the student to a different group after thoughtful consideration. While it can be challenging to place new dancers with those who have more experience, Kiki Dance Collective works hard to find an arrangement that makes sense. If you have any issues or questions with your child's placement in a class, don't hesitate to let us know! We don’t take student placement decisions lightly and strive to give each child the most effective opportunity for success when dancing at Kiki Dance Collective. 

Exams

Kiki Dance Collective is renowned for teaching the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet, allowing students to develop their ballet technique and artistry. Exams are offered once a year as a way for students to continue their ballet journey with greater skill and knowledge. Within this framework, all students 8 years and older are welcome to apply; however, it is essential that dancers attending at least two ballet classes per week in order for them to feel prepared for their exams. Prior to application, both student and teacher will discuss the readiness of the individual with the Kiki Dance Collective director. 

Data Protection

At Kiki Dance Collective, we take our customers' privacy seriously. We understand the importance of holding important information and using this to support our business activities. Any data that is collected about our clients, such as contact details and student records, is only accessible by approved staff within Kiki Dance Collective and Hawthorn Community Youth Club. We always have the utmost consideration for your privacy and never share your information with any third parties unless authorised by you or required to do so in accordance with the law.

Performances

At Kiki Dance Collective, students can mark their year-long journey of dance with two distinct performances: the mid-year concert and the end of year concert. The mid-year concert is a special informal show for no extra cost to students. It's a chance for them to demonstrate what they have learnt in the first half of the year to family and friends. On the other hand, the end of year concert is a full show with elaborate costumes that are included in term fees. There is also a EOY performance package which includes sets, professional photography and video, lighting and more. All of these are necessary for a stellar performance remembered for years to come.

Social Media and Images

Kiki Dance Collective is committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for its students and their families. To ensure privacy is respected and protected, all parents will be asked to sign a media release form at the time of enrolment. This gives Kiki Dance Collective permission to take videos and photographs of the end of year performance, although parents can opt not to have their children's images displayed on the website or social media platforms if they so choose.

Child Safety Standards

Kiki Dance Collective is dedicated to creating a safe and healthy atmosphere for all its students. We abide by the highest standards set by the Australian government regarding the Child Safety Standards as a top priority. Keeping our young dancers safe and secure while they are learning is our main goal - an endeavour supported by our policy that parents, guardians, mentors and dance teachers can access at any time through our website. This Hawthorn Community and Youth Club policy outlines expectations for code of conduct, procedures for reporting suspected abuse or neglect, implementation of security and privacy measures, as well as consequences for non-compliance. It also reiterates that everyone in Kiki Dance Collective should work together to provide a safe environment for the benefit of every dancer under its care.

Photo / Video Permission

Kiki Dance Collective offers a range of exciting programs and activities to be enjoyed by children and families. From time to time, images from performances, classes and events will be used in emails, newsletters, on our website and social media accounts as a way to promote these great opportunities. We understand that parents rightfully want control over the use of their child's image so we ask for your consent when you enrol. Rest assured, we will never sell images of your child to third parties or use them in any manner that is inappropriate.

We also kindly ask that no photographs or videos taken by any parents, guardians, or students be taken without prior permission from management. We take copyright and intellectual property rights seriously, and videos taken must not be posted online through any Social Media platform as it is a breach of our privacy policy. We value the safety and wellbeing of all dancers in the Kiki Dance Collective family and thank you for your cooperation.