FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is Messy Play or Sensory Play?

Both can be used interchangeably and mean the same thing. In short, it is an activity that engages a child's senses including eyes, ears, nose, mouth, touch, social, language, balance, or movement.



Why is Messy Play or Sensory Play important?

Refering to Piaget's theory of development, children from 0 to 8 are in two different stages of development:
* Sensorimotor stage from ages 0 to 2
* Preoperational state from age 2 to 8 In both of these stages, play through experimenting and exploring their environment is critical for development. The sensorimotor stage from birth to 2 is all about using their senses to explore their world. What things feel, taste, sound, look like, and how your child moves in order to explore these things aids in their cognitive learning. They quickly learn how much strength they need to pick up a block or if something feels soft or hard. As a child grows and enters school, this learning through play and exploring is still a vital part of their cognitive development. They build on the sensory experiences they had as a baby and toddler to produce symbols and language and other academic skills. Playing and exploring IS learning for a child. Playing is their job!



Will I get Messy?

IWe hope you do! We advise you bring a change of clothes for yourself and your child.



Can Sibbling come?

Yes all sibblings can come - you will need to just purchase a ticked for them.



Is Messy play safe?

All care is taken in selecting our material. We aim at using pantry foods as much as possible. If we have to purchase items we make sure it is always 100% non-toxic. We do ask you to always keep a close eye on your child at all time while playing. If your child has known allergy please speak to us - we can see what we could do.



Why use Nicky Nacky Noo - Messy Play?

Finding yourself saying NO to your kids when they ask you to play with moon sand, play-dough, or finger painting because your not up to the big cleaning job that is to come after the activity? Then this is why we exist! We allow your children to still enjoying getting Really Messy and all you have to do is bring your children and give them a bath afterwards! Easy done We clean all the mess they leave behind!



Terms and Conditions

Welcome to Nicky Nacky Noo ~ Messy Play By Pam.

Read and acknowlege the terms & conditions whilst attending sessions at Nicky Nacky Noo.

  • Parent/Carers must accept FULL RESPONSIBILITY for the supervision and safety of their child/ren during the session, parties or events. Please do not leave your child/ren unattended, if for whatever reason you need to leave the room please take your child/ren with you. All materials are made in the knowledge that they are to be played with under a parent/carer’s supervision.

  • We strongly advise that you dress yourself and your child in old clothes that you don’t mind getting messy or stained. Nicky Nacky Noo accepts no liability or responsibility for any belongings including clothes that are stained, marked or damaged.

  • Whilst we endeavour to clear all spillages asap when they have occurred, some of the materials can cause the play area to become slippery so please, NO running.

  • You the client, acknowledge that Nicky Nacky Noo accepts no responsibility for personal loss or injury sustained during sessions/party. Parents/Carer remain responsible for the safety of yourself and your child/ren.

  • Please could you politely refrain from bringing your child/ren to a session/party if they have any kind of contagious illness including diarrhoea, chicken pox, impetigo, conjunctivitis, an ear infection or a bad cold etc. In the instance of sickness and/or diarrhoea you or your child must have been clear of all symptoms for at least 48 hours before attending a session/party. If you are unable to attend a session due to illness it is the facilitator discretion to offer a make-up session, subject to availability.

  • The most used material are as follow; food containing Gluten, foam, pasta, rice, custard, vegetables, baked beans, Fruits, lentils, dried beans, cereals, jelly, tapioca, different types of flours, non-toxic paint, child friendly soap, cornflour, essence oil, food & vegetable colouring, latex, sand and water, herbs and spices.

  • Nicky Nacky Noo make every effort to supply items used that are fresh, non-toxic or hypoallergenic materials and do not accept any responsibility whatsoever for any allergy or illness found to be directly attributable from any products or items provided by us. They are provided in the knowledge that parents/carers supervise the child/ren while they play with them. Whilst all the materials we use are non-toxic, we would rather the children refrained from eating them.

  • While we try our best to be allergy conscious, during preparation and during sessions cross contamination may occur. We do not use nut products however, some of our products also have allergy warnings label that state “May contain traces off”. It is up to the parents take full responsibility if bringing a child to our session, party or special event that may have allergies. Nicky Nacky Noo takes not responsibility if a child has an allergy reaction during our session.

  • Payment is term time only. Sessions paid for need to be used within the term you signed up for.

  • Due to hire charges, preparation and material costs, payment is non-refundable or non-changeable for missed sessions. Payment must be made prior to the commencement of the first session either by bank transfer or cash at the start of the session.

  • Nicky Nacky Noo reserves the right to cancel a session or event without refund in circumstances beyond our control (i.e. adverse weather conditions, closure of venue, staff illness). Although we will endeavour to run catch up session or events when possible.

  • If you wish to take photographs or videos, please seek permission first. Nicky Nacky Noo encourages you to only photograph your own child. We would ask that everyone remains sensitive to the feelings of others and always stop filming should they be asked to do so.

  • Nicky Nacky Noo expressly forbids the right to reproduce any part of our lessons in any form (e.g. on the internet, DVDs, photographs etc). All Nicky Nacky Noo photography, logos and illustrations are the copyright of Nicky Nacky Noo. Any scanning or reproduction of any of the above without our written agreement will be regarded as being in breach of our copyright and dealt with accordingly.

  • By signing this form, you allow Nicky Nacky Noo the right to use photographs or videos from sessions/party for publicity purposes. However, in each instance we will always endeavour to inform you first. Nicky Nacky Noo cannot be held liable for the actions of third parties, and, therefore excludes to the fullest extent possible by law, any liability arising from a breach of this section headed ‘Video and Photography’ by any party.

  • Nicky Nacky Noo may, at its own discretion, refuse entry of a customer to its sessions if it is felt that the customers behaviour is unreasonable.

  • If a session becomes too small, it may need to be cancelled (refund will be offered). If a session becomes full, we will open a waiting list and always try to open another session to cope with demand where possible. Should you need to change session venues or times we will do our utmost to accommodate you, but unfortunately cannot guarantee it.

NDIS Clients ONLY

  • We are a unregistered NDIS provider, which means you can not use your funds for "Coordination of Support", "Improved living arrangements", "Improved relationships" and "Improved life choices" We take no responsibility if you attend our session and you do not have correct funding.

  • You understand and agree that if you book a private Sensory play session, and want to use your NDIS, you (the client) have to do your own research to see if you are entitled to this service. We take no responsibility, if you (the client) do not have the correct funding and use our services you are liable.

  • You (the client) understand that we are not therapist and can not advice on medical enquiries. However we can direct you to online information and you can make your own research or please ask your Alliance health professional.

Any feedback is always welcome at Nicky Nacky Noo, just drop us a note in our ideas box!

By booking into any of our sessions you (parent/carer) hereby have acknowledged and agreed to all the terms and conditions as set above by Nicky Nacky Noo ~ Messy Play By Pam.



What changes/practises have you implamentated following Covid-19?

We have implamented and have continued many practises to help keep your peace of mind when attending any of our sessions or events. These are here to stay forever. Firstly we require everyone present at the sessions, parties or workshop to wash or use hand sanitiser at the beginning and at the end of the event. We will now exclude anyone that has runny nose and or a dry cough from our sessions. We ask you be extra mindful of coming to our sessions. We as always wash all equipment before every use with commercial grade disinfectant. We do not reuse any materials. We will keeping a log register of who attended events as per the NSW Health. We encourage everyone that attend to have the CovidSafe app activated. We are registered as a Covid Safe and have trained in Infection control training.



Why are you an Unregistered NDIS Provider?

We are a small business and the registration process takes a long time, money and alot of work. Being a small business we don't have the time to do this as we rather be spending this time helping you now. Nicky Nacky Noo still takes pride and provide the highest to our skills quality work. Being Unregistered NDIS provider does not mean that we aren't highly skilled, passionate and dedicated to making life better for people with a disability, far from it. We absolutely love what we do, we take the highest pride in our work.We naturally have the same views as the NDIS Commission and agree with the NDIS Code of Conduct.



What is the difference between NDIS Registered and Unregistered?

Very simily put, NDIS participants can only access NDIS registered providers is you are NDIA managed. However if you are Self-Managed or Plan-Managed you can acces either a Registered or Unregistered Provider of your choice. This means you have more resources available to you. The other main difference is how the payment is done. Self-Managed participants pay the providers directly, while Plan-Managed participants will have their plan- manager pay the provided directly. Being Unregistered NDIS provider does not mean that we aren't highly skilled, passionate and dedicated to making life better for people with a disability, far from it. We absolutely love what we do, we take the highest pride in our work. We naturally have the same views as the NDIS Commission and agree with the NDIS Code of Conduct.



Do you follow the NDIS Code of Conduct, as an Unregistered NDIS Provider?

We naturally do. We always had a view that a disability of a child shouldn't ever take them away from being able to do fun things. We adapt our work to aid inclusivity. The Code of Conduct referres to the following; * Act with respect for individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination, and decisions- making in accodance with relevant laws and conventions. * Respect the privacy of people with disability *Provide supports and services in a safe and conpetent manner with care and skill. *Act with integrity, honesty and transparency *Promptly take steps to raise and act on concerns about matters that might have an impact on the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability. *Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to all forms of violence, exploitation, neglect and abuse of people with disability. *Take all reasonable steps to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.



Are you insured and have all appropriete checks?

We have Public liability insurance and all our employees have a working with children check (WWCC). We are also in the process of receiving our NDIS Worker Check (NDISWC).



What can I use my NDIS funding on?

If you are a Self-Managed or Plan-Managed participant you still have limits on how you can use your funds. Please do your research or ask your plan manager if you have the correct funding to claim our session under your plan. (We take no liability if you book a session and can not claim under your plan) Sensory play such as our 1 on 1 private session or weekly groups only. These are a great way to supplement your current therapy that you are doing with your OT or Speechy. Nicky Nacky Noo is not a therapist and can not make recommendation to achieve your goal. However we do naturally do alot of the work OT and Speechy does, therefor we can help supplement their advise goals plan and work together as a team. NDIS have support Categories that allows Unregistered NDIS provider to provide. This is the NDIS support category we can provide: 15. Improved daily living (this is the usual one Nicky Nacky Noo is under) (As stated before we are not therapist but we assist in increasing your child skills for independence and community participations naturally during our sessions. We work well alongside your current Therapist's plan. Children need repetition) NDIS state that Unregistered provider can not do the following. NDIS support categories: 7. Corordination of Supports 8. Improved living arrangements 11. Improved relationships 14. Improved life choices (So if your funding is any of the above we can not help you and you wont be able to use your funding with Nicky Nacky Noo.) You can not use your funding for Birthday parties.



Why use Nicky Nacky Noo insteads of an Alliance Therapist?

We do not say to use us instead of a trained therapist such as an OT or Speechy. We simply think that Nicky Nacky Noo provide a very different approach that compliments your therapist's goal orientated plans. Please reasearch or speak with your plan manager to ensure that we are the right fit. We take no responsibility if we do not suit your current plan fund.

We are easy going, non forceful & adaptable to your child’s needs and requirements. We do not force your child to do anything they do not want to do. We believe in the approach that repetition will help your child improved their skills. Children are natural explorers and learn in all different types of environment. Therefor our approach is child lead in many ways. We provide them with the tools they need to naturally use the skills they are working on.

For example:

Mr A might not be able to dress himself due to lack of fine motor and gross motor skills ability. Well during our play we might not be doing dressing up, however during our session we will be using obstacles to jump over or go over, and then we might be using our fingers to put small items into small holes. These two activities doesn’t seem to be similar but they are, we are strengthening our gross & fine motor skills (in a fun way).

Miss B might find it difficult to eat many different types of foods? During our session we use edible items as usually kids naturally put things in their mouths to work out what the item is. This means having fruits and vegetables of different naturals helps them learning that food can be fun. You never know they might end up finding foods they really love, and will ask for after the session.