Newsletter

Term 1, Week 4/5

2020

Barnet Road,

Evanston SA 5118

85 232 575 dl.2624.director@schools.sa.edu.au

* DATES TO REMEMBER *

Governing Council AGM:

Wednesday 4th March - 2:00pm (See the “A note from the Director” below for more information)

CAFHS 4yr old Health Checks:

Wednesday 26th February & Wednesday 8th April (See page 5 for more information)

Preschool Photo Days:

Monday 30th April (Red Group)

Thursday 2nd April (Blue Group)

(You will receive more information in your child’s pigeon holes soon)

Last Day of Term 1:

Wednesday 8th April (Red Group)

Thursday 9th April (Blue Group) PLEASE NOTE: EARLY CLOSURE TIME ON THE LAST DAY OF

EACH TERM. BLUE GROUP WILL FINISH AT 2:10pm

A note from the Director….. Welcome to the Children’s Centre for your child’s preschool year! We are looking forward to a great year of

learning! Currently, I am on leave and Libby is Acting Director in my absence. For the first couple of weeks we

have focussed on establishing and developing relationships with the children and their family members. The

enrolment visits at the end of last year were a starting point for building these relationships, and the visit prior

to preschool beginning this year was a great way to re-connect just before the children started. Since then we

have welcomed more new children and their families. Currently we have 82 children enrolled here for preschool

across the week. Our staff have worked hard to get to know everyone quickly and we thank you for your patience

during this time. Another priority has been to establish the preschool routines with the children. This is a big task

given that everyone is new, however it is amazing how quickly this has happened.

Play is so important for children. It is children’s “work”; the way that they make sense of the world and build upon

their existing knowledge and skills. The Belonging, Being, Becoming, The Early Years Learning Framework states

“Play can promote positive dispositions towards learning”. “Educators create learning environments that encourage

children to explore, solve problems, create and construct.” Educators are here from very early in the morning and

stay long after the children leave to ensure that activities that are developmentally appropriate and based on the

children’s interests are set up for the children’s arrival at the following session.

The Children’s Centre is a busy and vibrant place. Many new parents and caregivers have started using the

facilities in the community space such as CAFHS, play groups or workshops and have been dropping in for a coffee

and a chat. Information about the dates and times for groups and activities held here at the Children’s Centre

can be found on our Face Book Page, Website. Please ask at the front desk if you need any further information.

The Governing Council AGM will be held on Wednesday 4th March at 2:00pm. Check your child’s pigeon hole for

the information note! A free Crèche will be provided, however there are limited places available so please see our

Community Development Co-ordinator, Kim Wright, to book in! The Governing Council is a friendly group of

parents/caregivers, staff and community members and meetings are relaxed and informative. Please see me if you

would like more information about Governing Council. We would love to see you there!

Christine Townsend (Director)

Term 1, 2020

Preschool Learning Program

Welcome to Preschool!

Over the past few weeks we have been concentrating on getting to know each other, learning the names of friends and

educators as well as forming relationships. The children have been learning the daily preschool routines. They have been

developing their independence and self-help skills; taking off and putting on their own shoes, applying sunscreen

themselves, finding their lunch boxes and drink bottles etc. They have been learning to be responsible for their own

belongings and choosing when to have their snack and lunch. They have also been learning about sharing and

turn-taking.

All of our educators contribute to your child’s education during their free play. At group times, the children have the

opportunity to learn in a more structured environment. Educators choose songs, stories, games and activities which

specifically target children’s needs and interests.

Some of the activities that have been happening over the first few weeks of term are: Colour mixing using paint, play dough and pavement paint and Roller painting outside.

Exploring the water wall - children have been experimenting with tipping and pouring water using

funnels, containers, jugs and tubes.

Caring for and feeding our turtle (Michael) and stick insects.

Polar Bear sensory play, children have been exploring the properties of ice and water

Sand pit play, children have been making cement mixers using loose parts like, cable reels, pipes,

tubes and using buckets sand and water to make cement.

Gardening, watering our plants. Noticing insects and bugs.

Role playing pirates and finding treasure in the sand pit (small coloured rocks, beads and corks).

Sensory play - blowing bubbles and using gloop

Using rose petals, sand, water, plant clippings to make cakes, milkshakes and soup in the mud

kitchen.

Participating in stories and songs during group times. Stories we have been reading include:

“We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”, “Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you see” and “The Little Mouse,

The Red Ripe Strawberry and the Very Hungry Bear”. Songs we have been singing include:

“Slippery Fish”, “Throw the Beanbag”, “One little finger” and “Open, Shut them”.

Developing gross motor skills, (the use of large muscles), co-ordination and spatial awareness

while climbing and balancing on the climbing equipment.

Pretend play in the sandpit, home corner and mud kitchen.

Climbing and balancing on the balance ropes.

Using a timer to assist with developing turn taking and sharing skills on the obstacle course, made

with equipment such as the mini trampoline, stepping stones and foam climbing mats.

Creating designs in the block area using animals and loose parts.

Transporting loose parts and sand using wheel barrows and buckets.

Following a recipe to make coloured play dough. which has then been used in the home corner.

Children have experienced making music and listening to instrumental music, and dancing under

the mulberry tree.

Meditation at the end of the day, as this helps children create their own calm, clarity and focus.

We have been learning about the UV index, discussing why we need to wear sunscreen

and practicing how to put it on carefully.

Please remember to help your child to apply sunscreen each morning

BEFORE coming to preschool.

If you haven’t applied sunscreen at home, we have some available in the Reception area to use before

heading into preschool for 50c (to cover costs of purchasing extra sunscreen)

We have also been learning about hygiene - how to turn the taps on in the bathroom, how to wash our

hands properly and when and why we need to wash them.

*** SPARE CLOTHES ***

At preschool, the children are often

involved in activities and play that

can be a bit messy!

Don’t forget to send

along a NAMED change of clothes (or two!)

just in case your child gets a bit wet, muddy

or covered with paint!

We do have a limited amount of

spare clothes here at the centre so if

your child does come home in some

of our spare clothes, please wash and

return them as soon as possible!

Please check your child’s pigeon hole EVERY DAY

to ensure that you keep up to date with the latest

important information!

HAVE YOU CHANGED YOUR CONTACT DETAILS RECENTLY?

Please advise Tina at the Reception desk as soon as ANY of your own contact details

change OR ANY of your emergency contact’s phone numbers change or if you wish to add or

remove an emergency contact.

IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTACT YOU AT ANY TIME SHOULD

THE NEED ARISE.

We have children and adults attending the Children’s Centre who

are HIGHLY ALLERGIC TO NUTS

This is often a LIFE-THREATENING condition.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND NUTS,

OR

ANY PRODUCTS CONTAINING NUTS.

(including spreads such as Peanut Butter and Nutella)

Please do not send chips, lollies, chocolate, fruit-boxes, sweet biscuits, roll-ups etc…

These items are high in sugar, fat and salt and are not recommended.

Please pack a drink bottle containing WATER ONLY and a HEALTHY SNACK for your

child - low in sugar, fat and salt...FRESH IS BEST!

Real, fresh fruit is available to purchase at the front desk.

Please cut any fruit, vegetables or other food to a manageable size for your child and

provide a spoon if needed.

We are required to promote healthy eating by the National Quality Standard

NEWSLETTER

As this is the first newsletter of the year, we are giving every

family a paper copy this time round.

For families who have chosen to have their newsletters

emailed, this will begin from the next newsletter, which is to

be distributed later this term.

A green sticker will be placed on your child’s pigeon hole

name tag to indicate your families preference to have the

newsletter emailed.

Paper copies of each newsletter will be displayed on the

“General News” window (above where you sign-out your

child at the end of their session) as well as in the Parent

Information Folder which is located on the small pigeon hole

shelves to the left as you enter the preschool.

TERM 1 FEES

WERE DUE AT THE

END OF WEEK 2

Thankyou to those who

have paid already!

Fee Payment Options Available:

EFTPOS - available at the Reception Desk

Direct Bank Deposit / Internet Transfer

Cash

When paying in cash, please use a payment envelope,

available next to the Fee Box at the Reception Desk.

Complete ALL details on the envelope and place the

CORRECT AMOUNT of money in the envelope.

WE DO NOT HAVE FACILITIES TO GIVE CHANGE.

If you receive a Centrelink payment, you can arrange to

pay your fees using Centrepay - a free, direct bill paying

service. Apply online via your “My Gov” page or at your

nearest Centrelink office. When registering, please quote

our Centrepay Account number: 555 104 387S

Another easy option is to set up a payment schedule

(with your bank) to pay your fees in instalments

each week or fortnight. Please be sure to enter your

CHILD’S NAME in the reference section when paying by

Direct Bank Deposit / Internet Transfer.

Please see Christine if you would like to discuss any

fee-payment issues.

EARLY PICK-UP PROCEDURE:

IF YOU KNOW THAT YOUR CHILD WILL NEED TO LEAVE PRESCHOOL EARLY ON A PARTICULAR DAY...

Please write the early pick-up time in the “Time Out” column on the Sign-In/Out Sheet and notify staff at

the Reception Desk.

Reception staff will highlight your child's name and the time you have recorded - this is to indicate to the

preschool educators that your child will be leaving early. Preschool educators will assist your child to have

their belongings ready to leave at the time you have recorded.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD EARLY…

Please come into the Reception area and notify staff at the desk that you are here to pick up your child

early; they will inform preschool staff that you are here.

We ask that you wait in the Reception area for an educator to bring your child out to you as this will be less

disruptive to the other children’s learning.

Please Note: If you are collecting your child from 2:50pm onwards, please enter the preschool through the

side gate to the verandah area. Educators will release your child from group time early.

Preschool educators will sign your child out for you when they are collected early.

IF YOU FIND OUT DURING THE DAY THAT YOU WILL NEED TO COLLECT YOUR CHILD EARLY...

If you need to pick your child up early for an Appointment, due to work or any other unforeseen

commitments, please phone the Children’s Centre as soon as possible on 85 232 575 to let us know.

Preschool educators will assist your child to organise their belongings and be ready to leave (via the

Reception area) when you arrive.

Please let us know AT ANY TIME if someone different will be collecting your child from Preschool.

Children’s Centre

Car Parking

Parking space in the Children’s Centre car park is limited and is primarily for staff and families attending CAFHS appointments or

accessing Community programs.

Alternative parking space is available along the side of Barnet Road or opposite the

centre, behind the Aldi building.

Please DO NOT park in the disabled access car park - unless you have a visible,

authorised disabled access sticker displayed in your vehicle. This clearly marked parking

space is allocated specifically for people attending the Children’s Centre who need

access to this park.

Also, please be aware of and avoid parking over the walkway crossing the car park. The walkway (concrete path), provides a designated crossing for families to walk

safely though the car park from the front gate to the Children’s Centre entrance.

Remember to drive carefully around the Children’s Centre and schools!

Yes! We’re on Facebook!

Our Face Book Page has posts containing Preschool Information, Program and Activity Flyers, Photos, Community Notices, plus lots of other interesting and important information that might be of interest or

help to you and your family. So, if you use Facebook, please have a look and “Like” our page!

Just type in Gawler & District College B-12 Children’s Centre

and search for our spotted Logo!

CAFHS 4 YEAR OLD HEALTH CHECKS

A CAFHS Nurse visits the Children’s Centre during the term specifically to provide 4 Year Old Health Checks for children attending the preschool.

Appointments for 4 Year Old Health Checks offered here are prioritised by children’s date of birth as well as their specific needs.

Please advise Tina (at the Reception Desk) if your child has already had their 4 year old Health Check.

WE WILL NOTIFY YOU (VIA A NOTE IN YOUR CHILD’S PIGEON HOLE)

WHEN YOU CAN BOOK A 4 YEAR OLD HEALTH CHECK FOR YOUR CHILD HERE AT THE CHILDREN’S CENTRE.

When you receive the note in your child’s pigeon hole, please see Tina (at the Reception desk) to book your appointment as soon as possible as places fill quickly.

There are limited appointment spaces on the days the CAFHS Nurse will be here so

BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL.

If the appointment days/times available here at the Children’s Centre are not suitable, please phone the CAFHS Appointment line (1300 733 606) to arrange an appointment.

Child and Family Health Service

Child and Family Health Nurses are at the Gawler and District College Children’s Centre for scheduled appointments from Monday - Friday.

We provide services for children aged 0-5 years of age. If you would like your baby/child’s weight, growth and development assessed,

health checks completed or to gain information on all aspects of parenting (including feeding, sleep and settling), please book an appointment to come and see us.

Breast Feeding Clinic is also available.

To make a clinic appointment, please phone: 1300 733 606

A drop-in clinic (for short, 10-15 minute consultations only), is available on Wednesday mornings from 9:00-11:30am, no appointment necessary. Please take a number and wait in

the Reception Area for the CAFHS nurse to see you.

Look What’s On In Term 1!

WE LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT’S

HAPPENING FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES IN THE

CHILDREN’S CENTRE AND IN THE COMMUNITY!

IT’S 2020 - CHECK OUT OUR FABULOUS

CHILDREN’S CENTRE PROGRAMS AND PLAYGROUPS!

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU SOON!