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November 2020

C hi l dr en ’ s S er v i c es New sl ett er Nov ember 2 0 2 0 E U R O B O DA LL A S H IR E C O U N C IL T 0 2 4 47 4 73 3 3

Educators and staff in all programs remain com-mitted to supporting the health of children whilst continuing to provide quality early and middle childhood programs and participating in a range of professional learning opportunities.

They have remained focused during challenging times while balancing their work and own family responsibilities. Their commitment is highly val-ued and acknowledged – our people are certain-ly our best asset. Whilst we may have limited our excursions and contact with the general public and our community, we have been en-gaged in many activities and projects, including celebrating 30 years of Eurobodalla Family Day Care, the Australian Backyard Bird Count, Chil-dren’s Week treasure hunt, transition to school packs, and the Convoy of Hope bushfire regen-eration, to name a few.

The Batemans Bay OOSH building is being built off site and is due to arrive at the school before the end of November. I visited the BBOOSH kids many times this year and they have been offer-ing up lots of ideas for the new building. We are all starting to get a little excited!

Although the year has been tough, there are still many things to be grateful for and being a part of children’s lives is one of them. We are so priv-ileged to work with you and your child and have an opportunity to support their lifelong learning.

Wishing you a safe and relaxing holiday and one that is much more pleasant than last year!

Louise Hatton

Coordinator, Children and Family Services

Welcome It has been a year like no other and as we en-ter the final months of 2020, like many of us, we are hoping for the continued positive management of the pandemic throughout the festive season.

Children have experienced a great deal of change this year – many interruptions to the normality of their lives with restrictions across a range of areas – attendances at school and our services, inability to partici-pate in extracurricular activities and limita-tions around outings they would usually en-joy.

It is hoped that the combined efforts from all within our community will continue to sup-port access to activities for children and their families.

Council’s Family Day Care, Out of School Hours Care, 3Bs playgroups and Embracing programs continue to be diligent in respect of the heightened health and hygiene practices through compliance with NSW Health and Department Of Education, Early Childhood Education and Care Directorate’s guidelines.

It is interesting to note that the usual coughs and colds have been much less this year which indicates the increased focus on hy-giene across everyone in the community is working.

Thank you for placing your trust in our ser-vices to provide education and care for your children.

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Self-regulation

In their early years, children are just beginning to learn about emotions and feelings, and how to manage them.

From time to time, most young children display behaviours such as aggression, emotional out-bursts and inattention. Gradually, children learn what situations are likely to upset them and how they can handle emotions better when these situ-ations arise. This learning continues into adoles-cence.

Children vary in the way they perceive, respond and interact with the world around them.

They vary in how they switch between moods (with some taking longer and needing more help than others to recover from being upset), how they respond to new situations (some dive straight in while others tend to withdraw and ob-serve from a distance), and how long they can concentrate for.

Children who have experienced a lot of stress or grief, or have ADHD, sensory processing issues or executive functioning challenges, may also find self-regulation more challenging.

Helping your child with self-regulation

The first step is helping your child recognise when the information coming in is a problem. That could be information coming in through the senses or through internal thoughts (eg a crowd-ed place, having completed eating and wanting to go home, not feeling well, not getting a toy). You can help your child develop self-awareness by talking things through ahead of time, teaching your child to tell you when the input is too much and explaining how some behaviours affect other people (eg I get scared when you shout).

You can help your child with impulse control by understanding they may not know any other solutions than the ones they generally use (eg, crying, shouting, or throwing things) and provid-ing them with better options (eg. when some-thing happens take a deep breath, count, talk about it).

It is also good for your child to know that they have a choice and some choices hurt other peo-ple.

It’s important for adults to show empathy to the child’s struggle and be patient.

Changing behaviours and learning new skills often takes time and practise.

Self-regulation skills develop gradually. It’s important to know which developmental milestones are appropriate for your child.

Accounts

Thank you to all clients who took advantage

of the “free childcare period” to catch up on

outstanding accounts and continue to access

Children’s Services.

Please continue to contact the office or your educator if you have any account queries or concerns. We are more than happy to help. Families with preschool-aged children may find the attached information released by DESE regarding the “Preschool Exemption to the Child Care Subsidy Activity Test” particu-larly useful.

Ruth & Pennie

Finance and Administration Officers

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OOSH KIDS ACTIVITIES

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MORE OOSH KIDS

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Moruya OOSH kids news

Well it’s that time again, it’s hard to believe it’s

nearly Christmas time.

We have all had a very unpredictable year with

bushfires, floods and COVID-19. Let’s hope 2021 will

be much nicer and more enjoyable for us all.

We have planted, and are looking after, the plants

we were given through the bushfire regeneration

project ReGrow Eurobodalla, and they are ready to

be given out to our families who were affected by

the bushfires. If this is you please don’t hesitate to

come in to the centre and collect plants or contact

either Selena or myself on 4474 5050.

We had great time in the last holidays, SingStar was

the most popular activity. The children absolutely

loved singing and having competitions with their

friends.

Our Kokodamas were fabulous, they were taken

home, which is wonderful. A big thank you to Susan

Beney for all her help with the Kokodamas.

We have tried to make the next program a lot more

exciting due to still having some restrictions from

COVID-19. We will be having a wheels day, water

day activities, cooking days and so much more.

We hope to see you all at MOOSH over the summer

holidays, remember hats, drink bottles, sunscreen if

you need it and label all items you bring. All chil-

dren must wear a rashie while playing the water

games.

Tracie, Selena and the MOOSH Kids MOOSH Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor

Narooma OOSH kids news

Plenty of fun experiences were had at NOOSH during

the holidays.

The ever popular dig for treasures in the sand

pit and mobile construction had the children us-

ing their imaginations.

Our disco with musical chairs and the limbo ex-

posed some interesting dance styles.

Chloe was the champion when it came to the

doughnut on a string challenge.

Zac dressed as a magician and Kye took the role

as his assistant during our dress-up and comedy

day — plenty of laughs.

Face painting transformed most of the children

into scary faces.

We iced biscuits for National Smile Day. They

didn’t end up looking very smiley but it was fun

and they tasted great.

NOOSH kids repotted plants for the Convoy of

Hope ReGrow project. Our thanks to “hat Gar-

den Centre Narooma for their kind donation of

pots and potting mix! The plants have been dis-

tributed to people affected by last summer’s

fires. A great community effort!

We also had a crafty day with a visit from the

Save the Children van. The children made these

clever dioramas.

You can contact us on 4476 4744.

Donna, Cathie and the NOOSH Kids NOOSH Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor

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Batemans Bay OOSH kids news

Hello term 4, where did you come from?? Wow the year is moving so quick the kids are already counting down for Christmas and asking if our Elf will find us this year (being in the hall and all), so Santa if you are reading this, we currently have a new address just across the yarning circle and inside the hall. But I have told the kids that you are a pretty clever man and probably already know that detail. COVID has made this year very challenging for us all and some employments have been put on hold for now, I know it has not been easy but we have been very lucky to gain some amazing new casuals to help us out while they wait for the all clear to start their jobs again. For as little or as long as you are with us we really appreciate all your help! And to the rest of our fantastic regu-lar casuals we love you and thank you so much for everything you do, holidays just wouldn’t work without you!

We had some really fun days last holidays from cricket to AFL clinics, Red Nose Day to Mad Hatter Tea Parties, tie dying and much, much more. We also sadly said goodbye to a couple of our beautiful OOSHIES Tayah and Vincent Whatman, who have now moved towns. We wish them all the best at their new school. Please come visit us whenever you like. We miss your giggly smiling faces. Things are starting to get a bit exciting— Louise has given me the catalogues and the go ahead to order furniture, craft and toys for our new OOSH building!! Yay shopping time. Have a great term 4 everyone. Cheers, Mouse Melinda and the BOOSH Kids

BOOSH Supervisor

Book now for our OOSH school holiday program

The school holidays are fast approaching! Booking forms for our OOSH school holiday program are now available to download from Council’s website www.esc.nsw.gov.au (search Children’s Services).

Our bookings week Monday 7 December—Friday 11 December 3-6pm at BBOOSH,MOOSH and NOOSH Bookings must be made at the centres as you will need to complete excursion forms and view risk assessments.

To secure your booking you must have your child care account paid up to date. If you are having trouble paying your account please contact the office on 4474 1280 or 4474 1213 as soon as possible so we can assist you with a payment plan option.

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Family Day Care news about town

During October we celebrated 30 years of Family

Day Care with big prize giveaways from a local

restaurant, Mogo Wildlife Park and also Na-

rooma Kinema. We had guessing comps, selfies

with flyers within the community and lots more.

Curently educators are having their annual as-

sessment of FDC business, which this year we are

doing slightly differently.

Educators are starting to complete yearly assess-

ments on individual children and transition to

school statements. If you would like more infor-

mation just ask your educator.

We are sad to see one of our educators, Anita

Mitchell retire. Anita has been working with us

since 2002. Anita has provided care to many

families and built such special bonds with chil-

dren, families and staff. Anita was a role model

to others, charismatic and kind. Anita always was

flexible and accommodating for all families.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all

your hard work, commitment and passion.

Jessica and Natalie Child Development Officers

Embracing Babies

Embracing Babies Embracing Babies has been very popular, allow-ing families to come together to socially connect. This has been especially important as many of the babies attending our sessions were born dur-ing bushfire and COVID times. Our sessions have a focus on meeting other parents, creating friendships as well as offering support during the exciting time of welcoming a new baby into the family. We share information about language development, infant cues, sleep and feeding, as well as introducing parents to the benefits of in-fant massage. Spread the word… if you are about to welcome a new addition or know someone who is please mention our Embracing Babies program.

Children’s Week was celebrated this year with a Wombat Stew hunt. We headed into the bush, searching for animals and objects from the book Wombat Stew, marking them off on a bingo card as we found them. It was lovely to see many hap-py children, families, Family Day Care educators and early childhood services enjoying some time in nature, engaging in literacy and carefully choosing a prize on completion. There were also three Wombat Stew prize packs to be won. I wonder who were the lucky three recipients of these?

Jenny Embracing Babies Facilitator

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3Bs Playgroup News

Playgroups are back and we are continuing our

nature-based program for this term and even

the rain has created all sorts of opportunities

to learn about the weather. We will be gather-

ing sticks, rocks and flowers, exploring in the

soil and playing out in the rain. Studies show

that growing up in microbe-rich environments,

such as traditional farms, can have protective

health effects on children.

Our modern lifestyle means we don’t get

down and dirty or just touch things in nature in

general enough in our daily life. Early-life expo-

sure to environmental microbes increases good

gut bacteria which means stronger immune

systems and less allergies. Being outdoors also

has other benefits if you want to find out more

come along and join in on our adventures.

Bookings essential lisa.heinze@esc.nsw.gov.au

Locations:

Moruya Primary School

Monday 9-10am (fortnightly only)

Batemans Bay Primary School

Tuesday 9-10am

Sunshine Bay Primary School

Wednesday 9-10am

Wallaga Lake is at the Umbarra

Thursdays 10.30-11.30am

PlayStrong Cultural playgroup

Thursday 9.30 –11am

Playstrong Muddy Puddles

Friday 9.30-11am

Lisa Heinze

Supported Playgroup Coordinator 02 4474 7382

Photos

Alira weaving with magical treasures found in na-

ture.

Delilah measuring how big a tree trunk is — never

too young to learn about the environment at Sun-

shine Bay playgroup.

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Family Day Care educator spotlight

Tracey Murchie — Long Beach

2020 has really encouraged me to reflect on my philosophy. My focus is to teach children to be kind — to themselves, each other and the planet. This is a life skill we work on forever...

Belinda Morris — Malua Bay

Bush Explorers Family Day Care has been busy ex-ploring the natural environment on excursions. We have been to the boat ramp and surrounding areas to talk about marine safety — wearing life jackets in boats. We have been enjoying the rain with our muddy puddles stomping and also tasting the rain. We have explored beaches and learnt about crabs, fish and other living things at the beach. We are cur-rently growing tomatoes and also learning about the life cycle of tadpoles into frogs.

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Dot Kinnane — Surfside

The children at Dot’s have been enjoying the new elements being added to the outdoor play space — elements that encourage and foster the imagination and creativity, allowing chil-dren to share their ideas and through play demonstrate an understanding of the world around them.

Kerry Bergan — Batehaven

With the weather warming and the sun shining the children at Kerry’s have been bathing their babies. The children have been displaying their nurtur-ing skills in caring for their babies as they ex-plore different identities in dramatic play.

Raine Callaghan — Moruya

At Little Dreamers we have loved being outdoors and exploring the property lately. One of our fa-vourite things to do is go for a walk down to the mail box where we check the mail and say hello to our animal friends along the way. We've got some dogs and horses that we like to say hello to.

Alison Burns — Dalmeny

We have been having a wonderful time experienc-ing and enjoying the outdoors and have loved bush walking and exploring the bush.

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Sam King — Catalina

I have so many photos I would love to share ( I take too many) here are some of my favourites from this month.

We have been researching Japanese culture. Azami shared her knowledge and helped our group make sushi.

Lucas Bronte and Rolly shared some stories while out on our picnic morning tea.

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Katherine Wagner — Tuross Head

Down the Path FDC enjoyed some holiday cooking. With plans for woodfired pizza washed out, we

measured, mixed, rolled and sprinkled some pizza magic.

The children explored some pre-writing skills in the dusty flour on the table.

All made for a fun day in care.

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In other news

A big congratulations and well done to Bev Davis who was recently added to the Hidden Treasures

Honour Roll. The Hidden Treasures Honour Roll is an initiative of the Department of Primary Indus-

tries Rural Women’s Network.

Bev has worked as an OOSH educator for many years and we at Children’s Services are pleased

that Bev has received this acknowledgement.

Bev is a community treasure who has been working tirelessly as a volunteer working throughout

the community and assisting with bushfire relief, providing comfort and hands on assistance. She

has been involved with fundraising, visiting and distributing food to the many people affected by

the summer fires.

Bev is also a volunteer for several organisations, including the Bodalla Rural Fire Brigade, Presby-

terian Church and the Bodalla CWA.

Children’s Services has greatly valued Bev’s contribution working in a variety of centres throughout

Eurobodalla.

It is no news to Children’s Services that Bev is a treasure, they have known this for a very long time.

Some reminders………..

Council’s Christmas shutdown

Friday 25 December 2020 to Monday 4 January 2021.

Facebook

With the launch of the new Eurobodalla Children’s Services Facebook page we are

now able to provide a range of videos to support families with play-based

learning activities at home.

COVID safety

If you or your child are experiencing a fever, sore throat, shortness of breath or loss of

smell of taste please get tested and stay home until you receive a negative result.

• For the latest COVID safety recommendations visit NSW Health.

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Preschool exemption to the

Child Care Subsidy activity test

What is the ‘preschool exemption’ to the activity test?

Parents who do not meet and are not otherwise exempt from the Child Care Subsidy activity test will be entitled to 36

hours of subsidised care per fortnight to support their preschool-aged child to attend a preschool program at a Centre

Based Day Care service.

When does the preschool exemption apply?

A family is entitled to the preschool exemption if:

they are eligible for Child Care Subsidy

the parent/s do not meet and are not otherwise exempt from the activity test, meaning their usual entitlement is less

than 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight (0 or 24 hours based on the family’s income)

they have a preschool aged child and

that child attends an early educational program at a Centre Based Day Care service.

The preschool exemption does not apply to other children in the family who are not preschool aged. For those chil-

dren, the family’s usual entitlement will apply.

What is a preschool aged child?

For the purpose of the Child Care Subsidy preschool exemption, a preschool aged child is a child in the year before

their first year of primary school. States and territories refer to the first year of primary school differently (see the

Services Australia website for details).

To establish when children are preschool aged for Child Care Subsidy purposes, parents indicate their child’s expected

school (i.e. primary school) start date in their Child Care Subsidy claim or when they later update their details with

Centrelink. For example, if a parent indicates their child will start school in February 2020, the child is considered to be

a preschool aged child for 2019.

How do families tell Centrelink when their child will start school?

It is important that families provide their child’s expected school start date when making a Child Care

Subsidy claim, or later updating their details with Centrelink (either in Centrelink Online via myGov or the Express

Plus mobile app). Centrelink uses this date to work out when their child is a preschool aged child for the preschool

exemption.

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Steps, for families: Log into the myGov site

Select the menu on the top left

Select the Child Care Subsidy heading

Select the View/Update Child Education Details

In the Select a child screen, click on the Action icon for the child

In the Schooling details screen, ensure the child’s education level is set to ‘Has not

started studies’.

In the question box When is [your child’s name] expected to start primary school?,

enter the date the child is expected to attend primary school. You only need to

estimate a date (e.g. 1 February 2021).

What is an early educational program? For the Child Care Subsidy preschool exemption, the definition of early educational program is based on requirements set out in the Education and Care Services National Law and Regulations. This means an approved Centre Based Day Care service delivers an early educational program if it is delivered by (or where applicable, the service has access to) a qualified early childhood teacher, and the program is based on and delivered in a manner that accords with an approved learning framework.

How is the preschool exemption applied? 1. The parent lodges a Child Care Subsidy claim. Centrelink will use information in the claim to work out

whether:

• the family’s entitlement is usually 0 or 24 hours of subsidised care per fortnight

and

• the parent has a preschool aged child(ren), as defined above.

2. If the claim establishes ‘Yes’ to the two above criteria, Centrelink will send the parent a claim out-

come letter indicating: their ‘Subsidised hours per fortnight’ is either 0 or 24 however, they may be

entitled to 36 hours of subsidised care per fortnight for their preschool aged child(ren) if they attend

a preschool program at their child care service (Centre Based Day Care service).

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3. The Centre Based Day Care service will need to indicate in session reports when a session of care

for a child was, or included, an early educational program, based on the definition above. Please

note that the ‘preschool indicator’ in session reports:

is a ‘Yes/No’ field

may be worded slightly differently depending on the software provider used or Provider Entry Point

(PEP) interface

will only be available for approved Centre Based Day Care services

will only be available for children aged three to five when the session report is created.

Where the preschool indicator response is ‘Yes’, the Child Care Subsidy System (Centrelink) will de-

termine whether the child is preschool-aged and calculate the parent’s entitlement.

If the response to the preschool indicator is ‘No’:

if the family’s usual entitlement is 24 hours per fortnight, Child Care Subsidy can be paid up to the

balance of this entitlement

if the family’s usual entitlement is 0 hours per fortnight, no Child Care Subsidy can be paid.

What happens if a child will start school at a later date?

If a family decides to defer commencement of their child at primary school for another year, it will

affect their Child Care Subsidy entitlement.

As soon as a parent or carer decides their child will not start school the following year, they are re-

quired to update their child’s expected school start date with Centrelink. This will mean the pre-

school exemption will no longer apply until their child is again in the year before primary school.