march 2020 - esc.nsw.gov.au · garden. lady bugs, golden orb spiders (we look and don’t touch...
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AUGUST 2020
Welcome
We would like to extend a big thank you to all
our amazing children, parents, families, educa-
tors and our local community for your strong
support during these unprecedented times.
There are many concerns and challenges that
continue to build with the situation both locally
and in Victoria and we understand that this
puts additional pressure on families, educators,
children and staff. If you are feeling over-
whelmed or struggling right now, or you feel
your child is not themselves, please talk to
your educator or our coordination unit and we
can help you find support.
With recent spikes of coronavirus in our local
communities, our services continue to be
hypervigilant with health and safety measures
to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our edu-
cators, the children in our care and the parents
who come onto our premises. We urge every-
one to be responsible and to use appropriate
measures outlined by both state and federal
governments to ensure the safety of them-
selves and others. We all need to work togeth-
er to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19.
Outbreaks can occur in any area so please
practice physical distancing, good hygiene and
stay at home when sick. Anyone who has po-
tential COVID-19 symptoms must not attend
the service under any circumstance.
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We urge anyone who is displaying symptoms or
feeling unwell to get tested. Self-isolation is re-
quired until test results are returned. Symptoms
may include: fever, cold symptoms such as
coughing, sore throat and fatigue. We want to
limit the risk of transmission as much as possible
and thank you for your cooperation and under-
standing.
Please be assured that we are focusing on your
children’s learning, development and wellbeing
every day. Despite being optimistic that our reg-
ular excursions could soon return to somewhat
normal we have decided that only excursions
that occur outside and away from other commu-
nity members will go ahead. Examples of these
excursions include nature based walks and activ-
ities.
Our temporary premises for Batemans Bay
OOSH Centre has been the Batemans Bay Public
School hall. It was therefore closed on Tuesday
11 and Wednesday 12 August for deep cleaning.
We were advised there was no contact from the
positive cases with children and educators of
BBOOSH.
On a happy note, Council received three quotes
for the Batemans Bay OOSH replacement build-
ing. We will be moving ahead with a modular
type building that is mostly built off site and
then placed onsite. This will eliminate any dis-
ruptions to the school. We hope to know the
result of the successful tender very soon.
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We have our fingers crossed that the new build-
ing will be in place by the end of the year. We
will keep you updated on our progress.
Focus on National Science Week 15-23 August
Children’s understanding of the world is influ-
enced by their daily experiences, as well as by
direct encounters with information from many
sources including books, parents, teachers and
other children. Knowing what children think is
important for understanding how concept for-
mation in science can take place. Learning sci-
ence is important for increasing children’s
thinking capacity and their ability to navigate
the world in which they live.
In the early years, children tend to think about
only a few characteristics of materials, such as
colour and hardness. They rely on their senses
to explore and make judgments about materi-
als. As their experiences grow, they begin to
demonstrate an awareness of a range of other
scientific concepts. Hypothesising, analysing
and researching are great scientific skills that
can be applied in our daily lives. Please check
out the science week webpage for ideas:
https://www.scienceweek.net.au
Warmest regards,
Louise Hatton
Coordinator, Children and Family Services.
OOSH kids’ news
A picture says a thousand words, here are
highlights from our OOSH centres….
MOOSH fun activities included a highly successful
wood work day resulting in fabulous pieces for
their outdoor spaces! The centre says a big thank
you to Eric and Susan Beney who came and
helped them put their wood work up!
Lily and Yani in the animal proof vegie garden at
MOOSH. The garden is an important part of out-
door activities.
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Above - Sierra and Eli experiment with different creative techniques, from pouring paint to using string as brushes. Another fabulous MOOSH ac-tivity.
Above - Sophie and Noah adding their touch to the MOOSH garden.
At NOOSH we are seriously into jigsaws…
NOOSH kids love their puzzles and are mad
about UNO and board games. Be sure to check
out all our OOSH centre programs for the Sep-
tember-October holidays!
At NOOSH we made our own stack of Alpacas….
We had a visit from the Great Zamboni who en-tertained NOOSH with amazing magic and made them laugh their way through the comedy show.
Our OOSH centres are adjusting to a new
“normal” and continue to follow the guidelines
with emphasis on good hygiene, effective hand
washing and the use of hand sanitiser. Our focus
has been to provide a safe and happy place
where the children can interact with friends and
engage in a variety of activities.
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We continue with what children love best and
who doesn’t love a dress up?
Or eating popcorn while enjoying a movie at our
NOOSH cinema...
At BOOSH we are having fun ….
Dressing up and getting creative...
At BOOSH Nahari is intent on drawing Dinosaur outlines using sun shadows as a guide.
Thinking of a worthy cause, we all got into the spirit of Red Nose Day at after school care… We sadly said goodbye to Robyn Hawthorn who,
for family reasons, recently resigned. Robyn knows
we are thinking of her and miss her and can’t wait
for her to visit.
A bit of colour for Robyn with BOOSH Rock your Socks Day!
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At OOSH we are focusing on the fun factor through
difficult times.
Our Supervisors send you their thoughts…
At MOOSH Tracie and Selena remind you to please
bring drink bottles, hats and a packed lunch each
day, and parents - please remember to label all
items brought to MOOSH. The next holidays will
mean some COVID restrictions but at MOOSH we
will do fun outdoor activities with some spring fun
including heading off to the park for picnics and
down to river for some fishing.
Tracie and Selena and the MOOSH kids
MOOSH Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor
At NOOSH Donna and Cathie would like to thank
their parents, carers and the children for their co-
operation in following great hygiene practices.
Their focus is to provide a safe and happy place
where the children can interact with friends and
engage in a variety of activities despite the other
uncertainties at this time.
Donna and Cathie and the NOOSH Kids
NOOSH Supervisor/Assistant Supervisor
At BOOSH Melinda wants to assure families that
despite it feeling like there has been a few good-
byes of late, the care and wellbeing of your chil-
dren has remained the same. Melinda thinks her
BBOOSH kids and families have been AMAZING
through every hiccup and every change.
She sends a big THANKYOU to you all for your un-
derstanding, patience and support.
Melinda and the BOOSH kids
BOOSH Supervisor
We are looking forward to seeing you all in vaca-
tion care!
Embracing Babies
Do you or somebody you know have a new baby?
Are you/they looking to meet others with babies
of a similar age?
Embracing Babies is a place where you can get to-
gether with other parents at fortnightly catch-ups
at a location convenient to you. Currently due to
COVID restrictions, our groups are online or are
small groups. These groups have been very suc-
cessful with great feedback from parents.
Embracing Babies is hosted by early childhood
professionals. You can pick up tips about your
child's behaviour and communication patterns,
build new friendships with other parents, learn
baby massage and so much more.
Want more information? Call us today on 4474
1338.
Jess and Jenny
Embracing Babies facilitators
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These priorities include…
Ensuring we provide for each child’s wellbeing and comfort, including allowing appropriate
opportunities for sleep, rest and relaxation.
Following healthy practices and procedures for effective illness, injury and hygiene management.
Promoting a healthy lifestyle, by choosing healthy foods and providing opportunities for physical
activity.
Taking reasonable precautions and providing adequate supervision to protect children from harm.
Creating and implementing effective plans to manage incidents and emergencies in consultation
with relevant authorities.
Ensuring management, educators and staff are aware of their child protection responsibilities.
Educators have also been very busy completing
their half yearly reports on individual children in
care. If you have not received your child’s report,
please feel free to ask your educator.
With the current COVID restrictions, our regular
visits are now over the phone. Don’t forget if you
have any questions please don’t hesitate to call
us:
Jessica and Natalie
Child Development Officers, Children’s Services.
T: 4474 7333
Check out the Eurobodalla Children’s
Services Facebook page to stay up to date
with online events and information.
Family Day Care update
This month we are focusing on National Quality
Standard – Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and
safety. We are making sure children’s health, safety
and wellbeing are prioritised and promoted.
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3Bs Playgroup news
HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY 3Bs!
We had some amazing prizes on offer and the
Facebook page lights up with everyone getting
involved and learning and sharing about the
3Bs playgroups program. Thank you to all the
families who got involved and joined in on the
fun and congratulations to all our winners who
were announced on our Facebook page.
My personal favourite give away was the fairy
kits which I hand made. I was so happy to re-
ceive photos of families putting together their
fairy gardens in their back yards.
Broulee Early Learning Centre school readiness
information night
3Bs attended Broulee Early Learning Centre to talk
to parents about getting their children ready for
school in 2021. Jessica Hannon, an occupational
therapist, Broulee Primary school and St Peter’s kin-
dergarten teachers were also there to talk to par-
ents.
The response to the information given to parents
was reported as helpful and reassuring. Some par-
ents had already given their child a ‘bonus year’ in
2020. Parents had attended our school readiness
forum last year and decided to give their child more
time to get ready for the big step of starting school.
Other parents are looking at whether their child is
ready and welcomed the transition kit to take home
to support their child and help them develop a
Happy Birthday 3Bs!
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bigger picture as to where their child is devel-
opmentally.
The transition kit has play based activities that
are fun and engaging but also packed with lots
of learning. 3Bs is rolling the kits out to other
preschools and we hope to deliver them to
more families in the coming weeks. If you think
your preschool would like to be involved or you
would like a kit, please contact me, Lisa Heinze,
as they are going quickly.
Above are Belinda and her daughter Ruby,
starting school in 2020, and very keen to get
started on their kit activities.
Nature walks
Due to the current circumstances 3Bs Play-
groups have gone all natural. We are playing
outside in the sun, rain or wind and immersing
ourselves in nature games and activities.
Have a look at our Facebook page to see all the
fun things we’re doing while enjoying the out-
doors with each other, Eurobodalla Children’s
Services Facebook Page.
It’s so important to look after our physical and men-
tal health and being outside significantly improves
our wellbeing for both parents and children. You
must book for these sessions, as they are limited in
numbers due to social distancing rules. Contact me,
Lisa Heinze, via email or phone to book. Tuesdays
weekly (school term only).
Lisa Heinze
Supported Playgroup Coordinator 4474 7382
Comic Corner
Q: Why did the student eat his homework?
A: Because his teacher told him it was a piece of cake haha
Q: Knock knock !!
A: Whos there ?
Wooden shoe.
Wooden shoe who ?
Wooden shoe like to have another joke!
Q: What gets wetter the more it dries?
A: towel
Q: What is full of holes but still can hold water?
A: sponge
Q: What is harder to catch the more you run?
A: Your breath
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.
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It’s time for parents to have their say!
On Monday, invitations to be part of a survey on child care will go out to over 20,000 randomly selected
parents.
Parents’ views are important and will help the Australian Government understand whether transition ar-
rangements are working as intended to:
support families to access the care they need to return to work, and
enable vulnerable and disadvantaged families or families impacted by COVID-19 access to
affordable child care.
Please encourage any families at your service who are invited to be part of the survey to share their
views.
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 our website.
Our bookings week
Monday 14 to Friday 18 September, 3-6pm Bookings must be made at the centres as you will need to complete excursion forms and view risk assessments.
To secure your booking your child care payments must be up to date If you are having trouble paying your account please contact the office on 4474 7333 or 4474 1213 as soon as possible so we can assist you with a payment plan option.