No Images? Click here Bangalow Community Children's Centre
Wednesday 3rd AprilDjimbelung Staffing Changes.Our amazing Grant has decided to take up an opportunity offered to him at Rosebank preschool. Grant has been a huge part of BCCC for over 15 years and will be sorely missed by staff, families and most importantly the children at BCCC. Grant has made such a positive impact on so many children over his years of teaching here, and we will miss his passion, enthusiasm and dedication to children's learning and discovery. We will also miss his big loud laugh and guitar playing, bringing joy to our days. We do look forward, however, to seeing Grant as he will still be doing relief work for us on occasion. We wish him all the very best in this exciting new chapter! The open position in the Djimbelung room has been advertised and interviews are currently underway! ImmunisationsPlease remember to check that your child's immunisations are up to date. If they are not your Centrelink payments may be cut off and you might be hit with an unwanted bill! Thank you . Expressions of interest- 'Love Food Hate Waste' WorkshopWe are seeking expression of interest for us to host a 'Love Food Hate Waste' workshop run by North East Waste, with chef Danielle Davidson. The Food Smart Program is a six step challenge to support families in changes at home that will save money, reduce the amount of food thrown out and help our environment. These will be 2hr workshops which include a 'Love Your Leftovers' cooking demonstration and food tasting for all participants, a 'How to be Food Smart' information session, storage tips and a free recipe book, tea towel and food storage huggers. Beautifully designed easy to prepare meals by FatbellyKaf and Byron Bay Fine Events. For more information click here. If this is something you would be interested in please let us know by replying to this email! Thank you. RemindersWith the cooler, wet weather upon us it is a good time to restock your child's bag with extra changes of weather appropriate clothing. While it is still warm enough for the children to have a run around in the light rain and splash in puddles, they may need a few extra changes of clothes (can also pack some gumboots but we recommend sending them in other covered footwear that has appropriate support for running and climbing. We will change them into gumboots if we go outside to splash!). Please also pack a reusable 'wet' bag for clothing to be sent home in, and remember to check it everyday. Jingi Walla This month we have been involved in a variety of musical activities, mastering the tapping sticks and introducing new songs and movement. You can read all about it on a poster hung up on our notice board as you walk through the gates! We will continue to expand on these music groups as the children refine their skills. Gariimaa Just a reminder about excess toys that are being brought from home. Please try to limit these to one soft toy/comforter to be used at rest time or if needed throughout the day. Other toys tend to distract children from fully engaging in play or cause conflict. They may also get lost or broken resulting in upset. A good idea is to remind your children that these toys can stay in the car or at home ready to be played with after pick up. We have plenty of things here for your children to explore and enjoy! Djimbelung Thank you to Dr Emily, Frankie's mum, for coming in to talk to us about what Doctors do! We had lots of fun learning, and even got to get hands-on with some bandaging and learning some First Aid skills. We love having parents and family visit to share with us their knowledge, skills, hobbies and time, even just to read a book, cook or play a song with us! Let us know if you would like to pop in and we can organise a time. HolidaysCentre will be closed on all public holidays over the Easter Long Weekend. That is: If you are going to be away over the holidays please let us know ASAP as some staff will also be away over the holidays and if child numbers are low we may be able to also minimise relief staff. Thank you. Policy Review- Infectious Diseases/Exclusion PolicyWe have recently reviewed and updated sections in our 'Infectious Diseases/Exclusion Policy'. Please read below the revised sections. We adhere to this policy to aim to minimise the spread of infectious diseases between children, their families and educators by excluding children and adults who may have an infectious disease or who are too ill to attend the service. "This policy applies to all children, staff and visitors that are in attendance at the Centre. · Staff are to be alert to symptoms of illness exhibited by both adults and children throughout the course of the day. A child exhibiting the following signs may need to see a medical practitioner: Temperature reaches 38 degrees or above Physical LiteracyMovement is essential to life, and the skills developed through physical activity develop the confidence, knowledge and capability to be active for life. This knowledge is known as Physical Literacy. 1. Physical activity is a universal joy. The joy of physical activity is found not only in age-appropriate exercise, but also when at play-when running, jumping, throwing and hopping- or doing other tasks such as gardening, cleaning, or playing with a peer. For young children, play assists in the development of motor skills and understanding of their bodies, and the space they move within. Even when children are not physically involved, play requires and promotes creativity, strategic thinking, problem solving and cooperation. Explore five evidence-based ways parents and early years educators can foster exploration and playfulness. 'Maturation alone does not ensure the development of motor skills' (Low Deiner & Wei, 2007) Penny Kazimierczak in her ECA publication 'Physical activity-helping children grow' notes, 'Children do not automatically know how to throw, kick, run and jump..These fundamental movement skills are an extension of gross and fine motor skills...Central to the child's involvement and enjoyment of physical activity is the role of the parent or educator in openly responding, touching, talking and showing the child how to carry out an action with their body...by modelling and sharing the play, the child and parent learn together'. 3. Physical literacy is a holistic approach to movement. Sport Australia describes physical literacy as a holistic idea that encompasses physical skills, motivation to be active, social skills to be active with others, and the understanding on how, why and when you move. Consider the way this educator supported Max's physical literacy in the below example; Max (21 months) loved kicking all kinds of balls. Each ball had a name- green ball, big ball, sparkle ball, football- and they were all a similar size. When his educator introduced coloured ping pong balls to challenge his kicking, he was able to drop kick each ball and was delighted as it went through the air. Soon he found other ways of playing with the balls: throwing them into baskets, passing through a cardboard tube, and shaking them in a plastic bowl. 4. All children are different Its important to remember that all children are different and develop differently. Children with additional needs may need additional time, specialised equipment and support to develop these skills. Shipping Container For Sale!Council have asked us to remove our shipping container as a requirement of renewing our lease. This is fairly new, in good condition and is available to buy if anyone wishes to purchase. We are asking $2500, container was bought for $3500. Please get in contact if you need extra information or wish to buy! What's On In The Community |