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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

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.

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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.