Latest news

July 2011

Dear Families,

Providing high quality care and education to your growing child is our top priority every minute of our working day. I take great pride in seeing and hearing our staff go above and beyond in providing the best of care to our little ones. Thank you all, it makes for a great place to be every day.

There's a beautiful sense of calm and routine in the babies and toddlers rooms. The children enjoy the programs they take part in - this is evident in smiles and laughs! Our carers have a good understanding of what your children need. Encouraging your child to enjoy some quiet time in the rest period is just as important as having fun during activities.

What's the buzz?

All our rooms buzz with activity during the day - outside of sleep or rest time. If you're wondering what it is that keeps us buzzing, you're welcome to take a look at your child's observation books when you have a spare moment. These books give you a snap shot of your child's day, what they've been doing and how they're going. It's a good idea to let Tonia, Amber, Debbie or Diane know if you would like to do this. I would love to join you if I can to answer any questions you might have. Always feel free to check in with me or your children's carers if you have any questions.

More than pictures

You'll notice some great art and project work around the centre. We have information available about how the activities and projects play a part in your child's overall development plan as part of our Early Learning Framework. This framework is what we plan our programs and activities around to make sure your child has the best possible start in their early years.

We're planning and training with 2012 in mind

New legislation around the Early Years Learning Framework takes effect in 2012.

One of the changes requires the babies' and toddlers' room to have one carer for every four children. For every 12 children, one carer must hold a diploma or higher qualification. If the room has more than 12 children, there must be another carer with a diploma or higher qualification. For example if there are 14 children in a room, there would need to be two qualified carers.

Michelle and Leanne are in the process of gaining a Certificate III in Children's Services as part of our preparation for the new requirements. Congratulations Michelle and Leanne, we look forward to your graduation in the very near future.

Watch this space - we are working on updating all of our documentation and planning so that we comply with the changes.

2012 bookings

A booking form for 2012 is attached. Please complete the form as soon as possible. The waiting list for 2012 is growing quickly.

Join us for a kinder session

Your children are now well settled into their kinder program. We'd like to invite you to attend a kinder session and enjoy lunch with your child. We can accommodate one parent or carer per child at each session. We'd love you to get involved by assisting with the program or introducing an activity if you feel comfortable doing so. Join the buzz and find out what a kinder session at Mentone Park kinder is like!

Please have a chat with Amber or Tonia to book in a time that suits.

Thank you

A big thank you to Joshua's grandmother for making and sharing a delicious cumquat jam with fruit from our very own tree.

The children were involved from the beginning - from watching the fruit grow on the tree to the final jam taste test. They've watched the flowers turn to green buds and then transform to plump orange fruits. Many have given the fruit a taste test and many have never gone back for another! We've often smelt the tell-tale signs of a tasting waft by. We've often been entertained at the look of surprise on a child's face as they put the fruit in their mouth.

We believe it's important for children to understand where their food comes from. We love our natural outdoor surroundings and the great playground nature provides for learning.

Fees will increase from Monday 18 July 2011

Due to the requirements of the new legislation and the costs associated with meeting these; a National award salary increase and rising utility costs we are carrying significant cost increases.

To continue to provide your children with the best quality care and learning, we need to increase our fees.

Full day fees will increase by $3.00 per day to $78.00. Full week fees will also increase by $3.00 per day to $325.00.

We ask that all fees are paid fortnightly. Direct Deposit is the preferred payment method. Surcharges on credit cards are at 1% and continue to rise.

The good news is that both the Child Care Benefit Rebate and Child Care Tax Rebate can now both be credited directly to your child care fee account. Please speak to Tonia if you have any questions regarding fees or payment.

Sleep Rest Policy

Good quality sleep and rest is a high priority for our centre as it is fundamental to the healthy growth and development of your children.

We listen and work with you where we can to achieve a sleep and rest routine that also works for you at home. We aim to make sleep and rest time relaxed and positive. Being a childcare centre that actively encourages participation in our programs, our children need some quiet, restful time out from their stimulating and busy day.

It can take new babies some time to feel comfortable about their new sleep environment. Some babies need more than one sleep. Our separate sleep room for the babies and toddlers helps with individual sleep routines. We play relaxing music to promote a relaxed environment. Our babies embrace the calm and love to snuggle in their cots. Toddlers love the sense of place that having their own mats gives them.

To ease our kinder children back after a sleep or rest, we introduce quiet activities until afternoon tea time.

We welcome the support our parents give us. Thank you for working with us to make attending our program a positive experience for your children, our staff and you.