PR E PA R ATORY S C HO OL
Out of School Care
Weather sends the children indoors and
relationships flourish!
We have had such a productive second half
of the year! The weather has proved to be
a dominant force and has had an impact
on all the things we do. We have spent
considerably more time indoors than ever,
which has enabled us to indulge in activities
we do not always get to do. We have
such outdoorsy busy children in the centre
that we rarely find ourselves looking out of
the windows. On days where it has been
bitingly cold, we have eaten afternoon tea
inside, instead of on the verandah. This has
been such a wonderful opportunity and
creates the feel of a huge family gathering,
something you might see in a movie: talking,
laughing, passing food, sharing the events of
the day and a sense of warmth and busyness.
The children decided to welcome in
spring with a “You look awesome in those
sunglasses why don’t you wear them to
my party” party! This was planned to the
finest detail and facilitated by the educators.
The menu was drawn up and the games
and activities decided upon. The week
beforehand, the resources were assembled
and invitations designed and sent out. The
children made up pass-the-parcels and an
enormous muffin piñata made from Paper
Mache. The disco ball was set spinning,
the music played and the children played a
variety of traditional party games. This activity
was set in motion and grew organically
with each new idea and element. Everyone
participated and what was wonderful to
see was the peer scaffolding taking place
between younger and older children in the
conversations and activities.
We have grown this year. The biggest
growth is in our relationships. Those the
children have with each other, those they
have with the educators and those that
we as adults have with our families and
colleagues. The depth of those relationships
is tangible and shows itself in the interactions
which take place.
The Out of School Care Centre is truly a great
place to be and we cannot wait to see what
the future holds!
Mrs Melanie Berrington
Out of School Care Coordinator
Little Explorers
program for 3-year olds
We are pleased to announce the launch of a new program for
3-year-olds, called Little Explorers, in 2018. Little Explorers will be
run through the Out of School Care Program in alignment with the
Early Years Framework.
Delivered by a fully qualified Early Years teacher, the program
embraces the philosophy based on ‘Being, Belonging, Becoming’
and continues the play-based, Reggio inspired, enquiry model
already found in Out of School Care. Should any Little Explorers
wish to access Before School or After School care, they will transition
seamlessly into ‘My Time - Our Place’, the school age framework. The
Little Explorers have their own identity and uniform and have access
to all of the Out Of School Care facilities.
Anyone seeking information on the program can contact the
Out of School Hours Care Coordinator, Melanie Berrington,
on 9388 9290 or email [email protected]
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