Dear Parents and Families,

We have had quite a few children away this week as they have embarked on mid year holidays to lovely locations such as Fiji and Europe. We anticipate more children to be away over the coming weeks due to school holidays. Many of our current parents are looking for extra casual days, so if you are going to be away over the coming weeks please notify me so that we can help other families with any additional days that they may require.

JUNE 28 - RED NOSE DAY (S.I.D.S.)

JULY 7-14 - NAIDOC WEEK

(The children will be involved in a variety of indigenous experiences ranging from dreamtime stories to traditional aboriginal games, art, craft and dot painting)

Abigail Herps 2 years

Ryan Chen 4 years

BUMBLEBEES (Nursery): As the weather has been a little wet this week, The Bumblebees decided to bring the outside in, with plenty of opportunities for climbing, balancing, rolling and exploring. Dance, music and movement sessions also kept them very active whilst indoors.

LITTLE BEES (Toddlers):

The Little Bees have continued and extended their Winter topic this week. They worked collaboratively to create a large group project snowman and created individual snow collages and penguins as part of their art and craft sessions.

HONEY BEES (Younger Preschoolers) GROUP 1:

This week the teachers have worked from the children's interests to create a dramatic play area based around weddings. The children have created some crepe flowers and they have been exploring rings and ring boxes, dress ups and jewelry.

HONEY BEES (Older Preschoolers)

GROUP 2:

Group 2 have been reading the book "Room on the broom" this week and as a follow up dressed up as the characters to act out the story. They were also challenged to create and construct a city from recycled materials... judging from the photos they did a wonderful job.

We welcome Naomi as our new nursery room leader who will be starting with us on Monday 1st July. Naomi holds an Advanced Diploma/ Associate Degree in Early Childhood and has some very solid experience within the industry. I am sure she will be a wonderful asset to our team and will quickly develop a rapport with all the babies, parents, staff and families.

Patricia will be leaving at the end of next week to go on maternity leave. We wish her all the very best with the birth of her baby. Ian will officially take over after being here for the past few weeks in handover mode.

Increase to Child Care Benefit from July 2013

Australian families will receive more support following the indexation of the child care rates. Changes to Child Care Benefit rates and income thresholds will provide extra help to families with the costs of child care from July 2013.

The Child Care Rebate also helps eligible working families with the cost of child care, by covering 50 per cent of out-of-pocket child care expenses for Child Care Benefit approved child care up to the annual cap. For the 2013-14 income year, the Child Care Rebate annual cap is $7,500 per child per year.

The increases are part of the Australian Governments $22.1 billion investment over the next four years to help Australian families with the costs of child care. This includes $11 billion in Child Care Rebate and $11.1 billion in Child Care Benefit over the next four years.

Please collect a fact sheet for details of the CCB rate changes from the foyer.

The Little Bees (Toddlers) have requested donations of old winter clothing (jackets, scarves, mittens etc) to add to their dress up corner. If you have anything you think may be suitable we will happily accept all donations.

This week we experienced some new cultural experiences in the preschool room.

One of our mums came to share her Colombian background with the children through cooking, music, dance and movement.

The children made "arepas" (a traditional dish) and engaged in some dancing and movement to some wonderful South American music.

A big thank you to Andrea Simon's mum !

If you or one of your family members would like to share your cultural diversity with the children, please contact me to arrange a time to be involved in our parent and family involvement sessions.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend and I look forward to catching up with you next week.

Regards Nicki

Centre Director

Level 3 Building 1,354 Eastern Valley Way
Willoughby NSW 2067
Ph 9417 5701

PARENT INPUT


www.willowbee.com.au