Little Bee Newsletter March 2021 |
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We invite families to take part in Earth Hour on Saturday 27th March, 2021 at 8.30 p.m. WHAT IS EARTH HOUR? WWF’s Earth Hour is the world’s biggest movement to protect our planet. Every year hundreds of millions of people around the world in more than 7,000 cities in over 190 countries take part in this amazing global conservation movement.
Join the movement and take part in Earth Hour by switching off at 8.30pm for 60 minutes as a symbolic gesture of solidarity to show we care about our planet’s future.
This year, all Australians can make the #SwitchforNature and raise their voices for nature for the most important Earth Hour yet.
2021 is a critical year for us and for the planet. We have to protect and restore nature before it’s too late, so be part of the global movement. We encourage all families to switch off all media, the lights, TV for Earth Hour on Saturday 27 March 2021 at 8:30pm local time, and joining millions of people to make the #SwitchforNature.
For further information, please visit: earthhour.org.au Please feel free to email us a photograph of what Earth Hour looked like in your home! |
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What is Purple Day?Purple Day (26th March) is a global initiative dedicated to raising epilepsy awareness. Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy started Purple Day to get people talking about the condition and to let those impacted by seizures know that they are not alone. She named the day, Purple Day after the internationally recognised colour for epilepsy, lavender. Purple Day has grown into a well known and supported national awareness day with thousands of people across Australia gathering within their community, education and corporate sectors to raise much needed awareness and funds for those affected by epilepsy. Little Bee is holding a 'Wear Something Purple Week' from Monday 22nd March - Friday 26th MarchPlease wear anything purple during this week and bring along a gold coin donation to raise money for epilepsy! Thank you! |
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Easter Egg Activity in April! |
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We are advertising early, as we know April will be here before we know it! This year our hugely popular annual Easter Egg hunt will be held at Little Bee during the week after the Easter break! To commence during the week of Tuesday April 6th - Friday 9th, the children will have the opportunity to participate in a Special Easter tradition from South Africa. Tracey, Havana and Hunter's mum, is from South Africa and we are very excited that we can celebrate a special event in their family culture here at Little Bee! Each morning of this week, every child will plant a natural object in our garden outside, and in the afternoon, the object will have turned into an Easter Egg for your child to enjoy! We'd like to say a huge thankyou to Tracey, who will be bringing in some special Easter treats for the older children to share on the Thursday before Easter (which are the same as Tracey had as a child growing up in South Africa). We are very grateful! |
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Public Holiday Little Bee will be CLOSED on Monday 8th March, as it is a public holiday for labour day. We hope all of our families have a great long weekend! |
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National Bike Week 2021 5th - 14th March Therefore, during the week beginning Monday 8th March - Friday 12th March, Little Bee will be celebrating bike week by inviting all children to bring along either their bike or scooter (and helmet of course!) to celebrate Bike week 2021 and keeping active and healthy in our Community! It will also provide an excellent opportunity to introduce discussions on road safety with the children as we all have a ride around the Little Bee area! |
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Family and Friends Event Schedule for March - June 2021! After our recent successful meeting, we have planned our events for the first half of the year. Please save the dates, as we'd love to see as many families as possible at these fun events! |
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Our Reconciliation Journey 2019 - 2021... Our RAP working group are very proud of the deep, caring Community connections we are forming with Aboriginal people to ensure all aspects of cultural diversity and safety are embedded at Little Bee. Our key journey focuses are and continue to be in 2020: * Working together in partnership with Aboriginal people through Community events, regular RAP working group meetings where we honor our Aboriginal guest speakers, our Little Bee employees, families and friends events and children's projects of work. * Raising the profile of Aboriginal people, heritage and culture by sharing the truth of history. * Building a culturally safe work place at Little bee and increasing Community understanding and respect. * Demonstrating social justice, anti bias and inclusion in partnerships with Aboriginal people to ensure our actions, accountability and long term commitment is maintained over time. Projects of children's work It is with great anticipation that we begin a brand new programming cycle for 2021, where all educators will work in small teams to commence their project inquiries. How does it work? Each inquiry based project is unique to each educator team! We each choose a topic of child development that we would like to focus on and undertake research from a variety of recognised authorities to find out information that we didn't know before. We stretch our educational knowledge with new information and we use this information to provide further learning opportunities for the children. In this way we are stretching the children's learning in a brand new way too! Each educator team is overseeing certain children to ensure all learning is provided for. Please just ask an educator from your room what the focus will be for your child! Lots of images of the learning we have noticed will be displayed on our walls! Changes in children's growth and development will be documented as it occurs and the project will show a progression of learning over time. Parent / Educator conferences will be held in the later part of the year where you can see and discuss your child's learning journey first hand! What can I expect to see from a cultural perspective? At Little Bee we respectfully believe that all Aboriginal and non Aboriginal children, educators and families have the right to learn about the culture of our first peoples. We are on a wonderful and exciting learning journey to increase our cultural awareness and knowledge as we work together to gain a deeper understanding, pride and acceptance of Tasmanian history. Our Cultural planning has been carefully developed and shared collaboratively with Aboriginal Community members. All educators are excited to have the opportunity to teach about Aboriginal culture within our projects. It is our intention in 2021 to celebrate the finalisation of our RAP with a Community event, as we continually reflect together on our learning journey! |
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Our program news: Howrah What a great start to the year we’re having at Little Bee Howrah. The children have immersed themselves into lots of different play experiences, which we hope they will use to express their own identity and continue to form a strong sense of belonging to the Little Bee community. As we learn more about our new children and the ever-evolving personalities of our long-term friends, we are able to offer more play environments created around their own expressed interests. We are super excited to kickstart our 2021 Projects this month – with an emphasis on sustainability and environmental empathy, and expressive arts and how it relates to cognitive development. This year we are focused on family and community involvement. If any parents, guardians or extended family members have a particular interest in, or knowledge of sustainable practices including, but not limited to gardening, maintenance and recycling or the arts including fine arts, dance and music, please let us know! Even if you would like to come in for a play and help out in any way, we would be so grateful! |
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Airport Baby Bees Throughout the month of February, our children have shown lots of interest in the books we have in our room, especially the interactive and sensory texts. These have lots of sounds, music and different textures, which certainly grab the children's attention! We love seeing each child's sense of agency being developed as they select the book of their choosing from the basket, and then manipulate and turn the pages. We have new experiences in our room and the children have been loving the ball pit, which provokes their senses with the colourful soft balls and creates opportunities for the children to share environments with their peers. This builds and strengthens their friendship as they share these fun moments. Our kitchen is another environment that has supported beautiful connections among the children, where they are encouraged to share the space and resources. Outside we had the most fun with water play, enjoying the last warm Summer days! They loved seeing the water be poured from one container to another, stomping their feet in water puddles and, of course, getting a bit wet was the most fun! Honey Bees In the Honey Bee room during February we have been enjoying the opportunity to use music to support our transitions and routine times. We have also loved hearing the children’s voices, as they request certain songs they may listen to at home or a certain song they enjoy listening to here with us at Little Bee. Dancing has been so much fun and there are so many physical benefits of dance. Dance help’s develop muscles, improve circulation, improve posture, balance, coordination and promote greater flexibility. Flexibility is often overlooked as a benefit but can really decrease the chances of injury, especially in an active child. Dancing bolsters physical and mental health by helping to prevent falls as children’s bodies strengthen, lift mood and ease anxiety. It is also a fun activity that sharpens the mind, increases aerobic power and strength, builds social bonds, and can reduce pain and stiffness within their bodies. As we head into March our inquiry based projects team are beginning. We cannot wait to find out what the children are interested in and where they would like to take their learning. Interests emerge when something about an activity, material or person attracts a child’s attention or invites them to be involved. Our Action Research Questions are: How can imaginative play enhance how we express out identity through feelings? How is sensory play important in the development of our wellbeing? |
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Bumble Bees Throughout the month of February in the Bumble Bee Room, we have been doing an array of art and craft experiences with different mediums including; table top pencil drawing, sponge and roller painting, group collage and outdoor painting while the sun has been shining! Recently, we have been making the most of the good weather by walking to the local park. The children have really enjoyed having the opportunity to play and take turns on the different play equipment; the swings being a big hit amongst many of the children! Back at Little Bee, we have enjoyed some water play experiences both indoors and outdoors. A popular one being a water and sensory play experience with a range of sea creatures. We have been continuing to regularly visit the garden and chooks and on many occasions digging and searching for worms and strawberries. Busy Bees We have been very busy during the month of February as we make the most of what might well be the last of the warm weather! We have been enjoying walks to the park to collect some natural materials to use for our artwork and to create some inside environments. We collected gum leaves which we made into paint brushes to create amazing patterns. We also found gum nuts to also use for painting and to create a natural table. We have thoroughly enjoyed exploring playdough, creating pizzas and cakes using rolling pins and shapes, as well as our hands for a fun sensory experience. We are beginning to look at photography. If anyone has any spares cameras they no longer need/use and are happy to donate or loan, we would be so grateful!! Queen Bees Throughout the month of February the Queen Bee’s have continued to engage in lots of positive interactions in a variety of new experiences. We were so excited to welcome and make new friends with some new children to the Centre. We have continued on with our love of artwork in all its different forms. This month, in particular, we focused on painting with cups. The children have used the cup however they choose, to see what patterns and shapes they could make. We have also explored glitter glue, because... who doesn’t love glitter?? These creations are hanging proudly in our room, as the children were very excited to see their final pieces. There has been a lot of loose parts play with the children engaging in cardboard rolls being used in a multitude of different ways: from building cities to making the tallest of towers. We have been stretching our fine motor skills using screwdrivers to pull apart old stereos and keyboards and hammers with pins and wooden pieces. The children have thoroughly enjoyed this challenge. |
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We are excited to announce that Alice and Trent are expecting their first child in July! We wish them all the best for the pregnancy and arrival of their bundle of joy. |
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Exploring the changing seasons/weather .... Part of Little Bee's philosophy is to explore the fresh air and outdoors and embrace the changes that occur naturally with the different seasons and weather. We love to collect fallen leaves, jump in muddy puddles, look at the clouds, and watch the rain fall down etc. During some of our times of exploration children will become muddy and wet. We request that all families please pack suitable (named) spare clothes for their children as we will change them into clean, dry clothes once the experience is complete or the child has chosen to stop participating. Families are welcome to bring along some named gumboots for your child to wear while enjoying outdoor play also. "It was, and is still thought by many, that exposure to cold temperatures, especially in winter caused the common cold. By itself this does not appear to be true. The common cold is caused by viruses. One needs to catch one of these viruses to get a cold - just exposure to low temperatures won't do it. However when it's cold and wet outside we are more likely to be indoors and be in more crowded places, including with other people who may have a cold. Hence, being stuck inside during cold weather does make it more likely that we will catch a cold, especially if we are near people who have one." Prof. Peter Collignon. If families have any feedback, questions or concerns please stop and chat to us or email us at littlebee@littlebee.net.au |
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Little Bee provides opportunities for children to choose a barefoot option during the day, however in order to do our best to ensure all children's feet are kept safe, we kindly ask families to pack a pair of sturdy shoes with an enclosed toe for use during higher risk activities. This is for when children are participating in experiences like riding bikes, when we visit the chickens and our gardens and when using the zip line. Upon reviewing the 'Things from Home' policy, this update was added. We also have had some toys that are deemed inappropriate (guns and swords etc.) and kindly ask families to refrain from bringing these in, even if it is for 'a show and share' session'. |
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Harmony week is fast approaching, and is an opportunity for all people to celebrate our vibrant multicultural Country. Harmony Week is a state-wide program dedicated to showcasing our differences and acknowledging we all belong. It is coordinated by the Multicultural Council of Tasmania, in partnership with the Tasmanian Government, Harmony Week builds on national Harmony Day, celebrated on 21 March to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Week aims to promote unity, understanding and respect for all individuals who call Tasmania home. During the week we encourage everyone to experience, explore and appreciate our wealth of cultural, religious, linguistic and ethnic diversity. If you or a member of your family or close friend would like to come in and do a special culturally inspired experience, please let one of your room educators know and we will arrange a time. Why stop on Harmony week? If you would like to come in at any time and share an experience with the children here at Little Bee, our educators really welcome this. If you decide to come in and share with us, please keep in mind the experience will need to be age appropriate and supportive of the children’s learning. Thank you. Each room will be embracing Harmony week in their own unique way, so please keep an eye out within the rooms and on our Facebook page to see what’s happening. Below is some information on some of the wonderful events around Hobart coming up, where all Community members are welcome to participate. To see the full details of events happening around the state, please visit the Harmony Week website: www.harmony.gov.au - 15/03 - The City of Hobart's 'Positive Ageing Program' is hosting a week of multicultural meals and music at Mathers House 12 noon- 2 pm.108-111 Bathurst St Hobart TAS 7000 Hobart 7000
- 18/03 - Hobart Baptist Church “Stronger Together, everyone belongs”
- 19/03 - 11am-1pm Glenorchy LINC “Meet the Community”
- 20/02 - 11am – 3pm Glenorchy LINC “Multicultural Storytime”
- 21/3 - 10am-11am Hobart LINC “Multicultural Storytime”
- 22/3 - 4pm-6pm MCOT “Here to help – the faces of your Government”
- 23/3 - 5pm-11pm Moonah Arts Centre, “Nowroz Celebration”
- 24/3 - Mt Field Harmony Day Celebration
- 24/3 - 11:30am-1pm - Hobart Mosque: “History and Culture of Muslims in Australia”
- 25/3 - 10am-4pm Benjafield park “Moonah Taste of the World” A celebration of culinary diversity.
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Our fabulous professional learning sessions with Heidi on Sensory Processing and regulating our behaviours... |
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Over two nights on the 9th and 11th of February, we had the pleasure of having Heidi, the director of Mouthworks therapy service and a professional occupational therapist, conduct a staff professional learning session all about ‘sensory processing’ and what this means for children regulating their own behaviour. This was an information packed session for us to understand important information about how we process information using our senses and this supports us to regulate our emotions in a positive way. Heidi explained how all people have ‘avoiding’ and ‘seeking’ sensory behaviours and when educators can pinpoint what these behaviours look like, it will support children to remain in their ‘green zone’, (this is our calm and switched-on zone, and is the only zone where optimal learning occurs). Many educators found it interesting to reflect upon what strategies we use as adults to regulate our own behaviours and how this is a life long journey. After the professional learning, Heidi had the opportunity over four sessions, to spend time in our Queen Bee room. This supported us to continue to implement some new strategies and extend on our existing ideas and practices – all to help every child to maintain regulation, while interacting with the experiences, environments and people they enjoy most. We are so excited to build our knowledge of children’s behaviours and regulation strategies. When it comes time for every child to make the transition to school, we know this information will support every child to have a positive experience and Kindergarten teachers can use these positive strategies to support children to regulate their behaviour at school too! |
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Facebook Information... Our Facebook groups are such a massive success as they support a vital link in communication between Little Bee and families, every single day! While Facebook is an excellent tool for posting up important messages to each other, we would like to share with families the main purpose of the Facebook group. Its primary function is to show you all the wonderful learning that occurs within our program each and every day using both images and text. We all love to see photographs of our own children working, playing and enjoying themselves at Little Bee. I know it always brings a huge smile to my face when I see my own child on Facebook and some of the photos taken are just beautiful. We are so lucky that we can then access these photos with the simple click of a button and save them in our personal photo collections! However, we do need to remind you that it is in our terms and conditions that families do not copy and re-post photographs of their own child if another child is present in the photo. This ensures the wishes of all families are adhered to, as we all have personal preferences around social media safety. Alongside this, we are aware that families might sometimes feel deflated when their child's photo does not appear on the page. It is not possible for us to post photos of every child, every day. We are putting strategies in place to ensure that each child features on Facebook through their project work. We would like to thank all of our families for your support and communication within our Facebook group and for making the group such a positive experience for everyone! We are very grateful! |
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Immunisations A big thank you to all those families who have provided us with evidence of your child’s immunisations. It is in the families best interest to ensure our records are up to date, as if we have a case of an immunisable disease (e.g. chicken pox) all children who are over the immunisation age (18 month for chicken pox) and not immunised (according to our records) will be excluded as one of our methods in preventing an outbreak. In additional to this, your CCS is at risk of being cut off if your child is not immunised. There is a national immunisation schedule displayed at the Centre, however, families are reminded child immunisations are at: birth, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 12 months, 18 months and 4 years. There are additional immunisations for ‘at risk’ children, please visit www.immunise.health.gov.au. |
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Centre Link Information for 2021 |
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A reminder to all families that each child is only entitled to 42 absences per financial year. After this any additional absences (including pubic holidays), families will be required to pay full fees. If a family can provide supporting documentation, e.g. a doctor’s certificate and we may be able to claim an additional absence and you will receive the fee relief you are entitled to, however, public holidays cannot be claimed as additional absences. Any questions, please contact Emily at the Airport centre on 62485994. |
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Information for Review We are currently reviewing the following policies and/or procedures: Technology Policy Profile book policy Emergency and evacuation Incident, injury, trauma and illness Medication Administration of first aid If you would like to have input reviewing these documents it would be greatly appreciated, just let us know and we will forward copies to you. Please compose any suggestions you would like to make and place them, either in the suggestions box (at reception) or via email to: littlebee@littlebee.net.au. Information for families The readings we are promoting for the month are: Other readings can be found from recognised sites, such as: kidsafe.com.au, rch.org.au, acecqa.gov.au, deewr.gov.au and kidswithasthma.com.au, healthinsite.gov.au Opportunities for Family Involvement Staff Professional learning sessions are held on a bi-monthly basis. They are to reflect on our current practices, work on our Centre’s Quality Improvement Plan and continue to maintain the highest standard of, education and care possible. Our next staff professional learning session will be held in May, topic and date to be confirmed, please watch this space! All families are invited to join us at any time, your ideas and opinions are greatly valued and appreciated. Families are also welcome to participate daily in Workplace health and safety checks and/or compliance reviews. Please see one of our staff if you are interested. |
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