Over the term we have run programming around a number of themes: paleontology and archeology, pets, dinosaurs, scouting and pirates. The children have had fun digging for dinosaur bones, orienteering, baking dog biscuits, performing swashbuckling drama and sharing pets. We even had a visit from Epping Veterinary Clinic nurses who talked to the children about getting to know dogs.
On Friday 21 October Taronga Zoo mobile will be visiting us for the afternoon. They will bring a range of native animals and birds. We have only a few causal spots available on this day so you will need to book early.
Thank you to those families who gave us feedback regarding our �complaints and resolution� policy. We have now revised this and our sun safe policy. Please feel free to look at these in our policy folder.
Space
As many of you will have noticed we have put in a new garden out the front. We are hoping for a colourful welcoming entrance. Thanks to Jono, Kath and the many children who helped plant and dig up worms.
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I recently attended a course �Creating spaces in childcare settings�. When sharing my experiences with staff we decided that we could better utilise �our space�. Carers, parents and staff deliberated, consulted, procrastinated a little and then made the following priorities:
o Reestablishing a quiet space � we moved the reading corner to the back and away from through traffic and hope to purchase a lamp and rug as well as drapes for the ceiling
o Welcoming entrance � we hope to create a more friendly space where parents can pick up information more easily
o Technology corner � we have �contained� this area, making it deliberately small enough for only 5 people and thereby reducing the dominance of the playstation
o Administration � we hope to create a more efficient working space for Supriti and Kathie and are trying a few different ways to keep most things locked away in the storeroom.
This is a slow and evolutionary process that depends on a number of things including money and safety. If you have any suggestions please feel free to talk to us � Sarah.
Accreditation
This term we have been looking at Quality Area 3 � Partnerships with families and community links. The underlying principles are:
o being responsive to the interests of families and encouraging them to participate in the operation of the centre
o actively building links with the community
o being responsive to the diverse needs of the community
Community ties
We believe that we cover the points above quite well but thought that one improvement could be finding ways that centre families can make small contributories to the community.
October 26 is breast cancer awareness day so next term we will be selling breast cancer ribbons and pins. All monies raised will go directly to research into breast cancer .
We are also going to try to do something in the community once a term. Next year we are investigating developing pens pals with the after care centre at Tallebudgera, Queensland; a clean up ESL Park afternoon and fund raising for Erin�s Place a local women and children refuge. If you have any suggestions about supporting these ideas please speak to any of the staff.
Paying Fees
We are constantly running a balance of $6,000 in fees owing. As all our running costs are met by fees, this is less than an ideal situation. One way of combating this is that from next term parents will be able to pay using credit card or eftpos. Please remember our policy is that payments should be made every two weeks.