Dear Choklits families,
As the crisp air of winter settles in, we are thrilled to unveil our brand new Winter Menu for 2026. Thoughtfully designed to provide warmth and nourishment, this season’s menu is brimming with hearty, wholesome meals that celebrate the best of fresh, seasonal produce.
In keeping with our unwavering commitment to your child’s health and development, our menu is, as always, approved by Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Achievement Program and meticulously aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Every dish served at Choklits is crafted to support not only physical well-being but also foster learning and growth.
Throughout the week, your child will delight in a diverse array of warm, flavourful meals that are both comforting and packed with essential nutrients. Highlights from this season’s offering include:
Each lunch is complemented by a morning and afternoon tea offering, which includes seasonal fresh fruit, wholesome snacks like homemade muffins, and nourishing options such as yoghurt and vegetable sticks with dips. Our dedicated team also ensures that gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary needs are always carefully accommodated.
At Choklits, our food program extends beyond mere nutrition; it is an integral part of our educational philosophy. The EYLF underscores the significance of healthy eating in shaping children’s sense of wellbeing, identity, and belonging. Mealtimes at Choklits are cherished opportunities for children to:
By interacting with a menu rich in colour, texture, and cultural diversity, children develop healthy habits and a positive relationship with food, invaluable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.
This winter, we are excited to continue our beloved Plant to Plate program, led by our talented chefs. This hands-on initiative empowers children to forge a direct connection with the food they consume, involving them in every stage of the process, from planting and nurturing to harvesting and preparing fresh produce straight from our centre gardens.
For our younger children, the program focuses on exploration and developing foundational skills. They will learn how to safely handle child-friendly utensils and engage all five senses as they experience the soil, the scent of fresh herbs, and the wonder of plant growth.
Our older children will participate in a full seasonal cycle, helping to plant seeds, care for the garden, pick the produce, and finally, prepare and taste the delicious meals they have helped create. This empowering process nurtures practical life skills and a profound sense of accomplishment.
Crucially, children who are actively involved in growing and preparing their own food are significantly more likely to try new vegetables and dishes. The Plant to Plate program effectively breaks down barriers, transforming “I don’t like that” into “I made that!” This program beautifully supports the EYLF’s emphasis on learning through play, fostering autonomy, and building a strong sense of identity and connection with the world around us, all while having immense fun.
We take immense pride in the thoughtful dedication that goes into every plate of food served at Choklits, and we are even prouder to witness the joy and enthusiasm with which the children embrace it. The Winter Menu 2026 exemplifies our ongoing commitment to health, sustainability, and joyful mealtimes.
Thank you for trusting us to provide not only safe and delicious meals, but experiences that help your children learn, grow, and thrive.
If you have any questions on our new menu please head to our Facebook and Instagram pages or pop in and see us when you’re next at the service.
Here’s to our Winter Menu,
Dear Choklits families,
The leaves will again start to fall at Choklits which means we’re excited to introduce our Autumn Menu for 2026. This season’s menu focuses on comforting meals, balanced nutrition, and fresh seasonal produce designed to support your child’s health and wellbeing each day.
As always, our menu is approved by Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Achievement Program and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). Every meal is thoughtfully prepared to support not only growing bodies, but also children’s confidence, independence, and enjoyment at mealtimes.
Autumn is a time for warm, nourishing dishes that feel satisfying without being heavy. Across our rotating menu, children will enjoy:
Each dish is designed to provide the right balance of protein, wholegrains, healthy fats, and fresh produce to fuel active days of learning and play.
Autumn produce brings natural colour and flavour to the plate. Pumpkin, sweet potato, root vegetables, leafy greens, and fresh herbs feature throughout the menu. These ingredients not only taste great, but also provide important nutrients that support immunity and steady energy during the cooler months.
Where possible, we continue to incorporate ingredients from our centre gardens, helping children connect food to its source and understand the journey from soil to plate.
At Choklits, mealtimes are about more than nutrition. They are social, calm, and part of daily learning. Through shared meals, children:
This aligns closely with the EYLF focus on wellbeing, identity, and confidence.
We remain committed to meeting the individual needs of every child. Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegetarian, and allergen-aware options are prepared with the same care and attention as every other meal. Our kitchens continue to operate as nut-free environments to prioritise safety.
Balanced nutrition, reduced added sugar, and fresh ingredients remain at the heart of our food philosophy.
Autumn brings a slower pace and a sense of warmth, and our menu reflects that. We are proud of the care our chefs and educators bring to each mealtime experience.
Thank you for trusting us to nourish your children each day. We look forward to a season filled with comforting meals, shared conversations, and happy, healthy children.
If you have any questions about our new menu, please visit our Instagram or Facebook and pages or stop by the office when you’re next at Choklits.
Warm regards,
Matt, Jade, Deb, & the Choklits Child Care Team
Hello Choklits Community,
Each year, between Christmas Day and January 1st, we take time to reflect on our year at Choklits and pen our Annual Letter. That’s us above, Choklits Owners Jade and Matt, along with our twins, Abigail and Hubert.
Choklits is a family business, and along with our fabulous team we own and operate Choklits ourselves. Both Abigail and Hubert attended Choklits long before they became confident primary schoolers with leadership roles for Grade 6. We live and we breathe Choklits, our children will probably tell you we take it a little too seriously, and we definitely talk about it way too much!
We believe progress is happiness which is probably why we enjoy this, nothing makes us smile more than helping our team grow, develop and seeing the impact they have for all the children who come to Choklits.
This year was especially challenging for early childhood education due to broader industry factors. Despite the challenges, we are grateful for the way our community stayed connected and supportive, and for their understanding through it all.
Leading Choklits is a great privilege and we thank you for being part of our community. We are very proud of the entire Choklits Team and everything they have achieved in 2025.
We certainly had an action packed year…
As we know children learn through real experiences and connections with their world, some beautiful community moments we shared include our team facilitating several excursions almost every week, including Arcare visits, Bush Kinder, Kew Traffic School. We had over 600 incursions and our very first cross service group excursion where our kindergarten classes all came together and visited Chesterfield Farm. It was an amazing experience for everyone, including ourselves.
We had several visits from Allied Health Professionals and Dr Rob visited us every week to help both our team and children stay in tiptop shape.
A particular highlight for us was hosting international visitors at Choklits Surrey Hills, where Abby and Zac led an impressive curriculum presentation in Mandarin for eight visiting educators from China. This moment reflected both the strength of our program and the confidence of our educators in articulating practice at a global level.
To date, six students from China have participated in and experienced our curriculum firsthand. More recently, principals from Chinese schools visited Choklits Surrey Hills to observe and review the high-quality practice embedded within our program. Their feedback recognised the outstanding work of the Surrey Hills team and the strength of our pedagogical approach.
Notably, this international interest has grown organically through the advocacy of our existing families, who shared their positive experiences of the Choklits program within their global networks. This speaks to the trust, reputation, and impact of our work within the community.
As a result of these connections, we have been invited to Shenzhen in 2026 to further share and showcase our curriculum and approach. This is an opportunity we are greatly looking forward to.
Thanks to the dedication and professionalism of our team, Choklits has come a long way over the past 10 years, and this milestone stands as a powerful reflection of the quality, commitment, and vision that continues to drive our organisation forward.
One of our key strategic priorities this year was strengthening cross-service collaboration. Under the leadership of our Area Manager, Deb Prelorenzo, educators were supported to work collaboratively across locations to share expertise, reflect on practice, and lift quality consistently across the group.
A strong example of this has been the work of our room teams. Each team engaged in structured visits to all services, observing practice, exchanging ideas, and building a shared understanding of high-quality pedagogy. This ensured that every educator had the opportunity to contribute, learn, and grow through professional dialogue and collective practice.
We also welcomed a number of new team members to the Choklits family throughout the year. Their willingness to engage, build strong relationships, and actively contribute to our collaborative culture has further strengthened our learning community.
Looking ahead to 2026, Deb’s focus will be on deepening this collaboration through more intentional professional learning, strengthening reflective practice, and embedding consistent leadership rhythms across services. This will support sustainable improvement, shared accountability, and continued growth in educator capability and service quality.
Learning sat at the centre of everything we did. Across the year, we supported children to build confidence, wellbeing, thinking and communication, in line with the Early Years Learning Framework.
A highlight for 2025 was the introduction of our Wellbeing, and Physical Educational Programs which are only available at Choklits. These programs were created from within our team and led by educators who bring passion and skill to their craft:
The additional programs we offer in addition to the standard curriculum continue to be one of the main reasons families choose Choklits.
We completed the Ringwood playground upgrade. It remains one of Melbourne’s biggest outdoor child care play areas, and we love seeing children use it for movement, exploration, nature play and group games.
We are still finalising facility plans for each service in 2026 with our Maintenance Manager Dominic, but the consistent improvement and upgrades theme will continue throughout the year.
Our end of year celebrations team decided we should extend our awards beyond just tenure this year, and we agreed. We went to our community and the votes came in fast!
A huge thank you to our incredible parent community. Across our services we received over 300 votes for our team. Even more special, every single team member received at least one vote.
As owners, we are so proud of this incredible group of humans who pour so much into the children and the Choklits community every day.
Here’s a recap of our winners-
Choklits Champion (voted by the Choklits Team)
Educator Award (voted by parents)
Emerging Leader Award (voted by the leadership team)
One of the things we are most proud of at Choklits is our team tenure. In an industry known for high turnover, we feel privileged to have educators who choose to grow their careers with us, year after year. At Choklits Ringwood, we now have 10 current team members who have been with us for 5+ years, with some heading quickly towards 10 years!
In 2025, we proudly presented four 5-year Tenure Awards to:
We always say that Choklits is special because of our people: children, families and the team.
And the year would not be complete without a visit from Santa with a sack of books for all our children. The Chokliteers Get Ready for School was a big hit and the 8th book we have produced, the 6th in the Chokliteers series. The book was authored by Matt and illustrated by David Brewer and designed to demonstrate how we support children at Choklits with routines, confidence and transition-to-school readiness.
The world may be going more digital but our love of all things literacy remains strong, we believe books are an essential part of childhood and we feel it’s important we do our part.
We are excited to build on our strong foundations and focus on continued growth and innovation across Choklits. Key priorities include:
With a clear vision and a strong, connected team, 2026 promises to be an exciting year of growth, learning, and opportunity.
We obviously couldn’t deliver our service without our amazing team across our locations. Our Area Manager Deb Prelorenzo has flourished in her role and provided all our Directors with great support, mentorship and guidance throughout the year.
Our Directors, Savannah at Croydon, Zac and Surrey Hills and both Janine and Jenny at Ringwood, deal with more than anyone sees (or gives them credit for) on a daily basis and we are super proud of them all and the teams they’ve built.
Our team has grown to over 120 and each of them plays a vital role for Choklits families. It’s all the times they go above and beyond that makes Choklits, Choklits. We especially thank them for each and every time they put their own needs aside because a child, a parent or another one of our team needed them. You guys truly are the best!
Thank you all for being part of Choklits. Whether you have been with us for years or you joined us in 2025, we are grateful for your trust and support. We’re looking forward to 2026, it’s going to be our best year yet!
Enjoy the holiday period, we know you deserve it!
Learning is Everywhere!
Choklits Owners
—
Previous year’s letters-
2022 Annual Letter
Dear Choklits families,
Summer is back, and so is a new season of fresh meals for our children. Our Summer Menu 2026 is full of bright flavours, simple ingredients, and plenty of variety to keep children happy, nourished, and ready for busy days of play.
All meals are approved by Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Achievement Program and aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). This means your child’s meals support both their wellbeing and their learning, every day.
Summer brings a colourful mix of wholesome meals, with plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, and protein to fuel growing bodies. Highlights from this season include:
Fresh fruit, yoghurt, and small homemade snacks are available during the day to complement the menu. Our team makes sure children with specific dietary needs have appropriate options prepared just for them.
Summer produce plays a big role in this menu. You’ll see bright vegetables, fresh herbs, and seasonal fruits across lunches, morning teas, and afternoon teas. Many herbs and ingredients are harvested straight from the Choklits gardens, giving children a chance to experience food from garden to plate.
The EYLF highlights that mealtimes are part of learning, not separate from it. With this menu, children:
By offering familiar meals alongside new tastes, we help children feel safe while developing confidence and curiosity.
Children come with different needs and preferences, and the Summer Menu 2026 reflects this. Our chefs prepare vegetarian meals, dairy-free and gluten-free alternatives, and allergen-safe options daily. Mealtimes are inclusive, calm, and predictable, helping every child feel comfortable and supported.
We’re proud of the care and creativity our chefs bring to every dish. The Summer Menu 2026 gives your children the nourishment they need and the variety they enjoy during these long, warm months.
If you have any questions about our new menu, please visit our Facebook and Instagram pages or stop by the office when you’re next at Choklits.
Spring is here, and so is our fresh Spring Menu for 2025! It is packed with light, colourful meals that suit the season and fuel busy little bodies. Our menu is approved by Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Achievement Programme and aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). That means every meal supports children’s health, learning, and a positive relationship with food.
Across the four weeks, children will enjoy a mix of wholegrains, lean proteins, legumes, dairy, fruit, and plenty of vegetables. Highlights include:
Morning and afternoon teas feature seasonal fruit, yoghurt, homemade breads and bars, dips with crackers or pita, and other simple, nourishing snacks. Gluten-free and dairy-free alternatives are available, and all our services continue to be a nut-free.
The EYLF reminds us that mealtimes are part of learning. Our spring menu encourages children to:
Every day offers balance: carbohydrates for energy, protein for growth, dairy or alternatives for bones and teeth, and fruit and vegetables for fibre and vitamins.
This spring, Chefs Jordan, Lai and Tayani will again lead our Plant to Plate programme, giving children hands-on gardening and cooking experiences.
We have learned that children are far more likely to try new foods when they have grown or helped prepare them. This reduces some of the barriers families face at home and turns “I don’t like that” into “I made that”. The programme supports EYLF outcomes around wellbeing, confidence, and connection to the environment, while building real-world skills in a fun, calm setting.
Thank you for trusting us to nourish your children. Our Spring Menu 2025 brings bright flavours, balanced nutrition, and rich learning – on the plate and in the garden. We look forward to a season of curiosity, tasting, and joyful mealtimes.
If you have any questions about our new menu, please visit our Facebook and Instagram pages or stop by the office when you’re next at Choklits.
Zac remembers what it felt like to be a high-energy five-year-old. That’s how old he was when he first stepped onto a judo mat – and honestly, it changed everything. Now, with over 10 years of experience teaching in schools, Zac is bringing his passion for judo to Choklits every month!
But judo isn’t just about throws and takedowns. It’s a martial art, a sport, and maybe most importantly, a way to help children grow in all kinds of ways – physically, socially, and emotionally.
Judo is a Japanese word that means “the gentle way.” It was created way back in 1882 by Dr Jigoro Kano, who believed that using technique – not just strength – was the key to success. Today, judo is even an Olympic sport!
At Choklits, we know young children learn best by doing. Through movement, play, and connection with others, they build skills that last a lifetime. Judo fits right in.
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) highlights the importance of physical wellbeing. Judo supports this beautifully – it helps children build strength, balance, and confidence, all while having fun.
Judo helps children move in smart, safe ways. One of the first things they learn is how to fall. It might sound simple, but it’s a big deal. In judo, this is called ukemi – a skill that helps prevent injuries, whether they’re on the mat or playing at the park.
Zac teaches this step-by-step, making sure every child feels safe and supported. And while it might look like just tumbling to the outside eye, children are actually learning how to protect themselves – and that’s powerful.
All of this connects with EYLF Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing. They’re not just moving; they’re learning to trust their bodies and their growing abilities.
Judo isn’t wild or chaotic – it’s actually very structured. Each class follows a clear plan, and children learn to listen, concentrate, and remember what comes next. That kind of quiet focus takes practice.
And the more they try, the better they get. Sure, sometimes a move doesn’t work the first (or fifth) time. But that’s okay. In fact, it’s expected. Zac gently encourages children to keep going, and over time, they begin to believe in themselves a little more.
This growth in confidence and persistence supports EYLF Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity.They’re discovering they can do hard things – and that feels pretty amazing.
You might think judo is a solo sport – but it’s not. Children work in pairs, learning to be patient, take turns, and help each other. One child’s success depends on how well they listen and work with their partner. That builds a quiet kind of teamwork that sticks.
Before and after class, everyone bows to Zac and each other. It’s a small gesture, but it means a lot. It teaches that we respect ourselves, our teachers, and the space we’re learning in.
These shared rituals support EYLF Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. Through judo, they learn that respect isn’t just taught – it’s practiced.
Judo is about using your body to protect yourself – not to hurt others. And that’s an important difference. While children do learn self-defense basics, the focus is on staying calm, being aware, and using skills responsibly.
It’s not about being aggressive. In fact, judo often helps children who struggle with emotional regulation find a calm and positive outlet. They learn where their energy can go, and how to use it in a safe way.
This directly connects to EYLF Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners. Judo helps them manage their emotions and actions through controlled, guided movement.
Every child is different. That’s why Zac designs each class with flexibility in mind – so all children feel included and challenged in the right ways.
Room leaders will continue to observe your child’s progress and share notes about what they’re learning and how they’re growing through judo. That way, you’ll see the links between their movement and their overall development.
At Choklits, we believe early learning should be active, joyful, and meaningful. Judo brings all of that – and more. Children move their bodies, grow their minds, and build strong relationships, all while having a really good time.
Consider exploring judo as an enrichment activity for your child – the lessons learned on the mat truly do extend into every aspect of life, creating stronger, more confident learners who are well-equipped to face future challenges.
We’re excited to have Zac and his energy at Choklits, and we can’t wait to see the smiles, the progress, and the proud little bows after class.
—
Want to learn more about how we incorporate physical activity and character development into our programs? Book a tour to visit our center and see our activities in action. Follow us on social media for regular updates and ideas you can try at home.
Looking for more information about our approach to holistic child development? Contact Choklits Child Care to learn about our programs and how we make every day special for our children.
—
Composed by Choklits Owner Matt Reynolds
As the cooler weather settles in, we’re excited to share our brand new Winter Menu for 2025. Designed to nourish growing bodies and warm little tummies, this season’s menu is filled with hearty, wholesome meals that celebrate fresh, seasonal ingredients.
As always, our menu is approved by Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Achievement Program and carefully aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). That means every dish your child enjoys at Choklits supports not just their health, but their learning and development too.
From Mondays to Fridays, your child will enjoy a variety of warm, flavourful meals that are both comforting and packed with goodness. Highlights from this season’s offering include:
Every lunch is complemented by a morning and afternoon tea offering, including seasonal fresh fruit, wholesome snacks like homemade oat bars, and nourishing options such as yoghurt, muffins, and vegetable dips. Our team also ensures that gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary needs are always accommodated.
Our food program goes beyond nutrition. The EYLF highlights the importance of healthy eating in shaping children’s sense of wellbeing, identity, and belonging. At Choklits, mealtimes are a chance to build independence, try new things, and enjoy shared experiences with peers.
By engaging with a menu rich in colour, texture, and cultural variety, children also develop healthy habits and a positive relationship with food—skills that will benefit them for life.
This winter, we’re also delighted to share that Chefs Jordan, Lai, and Tayani will once again be leading our much-loved Plant to Plate programme at Choklits.
This hands-on initiative helps children build a direct connection with the food they eat by involving them in every step of the process—from planting and nurturing to harvesting and preparing vegetables straight from our centre gardens.
For our younger children, the experience is all about exploration and building foundational skills. They’ll practise how to safely hold and use child-friendly utensils, and engage all five senses as they feel soil, smell fresh leaves, and observe how plants grow.
For older children, the programme becomes a full seasonal cycle. They’ll help to plant seeds, care for the garden, pick the produce, and finally, prepare and taste the meals they’ve helped bring to life. It’s an empowering process that supports both practical life skills and a sense of accomplishment.
Importantly, children who are involved in growing and preparing their own food are much more likely to try new vegetables and dishes. For many parents, getting children to try new or unfamiliar foods at home can be a daily challenge. The Plant to Plate programme helps to break down these barriers—children are far more open to tasting something they’ve grown or helped to cook themselves. That sense of pride and ownership can turn “I don’t like that” into “I made that!”
This programme supports the EYLF’s focus on learning through play, developing autonomy, and building a strong sense of identity and connection with the world around us—all while having a whole lot of fun.
We’re proud of the thoughtful work that goes into every plate of food served at Choklits, and we’re even prouder to see how much the children enjoy it. The Winter Menu 2025 reflects our continued commitment to health, sustainability, and joyful mealtimes.
Thank you for trusting us to provide not only safe and delicious meals, but experiences that help your children learn, grow, and thrive.
If you have any questions on our new menu please head to our Facebook and Instagram pages or pop in and see us when you’re next at the service.
Here’s to our Winter Menu,
Picture this: A group of excited preschoolers carefully balancing on fallen logs, their eyes wide with wonder as they spot a family of ducks wading through a nearby stream. This is just another day at Choklits’ Bush Kinder program, where nature becomes our classroom and every moment brings a new opportunity for discovery and growth.
At Choklits, we believe that connecting with nature is fundamental to early childhood development. Our Bush Kinder program, designed for children aged 3-5 years, takes place in various natural settings including local nature reserves and parks, usually within walking distance from our services. What makes our program special is its alignment with the Kulin Seasons, fostering a deep respect for our environment and traditional knowledge.
Children attend sessions 2-4 times monthly, with experiences lasting anywhere from 2-6 hours. This immersion in nature, rain or shine, allows children to experience the environment in all its moods and seasons, building resilience and adaptability.
Research consistently shows that nature-based learning significantly impacts early brain development. When children engage with natural environments, they develop:
Every Bush Kinder session at Choklits begins with our special Yarning mat gathering. This ritual helps children transition into their nature experience while building a sense of community. Throughout the session, children engage in various activities including:
While we embrace the natural environment’s learning opportunities, safety remains our top priority. Our program features:
The impact of Bush Kinder on children’s development has been remarkable. We regularly observe:
Parents frequently share how their children bring their nature connection home, teaching family members about environmental protection and sharing their outdoor discoveries with enthusiasm.
Our Bush Kinder program strongly aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework outcomes:
Want to see our nature-based learning in action? Book a tour to visit our centre and learn more about our Bush Kinder program. For regular updates and nature play ideas you can try at home, follow us on social media.
—
Composed by Choklits Owner Matt Reynolds
As we await the leaves falling into our yards, we are excited to introduce our Autumn 2025 Menu—a delicious selection of seasonal, nutritious, and child-friendly meals crafted with care to support the growth and development of your little ones. This menu is not only approved by Nutrition Australia’s Healthy Eating Achievement Program, but it also aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), ensuring that mealtimes at Choklits are an opportunity for children to explore new flavours, develop healthy eating habits, and enjoy a variety of fresh, wholesome ingredients.
This season, we are also thrilled to welcome our new Choklits Ringwood Chef, Jordan Graham, to our team (thats him, above). With years of experience in creating nutritious, child-friendly meals, Jordan brings a passion for fresh, seasonal cooking and a commitment to making mealtimes both fun and nourishing for every child at Choklits.
With a background in healthy, balanced meal planning, Jordan is dedicated to making mealtimes exciting, fun, and educational. He believes that food should be both nourishing and enjoyable, and he’s already bringing new ideas and creativity to our kitchen.
Jordan is looking forward to meeting all the Choklits families and sharing his love of fresh, seasonal cooking with your children. Please join us in giving him a warm Choklits welcome.
Our autumn menu is bursting with comforting, nutrient-rich meals designed to fuel little bodies and minds. Each week, your children will enjoy:
With a strong focus on fresh ingredients, whole foods, and balanced nutrition, our menu ensures that your child receives essential nutrients for growth, development, and sustained energy throughout the day.
At Choklits, we take great pride in offering meals that are not only delicious but also designed to support children’s health and well-being. Our menu:
As we settle into the new season, we are proud to offer a menu that reflects the warmth, nourishment, and joy of autumn. Our team—led by Chef Jordan and our passionate kitchen staff—is committed to providing meals that support your child’s health, development, and love for good food.
Thank you for being a part of the Choklits community. We can’t wait for your little ones to enjoy, explore, and experience this amazing new menu.
As Summer unfolds, we look forward to sharing these nutritious and delicious meals with your children. Here’s to another season of good health, joy at Choklits!
If you have any questions about our Summer menu, we’d love to hear from you. Visit our Facebook and Instagram pages or pop in and see us when you’re next at Choklits.
As your child grows and develops at Choklits, you might encounter various developmental phases – including biting. If you’ve recently received a notification about your child biting or being bitten, please know that you’re not alone. Today, we’re sharing our expertise to help you understand and navigate this common developmental phase.
At Choklits, we understand that discovering your child has been biting others (or has been bitten) can be concerning. Our experienced educators recognise that biting typically emerges from your child’s natural developmental process rather than intentional misbehaviour.
Common reasons we observe include:
One of the most common concerns we hear from parents is whether their child is “deliberately being aggressive” or if another child is “targeting” their little one. Let us reassure you – biting during early childhood is not about deliberate aggression or targeting specific children.
Young children are still developing impulse control and emotional regulation skills. When a child bites, they’re usually acting on a momentary impulse driven by:
Even when a child seems to bite the same friend repeatedly, this usually indicates a pattern of interaction or proximity rather than targeting. For example, they might regularly play together during times when the biting child feels tired or overwhelmed.
Remember, your child is not “being mean” when they bite, and other children who bite are not “being bad.” They’re all learning important social skills and need our gentle guidance to develop better ways of interacting.
Our approach aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework’s emphasis on supporting children’s emotional development and social interactions. Here’s how we create a supportive environment:
Our educators respond calmly and quickly when biting occurs. We comfort both children involved while clearly communicating that biting hurts. This approach supports Outcome 1 of EYLF: children feel safe, secure, and supported.
Our team carefully observes potential triggers and patterns. We might notice that biting often occurs:
This knowledge helps us adjust our environment and routines to better support your child.
As partners in your child’s development, we encourage consistent approaches between home and Choklits. Here are practical strategies you can implement:
Most children naturally move beyond biting as their communication skills develop. At Choklits, we see this phase typically resolve as children:
Your partnership with us is crucial during this phase. We encourage you to:
Remember, biting behaviour doesn’t reflect on your parenting or your child’s character. It’s a temporary phase that we’ll navigate together, supporting your child’s development of positive social skills.
Want to discuss specific strategies for your child? Book a tour to meet with our educators and see our supportive learning environment in action. For regular updates and parenting tips, follow us on social media.
Have questions about your child’s development? Contact Choklits Child Care – we’re here to support you and your family through every developmental stage.
—
Composed by Choklits Owner Matt Reynolds
