Choklits and current COVID-19 Updates

Choklits Owner Jade is continually updating our community throughout the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Below is the latest information we have, we will post further information as it comes to hand.

17.2.21 Update: we are back, again.

Good afternoon Choklits Community,

We will return to our normal covid safe operations tomorrow after the premier confirmed Victoria’s 5 day lockdown will end tonight.

Please ensure you continue to wear a mask when you enter Choklits and follow all the COVID-19 safe practices we have in place.

See you all tomorrow!

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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12.2.21 Update: Victoria back into lockdown from tonight.

Good afternoon Choklits Community,

I’m sure you’ve all heard that Daniel Andrews has now announced that all of Victoria is going into a 5 day stage 4 lockdown as of 11:59pm tonight to 11:59pm Wednesday Night. 

As an essential business, Choklits will remain open and operating our normal hours 7am-6pm next week for those who require care. 

If you would like more information please refer to the government website. 

Please ensure you wear a mask when you enter Choklits and follow all the COVID-19 safe practices we have in place. 

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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27.9.20 Update: child care reopens tomorrow, no permit required.

Happy Sunday Choklits Community,

It’s with great joy we can confirmed that we’re back!

Child Care Centres can reopen tomorrow September 28th to everyone as permitted worker permits are no longer required.

If you are returning to Choklits tomorrow please remember that our strict and swift COVIDsafe drop-off procedure remains in place and (unfortunately) no parents or carers can enter our building. We encourage you to discuss our COVIDsafe drop-off procedure with your child/ren before tomorrow morning so they are aware you will kiss and go at the front door rather than take them to their room. Our Choklits Educators will escort your child/ren the their room. 

We are all super excited and look forward to seeing you in the morning!!

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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6.9.20 Update: children can return to child care from September 28th.

Happy Father’s Day Choklits Community,

Some fantastic new today…

The Premier announced that all Victorian families will be able to return to child care from September 28th.

The permitted worker forms and status will NO LONGER BE REQUIRED to access care from September 28th.

We look forward to seeing you all return, we’ve really missed all your smiling faces!!

Thank you all for your understanding and support throughout the past few months. We have a little way to go as a community and before we return to a completely normal, but as far access to child care goes we have our fingers, arms, legs and toes crossed in the hope this is the last time we need to update this page!

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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9.8.20 Update: child care rules relaxed, with only one parent required to be a permitted worker.

Happy Sunday Choklits Community,

In addition to yesterday’s update, we can confirm the rules to access child care have been relaxed and the official information including the new criteria has now been posted on the government websites.

The key points are…

Permitted workers are able to access onsite childcare and kinder if there is no one else in their household who is able to supervise their child/ren. For example, a permitted worker in a single parent household may access childcare and kinder.

If there is another carer in the household, permitted workers can still access onsite childcare if the other parent/carer cannot supervise the child/ren. This could be for a number of reasons – for example, their partner or co-parent:

• has a medical condition, or chronic illness which prevents them from caring for the child
• has a disability
• is completing full time study and must attend onsite
• works from home, but in a role that means they cannot supervise the child/ren – resulting in the permitted worker not being able to do their job

Both carers do not have to be permitted workers to access childcare.

The above information and more can be found here.

If the relaxed rules mean you can now access child care and would like to return to Choklits please email us your intention to do so asap, kids@choklits.com.au, and include your properly completed Permitted-Worker-Scheme-Template-childcare-addition or your Access-to-Childcare-Scheme-Template.

Thank you for your understanding and if you have any questions please get in touch.

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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8.8.20 Update: child care rules to be relaxed, with only one parent required to be a permitted worker.

Happy weekend Choklits Community,

Here we go again…

Late yesterday it was reported that the Victorian government relaxed the eligibility requirements to access child care. And, due to the changes it is expected that many more families will now be able to go back to using child care services.

The following is an extract from this news article.

Now, in a two-parent household, only one needs to be a Permitted Worker for the family to be eligible for childcare.

The family will only be required to show the other parent is unable to care for the children.

Valid reasons include working from home in a non-permitted industry, a disability or full-time study.

The government webpage the above article references can be found here, but is yet to be updated to reflect the latest changes.

We will make a further update when the information appears on government websites.

Thank you for your understanding and if you have any questions please get in touch.

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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5.8.20 Update: evening (PM) news, including required forms for attending child care.

Good Evening Choklits Community,

Thank you all once again for your understanding through this time. It’s been extremely confusing to say the very least.

Firstly, we want to thank and send our very best wishes to all our families who won’t be at Choklits for the next 6 weeks. Please stay safe and look after your families. Your additional 30 absent days will cover the 6 week period and you will not loose your enrolment at Choklits.

For all the families wishing to attend Choklits, it’s important you read and understand all the eligibility guidelines and requirements for attending child care. Please read and ensure you meet the government requirements detailed on this web page.

To attend Choklits you will need to satisfy the requirements as detailed at the above link and send either your properly completed Permitted Worker Scheme Template, Permitted-Worker-Scheme-Template-childcare-addition or your Access-to-Childcare-Scheme-Template to us via email, kids@choklits.com.au.

Please note, and as detailed on this page; if you have already sent us you Permitted Worker Permit you are NOT required to complete a Permitted Worker Scheme Child Care addition as well.

We will assume that if email us your Permitted Worker Permit or your Access to Child Care and Kindergarten Form to us via email you meet all the relevant eligibility requirements as detailed here.

Choklits takes no responsibility if these forms have been falsified in anyway or are completed outside their intended spirt.

Thank you for your understanding and if you have any questions please get in touch.

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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5.8.20 Update: noon news

Hello Choklits Community,

As we all know and due to stage 4 restrictions Choklits will be closed from tonight at 11.59 pm, except for the children of permitted workers and vulnerable children who can’t be cared for at home.

The Premier has just announced that parents will require a special permit to access child care over the next 6 weeks.

We will let you know as soon as the permit application process opens up later today. Please note; the child care permit is in addition to the Permitted Work Permit and we believe it needs to be signed by your employer.

We are awaiting the offical communication but we believe we will be open for the following reasons, only:

1. if both parents/careers are permitted workers and there is no other care option
2. for any children that are registered with Choklits as a vulnerable child, plus children with a disability
3. if you are a permitted worker and there is no one in your house that is capable of looking after your children

We have already contacted all families we believe will be eligible. If we haven’t contacted you but you believe you may be eligible, please email us immediately to ensure we allocate a place for you kids@chokilts.com.au.

You will required a permit and we will let you know as soon as the permit application process opens up later today. You will need to provide a copy of the permit to Choklits before you can attend.

Families who are not attending Choklits will NOT loose their enrolment places and will be given an additional 30 absent days to cover the 6 week period. We have decided we will waive the gap fee for families who are not attending Choklits. The standard daily fees will apply for those who are attending Choklits.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, we are doing everything we can to get further details to you asap.

More to come…

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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5.8.20 Update: morning (AM) news

Good Morning Choklits Community,

Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan has released initial details on a new child care support package to ensure child care centres can remain open.

Details of who can attend child care for the next 6 weeks is still to come.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, we are doing everything we can to get further details to you asap.

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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4.8.20 Update: stage 4 closure

Good Afternoon Choklits Community,

A quick update on our pending closure tomorrow (Wednesday) night.

Unfortunately, the Premier didn’t share any further information about child care in his press conference we’ve just watched live. The specific details on which centres may close and who will be able to attend child care during stage 4 restrictions remains unclear.

We are awaiting official information from the department of Education and relevant bodies.

Please hold tight, we will publish the information as soon as the government makes it available and be in contact with you all.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, we are doing everything we can to get further details to you asap.

Stay safe,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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1.8.20 Update: stage 4

Hello Choklits Community,

The roller coaster ride that is 2020 rolls on! 

Victoria is moving to stage 4 restrictions which will effect child care for the first time.

Child care and kindergarten’s will be closed from Wednesday at 11.59pm, except for the children of permitted workers and vulnerable children who can’t learn from home.

The Premier has said that he will be making further announcements tomorrow regarding workplaces, child care and who is deemed an essential worker. We will provide the entire Choklits Community with a detailed update as soon as this is known.

Please be aware of today’s further restrictions on travel and social activity already announced.

Statement On Changes To Melbourne’s Restrictions

Statement On Changes To Regional Restrictions

The Choklits Community has already proved we are a strong and resilient bunch. I’m one hundred percent certain that we will get through this next period together and will all be stronger on the other side.

We will be open tomorrow and will continue with to comply with all COVID safe health and safety guidelines.

Stay safe and see you in the morning,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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22.7.20 Update: face masks

For information about masks and child care please visit https://www.choklits.com.au/child-care-face-masks

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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21.7.20 Update: new drop-off and pick-up procedures 

Hello Choklits Community,

Well 2020 continues to be an interesting year for us all!

I really wanted to thank you all for your ongoing understanding and support as we navigate our way through this period.

Our children’s safety has always been our first priority at Choklits and with the further restrictions coming into effect in Victoria we’ve made the difficult decision to further restrict who enters the Choklits building and grounds.

From Monday, only the Choklits Educators and our enrolled children will be able to enter Choklits.

New drop-off procedure

1. Please bring your child/ren to the front door where we will have extra Choklits Educators waiting for you.
2. Our Educators will check your child/ren temperature/s.
3. The sign in kiosk (iPad) is being moved to outside the front door so you can sign your child in as you normally would.
4. You will be asked to nominate a pick-up time (so we can have your child/ren ready when you arrive).
5. A dedicated Choklits Educator will escort your child/ren and their belongings to theirs room/s and get them settled for the day.

New pick-up procedure 

1. If you are arriving at your nominated pick-up time, please come to the Choklits front door.
2. We aim to have your child/ren ready for you collect so you can sign-out as you normally would.
3. If you are arriving more than 10 minutes either side of your nominated pick-up time, please send us a message via your StoryPark app or call us on 9879 5888 so we can adjust your child/rens routine.

Please be patient while our wonderful Choklits Educators get into the swing of our new procedure. If you do find yourself waiting a minute of two at either end of the day, please remember to maintain social distancing while doing so.

We have set ourselves the aim of making drop-offs and pick-ups easier and quicker for everyone but we will probably need a little practice to get going.

If you have any questions or concerns please respond to this email.

Thank you again for your patience and understanding, we really hope these changes are only for a very short period.

Stay safe, thanks,

Jade

As always, please –

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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1.7.20 Update: temperature checks 

Hello Choklits Community,

We hope you are all keeping well and safe. We would like to inform you all that from this afternoon we will be taking the temperature of everyone who enters the building. This is in line with the Department of Health and Government guidelines.

Please note the process and procedure for temperature checks will be as follows until Victorian restrictions are lifted.

1. Before entering everyone’s temperature will be taken by a member of the Choklits staff.

2. 36.5° C – 37.4 Normal- Entrance to the centre can be given. 

3. 37.5° C or Over is a High Temperature, you will not be able to enter the building. 

4. Temperatures need to be 37.4° C or below for at least 24 hours prior to returning to the centre.

5. Please note if you or your child are not well please do not enter the centre.

6. Remember to apply hand sanitizer and maintain 1.5M from all staff and other children.

Thank you for keeping everyone safe,

Jade and the Choklits Team.

If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact us.

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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24.4.20 Update

24.4.20 update: Message from Choklits Child Care Owner Jade.

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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8.4.20 Update

8.4.20 update: Message from Choklits Child Care Owner Jade. You can find all the current changes at https://www.choklits.com.au/83days/

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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5.4.20 Update

5.4.20 update: Message from Choklits Child Care Owner Jade. Link mentioned in video https://www.choklits.com.au/83days/

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

—

3.4.20 Update

3.4.20 update: Message from Choklits Child Care Owner Jade.

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

—

27.3.20 Update

27.3.20 update: This week, due to the rapidly changing COVID-19 situation, Choklits Owner Jade is sharing our regular Friday Reflections Vlog which is ordinarily reserved just for the Choklits Educators with the wider Choklits Community. Enjoy, stay safe and healthy everyone!

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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25.3.20 Update

25.3.20 video transcribed: Good morning everybody, here I am again! I’m starting to feel like the PM and know what he goes through with all these press conferences. Every time he does one I feel like I need to do one to keep updating you! So, for those of you that didn’t get across last nights updates, Choklits and child care are still open! We’ll all be at the centre today and for as long as we still can to help support you and the community. So all the educators are there to get onboard and keep looking after your children and supporting you so you can go to work or do whatever you need to do in this crazy, crazy time. We are here, we are open and I just wanted to say have a great day, I’ve worn some pink to hopefully brighten up everyones day and have a smile so we can keep moving forward, one foot in front of the other. Any question or concerns, please let us know we’ll all be in the office today and on email. kids@choklits.com.au if you can’t get to the phone and we’l try and answer anything that we can. Have a great day and I’m sure I’ll see you again very soon!

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

—

24.3.20 Update

24.3.20 video transcribed: Hello everyone it’s Jade from Choklits here. I thought I’d jump on and say hello, I hope everyone is doing OK. I know that there are a lot of mixed feeling going around at the moment and there is a lot of uncertainty. I just wanted to give you an update on what I know. What I do know is that obviously the department have upped some of their expectations that we are now complying by in relation to one of which is limiting our visitors into the centre so we have made the sad decision but a very smart one I think to now finish all of our incursions, they all finished as of Thursday last week and all of our excursions in addition to that so we are limiting the amount of people coming into the centre. Additionally we are dealing with lots and lots of requests from you all, I know that there’s a lot of different circumstances and lots of different information that you need and want from us. All I ask is that you be patient, we are working through them all. Our admin load (as I’m sure you can all appreciate) has increased significantly so we are doing our best to work through those one by one and addressing them all with you to hopefully get the best outcome for all. We are here for you all, family, staff, community. We can do our best in supporting each other. From a walk into the centre perspective, all of the staff are there to help and support you and obviously al of the children. We are practicing safe hygiene practices, we are teaching the children as best we can about social distancing. Obviously our younger children don’t quite understand that, particularly our babies and toddlers and why should they? So we are doing our best to ensure they are also safe. We are washing hands and ensuring that everything is inline with our normal business practices, that we are clean and tidy and on top of everything. If you do have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact us and I’ll endeavour to answer your questions. Like many of you I wait for the information we get for the department so I’m providing the most up-to-date, relevant, current and correct information to you all. Come to us with any questions and we’ll go away and try to find the answer for you. Please stay safe, stay well and once again please support each other and be kind to each other. Thanks to all of the Choklits Community for rally together in a really tough time. I’ll talk to you again really soon, thanks!

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.

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18.3.20 Update

18.3.20 video transcribed: Good morning Choklits Community, I wanted to get on again this morning to check in and provide you with an update in relation to the information that we have from the department of health and education which is business as usual. The update hasn’t changed, they are updating us when new information comes in and I’m keeping on top of that hour by hour. There’s a lot of conflicting information out in the Community so the best thing we can doing is to follow the direct source which is from the Government directly to us. Their advice is business as usual which we are doing. So, if yesterday was anything to go by the children are really happy and the curriculum is going as planned. All our incursions are going ahead and the excursions I mentioned the other day have been canceled. Our excursion to the aged care facility has been cancelled for the health and safety of everyone involved. We also had an incursion planned tomorrow for Harmony Day which we have postponed until later in the year to ensure that any external visitors that we haven’t dealt with before aren’t coming into the centre. We are reviewing each of our incursions and program day-by-day with all the information we have at hand. If you have any questions or concerns please down hesitate to come in and see us at Choklits, call us or email us. There is a lot of information on the department of health website and we can provide that to you if you require it or want to discuss anything. This is a rurally confusing and crazy time, we are doing our best to rally together, support each other and be kind. Thanks for listening, if you have any questions please let me know, say safe!

Useful Link: DHHS.vic.gov.au/Coronavirus

Call us 98795888

Email us kids@choklits.com.au

Please also connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for the latest news.