Happy Friday Families,
What a beautiful week it’s been! Despite the chilly mornings, we were treated to sunny days, which were perfect for plenty of outdoor play all rugged up in our winter coats. The children made the most of the sunshine, exploring, creating, and engaging in meaningful learning experiences outside. Indoors, we kept just as busy with lots of arts and crafts, building on creativity and fine motor skills.
Cross Service Collaboration…
This week, some of our educators had the opportunity to visit our Surrey Hills and Ringwood services. At Choklits, one of our core pillars is Collaboration because we know that working together, sharing ideas, and learning from one another strengthens not only our teams but also the learning experiences we provide for the children.
Our educators loved spending time in the other services, connecting with fellow educators, gaining inspiration, and discovering new approaches to bring back to our own service. It’s always exciting to see how each Choklits service brings our shared values to life in unique ways.
We had such a fantastic time during these visits and are feeling energised by the experience. We’re already looking forward to welcoming our colleagues when they come to visit us soon, we can’t wait to showcase everything that makes our service so special!
Woodwork with Michelle…
This week marked a very exciting milestone in a long running project for our kinder children, our very own cubby house project has officially begun! For the past eight months, the children have been going on regular walking excursions around our local community, exploring different homes and outdoor structures to gather inspiration. These walks have sparked rich conversations about design, structure, materials, and creativity, and the children have been eagerly documenting their ideas through drawings, discussions, and collaborative planning.
Now, with all that inspiration in hand, they’ve started working with Michelle to bring their vision to life, beginning construction on their very own cubby house! The enthusiasm and sense of ownership the children have shown is truly heartwarming.
Woodwork in early childhood offers so many benefits, it fosters fine motor development, coordination, problem solving, and spatial awareness. It also encourages persistence, patience, and teamwork. As children use real tools and materials in a supported and safe environment, they develop confidence and a deep sense of accomplishment. It’s a joy to watch their ideas come to life piece by piece, and we can’t wait to see the finished cubby.
National Simultaneous Storytime…
On Wednesday, we were excited to take part in National Simultaneous Storytime, a wonderful annual event coordinated by the Australian Library and Information Association. Each year, a picture book by an Australian author is selected to be read aloud simultaneously by children all over the country. It’s a fantastic way to promote the joy of reading, the value of storytelling, and the importance of literacy in early childhood.
This year’s book was “The Truck Cat” by Deborah Niland, a heartwarming and beautifully illustrated story about a curious cat who lives in a truck and travels around with his driver, discovering new places and learning what it means to find a home. The story sparked plenty of conversation among the children about pets, travel, and the feeling of belonging.
To celebrate, we all gathered together to enjoy the story, at the same time as thousands of children across Australia. There was such a lovely buzz in the room as we shared this reading experience, knowing we were connected to so many other early learning services, schools, and families around the country.
It was a truly special experience that reminded us how powerful books can be in bringing people together. We can’t wait to take part again next year!
Next Week…
Next week, from May 27 to June 3, we’ll be participating in National Reconciliation Week, a special time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, reflect on the journey of reconciliation, and explore how we can contribute to a more respectful and inclusive future.
The theme for National Reconciliation Week 2025 is “Bridging Now to Next.” This powerful message reminds us that reconciliation is an ongoing journey, one that draws on the lessons of the past to guide our steps forward. It’s about connecting where we are now with where we want to go as a nation. One strengthened by understanding, respect, and unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
The children will engage in age appropriate experiences that help build their understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories. Through storytelling, art, music, and discussions, we aim to foster values of respect, empathy, and connection from an early age. This week is also a chance for our educators to continue learning and reflecting alongside the children, as we all play a role in building a more inclusive community.
Don’t forget! We’re hosting our Kinder Information Night on Wednesday, May 28 at 5:45pm. This is a great opportunity to learn more about our kindergarten program, meet the teaching team, and explore how we support your child’s transition into their kinder year.
We’d love to see you there! Please RSVP to [email protected] so we know to expect you.
Social Media…
Just a reminder to stay connected and follow us on social media for the latest updates on everything happening at our service! You can find us on Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram (@choklitsearlylearning).
Don’t forget…
We want to take a moment to remind families that we are always accepting donations for our Community Corner. Whether it’s snacks, nappies, clothes, or any other useful items, all donations are deeply appreciated. These contributions help us support families in our Choklits community and ensure that everyone has what they need. If you have anything you’d like to donate, please feel free to drop it off at the front desk.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Have a great weekend,
Savannah, Gemma, and the Choklits Team
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Please check the calendar below for important upcoming events, feel free to share with your family and friends.
Our Centres
(03) 9879 5888