Choklits Ringwood Weekly Updates
There’s always something exciting happening at Choklits Ringwood Service Director Jodi McVea shares updates on our adventures and learnings every week!
Please check the calendar below for important upcoming events and scroll down for your weekly updates. Past updates are also available, please feel free to share with family and friends.
Friday April 26th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Happy Friday!!! Hope everyone enjoyed ANZAC Day.
Exploring Earth Day and ANZAC Day…
This week at Choklits Child Care, we delved into the significance of Earth Day and ANZAC Day, embracing opportunities for learning, reflection, and creativity. Here’s a glimpse into the enriching experiences our children had:
Nursery: Our youngest explorers engaged in sensory play by creating their own earth pictures using blue and green paint, symbolizing the beauty of our planet. Additionally, they participated in poppy making and ANZAC cookie making.
Pre-Toddlers: With hands adorned in paint, our Pre-Toddlers crafted poppies, learning about the significance of this symbol of remembrance. They also joined in ANZAC cookie making, fostering a sense of community and gratitude.
Toddlers: The Toddlers celebrated Earth Day by unleashing their creativity through painting with shades of blue and green, depicting the wonders of our planet. Alongside, they engaged in ANZAC cookie making, embracing the spirit of togetherness and tradition.
3 YO Kinder: In the 3-year-old Kindergarten group, discussions centered around the Earth’s rotation around the sun, fostering an early understanding of our solar system. They also participated in ANZAC cookie making.
4 YO Kinder: Our 4-year-old Kindergarten group delved into conversations about sustainability and the importance of caring for our planet. Through discussions on recycling and the impact of plastic bottles, they explored ways to make a positive difference. ANZAC cookie making served as a poignant reminder of the values of courage and unity.
Educator Spotlight…
Join us in celebrating Tracey’s remarkable 19 years of dedication to Choklits. Tracey’s passion for nurturing children’s curiosity and well-being shines through in all she does. Her commitment to creating a warm and welcoming environment enriches the lives of both children and families. Thank you, Tracey, for your unwavering dedication and love! Check out Tracey’s profile here. I always love watching her video about her time at Choklits.
Healthcare Reminder…
A friendly reminder that Dr. Chan visits our center every fortnight on Mondays to provide healthcare services for your children. From general check-ups to vaccinations, Dr. Chan is here to support your family’s well-being. The next visit, scheduled for the week of May 6th, will include flu shots. Simply inform the office and fill out Dr. Chan’s medical request form.
Calling All Green Thumbs..
Do you have a passion for gardening? We’re seeking any Mums, Dads or Grandparents with green thumbs to share their expertise and time with our children in our veggie garden. What should we plant? We would love you to be involved in planting veggies for winter and be a part of an experience in our outdoor learning environment.
Check out a heartwarming throwback blog of past Toddler children’s summer planting adventures here.
Save the Date – Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea…
Join us on Friday, May 10th, for a special Mother’s Day afternoon tea. All Mums, Grandmas, Aunts, and special persons are warmly invited to celebrate this cherished occasion. Whether it’s your usual Choklits day or not, come join us for a delightful afternoon of fun and celebration.
Annual Leave…
I will be away on leave and will return on the 13th of May. Janine will be available should you need any support and our admin Zoe is there to answer all of your enrolment and payments enquiries. See you in a few weeks.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday April 19th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Happy Friday to all our wonderful families! Another week has flown by, filled with exploration, discovery, and plenty of smiles. While we didn’t have any specific events this week, our little learners have been busy immersing themselves in a world of wonder and excitement. Here are some of our highlights:
Nursery Nurtures Curiosity…
Our Nursery friends embarked on an exciting journey into the world of birds! With a captivating bird-watching excursion and a delightful bird-themed experience in the room, our little explorers spread their wings and soared into new discoveries.
Pre-Toddler Adventures…
In the Pre-Toddler room, little hands were busy with a fun ball toss game, while budding minds explored color recognition and engaged in imaginative play with baby dolls in the home corner. Every moment was a chance to learn and grow!
Toddlers Celebrate Auslan Day…
On National Auslan Day, our Toddlers joined in the celebration by learning some Auslan signs with the help of Emma Memma. Alongside their dinosaur explorations, they also delved into the realm of emotions, fostering empathy and understanding among friends..
3-Year-Old Kinder Engages in Family Portraits…
The kinder team led our 3-Year-Old Kinder children in a heartwarming family portrait activity, sparking discussions about family dynamics and relationships. Exploring emotions and practicing mindfulness through meditation, our little learners honed their self-regulation skills and nurtured positive traits.
4-Year-Old Kinder Embraces Literacy and Exercise…
In the 4-Year-Old Kinder room, the focus was on letter recognition, name writing, and promoting healthy exercise habits. Through engaging activities, our Kinder stars explored gross motor skills and expressed their creativity through painting.
April Events…
Remember to check out our calendar for upcoming events.
Earth Day is on April 22nd!
Centre Closure…
Just a reminder that we’ll be closed on ANZAC Day, April 25th.
An Invitation to Celebrate…
Mums, Grandmas, Aunties, Special person/s – Join us for a special Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on Friday, May 10th, at 3 pm. Please RSVP via the Xplor playground app and let us know of any dietary requirements. We look forward to celebrating the wonderful mothers in our Choklits community!
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday April 12th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another week of fun and learning at Choklits.
Here are the highlights from the week:
Nursery: Our little explorers have been busy delving into the world of technology, discovering new sounds, and navigating through our mini obstacle course.
Pre-Toddler: From squeezing oranges for juice to dancing with colourful scarves and playing with trucks and diggers, our pre-toddlers have been having a blast!
Toddler: This week, our toddlers have been getting creative with colouring pencils, practising agency, and immersing themselves in the awesome story “Dear Zoo.”
Kinders: Our Kinder 3’s have been diving into the zones of regulation and mastering self-help skills like tying shoelaces. Meanwhile, Kinder 4’s have been on an exciting journey of curiosity, asking questions about the world and expressing their interests about what they would like to learn.
Welcome Back…
We’re thrilled to welcome Sharon back from maternity leave! She’ll be joining the Toddler Room on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Baby Boom…
It’s with great joy that we announce a delightful baby boom within our Choklits community!
A warm congratulations to our last year’s Kinder teacher, Chloe on the arrival of her precious baby boy, Kai. We eagerly await the opportunity to shower him with cuddles and love.
We also want to say a big hello to Isla, the newest addition to Alec’s family in the 3-Year-Old Kinder Room. Congratulations to Susan and Ved on the arrival of your daughter!
In addition, we celebrate Elijah in the Toddler room, who has become a proud big brother as Bethany welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world.
We’re filled with excitement and happiness for all our growing families, and we can’t wait to share in the joys of these precious milestones together. Congratulations to each of you!
April Events…
Remember to check out our calendar for upcoming events. Earth Day is on April 22nd!
Centre Closure…
Just a reminder that we’ll be closed on ANZAC Day, April 25th.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday April 5th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
We hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend filled with laughter and love. How good was the 4 day weekend. Whether families stayed close to home or embarked on exciting adventures, it was lovely to hear the children share their holiday adventures, from egg hunts to quality time with loved ones.
As we wrap up another week filled with laughter, learning, and adventure, we’re thrilled to share some of the highlights that have taken place this week:
Exploring Curiosity and Creativity…
In our Nursery, our little ones embarked on a journey of discovery through balloon painting, a captivating activity that not only stimulates their senses but also introduces them to the concept of cause and effect. Alongside this, our tiny tots engaged with pop-up toys, igniting their curiosity as they explored the world around them.
Hands-On Learning in Pre-Toddlers…
The Pre-Toddler group delved into a myriad of experiences this week, from investigating the intriguing interaction between water and oil to honing their gross motor skills through exciting activities. Additionally, Easter celebrations continued with delightful painting sessions, allowing our young ones to express their creativity in vibrant hues.
Emotional Intelligence in Toddlers…
In the Toddler room, the focus was on understanding emotions, a crucial aspect of early childhood development. Through engaging activities like dinosaur puzzles, our little learners began to recognize and navigate their feelings, fostering emotional resilience from a tender age.
Exploration and Discovery in Kinder Groups…
Our 3-Year-Old Kinder group embarked on a journey of numerical exploration, balancing their adventures with activities like navigating balance beams and creating masterpieces through painting and pasting with natural resources. Meanwhile, in the 4-Year-Old Kinder room, children honed their emotional problem-solving skills using visual cue cards, empowering them to navigate social interactions with confidence.
Reminders…
As a gentle reminder, we’ve noticed a few belongings have gone astray in some of our rooms. We kindly request parents to check their child’s belongings, ensuring any items that don’t belong are returned to the appropriate rooms. Remember, labelling everything helps us keep track and ensure items find their way back home.
Doctor Chan will be visiting us on Monday the 8th of April. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our families in any way he can.
Photos…
We’re thrilled to announce that our photo galleries from the recent Vision Portraits session are now available for viewing and ordering!
Accessing Your Photos: Vision Portrait has sent out emails and text messages to all parents, providing links and individual passwords for accessing the galleries. To make it even easier, here’s the link: https://proofs.visionportraits.com.au/choklitsringwood2024. Included is the gallery for the group photos taken only in the 3 and 4 year old rooms. These can be purchased even if you didn’t book.
Important Information:
- Order Deadline: Please note that orders will close on Sunday, 14th April. Be sure to place your orders before this date to secure your desired prints and albums.
- Delivery Details: All prints and albums will be posted directly to our centre approximately 2 weeks after the order deadline. Keep an eye out for updates regarding collection.
- Need Assistance? If you have any queries or require assistance with your photo orders, don’t hesitate to contact Vision Portraits directly at 03 8689 0033. Their friendly team will be more than happy to assist you.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday March 29th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Happy Good Friday
What an amazing week it’s been at Choklits! We’ve had a blast diving into various events and celebrations, embracing the wonderful events that we celebrate in our community. Here’s a peek into the exciting activities that unfolded this week:
Celebrating Culture: Holi Festival
Monday was a burst of colours as we celebrated the Indian festival of Holi! It’s a time-honoured tradition that celebrates the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. Through colourful activities and stories, our little ones explored the beauty of diversity and the joy of togetherness. This celebration aligns with our commitment to inclusivity and cultural appreciation, fostering a sense of belonging among our children.
During our Holi celebration, our young learners embarked on a delightful journey of creativity and self-expression. With brushes in hand and hearts full of excitement, they painted vibrant designs on t-shirts, transforming plain canvases into colourful masterpieces. Guided by their imaginations, they explored the beauty of colours and patterns.
Meanwhile, our older groups embarked on a thrilling adventure with a Holi-inspired colour run. As they dashed around the yard, laughter echoed in the air, and clouds of colourful powder painted the sky. Through these immersive activities, our children not only learned about the significance of Holi but also embraced the values of friendship, diversity, and celebration that define our Choklits community.
Easter Festivities
With Easter just around the corner, our centre has been buzzing with egg-citement! From delightful arts and crafts to our adorable bonnet parade, the Easter spirit has truly enveloped Choklits. Our children showcased their creativity by crafting Easter bonnets, spreading smiles and laughter throughout the centre. These activities not only spark creativity but also promote collaboration and social interaction among our young learners.
Welcoming Suzie to the Choklits Family
We’re thrilled to extend a warm welcome to Suzie, our new kindergarten teacher! Suzie brings a wealth of experience and passion for early childhood education, and we’re delighted to have her join our team. If you see Suzie around, be sure to say hello and extend a warm Choklits welcome!
Important Reminder: Easter Closure
Just a friendly reminder that Choklits Child Care will be closed on Good Friday and Easter Monday. We hope this time allows you some special time with your loved ones, whether you’re embarking on outdoor adventures or enjoying moments at home. Stay safe and cherish these moments of joy and connection.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday March 22nd, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Happy Friday!
This week, we celebrated Cultural Diversity Week with great enthusiasm! Our educators embraced the spirit by wearing their traditional attire and sharing their cultural dances with the children. It was heartwarming to see our little ones immerse themselves in exploring different cultures. As part of our Harmony Day festivities, we delved into the colour orange, symbolising unity. The children engaged in various activities centred around this vibrant colour, promoting inclusivity and harmony within our community.
Highlights from the Week…
A special mention goes out to our 4-year-old Kindergarten children who received their distinctive orange Kinder t-shirts, aligning beautifully with the Harmony Day theme. These t-shirts not only signify their belonging to our Kindergarten program but also embody the essence of unity and acceptance.
Recommended Reading…
We invite you to explore our website where you’ll find enriching blogs like this one that delve into the significance of cultural diversity for young children. Follow this link to discover more: Learning About Cultural Diversity for Children Under 5.
Next Week…
Be sure to glance at the calendar above to stay updated on the exciting events lined up for the upcoming week. We have a lot of engaging activities planned to further ignite your child’s curiosity and learning journey.
Don’t Forget…
A quick reminder that next week, we’ll be capturing precious moments with our little ones through photos.
For those in the Toddlers and Kindergarten groups, please ensure your child wears an old t-shirt, preferably white, on Monday the 25th. Following the departure of Vision Portraits, we’ll be hosting our mini colour run for Holi Colour Festival—a fun-filled event not to be missed!
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday March 15th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families!
We hope this weekly update finds you well and you’re ready for a delightful weekend ahead. It’s been another fantastic week here at Choklits, filled with engaging activities and meaningful learning experiences tailored to nurture your little one’s growth and development.
Highlights from the Week…
- Nursery Adventures: Our youngest learners dived into the world of ball play, exploring textures, shapes, and movements, fostering their sensory and motor skills development.
- Pre-Toddlers’ Autumn Explorations: Our pre-toddler group immersed themselves in exploring the beauty of the season while honing their coordination through fun bowling activities.
- Melodies with Cam: The toddler room was filled with laughter and rhythm as they enjoyed a musical session with Cam, fostering their appreciation for music and movement.
- Rain Discovery Project: The curious minds in our 3-year-old classroom continued their exploration of the rain, focusing on the fascinating processes of evaporation and condensation.
- Imaginative Play: Our 4-year-olds embarked on an adventure after a captivating library session, enjoying a spirited game of ‘The Floor is Lava’ and unleashing their creativity through playdough sculpting.
Educator Spotlight…
This week, we celebrated a special milestone with Educator Tracey, fondly known as Nana Tracey, who celebrated her 60th birthday. We took a moment to express our love and admiration for her dedication to our Choklits family. If you’re new to Choklits and haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Tracey yet, we invite you to learn more about her on our website using this link.
More Choklits Upgrades…
Next week we have lots of work planned here at Choklits so you’ll notice a few tradesmen around the centre. Our nursery yard is getting an upgrade, the gutters throughout the centre are being replaced and some upgrades to the front of the building and entrance area are happening too. We’ll be managing different areas to allow the work to take place in isolation from the children but please be mindful during drop off and pickups. As we know from all the action next door, children tend to take particular interest when there’s tools around!
Next week…
Next week marks Cultural Diversity Week, culminating in Harmony Day on Friday. We invite all children to wear orange next Thursday and encourage families to share and celebrate their cultural heritage by wearing traditional clothing throughout the week.
Monday March 25th is the Holi Festival of Colours Celebration. Holi is the ancient Indian festival – the Festival of Colours. This marks the arrival of spring and the end of winter and it is the festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive.
This year, we will be offering two main experiences for the children. For our nursery and Pre-Toddler children, the centre will be supplying each child with a white t-shirt for them to decorate with a range of colourful puff paints. Our toddler, 3-year-old kindergarten class and our 4-year-old kindergarten children will be able to participate in our very own colour fun run!! These groups will need to wear their own t-shirts (preferably a white or light colour), one that doesn’t matter if it gets coloured.
If you have any concerns about your child taking part in either of these experiences, please let us know.
Reminders…
- Photo Week is booked for March 25th to 28th: Our photographers from Vision Portraits are set to capture precious moments of your child’s journey with professional photographs. Register here to secure your spot.
- A note from Vision Portraits: Registrations close Friday March 22nd, so don’t miss out on this opportunity.
- Centre closure: We will be closed Good Friday the 29th April and Easter Monday the 1st of April
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday March 8th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
Happy Friday!
I can’t believe it’s that time of the week again. We have had a wonderful week again here at Choklits with lots of learning happening across the centre.
Highlights from the Week…
Nursery: Our little ones in the Nursery have been on an exciting journey exploring the world of animals. From visiting our friendly chickens to checking out our stick insects, they’ve had a blast experiencing the pet shop experience in their room.
Pre-Toddler: It’s been all about the wonders of the sea and the changing colours of Autumn this week. Through interactive activities and discussions, our children have been diving deep into the ocean world and embracing the change of the seasons.
Toddlers: The Toddlers have been filled with excitement as they embarked on a dinosaur-themed adventure. From dinosaur crafts to imaginative play, they’ve been busy exploring the prehistoric era and unleashing their creativity.
3-Year-Old Kinder: Self-expression has been key for our 3-year-olds as they embarked on the journey of creating self-portraits. Alongside this, they’ve been furthering their understanding of nature, particularly rain, with Educator Huy.
4-Year-Old Kinder: Our 4-year-olds have been on the move, with engaging library visits, delving into life cycles, and adding their personal touch to their learning environment through room decorations and signage.
Educator Spotlight…
A round of applause for Jordan, our dedicated 4-year-old Kinder Teacher! After over five years of dedication and hard work, Jordan has successfully completed his Bachelor of Early Teaching. We’re immensely proud of his achievement and his unwavering commitment to providing quality education to our Kinder children.
New Choklits Menu…
As the Autumn has now begun, we’ll be transitioning to our new menu over the next couple of weeks! Once again the menu is approved by Nutrition Australia so you can be sure all our children will have the perfect nutrition for learning and all the activities they get up to throughout the day. You’ll find our new menu approved by Nutrition Australia here.
Interesting Reading…
Interested in enhancing your child’s pre-writing skills? Check out our recommended reading on pre-writing milestones for children here.
March Events…
March 18th – 22nd: Cultural Diversity Week – Through various activities and discussions, we’ll explore the beauty of diversity and foster understanding and respect for different backgrounds and traditions.
March 21st: Harmony Day – On Harmony Day, we come together to celebrate inclusivity, respect, and belonging for all. Through collaborative activities and shared experiences, we’ll reaffirm our commitment to creating a harmonious and welcoming environment where every child feels valued and accepted.
March 25th: Holi Celebration – Get ready to splash into colour as we commemorate the vibrant festival of Holi! With colourful activities and playful festivities, we’ll embrace the spirit of joy, love, and unity that defines this special day.
March 25th – 28th: Centre-Wide Photos – Vision Portraits will be here to capture memories with our annual centre-wide photoshoot!
March 28th: Easter Bonnet Parade – Our children will hop into the Easter spirit with our festive Easter Bonnet Parade! They have already started creating their special bonnets.
Centre Closure Dates…
Please note the following service closure dates for March and April:
March 11th, Labour Day: Our service will be closed in observance of Labour Day. Enjoy the long weekend with your loved ones!
March 29th, Good Friday: In observance of Good Friday, our centre will be closed.
April 1st, Easter Monday: We’ll also be closed on Easter Monday.
Footy Tipping…
Our highly anticipated footy tipping competition is back! Click the link below for all the details on how to join and be in the running to win a fabulous 12-month family adventure extravaganza, valued at over $320!
Good luck! You can join using this link – Choklits Footy Tipping Competition 2024
Don’t Forget…
- Label Everything: all clothing and drink bottles should be clearly labelled to prevent mix-ups and ensure belongings find their way back home.
- Safety First: let’s remember to exit Choklits carefully, especially with the increased traffic around the area. We’ve noticed many more bikes, so let’s take it slow and stay vigilant when exiting.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team.
Friday March 1st, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
It’s been a week filled with bittersweet emotions as we bid farewell to Sue, a cherished member of our Choklits family. After an incredible 28 years of dedication and kindness, Sue is embarking on a well-deserved transition to retirement. Sue will continue to work for Choklits but she won’t be in the office everyday anymore, and we’re really going to miss her!
If you haven’t already, take a moment to visit our social media pages to share in the memories and celebrate Sue’s remarkable time with us. This post is one of our favourites. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth and care that will be deeply missed. So a heartfelt goodbye to Sue and wish her and husband David a very happy transition to retirement.
Weekly Highlights…
Autumn Adventures in the Nursery
As the leaves change outside, our little ones in the Nursery have been exploring the wonders of autumn through sensory activities and playful experiences. Engaging with natural materials and observing seasonal changes aligns with the Early Years Learning Framework’s principle of ‘Belonging, Being, and Becoming,’ fostering a deep connection to the world around them.
Creative Expressions in the Pre-Toddlers
The Pre-Toddler Room has been abuzz with creativity as children delve into various art and craft projects. Through hands-on exploration, they develop fine motor skills, self-expression, and imaginative thinking.
Sensory Delights in the Toddler Room
Our toddlers have been delighting in the sensory experiences offered by our sandpit. From digging and building to sensory exploration, this outdoor play activity not only enhances physical development but also encourages curiosity and problem-solving skills.
Identity Exploration in Kindergarten 4’s
In Kindergarten 4’s, children have been delving into the concept of identity, celebrating their unique qualities and interests. Through discussions, stories, and activities, they are developing a strong sense of self-awareness and appreciation for diversity.
Footy Tipping…
Our highly anticipated footy tipping competition is back! Click the link below for all the details on how to join and be in the running to win a fabulous 12-month family adventure extravaganza, valued at over $320!
Good luck! You can join using this link – Choklits Footy Tipping Competition 2024
Congratulations…
A warm congratulations to Maysie and David on the arrival of their beautiful baby girl, Zoey! Isaac is undoubtedly a proud big brother, and we share in the family’s joy during this special time.
Centre Wide Portraits…
Mark your calendars! From the 25th to the 28th of March, we’ll be hosting centre-wide portrait sessions with Vision Portraits, capturing precious memories of your child’s journey at Choklits. More details to come!
March Events…
This month, we’re celebrating Cultural Diversity Week, including Harmony Day, Holi, and our eagerly anticipated Easter Bonnet Parade. Stay tuned for more details on how we’ll be embracing and celebrating diversity within our Choklits community.
Don’t Forget…
- Label Everything: all clothing and drink bottles should be clearly labelled to prevent mix-ups and ensure belongings find their way back home.
- Safety First: let’s remember to exit Choklits carefully, especially with the increased traffic around the area. We’ve noticed many more bikes, so let’s take it slow and stay vigilant when exiting.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
I hope everyone has a really marvellous weekend, filled with exciting family adventures and making lots of amazing memories. Our educators, and of course me, love hearing about all the amazing activities you all get up to.
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Sue, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team
Friday February 23rd, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
We’ve had another fantastic week here at Choklits, filled with laughter, learning, and plenty of fun activities for our little ones. It’s been heartwarming to see the children settling in so well, with smiles lighting up every corner of our centre.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT…
On Monday we have a very special announcement! It’s been a long time in the making but we still need to keep it under wraps for a few more days. So, please keep your eyes on our socials this Monday for the special news, we’ll be coming to you live from the Choklits office in Ringwood. Stay tuned!
Love Your Pet Day with Hamish…
Janine delighted us all by bringing in her cherished family pet, Hamish, for a special visit. The children adored spending time with him, learning about pet care and responsibility. If you missed out on the fun, you can catch up on our blog post about celebrating Love Your Pet Day here.
Kindergarten Adventures…
Our kindergarteners have been busy bees this week! The 3-year-olds had a blast making slime, exploring textures and colours, while the 4-year-olds took to the garden, enthusiastically planting away in our veggie patch. These activities not only foster creativity but also promote hands-on learning, aligning with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework.
Parent/Teacher Interviews with Jordan…
Jordan, our dedicated kindergarten 4 teacher, has been diligently conducting parent-teacher interviews this week. If you haven’t had the chance to book a session yet, don’t worry! There’s still time to schedule a meeting for next week. Reach out to us via email to secure your slot and stay updated on your child’s progress.
Exciting News…
We are thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to our program at Choklits! Beginning in Term 2, we will be implementing a Bush Kindergarten Program for our 4-year-old kindergarten group. Only 150 kindergartens across Victoria received a grant from the government to implement the Bush Kindergarten Program and we were lucky to be chosen. We will receive the funding every year for the next 4 years, so many of our younger children will benefit from the program as they reach our 4-year-old kindergarten too. So exciting!!!!
Our Favourite Social Post...
Check out our special guest Hamish, who stole the show on Love Your Pet Day! Visit our Facebook page to see adorable moments like these.
Next Week…
Doctor Chan will be visiting on Monday. Please stop by the foyer to fill out a form if you’d like your child to be seen.
Also, mark your calendars for the 1st of March, as we welcome the first day of Autumn. We’re excited to explore the changing seasons with your little ones, engaging them in discussions and activities that promote a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Don’t Forget…
- Label Everything: all clothing and drink bottles should be clearly labelled to prevent mix-ups and ensure belongings find their way back home.
- Safety First: let’s remember to exit Choklits carefully, especially with the increased traffic around the area. We’ve noticed many more bikes, so let’s take it slow and stay vigilant when exiting. We’re actively working on our visibility solutions to enhance safety for our entire community.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
I hope everyone has a really marvellous weekend, filled with exciting family adventures and making lots of amazing memories. Our educators, and of course me, love hearing about all the amazing activities you all get up to.
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Sue, Janine, Zoe & the Choklits Team
Friday February 16th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Dear Choklits Families,
Happy Friday!!
It was a week of love, yummy pancakes and resilience as we, and many local households, experienced power outages after the big storm on Tuesday. But, in true Choklits spirit, we all rose to the challenge!
Pancake Day Extravaganza…
Our rooms were abuzz with excitement as the delicious aroma of pancakes filled the air. Children eagerly rolled up their sleeves and dove into the pancake-making adventure, whisking batter, flipping pancakes, and topping them with an array of delicious toppings. Through this hands-on experience, our little chefs not only honed their fine motor skills but also learned about measurement, following instructions, and teamwork.
Valentine’s Day Celebration…
Love radiated through the halls of Choklits on Valentine’s Day, as our rooms transformed into a sea of hearts and kindness. Each room curated special experiences to celebrate friendship, empathy, and the joy of giving. From crafting heartfelt cards to sharing kind words and gestures, our children embraced the spirit of love and compassion, fostering a sense of belonging and connection within our community.
Nature’s Visitor…
Amidst our bustling week, we were delighted to welcome a furry friend into our Choklits family—a charming possum that nestled in our possum box! The possum kept popping his delightfully cute face outside the box, much to the delight of the children in the yard.
Warm Welcome to Zoe…
Join us in extending a warm welcome to Zoe, our new Administration and Communication Assistant. Zoe’s arrival heralds a new chapter at Choklits, and we look forward to her contributions in enhancing our community’s experience. You can learn more about Zoe here.
Celebrating New Additions to Our Choklits Family…
We’re thrilled to share some heartwarming news with our Choklits community! Two of our wonderful families have recently welcomed adorable new members into their households, and we couldn’t be happier for them.
Join us in congratulating CeCe’s family on the arrival of her darling baby sister, Eloise (affectionately known as LouLou), and extend warm wishes to Banks and Scottie as they embrace the newest member of their family, baby brother Spencer.
Upcoming Events…
Get ready to wag your tails and share some furry cuddles as we celebrate Love Your Pet Day next week! Janine’s adorable dog, Hamish, will be paying us a visit, spreading joy and laughter throughout Choklits.
Did you know?
Did you know there is a fabulous section in the Xplor app called “Memories”, where you can post photos and updates? These posts help us learn more about each family which we can discuss and share in our class rooms at Choklits. Children love sharing their stories with their friends and it often helps accelerate the bonding process.
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
Thanks so much for your help!
I hope everyone has a really marvellous weekend, filled with exciting family adventures and making lots of amazing memories. Our educators, and of course me, love hearing about all the amazing activities you all get up to.
See you all next week!!
Jodie, Sue, Janine & the Choklits Team
Friday February 9th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Dear Choklits Families,
Happy Friday! Another week of learning and laughter has woven its magic at Choklits. Let’s dive into this week’s highlights:
Lunar New Year Celebrations…
The spirit of Lunar New Year filled every corner of Choklits, with all rooms immersed in festive activities. From Chinese nursery rhymes and sensory play in the Nursery, to dragon painting in our 3 Year Old Kindergarten, and Chinese treat making in our 4 Year Old Kindergarten, our little ones embarked on cultural explorations, fostering curiosity and appreciation for diversity.
Wildlife Encounter…
A furry visitor, a ringtail possum, found its way into our Kindergarten side yard this week, sparking lively discussions about wildlife and habitats. With the assistance of the Educators, our little explorers learned about empathy, conservation, and the importance of respecting our wildlife.
Upcoming Events…
- Monday, February 12th: Doctor Chan will be visiting. If you’d like your child to see Doctor Chan, please email us over the weekend. His visit is scheduled for 10am.
- Tuesday, February 13th: Get ready for Pancake Day, a scrumptious tradition that promises fluffy delights and syrupy goodness.
- Wednesday, February 14th: Love will be in the air as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, spreading kindness and affection throughout Choklits.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodie, Sue, Janine & the Choklits Team
Friday February 2nd, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to our first Friday Update of the year. We’re thrilled to share the fantastic start we’ve had to the year, thanks in part to the successful room orientations from last year that have set the stage for a smooth transition into new spaces.
Building Relationships…
January has been all about connection and communication, recognising the vital role relationships play in our centre. Our educators have been actively building strong connections with your children and fostering open communication with families. It’s the foundation for a year full of shared growth and memorable experiences.
Goodbye graduates…
We said goodbye to a bunch of our awesome four-year-olds from last year. We’re feeling a mix of pride and sadness as we say “see you later” to these little learners and wish them all the best for their exciting new chapter at school.
Incursions are back…
We’re thrilled to announce the return of our much-loved incursions! Every Tuesday, our little learners groove to the rhythm of music with Dee, and Fridays are all about finding balance and calm with Elena’s yoga sessions.
February events…
Get ready for a month full of fun and learning!
- Lunar New Year: We’ll be celebrating Lunar New Year, embracing diversity and cultural understanding from February 5th to the 9th.
- Pancake Day: We will bring tasty delights, from mixing batter to exploring various toppings on Tuesday February 13th. Pancake Day promises a delightful blend of fun and learning for our young chefs.
- Valentine’s Day: Wednesday February 14th is a perfect opportunity to express and share love!
- Love Your Pet Day: On Tuesday February 20th Janine’s furry family member Hamish will be visiting us again. To learn more about celebrating Love Your Pet Day, please click here to read Janines blog post.
Places available…
For the first time in years, we have a few places available in our 0-2 year old rooms. If you’ve been thinking about picking up extra days or securing a permanent spot for your child, now is the time to act as they are never available for very long! Please contact the office to book in your additional days.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodie, Sue, Janine & the Choklits Team
2023 Choklits Ringwood Weekly Updates
We are a busy bunch at Choklits so Choklits Ringwood Service Director Jodi shares updates and exciting news for our families and community every Friday!
Below is the latest instalment, scroll down for past updates and feel free to share.
*** Our updates will be back on February 2nd, until then please find our 2023 Annual Letter here ***
– Friday, December 22nd –
Hello families,
Happy Friday and welcome to the last weekly update for the year.
Can you believe we’re wrapping up 2023 already? What a year it’s been! From messy play and endless giggles to those “a-ha” moments, we’ve seen it all. Our little learners have explored, grown, and made some incredible memories together. As we tidy up the place for a fresh start, our Chokliteers are gearing up to move rooms – big step! Exciting things are brewing for next year, and we can’t wait to dive in. Massive shoutout to all of you for being a part of our Choklits adventure. Here’s to more fun, love, and surprises in 2024!
Kinder Goodbyes…
We have seen a lot of our kinder families leave this week. It is always a bittersweet moment. We are so proud of our little learners and their achievements this year and they are so ready for the next step but we are sad that on a day-to-day basis we won’t be able to see them.
Please keep in touch. Our Choklits family extends far beyond the physical walls of our centre and we look forward to hearing about your adventures and successes in the future.
Please have a look at the graduation video we’ve posted on socials here.
We’ve put a longer version here.
And, the video we played on the day called “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is here.
Exciting Team Updates…
We are so delighted to announce that Jannie Fox has accepted the role of Assistant Manager and Educational Leader at Choklits Ringwood! Janine has been busy preparing and will commence in her new role on the 15th of January when she returns from a well-deserved break.
Please find out Janine’s updated profile and further information here.
4-year-old Kindergarten in 2024…
We have some exciting updates on our 4-year-old kindergarten program for 2024. As many of you are aware Chloe is about to venture into parenthood for the first time and will be leaving Choklits mid-Feb to start her new family adventure.
We are thrilled to announce that Charlene Dean, an experienced kindergarten teacher and educational leader with over 5 years of experience in Early Childhood Education and over 9 years in leadership and mentoring will be commencing as our new kindergarten teacher on January 2nd, 2024. Chloe will support the class as an assistant until she goes on parental leave and Jordan will take on the role as ECT assistant as he is now a qualified early childhood and primary teacher. Cassie will continue to support the 4-year-old class in her current role.
Once Charlene commences we will share her profile with you which will include her personal teaching philosophy and practices. After reviewing Charlene’s work, getting to know her and discussing her ideas for the year our kindergarten class of 2024 sure has a lot to look forward to!
Festive Season Wrap-Up…
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Party and Graduation functions over the past couple of weeks. It was amazing to see so many of you!
We raised $1629 across the Choklits Group which is absolutely fantastic, thank you all!
Each year Choklits commits to matching whatever is raised at our Christmas functions which means $3258 has been donated to our 3 chosen charities –
-Salvation Army
-Kids Under Cover, and
-Berry Street
Again, a huge thank you to you all!
Friday Updates..
During January we’ll be busy organising next year and completing room transitions for all our children moving up. We’ll keep you up-to-date with any important dates but our Friday updates will resume on February 2nd, 2024.
On a personal note, I extend my deepest thanks to each member of our Choklits family. Your support and kindness during a challenging time, the loss of my husband, has been a source of strength and comfort. Choklits has always been more than just a child care centre to me, it’s a wonderful community where the bonds of friendship and care run deep.
Thank you all for a wonderful year, we look forward to a fantastic 2024!
We wish you and your family a fantastic festive season!
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
Lots of Love,
Jodi
– Friday, December 15th –
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another Friday and another weekly update! As we wrap up the week, let’s share some exciting highlights and important updates.
Staff Celebrations: Wrapping up the Year with Fun and Laughter
Our final staff meeting was a blast! We infused a sense of fun with engaging games, including our spirited “Bad Santa” game that brought laughter echoing through the centre. As we reflect on the year, it’s moments like these that make our Choklits family special.
Milestone Moment: 4-Year-Old Graduation
This week, we celebrated a significant milestone – the graduation of our incredible 4-year-old children. Witnessing their growth and achievements was truly heart-warming, and we couldn’t be prouder of each and every one of them.
It is always bittersweet, this time of the year as we have to say goodbye to not only the children but to the families as well. To our new families who joined us this year, we extend our gratitude for choosing Choklits as your child’s home away from home. It has been a pleasure getting to know your children, witnessing their unique personalities unfold, and sharing in the joy of their discoveries. To those who have been with us for the long haul, some spanning nearly a decade, your loyalty and trust have been the foundation of our Choklits community. It has been a privilege to be part of your family’s story.
Welcoming Shihona to the Team
Join us in extending a warm welcome to Shihona, our new Pre-Toddler room Leader! Shihona will be spending time in all the rooms next week, building connections with educators and children before setting up the Pre-Toddler room for the exciting year ahead.
Expressing Gratitude: 4-Year-Old Team’s Outstanding Graduation
A big thank you to our dedicated 4-year-old team for orchestrating an unforgettable graduation ceremony. The performances were nothing short of amazing, showcasing the hard work and commitment you poured into preparing the children for their special day. Kudos to all involved!
Upcoming Updates: Planning for the Future
As we look ahead, please note that next week, Sue and I will be off-site from Monday to Wednesday, finalising paperwork and planning for the upcoming year. Matt, our owner, will be available at the centre to address any urgent matters. During these days, the Responsible Person will be the open and close team, consisting of Leila, Tracey, and Elena.
Christmas Period Arrangements: Staffing and Leaves
With the festive season approaching, some of our staff will be taking leave. This may result in a few changes in staffing across teams and rooms. Rest assured, we’re committed to maintaining the high standards of care and education Choklits is known for.
Important Reminder: Dr. Chan’s Final Visit
Dr. Chan’s last visit for the year is scheduled for Monday. If you wish for him to see your child, kindly fill out a form in the morning.
Any questions or concerns? As always, feel free to reach out. Your continued support is invaluable to us.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the team
– Friday, December 8th –
Hello Choklits Families,
Happy Friday!!!
As we wrap up this exciting week, we’re thrilled to share the highlights, the laughter, and the heart-warming moments that made it truly special.
End-of-Year Party Extravaganza:
The grand finale of the week was undeniably our End-of-Year Party—an afternoon filled with laughter, delicious sausages cooked up by the talented Saliya and David, and the magical touch of our fabulous face painters. A huge congratulations to the Turner Family, the Morrissey Family, the Crea Family, and the Weerasingha Family, our lucky raffle winners! Your support has been incredible. 100% of all money raised will be split evenly and go to the Salvation Army, Berry Street Christmas Giving Appeal and Kids UnderCover.
Orientation Adventures:
Our little explorers continued their orientations, diving into new rooms with excitement. Guided by the Early Years Learning Framework, they embraced lunch and rest times in their new environments. A big shout-out to all the families for your support during this transition.
Heartfelt Thanks:
A special thank you echoes through Choklits to our generous community. Your support for our charities, the purchase of raffle tickets, and the donation of prizes have made a significant impact. We extend our gratitude to Andrew at Cash Converters Burwood East, Peter and Violet from PMA Auto Works in Ringwood, Tim and Ashlea from FitStop in Ringwood, Scott from Mishmash, and Auntie Vanessa from Best Auntie Ever.
Looking Ahead:
- December 13th: A sweet treat awaits our 4-year kinders at Mr. Fox for cookies and baby chinos. If any 4 YO kinders are free and want to join the fun, feel free to drop by the sunroom at 10 am.
- December 15th: Graduation day for our 4-year kinder families. A momentous occasion to celebrate the growth and achievements of our little graduates.
Centre closures:
- Christmas Day: December 25th (Saturday)
- Boxing Day: December 26th (Sunday)
- New Year’s Day: January 1st (Sunday)
As we approach these holidays, we wish you and your families a wonderful, safe, and joy-filled celebration. Thank you for being part of the Choklits journey, and here’s to more adventures in the weeks to come!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the team
– Friday, December 1st –
Hello Choklits Families,
Despite the unexpected wet weather, we’re sending warm rays of sunshine your way as we dive into the first day of summer! Even with raindrops on our windows, we’re excited to share some delightful highlights from our week and remind you of our upcoming End-of-Year Party.
End-of-Year Party on December 5th, 4-6 PM!
Join us next Tuesday for a joyous celebration featuring a BBQ cooked by our talented chef, Saliya, and our very own Chokliteer book illustrator, David (aka Sue’s husband). The festivities will include face painting, music, and the much-anticipated raffle draw. Don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets from the office for a chance to win exciting prizes.
Parking Tips: Anticipating a bustling afternoon, consider parking down Maidstone St or across the road at the golf course (remember to cross at the lights for safety). Let’s hope the weather gods smile on us for the afternoon!!
Highlights from the Week:
Our week saw the commencement of orientations for children transitioning to new rooms. Orientations are important for facilitating a smooth transition as children move to new rooms next year. These sessions offer children the chance to become familiar with their new surroundings, meet teachers and peers, and understand the daily routine and expectations. By providing a gradual introduction to the changes, orientations help reduce anxiety and foster a positive attitude towards their new environment.
As the familiar tune of “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” fills the air, we are so excited to watch the joyful atmosphere that has taken over Choklits! This week has been a merry journey of creativity, laughter, and the delightful hum of little voices immersed in the spirit of the season. Our learning spaces transformed into festive workshops, buzzing with activity as our young learners dived into an assortment of Christmas crafts. These activities not only spark creativity but also nurture fine motor skills and imaginative thinking.
December Events….
- 5th – Choklits Family BBQ – all invited 4pm -6pm
A family-friendly BBQ event open to all, offering a wonderful opportunity for the entire Choklits community to come together, socialise, and enjoy a day filled with fun activities and delicious food.
- 15th – 4-Year-Old Kinder Graduation – 10 am – 12 pm
For the 4 year old kinder parents, a celebratory event to mark the achievements and milestones of our 4-year-old kinder children. This graduation ceremony acknowledges their growth, learning, and transition as they prepare to move forward into the next phase of their education.
- 25th – Christmas Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday.
- 26th – Boxing Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of Boxing Day.
We look forward to celebrating the end of a wonderful year with you and your families.
Take care, stay safe and see you all next week. Have a wonderful Weekend.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the team
– Friday, November 24th –
Hello families,
Cannot believe we are only 4 weeks away from Xmas, its such a busy time of year and the children are getting so excited about Santa coming. The weather is getting a bit warmer and the children have loved being outside especially this week with the new wood chips to explore for worms and bugs and making wonderful creations in the sandpit. A big thankyou to Ryan for coming on the weekend. Last weekend our 3 Choklits centre educators got together for some fun at Holey Moley, a great way for us to build strong relationships across the centres.
Lots of Xmas things happening in the rooms, Kinder 4 wanted to make decorations so have been making paper chains. Looking at the different foods with Auslan language, and really enjoying doing self portraits with texta’s and water colours. Our 3 year olds Kindergarten celebrated children’s world day looking at literacy and books. They have enjoyed Jaya’s books from home especially “I believe I can” they are becoming more confident and have been celebrating every child.
Toddler and Pre Toddler enjoyed Sara, who came from realm library to read stories to the children and the puppets she brought with her as well. They have also supported children’s choice in their own interests and their play. The children have also looked at the room pets and noticed how much they have grown and need lots of water and green leaves.
Our babies really loved the fam animals from last week so have continued on this week, with a farm corner, doing art and craft e.g. Baa Baa black sheep. What they really loved was their walk to go up and see the chickens and they didn’t want to leave them. Some water play washing the farm animals was a big hit too.
A big thank you to…
To our students who have been coming to Choklits over the last few weeks for their placements. They work really well with the room educators offering activities and giving support to the children while here at Choklits.
Educator spotlight…
We would like to welcome back Sammy who was with us last year and is returning to us again. She will be working mainly between the Toddler and Pretoddler rooms. Please say hello from next week.
December Events….
- 5th – Choklits Family BBQ – all invited 4pm -6pm
A family-friendly BBQ event open to all, offering a wonderful opportunity for the entire Choklits community to come together, socialise, and enjoy a day filled with fun activities and delicious food.
- 15th – 4-Year-Old Kinder Graduation – 10 am – 12 pm
A celebratory event to mark the achievements and milestones of our 4-year-old kinder children. This graduation ceremony acknowledges their growth, learning, and transition as they prepare to move forward into the next phase of their education.
- 25th – Christmas Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday.
- 26th – Boxing Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of Boxing Day.
Choklits Christmas Hamper Raffle…
Time is ticking, and our exciting raffle draw day is almost here! We wanted to send you a friendly reminder about this fantastic opportunity to win some incredible prizes while supporting our Choklits community. See our emails for more information.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the team
– Friday, November 17th –
Hello families,
This week, our centre was ablaze with the vibrant colours and joyous spirit of Diwali, and what a celebration it was! Our week-long Diwali festivities were a tremendous success, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of our wonderful parents.
Highlights of the Diwali Celebration:
- Dance Delight: Parents brought the magic of traditional Diwali dances to life, sharing the beauty and significance of each movement with our eager learners. The joyous rhythm of the dances echoed through our halls, filling the air with festive energy.
- Crafty Creations: Little hands were busy creating intricate Diwali crafts, guided by the skilful hands of our dedicated parents. From vibrant rangoli patterns to sparkling Diya decorations, our children immersed themselves in the artistry of this beautiful festival.
- Storytime Magic: Diwali tales came alive as parents took turns reading enchanting stories to captivated audiences. The tales of triumph, light, and joy resonated with our little ones, creating a deeper understanding of the cultural significance of Diwali.
- Family Unity: The heart-warming sight of parents actively engaging in the celebration fostered a sense of togetherness and community spirit. It truly embodied the essence of Diwali as a festival that brings families and communities together.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents who generously shared their time, talents, and cultural traditions to make this Diwali celebration an unforgettable experience for our children. Your involvement has not only enriched our learning environment but has also created lasting memories for our little ones.
As we wrap up this joyous week, let the warmth and brightness of Diwali continue to illuminate our hearts and homes. Thank you for being an integral part of our Diwali celebration, and we look forward to more shared moments of cultural richness in the future.
Today also saw the return of our farmyard experience. As most of you know Farmer Kevin who for over 20 years has been visiting each November with his menagerie of animals, has retired. We had the wonderful Animals on the Move come and share with us over 30 animals. From the gentle nuzzles of furry rabbits to the playful antics of colourful chickens, our children were immersed in a world of discovery. Laughter echoed through the air as they eagerly interacted with the animals, their eyes widening with wonder at each new encounter. The hands-on experience allowed them to touch, learn, and create memories that will be cherished for a lifetime.
A big thank you to…
We extend our sincere gratitude to all the parents who generously shared their time, talents, and cultural traditions to make this Diwali celebration an unforgettable experience for our children. Your involvement has not only enriched our learning environment but has also created lasting memories for our little ones.
Educator spotlight…
As we bask in the glow of our incredible week-long Diwali celebration, it’s impossible not to acknowledge the dedication and passion of one outstanding educator: Jaya!
Jaya played a pivotal role in co-coordinating our Diwali festivities, working seamlessly with the team to bring the magic of this cultural celebration to life. Her commitment to creating an immersive and educational experience for our children was truly commendable.
For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Jaya yet, we invite you to check out her profile here. Her enthusiasm, creativity, and unwavering commitment to providing a rich and diverse learning environment shine through in every aspect of her work.
December Events….
- 5th – Choklits Family BBQ – all invited 4pm -6pm
A family-friendly BBQ event open to all, offering a wonderful opportunity for the entire Choklits community to come together, socialise, and enjoy a day filled with fun activities and delicious food.
- 15th – 4-Year-Old Kinder Graduation – 10 am – 12 pm
A celebratory event to mark the achievements and milestones of our 4-year-old kinder children. This graduation ceremony acknowledges their growth, learning, and transition as they prepare to move forward into the next phase of their education.
- 25th – Christmas Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday.
- 26th – Boxing Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of Boxing Day.
Choklits Christmas Hamper Raffle…
Time is ticking, and our exciting raffle draw day is almost here! We wanted to send you a friendly reminder about this fantastic opportunity to win some incredible prizes while supporting our Choklits community. See our emails for more information.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the team
– Friday, November 10th –
Hello Families,
Welcome to Friday!!!!
What a wonderful week we have had at Choklits. The small world farm animal experience set up in our paint room has sparked an incredible level of excitement and engagement among our children. The immersive and interactive display has transported our little ones into the world of farms and animals, igniting their curiosity and creativity. However, this delightful setup, while fostering tremendous joy and exploration, has unintentionally resulted in a common conundrum for some parents. The children, completely enthralled by the playful learning experience, have found it challenging to say goodbye when it’s time to depart for the day. Parents have been pleasantly caught in a delightful dilemma, wanting to honour their children’s enthusiasm to stay and play a little longer, while having commitments that beckon them to leave. We’re thrilled to witness the genuine enthusiasm and passion for learning that this setup has inspired, but we also understand the predicament it poses for our parents, and we’re working on ways to smoothly transition children when it’s time to head home, ensuring both excitement and timeliness are balanced harmoniously. Please let me know if you need me to cover it up at the end of the day.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our amazing team for their thoughtful gesture on Directors Day. The morning tea was a delightful surprise, and Sue and I were touched by the warmth and care shown by everyone.
Highlights from the week…
- Remembrance Day Acknowledgment: The children actively participated in making poppies, a meaningful symbol of remembrance. These activities allowed them to engage in creative expression while learning about the historical significance of Remembrance Day.
- Fun and Learning through Water Play: With the weather heating up, our children enjoyed engaging in refreshing water play activities. Water play provides a fantastic way for children to beat the heat and learn through hands-on, interactive experiences.
Next week…
- Diwali – Festival of Lights (12th November – Sunday): Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of joy and celebration. We wish all our families celebrating this beautiful festival a brilliant and light-filled Diwali. Choklits will be celebrating from the 13th of November through to 17th of November.
- Animals on the Move – (17th of November – Friday): Experience an exciting mobile farm visit with a range of friendly animals for a hands-on learning experience. Get ready to interact and learn about these furry and feathery friends! Even if it is not your day at Choklits and you are free, pop in for a little visit. They will be here from 10am -12pm.
Coming up….
- World Children’s Day (20th November – Monday):
At Choklits, every day is about celebrating children, but on World Children’s Day, we’ll make it even more special. Stay tuned for the fun and educational activities we have in store!
December Events….
- 5th – Choklits Family BBQ – all invited
A family-friendly BBQ event open to all, offering a wonderful opportunity for the entire Choklits community to come together, socialise, and enjoy a day filled with fun activities and delicious food.
- 15th – 4-Year-Old Kinder Graduation – 10 am – 12 pm
A celebratory event to mark the achievements and milestones of our 4-year-old kinder children. This graduation ceremony acknowledges their growth, learning, and transition as they prepare to move forward into the next phase of their education.
- 25th – Christmas Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday.
- 26th – Boxing Day – Closed
Choklits will be closed in observance of Boxing Day.
Choklits Christmas Hamper Raffle…
There are only 7 Fridays until Christmas!
Yes, we are starting to panic a little too, LOL.
It’s not all bad news though because, fortunately, the famous Choklits Christmas Hamper Raffle is back for 2023!
This year we are opening up the opportunity for local businesses to contribute to the hamper and get promoted too.
100% of all money raised will be split evenly and go to the Salvation Army, Berry Street Christmas Giving Appeal and Kids UnderCover.
This year’s hamper already contains a Bluey Best Mate Jumbo 45cm Plush Toy, a 12-month Melbourne Zoo Membership for 2 adults and your children (under 16) and a Choklits Golf Umbrella (so you can go to the zoo all year round and never get wet!).
If you’re new to Choklits, here’s the basics-
We package together a celebration hamper that all families will love.
We sell raffle tickets as part of our centre Christmas Party celebrations and draw the winner at the event.
You (or a representative from your family) need to be at the Christmas Party to win.
Tickets are $1 each and 100% of the money collected gets donated.
Read on to find out how to buy tickets (and how to get free ones).
How to donate items to the hamper
If you own or represent a business please email us, we would love to hear from you. Items or vouchers should be new and family-friendly, we’ll make sure you get a good plug for your business on the day as a thank-you for your contributions and help in raising money.
How to get free tickets
The idea of the Christmas hamper raffle is to raise as much money as we can to send to those who are less fortunate than many of us. With that in mind, we don’t just issue free tickets, Choklits will buy your tickets for you when you review us on Google or recommend us on Facebook.
All written 5-star Google Reviews or 5-star Facebook recommendations will receive tickets paid for by Choklits! After you post your review we’ll buy your tickets and give them to you.
To be eligible, you should leave your Google Reviews here.
And, your Facebook Recommendations on this page.
You can submit as many reviews for your family as you like, but we can only count one review per account.
Reviews submitted in October will receive 15 tickets
Reviews submitted in November will receive 10 tickets
Reviews submitted in December will receive 5 tickets
Tickets will be for sale for $1 each in our office leading up to the event and on the day. Good Luck!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
Hope you all have a lovely weekend and see you next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, November 3rd –
Hello families,
What a fantastic week we’ve had at Choklits! We’d like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the grandparents and special individuals who joined us for our delightful Grandparents Day celebration on Monday. The morning was filled with joy and delight, and those delicious scones? They were a hit with everyone!
Highlights from the week…
Highlights from the week included a myriad of Halloween-inspired activities that got everyone into the spooky spirit. Our little ones engaged in Halloween-themed arts and crafts, enjoyed dressing up in their favourite costumes, and had an amazing time during the music-themed incursion with the ever-enthusiastic Sarah. Additionally, the children embarked on a haunted adventure guided by our yoga teacher, Elena.
During our recent staff meeting, our team engaged in a two-hour professional development session led by Deanne from Body Safety Australia. The session was dedicated to vital aspects of child protection, offering valuable insights and guidance on ensuring a safe and secure environment for all our children. While the topic was heavy, it was immensely beneficial, further strengthening our commitment to ensuring a nurturing and protected space for our children here at Choklits Child Care.
Educator spotlight…
In the spotlight, this week is Talia, who has been an invaluable part of Choklits for an impressive eight years. We are so lucky to have such an amazing educator who nurtures and inspires our little learners in the Pre-Toddler Room. Click here to learn more about Talia.
Mark Your Calendars – Upcoming Events and Closures…
- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday (7th November – Tuesday):
Just a friendly reminder that on Tuesday, November 7th, Choklits will be closed in observance of the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday. Enjoy the day, and we look forward to hearing your stories about the big race!
- Remembrance Day (11th November – Saturday):
A day to reflect and remember, even though Choklits will be closed on this Saturday, let’s take a moment to honour the sacrifices made by many. We will be observing the day on Friday the 10th.
- Diwali – Festival of Lights (12th November – Sunday): Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of joy and celebration. We wish all our families celebrating this beautiful festival a brilliant and light-filled Diwali. Choklits will be celebrating from the 13th of November through to 17th of November.
- Animals on the Move – (17th of November – Friday): Experience an exciting mobile farm visit with a range of friendly animals for a hands-on learning experience. Get ready to interact and learn about these furry and feathery friends!
- World Children’s Day (20th November – Monday):
At Choklits, every day is about celebrating children, but on World Children’s Day, we’ll make it even more special. Stay tuned for the fun and educational activities we have in store!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
Hope you all have a lovely weekend and see you next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, October 27th –
Hello families,
Happy Friday, Everyone! 🎉
Can you believe that after today, there are only 8 Fridays left until Christmas? It’s such an exciting time of year. I’ve got a special tradition of my own – I need to start steeping those mixed dried fruits in Sherry for our annual Christmas puddings. This tradition comes from my dear Grandmother, and I always feel her presence when I do it. Do you have any beloved traditions you celebrate during the holiday season? I’d love to hear about them!
We had to say goodbye to our Roosters, Snowy, Pretzel, and Toothpick. But I couldn’t resist playing a little trick on the staff and children. I left some wooden eggs in the coop. The kids were so curious and had a lot to say about it when they got home, I’m sure you’ve heard all about it! Let’s cross our fingers and hope that our chickens get the hint and start laying soon.
We’re thrilled to announce our upcoming Christmas raffle! As the festive season approaches, it’s the perfect time to spread joy and goodwill. We have put together some fantastic hampers filled with delightful treats and surprises that are sure to make your holidays extra special. What makes this raffle even more wonderful is that it’s all for a good cause. Ringwood is proud to support the Salvation Army Christmas appeal. By participating in our Christmas raffle, you not only get a chance to win some incredible prizes but also contribute to helping those in need during this special time of year. Check out the details sent via email on how you can get involved and make a difference in our community this Christmas season.
Hope you all have had a fabulous week.
Happy holidays…
Chloe, our wonderful kinder teacher, is taking a well-deserved break for the next three weeks. Her sister is getting married in China, and it’s a special occasion she wouldn’t miss for the world. While she’s away, rest assured that our team will continue to provide the same high-quality care and learning experiences for the children. We wish Chloe’s sister a beautiful wedding and look forward to her return
Mark Your Calendars – Upcoming Events and Closures…
- Melbourne Cup Public Holiday (7th November – Tuesday):
Just a friendly reminder that on Tuesday, November 7th, Choklits will be closed in observance of the Melbourne Cup Public Holiday. Enjoy the day, and we look forward to hearing your stories about the big race!
- Remembrance Day (11th November – Saturday):
A day to reflect and remember, even though Choklits will be closed on this Saturday, let’s take a moment to honour the sacrifices made by many. We will be observing the day on Friday the 10th.
- Diwali – Festival of Lights (12th November – Sunday): Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of joy and celebration. We wish all our families celebrating this beautiful festival a brilliant and light-filled Diwali. Choklits will be celebrating from the 13th of November through to 17th of November.
- World Children’s Day (20th November – Monday):
At Choklits, every day is about celebrating children, but on World Children’s Day, we’ll make it even more special. Stay tuned for the fun and educational activities we have in store!
Don’t forget…
- Grandparents Day: Please let us know if your child’s Grandparent or special person is coming to the morning tea on Monday 10am -11am. All the details are on Xplor.
- Respect for Privacy: To ensure the privacy and safety of all children, we kindly ask that mobile phones not be used to take photos or videos of any child within the centre, even your own. This measure is essential to protect the privacy and dignity of all our little learners and their families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
- Traffic Safety: Additionally, we would like to remind all parents to exit Choklits’ carpark slowly and attentively, keeping a watchful eye for pedestrians, especially those approaching from the left. Your vigilance is crucial in ensuring the safety of everyone in our Choklits community.
- Confirmation of Enrolment: Thank you for sending through the forms. As you can imagine it is quite a task to chase forms, collate and then allocate days to ensure that all families receive the days they want. Thank you for your patience. Confirmations emails will be sent out by the close of business today. Let me know if you didn’t receive one.
- Save the date: Our Kinders will have their graduation ceremony on Friday the 15th of December and our big end of year centre wide celebration will be on Tuesday the 5th of December. More details to come.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at anytime 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
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, October 20th –
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another Friday and another week that was.
As we bask in the glorious sunshine that graced our days, it’s hard not to feel the buzz of excitement in the air. Spring is in full swing, and with each day, we’re getting closer to the season of joy, togetherness, and warmth – Christmas! It will be here before we know it.
The weather has been especially kind this week, allowing our little ones to explore the outdoors, sparking their curiosity, and nurturing their love for learning. We’ve been engaging in fantastic activities under the sun, and I am sure our little learners’ minds are brimming with all the knowledge they gathered this week.
Highlights from the week…
This week at Choklits, we had some incredible highlights with our music and yoga incursions. Our music theme for the week was ‘Hands and Feet,’ and we had a blast singing songs about butterflies, scarecrows, and even dinosaurs. The best part? We got to use our hands and feet for lots of fun actions, making learning and music even more exciting for the children.
On Thursday, our yoga sessions took on an artistic twist with inspiration from the mandala. A mandala is a geometric masterpiece, a collection of symbols carefully aligned within a circle. It’s more than just art; it’s a symbol of balance, eternity, and perfection. The children learned about the significance of colour in creating a mandala, expanding their knowledge while having a great time.
Welcome…
Please join us in extending a warm welcome to our newest 3-year-old kinder educator, Vathsala. We’re thrilled to have her as a part of our Choklits family!
Events…
National Children’s Week (23rd – 27th): A special celebration dedicated to the little stars in our lives. We’ll be honouring our children’s unique voices, interests, and contributions with a week of activities designed to empower them and celebrate their individuality.
Grandparents’ Day (30th, 10 am – 11 am): Calling all grandparents or special person’s! We invite our cherished Grandparents to join us for a heartwarming morning of storytelling, activities, and quality time with their beloved grandchildren. It’s a day to celebrate the wisdom and love that grandparents bring to our Choklits community.
Don’t forget…
- RSVP: Please let us know if your child’s Grandparent or special person is coming to the morning tea so we can cater the event. All the details are on Xplor.
- Respect for Privacy: To ensure the privacy and safety of all children, we kindly ask that mobile phones not be used to take photos or videos of any child within the centre, even your own. This measure is essential to protect the privacy and dignity of all our little learners and their families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
- Traffic Safety: Additionally, we would like to remind all parents to exit Choklits’ carpark slowly and attentively, keeping a watchful eye for pedestrians, especially those approaching from the left. Your vigilance is crucial in ensuring the safety of everyone in our Choklits community.
- Returning forms: Please action all requests for enrolments next year.
Save the date: Our Kinders will have their graduation ceremony on Friday the 15th of December and our big end of year centre wide celebration will be on Tuesday the 5th of December. More details to come.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
Using our Policy Feedback Form
Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, October 13th –
Hello Choklits Community,
Welcome to Friday and what a Friday it was!!!
Today at Choklits has been quite an adventure! We’ve faced unexpected challenges and witnessed some thrilling penguin drama as we embarked on an incredible 4-year-old kinder excursion to Sea Life in the city.
Weathering the Storm Together:
Today our morning began with a little unexpected excitement. Powerlines came down, blocking the entrance and exit to Choklits. It resulted in a temporary power outage. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we worked through this challenging situation. Ensuring the safety and security of our children is paramount, and the prompt response of fire trucks and police was reassuring. We’re grateful for your understanding and cooperation during this unexpected event and so lucky we have wonderful neighbours in the Salvation Army who let us use their car park, so we could use our back gate.
A Dive into the Deep Blue Sea:
Our 4-year-old kinder students embarked on a mesmerising journey to Sea Life in the city. They encountered an array of aquatic wonders, but one of the star of the show was Jindara, the 75-year-old crocodile who tips the scales at a whopping 750 kg. Jindara came to live at Sea Life after an unusual turn of events – he devoured his girlfriend! This astonishing fact added a touch of mystery and intrigue to the excursion.
Penguin Shenanigans:
Sea Life had more in store for our little adventurers. They discovered penguins in action – some were busy guarding their eggs, sitting atop nests, while others were involved in a bit of thievery. It turns out that penguins can be quite mischievous. They tend to steal each other’s rocks from the nest, and the more rocks a penguin collects, the “cooler” they are in the penguin world. It was a delightful lesson in penguin politics and resourcefulness.
We’re thrilled to provide our learners with these unique and enriching experiences. It’s all part of our commitment to fostering curiosity and exploration in a safe and supportive environment. Such adventures not only educate but also inspire and captivate young minds.
Events…
National Children’s Week (23rd – 27th): A special celebration dedicated to the little stars in our lives. We’ll be honouring our children’s unique voices, interests, and contributions with a week of activities designed to empower them and celebrate their individuality.
Grandparents’ Day (30th, 10 am – 11 am): Calling all grandparents or special person’s! We invite our cherished Grandparents to join us for a heart-warming morning of storytelling, activities, and quality time with their beloved grandchildren. It’s a day to celebrate the wisdom and love that grandparents bring to our Choklits community.
Don’t forget…
- RSVP: Please let us know if your child’s Grandparent or special person is coming to the morning tea so we can cater the event. All the details are on Xplor.
- Respect for Privacy: To ensure the privacy and safety of all children, we kindly ask that mobile phones not be used to take photos or videos of any child within the centre, even your own. This measure is essential to protect the privacy and dignity of all our little learners and their families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
- Traffic Safety: Additionally, we would like to remind all parents to exit Choklits’ carpark slowly and attentively, keeping a watchful eye for pedestrians, especially those approaching from the left. Your vigilance is crucial in ensuring the safety of everyone in our Choklits community.
- Returning forms: Please action all requests for enrolments next year.
- Save the date: Our Kinders will have their graduation ceremony on Friday the 15th of December and our big end of year centre wide celebration will be on Tuesday the 5th of December. More details to come.
As the week comes to a close, we’re looking forward to more exciting journeys and discoveries in the weeks to come. Thank you for being a part of our warm and welcoming Choklits community. Your support and understanding mean the world to us.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
Using our Policy Feedback Form
Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, October 6th –
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to Cosmic Friday,
If you’ve stepped into our foyer lately, you might think you’ve landed in a whole new dimension. Our ceiling has been transformed into a celestial masterpiece! We’ve got stars, galaxies, and maybe even a few alien dance parties happening up there (we can’t prove it, but we suspect). But that’s not all, our interactive puzzles and books are like portals to another world. We have watched your little ones get lost in the enchanting realms of outer space and they’re light-years ahead of us adults when it comes to imagination.
We’re here to make learning as fun and out-of-this-world as possible so let’s check out the highlights from this week….
Our little Picasso astronauts have been crafting constellations that not even NASA could dream up, thanks to star stamps that have taken play to an interstellar level. Rocket ships sculpted from playdough? Yes, please! Our mini engineers are shaping the future of space travel one squishy creation at a time. And speaking of squishy, our slime-based extra-terrestrial exploration has turned Choklits into a slimy moon (no alien takeovers, we promise!). Our water bead sensory tub is an ocean of cosmic possibilities, where little explorers dive into the mysteries of the cosmos without the need for space suits. Plus, we’ve got planet-themed balls rolling around, inspiring epic games of catch that could give any intergalactic sport a run for its money. That’s our week at Choklits, where play-based learning reaches a whole new dimension! It’s a fun week of learning that I in particular love, one of my favourite weeks.
Events…
National Children’s Week (23rd – 27th): A special celebration dedicated to the little stars in our lives. We’ll be honouring our children’s unique voices, interests, and contributions with a week of activities designed to empower them and celebrate their individuality.
Grandparents’ Day (30th, 10 am – 11 am): Calling all grandparents or special person’s! We invite our cherished Grandparents to join us for a heartwarming morning of storytelling, activities, and quality time with their beloved grandchildren. It’s a day to celebrate the wisdom and love that grandparents bring to our Choklits community.
Don’t forget…
- Respect for Privacy: To ensure the privacy and safety of all children, we kindly ask that mobile phones not be used to take photos or videos of any child within the centre, even your own. This measure is essential to protect the privacy and dignity of all our little learners and their families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
- Traffic Safety: Additionally, we would like to remind all parents to exit Choklits’ carpark slowly and attentively, keeping a watchful eye for pedestrians, especially those approaching from the left. Your vigilance is crucial in ensuring the safety of everyone in our Choklits community.
Returning forms: Please action all requests for enrolments next year.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
Using our Policy Feedback Form
Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, September 29th –
Hello families,
This week has been a whirlwind of fun and sportsmanship as we embraced the spirit of footy fever! From donning our favourite sporting jerseys to enjoying exciting footy-themed activities, it’s been an action-packed week full of laughter and camaraderie.
We hope you’re all geared up for a fantastic Grand Final weekend! Please note that our centre will be closed tomorrow for the Grand Final public holiday, so our little ones and educators can enjoy this special time with their families.
Let’s jump right into this week’s highlights.
Highlights…
Our young athletes embraced their artistic side by crafting football-themed creations with playdough. From goalposts to footballs, their imaginative play knew no bounds. It was all about dribbling, kicking, and scoring goals as our budding football stars honed their skills out in the yard . Creativity soared as our children expressed their love for the game through art and craft projects. They designed colourful jerseys, crafted football-themed masks, and brought footballs to life with vibrant pastings.
Football-inspired games had our little ones on their toes. To the tune of their favourite football anthems, our children engaged in lively sing-alongs. If they start singing the Collingwood theme song at home, you can thank Educator Talia from the Pre-Toddler room. LOL
This week, our chickens decided to step into the world of sports predictions. Inspired by the famous world cup predicting Octopus Paul, they donned their clucky thinking caps (or should we say feathers?) and attempted to foresee the Grand Final winner. Their method? Well, it was as sophisticated as it gets in the poultry world. We set up two mounds of feed, each adorned above with a picture of the Grand Final teams. Our feathered forecasters were given the task of pecking their preferred feed. Now, the results were, well, egg-citing! Our chickens gave it their all, pecking left and right, with moments of enthusiastic confusion that had us all clucking with laughter. It was hard to pick a winner, so in the end it was up to Pretzel who pecked the winning team, Collingwood. Let’s see if she picked a winner.
Next week…
Space Week (2nd – 6th): The cosmos beckons as we embark on a journey into the mysteries of outer space. Our children will explore the wonders of the universe through hands-on activities, astronaut adventures, and stargazing experiences. Space Week promises to ignite their curiosity and launch their imaginations.
National Children’s Week (23rd – 27th): A special celebration dedicated to the little stars in our lives. We’ll be honouring our children’s unique voices, interests, and contributions with a week of activities designed to empower them and celebrate their individuality.
Grandparents’ Day (30th, 10 am – 11 am): Calling all grandparents or special person’s! We invite our cherished Grandparents to join us for a heartwarming morning of storytelling, activities, and quality time with their beloved grandchildren. It’s a day to celebrate the wisdom and love that grandparents bring to our Choklits community.
Reminders…
- Respect for Privacy: To ensure the privacy and safety of all children, we kindly ask that mobile phones not be used to take photos or videos of any child within the centre, even your own. This measure is essential to protect the privacy and dignity of all our little learners and their families. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
- Traffic Safety: Additionally, we would like to remind all parents to exit Choklits’ carpark slowly and attentively, keeping a watchful eye for pedestrians, especially those approaching from the left. Your vigilance is crucial in ensuring the safety of everyone in our Choklits community.
- Returning forms: Please action all requests for enrollments next year.
I hope you have a lovely long weekend. Whether you are going away or staying home, stay safe and see you all next week.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
Using our Policy Feedback Form
Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, September 22nd –
Hello families,
Happy Friday, and welcome to our weekly wrap-up! Another fantastic week has unfolded at Choklits, brimming with engaging experiences that have left our young learners beaming with curiosity and excitement.
Highlights from the week…
This week is Deaf Awareness Week. In our 4-year-old kindergarten program, the exploration of Auslan (Australian Sign Language) has been a year-long journey. This week, we had a special visitor join us – Deaf Educator Sara. It was a lovely opportunity for our little ones to not only learn from Sara’s expertise but also to immerse themselves in the world of Deaf culture. Through stories, sign language games, and interactive activities, our children embraced the beauty of communication beyond words. In a world filled with noise, it was lovely to embrace the beauty of silence as we honour Deaf Awareness Week at Choklits.
Next week…
Footy Week (25th – 28th): Get ready to kick off Footy Week! Sports, team spirit, and a whole lot of fun await our young footy enthusiasts engage in activities that celebrate the excitement of Australian rules football. From mini-matches to footy-themed crafts, it’s bound to be a week filled with energy and enthusiasm.
October Events…
Space Week (2nd – 6th): The cosmos beckons as we embark on a journey into the mysteries of outer space. Our children will explore the wonders of the universe through hands-on activities, astronaut adventures, and stargazing experiences. Space Week promises to ignite their curiosity and launch their imaginations.
National Children’s Week (23rd – 27th): A special celebration dedicated to the little stars in our lives. We’ll be honouring our children’s unique voices, interests, and contributions with a week of activities designed to empower them and celebrate their individuality.
Grandparents’ Day (30th, 10 am – 11 am): Calling all grandparents or special person’s! We invite our cherished Grandparents to join us for a heartwarming morning of storytelling, activities, and quality time with their beloved grandchildren. It’s a day to celebrate the wisdom and love that grandparents bring to our Choklits community.
Don’t Forget…
- We are closed on the 29th September for the Grand Final final Public Holiday
- Keep sending in your enrolment preferences for next year
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
Using our Policy Feedback Form
Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
– Friday, September 15th –
Hello families,
What a week it has been at Choklits. Spring has definitely sprung, and the weather has been nothing short of fabulous, setting the stage for a week filled with sunshine and smiles!!
Highlights from the week…
In a world that moves at the speed of light, taking a moment to connect and ask, “R U OK?” can make all the difference. This week, we’re shining a spotlight on R U OK? Day, a day dedicated to the well-being of our loved ones, our friends, and ourselves. R U OK? Day is a gentle reminder that beneath the superhero capes and daily routines, we all carry our own stories and struggles. It’s a day for us to pause and reach out, not just with words, but with genuine care and understanding.
At Choklits, we embrace this day as an opportunity to reinforce the bonds that make our community strong. We encourage open conversations, moments of empathy, and the simple act of listening.
So, whether it’s a fellow parent, an educator, or a little one sharing their thoughts, let’s take a moment to ask, “R U OK?” And remember, it’s not about having all the answers; it’s about showing that we care.
New experiences in the Paint Room….
Excitement is brewing at Choklits Child Care as we embark on a thrilling journey into the world of S.T.E.M. – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math!
Stay tuned for updates, photos, and stories of our S.T.E.M. adventures. We can’t wait to see our little scientists, engineers, and mathematicians in action.
Click here for some more information about S.T.E.M
Welcome back…
You may have noticed a familiar face in the Toddler room. We have Courtney back at Choklits, not permanently but she will pick up a few shifts here and there in the school holidays, over christmas and if she has a spare day in between. Courtney is still studying her bachelor and working in a school part time and is happy to be back helping out in the Toddler room. So are we!!!!
Events…
Let’s start Footy Week with a splash of colours! From September 25th – 28th, we encourage all our little champs to wear their favourite footy jerseys or any sports-related attire. It’s a week to celebrate with footy themed experiences.
Don’t forget…
Be sure to check out our latest blog for all the delicious details of our new Spring Menu. Click here to view our new menu.
We are closed for Grand Final Day on the 29th of September 2023
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
Using our Policy Feedback Form
Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
— Friday, September 8th —
Happy Friday and welcome to the weekly update!!
Hold onto your capes, families, because this week at Choklits, we embarked on a whirlwind of epic proportions! Picture this: our tiny tots transformed into pint-sized superheroes, educators donned capes, Child Protection heroes stood vigilant, and Indigenous Literacy champions took centre stage. It was like the Avengers, Justice League, and X-Men all decided to have a weeklong party under one roof! As if that weren’t enough, we even had a day dedicated to our beloved educators, because, let’s face it, they’re the real-life superheroes behind the scenes! Thank you to all the families that made our Educators feel super special on Wednesday.
As we stop and take a breath, let’s dive into this weeks highlights:
Nursery: Superhero Adventures
Our littlest ones in the Nursery embraced their inner superheroes this week, creating their very own superhero masks. It was a delightful sight to see their creativity in full bloom.
Pre-Toddler: Superheroes for Child Protection Week This week, our Pre-Toddlers and our wonderful educators dressed up as superheroes, reinforcing the importance of trust and protection during Child Protection Week. It was a fantastic opportunity to discuss superheroes in all forms, including the ones we trust like our parents and our dedicated educators at Choklits.
Toddler: Indigenous Literacy Day
We embarked on a journey to celebrate Indigenous Literacy Day by watching an engaging film that transported us to remote Indigenous Communities. This immersive experience highlighted the richness of Indigenous storytelling, cultures, and languages. Our little ones also explored the concept of superheroes within our community, recognizing everyday heroes like doctors, police officers, and firefighters.
3-Year-Old Kinder: Emotions and Gross Motor Skills
To help our children understand and regulate their emotions, we introduced the concept of “pockets of calm.” We practiced calming breathing techniques like ‘butterfly breathing’ and ‘rain breathing.’ Alongside our superhero-themed activities, we engaged in a fun bean bag toss game, which not only enhanced coordination but also promoted gross motor and cognitive skills. The warm weather also blessed us with an exciting water play session, where children explored, created, and learned.
4-Year-Old Kinder: Indigenous Literacy & Child Protection
In celebration of Indigenous Literacy Day, we explored First Nations’ efforts to promote literacy in their native languages. We also read the book “Come Together” by Isaiah Firebrace, sparking valuable discussions about language and culture. As Child Protection Week coincided, we had an important conversation about personal safety and whom to trust. Additionally, our Kinder kids had a blast experimenting with pouring paint and creating beautiful light catchers that danced with colour and light.
A Heartfelt Thank You
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our wonderful families for making Educators Day a memorable celebration. Your contributions of yummy morning tea treats, special messages, and heartwarming cards truly touched our hearts.
Did You Know?
Exciting news! Our Spring Menu is launching next week. Be sure to check out our latest blog for all the delicious details. Click here to view our new menu.
Looking Ahead:
R U OK Day on the 14th Next week, we will observe R U OK Day on the 14th, a reminder to reach out and check in on the well-being of our loved ones.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this peek into our bustling week at Choklits. I hope you have a wonderful weekend and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and Team
— Friday, September 1st —
Hello Choklits families,
Hip hip hooray it’s Friday and that means another week is over and another weekly update. I read somewhere that there is only 15 weeks until christmas. Oh my goodness this year has flown by.
We ended the week by extending a heartfelt thank you to all the dads and grandpas who joined us for our Father’s Day breakfast with their children. It was a beautiful moment that celebrated the special bond between our young learners and their loving male role models.
As the calendar flipped to the first day of Spring today, we welcomed the season with enthusiasm and are looking again at our Sunsmart practices that keep our children protected as they engage in outdoor explorations. All our hats have been brought out of storage, been washed and are ready for when the UV get to 3.
Our feathered friends have officially become part of the Choklits family as we named our chickens. After an enthusiastic voting process, we’re thrilled to introduce Snowy, Toothpick, Nugget, Pretzel and Happy. Their playful antics and unique personalities are a joy to behold. We’ve even dedicated a poster on the chicken coop to proudly display their names and pictures. These contented chickens are thriving under our care, and while getting them to bed can be a hilarious challenge, their happiness is contagious.
Now, let’s dive into the captivating highlights from this dynamic week of learning:
Nursery: Our youngest learners in the Nursery were immersed in a world of physical play, enhancing their motor skills and coordination. They embarked on a thrilling exploration of dinosaurs, igniting their curiosity about these prehistoric creatures. The melodious notes of music accompanied their journey as they enjoyed a delightful music session led by Sarah.
Pre-Toddlers: Empowerment took centre stage as our Pre-Toddlers experienced agency and choice in their play, fostering their independence and decision-making skills. Balls became instruments of endless fun and learning, as children engaged in various ball-related activities. Despite wet weather, an indoor obstacle course kept their spirits high, challenging their physical abilities and problem-solving prowess.
Toddlers: Balls and parachute play delighted our Toddler group, combining playfulness with coordination and teamwork. A discussion about being sunsmart underlined the importance of staying safe in the sun. The children further honed their ball skills using mini footy’s, enhancing their motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
3-Year-Old Kinder: A world of engineering unfolded as our curious 3-Year-Old Kindergarten learners delved into geoboards, embracing mathematical concepts through hands-on exploration. Their love for stories was nurtured through the reading of “Why I Love My Daddy,” a tale that celebrated the special relationships between fathers and children.
4-Year-Old Kinder: Our 4-Year-Old Kindergarten scholars embarked on a journey of global discovery, exploring the world globe and fostering their geographical awareness. Artistry flourished as they painted on easels, transferring their vibrant images onto fabric using rollers. Creativity and sensory exploration merged as they fashioned their own playdough, and a lively categorization game revolving around food further enriched their cognitive abilities.
Next week…
- Child Protection Week (NAPCAN): From the 4th to the 8th of this month, we’ll be participating in Child Protection Week. Through various activities, we’ll raise awareness about keeping our children safe and fostering a nurturing environment.
- Superhero Week: Get ready for an exciting week ahead! It’s Superhero Week from the 4th to the 8th, where children can explore their imaginative powers, dressing up as their favourite heroes and heroines.
- Early Childhood Educators Day: On the 6th, we celebrate our dedicated educators who play a vital role in your child’s development. A big thank you to our wonderful team for their commitment and care!
Take care families and have a wonderful weekend. Look forward to a super week next week.
Jodi, Sue and the team
— Friday, August 25th —
Hello Choklits families,
Happy Friday and welcome to another action packed weekly newsletter.
This week, Choklits was filled with wonder, excitement, and the joy of storytelling as we celebrated Book Week. This annual event holds a special place in our hearts, as it emphasises the immense significance of literacy in your child’s early learning journey. It is a fun week of dressing up in favourite book characters and reading lots of special books. One of my all time favourite children’s books is “The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry and The Big Hungry Bear”. I have seen lots of children wear the funny glasses in the Paint Room. Super cute!!
Let’s dive into the wonderful activities and learning moments that took place in each age group across the centre..
Nursery Room:
Our little ones in the Nursery embraced the magic of “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” during Book Week. We saw tiny hands engaged in threading, art and craft, and even the joy of making playdough creations. These activities spark curiosity and fine motor skills in our youngest learners, laying the foundation for their future learning journey.
Pre-Toddler Room:
In the Pre-Toddler room, the enchanting pages of “Dear Zoo” came to life as we explored the wonders of this beloved book. Our little adventurers engaged in book-related activities that encourage language development and cognitive growth. Reading together and experiencing the story through play is a wonderful way to ignite their imagination.
Toddler Room:
Our Toddler friends embarked on a reading journey too, with a special focus on “The Waterhole” and “The Very Hungry Caterpillar.” Storytime sessions sparked their curiosity and expanded their vocabulary. Through these activities, we fostered their love for storytelling, while the engaging narratives also promoted essential early literacy skills.
3 Year Old Kinder Room:
The 3 Year Old Kinder group delved into the captivating world of stories. They explored the enchanting tale of “The Rainbowfish” and discussed the importance of being unique and kind. Creating their own sparkling fish tank with their artistic creations was a highlight.
4 Year Old Kinder Room:
Our 4 Year Old Kinder stars have been making strides in both learning and independence. With the launch of our lunch box program, children are learning about healthy choices and taking charge of their meals. The immersive Book Week activities involved role-playing, music sessions with our talented educator Archie and his ukulele, and even a sewing adventure! Through these diverse activities, children enhance their social skills, creativity, and fine motor abilities.
What’s happening in September…
- Beginning of Spring and 1st Day of SunSmart Season: Spring has arrived, bringing warmth and growth! With the start of the SunSmart season, we’ll be focusing on sun safety to ensure your child’s outdoor play is enjoyable and protected.
- Father’s Day Breakfast at Choklits: Join us on a special morning to celebrate Father’s Day! A delightful breakfast awaits, offering a chance for children to show their love and appreciation for their dads or special person.
- Child Protection Week (NAPCAN): From the 4th to the 8th of this month, we’ll be participating in Child Protection Week. Through various activities, we’ll raise awareness about keeping our children safe and fostering a nurturing environment.
- Superhero Week: Get ready for an exciting week ahead! It’s Superhero Week from the 4th to the 8th, where children can explore their imaginative powers, dressing up as their favourite heroes and heroines.
- Early Childhood Educators Day: On the 6th, we celebrate our dedicated educators who play a vital role in your child’s development. A big thank you to our wonderful team for their commitment and care!
- RUOK Day: Mental health matters to us all. On the 14th, we’ll be supporting RUOK Day, reminding everyone of the importance of checking in on each other’s well-being.
- Footy Dress Up Week: From the 18th to the 21st, it’s Footy Dress Up Week! Children can show their team spirit by wearing their favourite footy colours and jerseys.
- AFL Grand Final Public Holiday: Please note that on the 28th, there’s a public holiday due to the AFL Grand Final. Our centre will be closed on this day, giving families a chance to enjoy the game and spend quality time together.
Reminder…
Please RSVP to the Fathers Day Breakfast next Friday. There is an Xplor post you can comment on or email [email protected] with who is coming and if there are any dietary requirements. Looking forward to seeing all the Dads, Pops or special person for brekky.
Have a wonderful weekend and I definitely hope this glorious weather continues. Catch you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
— Friday, August 18th —
Hello families!
It’s been another busy week at Choklits and we’ve sure had a lot of fun!
This week’s update, however, is a little different. We found a fantastic video about young children, how they learn and develop, and the importance of the early years. We thought you might like it.
Could a game of peek-a-boo really change the world?
You be the judge…
We love to hear any feedback you have, so please head to our last post and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
— Friday, August 11th —
Hello families,
Happy Friday!!!
We have had a tooth-tastic week here at Choklits for Dental Week. The children have had a great time “brushing up” on all things oral care! 🦷🪥 It’s been a week full of smiles and giggles.
Here are some of the highlights for the week.
Nursery:
Our littlest explorers in the Nursery engaged in a dental-themed provocation table, igniting their curiosity about dental care. They also dabbled in artistic expression by painting pictures of teeth with white paint and toothbrushes, creating whimsical and imaginative masterpieces. A vibrant Rainbow Colour table allowed them to delve into the enchanting world of colours, promoting sensory exploration and cognitive development.
Pre-Toddlers:
In the Pre-Toddler group, our budding learners watched the engaging Wiggles tooth brushing song as part of Dental Week, instilling the importance of oral hygiene. Their creativity flourished as they painted A4 templated teeth with white paint and toothbrushes, fostering fine motor skills and artistic expression. Discussions about healthy eating were enriched by reading the captivating story “Budburra’s Garden,” while the introduction of a new mega block resource provided boundless opportunities for imaginative play.
Toddlers:
Toddlers also enjoyed the Wiggles tooth brushing song, delving into the world of dental care through song and movement. Their artistic talents shone as they painted A4 templated teeth, reinforcing the significance of dental health. The exploration of healthy eating continued, promoting a holistic understanding of well-being. In a delightful twist, the science behind magnets captured their attention as they tested various surfaces for magnetism, fostering scientific inquiry and critical thinking.
3-Year-Old Kinder:
Our curious 3-Year-Old Kindergarten learners embarked on a literary journey with the story “The Teeth” by Emmaline Marvig. This inspired rich discussions around healthy eating and the importance of dental care. In an imaginative twist, the educators set up a captivating hair salon, allowing the children to explore their interests and creativity. Songs with actions added a musical touch to their learning, promoting language development and coordination.
4-Year-Old Kinder:
The 4-Year-Old Kindergarten group delved into the realm of healthy eating, discussing the vital role it plays in our well-being. Through an engaging book about teeth, they deepened their understanding of dental health. A visit from Dr. Anna of Ivory Dental reinforced oral care practices, leaving a lasting impact on our young learners. The creation of a puppet theatre sparked their imaginations and storytelling abilities, while space puzzles added an element of cosmic exploration to their week.
Upcoming August Events…
- 14th-18th: Science Week – Get ready for a week full of exciting scientific exploration and experiments that ignite curiosity and wonder.
- 21st-25th: Book Week – Come dressed in your favourite book character, celebrating the joy of reading and storytelling.
Hope everyone has a lovely weekend. I am off to see the Barbie movie again, more pottery throwing and supporting my son Gus’s footy mates in their semi final game. Stay warm and safe and see you next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the Team
— Friday, August 4th —
Happy Friday Choklits Families.
Can you believe it is August!! My goodness this year is just flying by.
Our wonderful maintenance guru, Ryan, has completed the Chicken Coop and our chickens have been visiting during the day. The children are so excited to see them outside.
We have had a busy week with lots of wonderful experiences created by Choklits hard working Educators. I have been in the rooms a lot this week supporting Educators and was even lucky enough to go on the 4 YO Kinder excursion to Marlborough Primary. It was such a big walk for the 4’s and they did a great job walking to the school. I am so proud of how well they listened and engaged with the Prep teacher. It definitely was a highlight of my week.
Let’s dive into some other highlights of our week:
Nursery:
The Nursery children enjoyed the benefits of group time, where they engaged in interactive and social activities that fostered their sense of belonging. They had a blast with a bubble experience, exploring the magical world of bubbles and developing their sensory skills. The 5 Little Ducks playset brought joy and playful learning, enhancing their numeracy and language development. Our little learners also celebrated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activities by decorating handprints to display, embracing diversity and inclusivity in the Nursery.
Pre-Toddler:
Our Pre-Toddler group had fun with bubbles, experiencing the delight of bubble play while developing their fine motor skills. They further explored colours and 3D shapes, fostering their understanding of the world around them. As part of our commitment to inclusivity, we listened to the story “No Way Yirrikipayi!” by Alison Lester in honour of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day, promoting cultural awareness and understanding.
Toddler:
The Toddler group explored the joy of music with various musical instruments, sparking their creativity and love for rhythm. They also experienced the wonder of planting seeds, nurturing their understanding of nature and growth. Similarly, they also engaged with the story “No Way Yirrikipayi,” fostering cultural appreciation and a sense of respect for different backgrounds. The children also had a blast playing the game “What’s the Time, Mr. Wolf,” promoting social interactions and turn-taking.
3-Year-Old Kinder:
In the 3-Year-Old Kinder, a group time discussion about community helpers led to a captivating story titled “Emergency Emergency Vehicles to the Rescue.” The children then engaged in activities centred around police, firemen, and doctors, gaining insight into the important roles these helpers play in our community. They also had a fascinating “All About Today” activity calendar, learning about the date, month, and year, promoting their understanding of time. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Children’s day the fabulous 3’s engaged in a painting activity using paint brushes made from natural plants.
4-Year-Old Kinder:
The 4-Year-Old Kinder had a special excursion to Marlborough Primary School, where they read a story and enjoyed playtime in the playground with the preps. They continued their exploration of the theme “Space” by creating space puppets, fueling their imagination and storytelling abilities. A pop-up book about Earth brought excitement and discussions about our planet. In another delightful activity, they read the story “The Very Hungry Caterpillar,” leading to insightful conversations around healthy eating habits. They even transformed the home corner into a lively cafe, promoting role-play and social interactions.
Thank you…
We are absolutely delighted and deeply grateful for your overwhelming generosity and support in raising $158.80 for the Melbourne City Mission, an organisation that provides essential assistance to those facing homelessness. Your donations have made a significant impact and will go a long way in supporting the most vulnerable members of our community during these challenging times. We are truly proud to be part of a community that cares so deeply and takes meaningful action to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
August Events…
We have an exciting lineup of events for August:
- 4th: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – Let’s celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our Indigenous children with engaging activities that promote diversity and inclusivity.
- 7th-13th: Dental Health Week – Dental health is essential for our little ones’ overall well-being. We will incorporate fun and informative activities to teach the importance of dental care.
- 13th: Red Nose Day – Let’s support this great cause by wearing as much red clothing as we can, raising awareness for safe sleep practices for babies.
- 14th-18th: Science Week – Get ready for a week full of exciting scientific exploration and experiments that ignite curiosity and wonder.
- 21st-25th: Book Week – Come dressed in your favourite book character, celebrating the joy of reading and storytelling.
Have a wonderful weekend, stay safe and warm and see you all next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and the team
— Friday, July 28th —
Hello Choklits Families,
Happy Friday!!!!
This week it was wonderful to see all the children and educators support The Melbourne City Mission by wearing their Pyjamas this week. Everyone came dressed in their cosy and adorable pyjamas, ready for a week of exciting activities and learning experiences. We are immensely grateful for the generous donations made by our Choklits families, as we raised money for the Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal. Your contributions have made a significant impact in supporting those in need within our community, especially during these colder months. Thank you !!!!
Let’s delve into this weeks highlights:
Nursery:
During Pyjama Week, our little ones had a blast engaging in various experiences. They enjoyed a pasting activity, creating beautiful masterpieces. Sensory play is an integral part of learning, and our Nursery children had sensory experiences that stimulated their senses and encouraged exploration. The sandpit provided them with a fun and tactile experience. Educators also introduced our little adventurers to the wonders of nature by exploring sensory experiences with tan bark and trees. To further explore the value of nature, we also planted a tree on “Plant a Tree Day.”
Pre-Toddler/Toddler:
Our Pre-Toddlers and Toddlers were immersed in Pyjama Week with a special sensory experience using shaving cream and food colouring, resembling fluffy clouds. Music is a wonderful way to engage children, and our little ones had a delightful time with the “Musical Pillows Song and Dance” game. As part of “Plant a Tree Day,” they had the opportunity to explore the concept of plant growth by planting mung beans in plastic cups.
3 YO Kinder:
In the 3-year-old Kindergarten group, Pyjama Week was filled with excitement, including a fun and educational pyjama matching card game. The children also explored the fascinating world of wax-resistant painting, allowing their creativity to shine. Storytelling with puppets came alive with beloved tales like “Wombat Stew” and “Tiddaliks.” To inspire a sense of responsibility and love for nature, the children planted individual seeds to take home and nurture for “Plant a Tree Day.”
4YO Kinder:
Our 4-year-old Kindergarten group had an engaging Pyjama Week. They are continuing their exploration of space by creating planets. They had an energising dance party and enjoyed balancing bridge activities, enhancing their physical coordination. As part of “Plant a Tree Day,” our young green thumbs took a step further by planting vegetables in the garden.
Upcoming August Events:
We have an exciting lineup of events for August:
- 4th: National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day – Let’s celebrate the rich cultural heritage of our Indigenous children with engaging activities that promote diversity and inclusivity.
- 7th-13th: Dental Health Week – Dental health is essential for our little ones’ overall well-being. We will incorporate fun and informative activities to teach the importance of dental care.
- 13th: Red Nose Day – Let’s support this great cause by wearing as much red clothing as we can, raising awareness for safe sleep practices for babies.
- 14th-18th: Science Week – Get ready for a week full of exciting scientific exploration and experiments that ignite curiosity and wonder.
- 21st-25th: Book Week – Come dressed in your favourite book character, celebrating the joy of reading and storytelling.
Have you seen our Winter Menu…
Don’t forget to check out our nutritious, chef-prepared winter menu, designed to keep little tummies satisfied and healthy during the colder months. The menu is available here https://www.choklits.com.au/winter-menus-2023/
Have a fabulous weekend everyone and look forward to seeing you all next week
Take Care
Jodi, Sue and the Team
— Friday, July 21st —
Hello Choklits families,
Welcome to Friday!!!!
As the winter chill settles in today and brrrrr it is cold, I warmly welcome you to our weekly update. Despite the cold weather, Choklits has been buzzing with warmth and excitement as our children engaged in enriching activities throughout the week.
This week, our kinders had the pleasure of two captivating incursions centred around Australian animals. Wildlife Xposure brought a touch of the wild into our centre, allowing our children to interact with some of Australia’s wildlife and learn about their habitats and life cycles. It was an interactive experience that sparked wonder and curiosity about the diverse wildlife that calls Australia home. It was wonderful to listen to all the children and their answers to the speaker’s question. They do know alot about Australian animals.
In addition, Museum Victoria’s taxidermy incursion brought lifelike representations of Australian animals, creating a unique opportunity for our 4 YO Kinder children to closely observe and learn about these animals in a safe and educational setting. It was equally as impressive.
Here are the weeks highlights:
Nursery:
In the Nursery, our little ones had a delightful Ocean-themed week, building on previous weeks of exploration. They sang “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” made adorable jellyfish, and let their creativity flow by painting boxes that transformed into boats. Engaging with playdough and sea animals further enriched their sensory experiences.
Pre-Toddlers and Toddlers:
Our curious Pre-Toddlers and Toddlers embarked on a journey to discover “Bugs in the Garden.” They explored these tiny creatures and their habitats, sparking their wonder and understanding of the natural world. They also had the opportunity to explore technology in the home corner, promoting their cognitive development and understanding of the world around them. Engaging with the story “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt” led to a provocation table being created which has sparked lots of discussion. Incorporating a bit of STEM into the week the children have been exploring the concepts of big and small. They finished the week by helping to create a donation box for our upcoming Pyjama week supporting Melbourne City Mission.
3-Year-Old Kinder:
Our 3-Year-Old Kinder group had an exciting visit from Wildlife Xposure, where they interacted with fascinating Australian animals. Learning about the life cycles of these creatures deepened their knowledge and understanding of the natural world. The children also enjoyed a show and tell session, allowing them to confidently share their thoughts and interests with their peers.
4-Year-Old Kinder:
The 4-Year-Old Kinder group had a special visit from the Melbourne Museum, diving into the captivating world of Australian habitats. They also had a blast designing and making their own spaceships, fueling their imagination and creativity. Engaging in outdoor games promoted physical activity and teamwork among our kinder children.
Goodbye…
It is with a mix of sadness and gratitude that we bid farewell to Educator Juan and Amber. Juan has taken up a teaching position in the primary sector and Educator Amber has decided to pursue a new career path. We are thankful for the role they both played in nurturing our little learners and in turn they thanked Choklits for giving them the opportunity to work and give them experience in the early childhood sector. We wish them both well in their future endeavours.
Our Favourite Social Post…
Our heartwarming social post celebrated our dedicated educators, who received massage chairs as part of the 100 chairs in 100 days promotion from Masseuse Massage Australia. This gesture highlighted our commitment to supporting our educators’ well-being as they tirelessly provide exceptional care and engaging programs for the children at Choklits.
Next Week…
Get ready for Pyjama Week, where we will support The Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal. This initiative embodies our strong sense of community and commitment to giving back. We have been raising funds for this important Charity whose work supports people/families who are experiencing homelessness, for a while now and it is a favourite week for parents, children and educators alike. Who struggles to get the children dressed in the morning – well next week you don’t have to worry. The children can just jump out of bed and they are ready to come to Choklits. LOL Don’t forget to bring a gold coin donation.
Stay warm and cosy this weekend, and I look forward to sharing more wonderful Choklits adventures with you next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and Team
— Friday, July 14th —
Hello families,
Happy Friday!!!!!
I hope you have a wonderful week and managed to enjoy some of the sunshine we had this week. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting out of the office, soaking up some Vitamin D, while spending time with the children out in the yard this week. There was lots of excitement around Ryan and the building of the chicken coop. It is looking like they will be the best housed chickens in town. Ryan has done a super job.
We also had a beary good time this week with our Teddy Bears Picnic activities. There is just something too cute about children and their teddies and there were lots of happy faces. The rooms had teddy related stories and activities organised for the week. Here are the room highlights:
Nursery: In the Nursery, our little ones enjoyed all the Teddy Bear Picnic activities the educators provided. They read the very entertaining book ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ and embarked on our own bear hunt adventure and provided a sensory experience to go with the story. To add a creative touch, the children used paper plates and paint to craft their own teddy bears, using their imagination and fine motor skills. They are still enjoying visiting the chicks we have kept from the Henny Penny program, connecting with the natural world and nurturing their sense of empathy.
Pre-Toddlers: Our Pre-Toddler group joined in the fun of the Teddy Bears Picnic, enjoying a delightful lunch outdoors. The children engaged in imaginative play with farm animals, expanding their vocabulary and fostering their social skills. Outdoor play provided them with fine motor experiences, enhancing their coordination and sense of exploration.
Toddler: The Toddler group embraced the spirit of the Teddy Bears Picnic as well. They enjoyed stories and having their lunch outside on the big mat with their teddies. Sarah from Rhythm and Moves provided a fantastic session with a pirate-themed sing song. Outside in the undercroft, the Toddlers explored fine motor activities, strengthening their little muscles and working on their building and puzzle skills.
3-Year-Old Kinder: Our imaginative 3-Year-Old Kinder children celebrated the Teddy Bears Picnic by reading the book ‘This is the Bear’ by Sarah Hayes and illustrated by Helen Craig. This delightful tale took them on an adventure of rescue and friendship. They also prepared to make a rainbow serpent, honing their scissor skills by cutting coloured paper. Through these experiences, they are developing their literacy skills and artistic expression.
4-Year-Old Kinder: In the 4-Year-Old Kinder group, the Teddy Bears Picnic became an opportunity to discuss healthy food choices during a picnic. Conversations about nutrition and making mindful food decisions fostered their understanding of balanced lifestyles. They also explored Australian animals, sharing their favourite animal and deepening their knowledge of our unique wildlife.
July’s Events… Click here to see our calendar of events.
24th – 28th: Pyjama Day for Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal
We believe in the power of giving back to our community. From the 24th to the 28th, we will be hosting a Pyjama Day to raise funds for the Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal. Children are invited to come dressed in their cosy pyjamas, and together, we will create a warm and caring environment while supporting those in need during the winter season. Let’s make a positive impact by coming together for a worthy cause.
28th: National Plant a Tree Day
We will be joining the nationwide initiative of National Plant a Tree Day. Our little environmentalists will have the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Through hands-on planting activities, they will develop a sense of responsibility towards the environment and understand the role they can play in creating a sustainable future.
Don’t forget…
4 YO Kinder parents – The cut off for enroling your child in Primary School is fast approaching. If you already haven’t sent in an application for a school or need some help please see me in the office or speak to Chloe or Sue.
Here is a link for more information : https://www.vic.gov.au/enrolling-foundation-prep
I hope you all have a lovely weekend and look forward to another fabulous week of learning next week.
Kind Regards
Jodi, Sue and Team
— Friday, July 7th —
Hello families,
I hope you all have had a terrific week. Our little chicks are certainly growing at a rapid rate and I have been so chatty. I loved receiving some clever posters from Oscar’s (in the 3 YO room) sister Amelie, who gave us some important information about raising chickens and some very thoughtful names we could use for the chicks. If you haven’t seen it check it out and let me know what you think or add some more names to the list. It’s great to have the Choklits families invested in our little chickens. Rachael (Myah’s Mum) also told us about making sure we dig deep when making the coop so the foxes don’t try and burrow under to get to the chickens. Great ideas and keep them coming. If you know any other tips, please share.
I saw a joke at the pet shop while I was getting more feed and wood shavings for the pen and I thought I would share:
What do you call a chicken that is funny? A Comedi-hen.
It did make me giggle.
Highlights…
We kicked off the week with the celebration of NAIDOC Week, honouring the rich culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Throughout the centre, the children engaged in various activities and experiences to deepen their understanding and appreciation of Indigenous heritage. Here are just some of the highlights from this week:
Nursery:
In the Nursery, our youngest learners have been looking at Australian Animals for NAIDOC week. Exploring the experiences in the room and using their creativity with paint to decorate some animal images. They have also been captivated by the wonders of the ocean. Building on this theme, they extended their exploration to include boats, igniting their curiosity about different modes of transportation. Through play and sensory experiences, our Nursery children are developing their fine motor skills and expanding their understanding of the world around them.
Pre-Toddlers:
The Pre-Toddler room embraced NAIDOC Week by engaging in painting activities using the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. They expressed their creativity and learned about the symbolism behind these important flags. They also had the pleasure of listening to indigenous stories, fostering their love for storytelling and expanding their cultural knowledge.
Toddler:
Our Toddlers delved into NAIDOC Week activities by engaging in expressive painting using the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags too. They further explored Australian culture by engaging in explorative play with red, yellow, and black playdough, creating Aboriginal symbols with wooden stamps. Through these experiences, they develop their fine motor skills, artistic expression, and cultural appreciation. Music with Cam from Rhythm and Moves added so much joy to their week, enhancing their coordination and love for music.
3-Year-Old Kinder:
In our 3-Year-Old Kinder room, the children immersed themselves in the world of Australian animals, expanding their knowledge and understanding of our unique wildlife. They engaged in activities such as learning the names of various Australian animals, exploring their life cycles through informative posters, and diving into captivating books centred around Australian fauna. Literacy skills were explored through writing on blackboards, practising the art of wiping it off and starting anew.
4-Year-Old Kinder:
Our 4-Year-Old Kinder children explored the captivating story of “The Rainbow Serpent” during NAIDOC Week. They delved into creative expression by crafting their own Gaan the rainbow serpent using coloured paper and participating in weaving activities. Playdough with stones and gems offered a sensory experience that sparked their creativity and fine motor skills. Furthermore, our kinder children embarked on an excursion to the Salvation Army Thrift Shop to purchase books for our centre, fostering their love for reading and community engagement.
Next week…
10th – 14th: Teddy Bears Picnic –
Get your favourite teddy bears ready for our much-anticipated Teddy Bears Picnic. This special event will bring together children, educators, and their furry friends for a delightful outdoor gathering. We will enjoy games, storytelling, and of course, a picnic.
July’s Events… Click here to see our calendar of events.
24th – 28th: Pyjama Day for Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal
We believe in the power of giving back to our community. From the 24th to the 28th, we will be hosting a Pyjama Day to raise funds for the Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal. Children are invited to come dressed in their cosy pyjamas, and together, we will create a warm and caring environment while supporting those in need during the winter season. Let’s make a positive impact by coming together for a worthy cause.
28th: National Plant a Tree Day
We will be joining the nationwide initiative of National Plant a Tree Day. Our little environmentalists will have the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Through hands-on planting activities, they will develop a sense of responsibility towards the environment and understand the role they can play in creating a sustainable future.
Reminder:
Please look both ways when leaving the centre’s carpark. It is just a habit to look right as that is where the traffic is coming from but please be aware that pedestrians could be coming from the left as you are leaving.
It’s been another great week and learning at Choklits. I have thoroughly enjoyed watching and listening to all the children around the centre. I hope you all have a lovely weekend. Let me know if you are doing anything exciting. I always love hearing about what you all get up to on the weekend.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 30th —
Hello Choklits Families
Welcome to our Friday weekly newsletter. We hope this message finds you all in good spirits and staying warm amidst the chilly Melbourne weather. As always, we have had an exciting week filled with educational activities and joyful moments of exploration. It was our last week with the Henny Penny Hatching Program, but it is not goodbye to the chickens. We will be keeping some of the chickens here at Choklits in a nice big coup out in the backyard. Until it is ready and the little chicks are a bit bigger, I will be taking them home to keep them nice and warm and bring them in for cuddles each day. It will be such a valuable learning opportunity for our little learners to have Choklits chickens here at the centre. I can’t wait.
Highlights…
Nursery: Our little ones in the Nursery have been having a blast with sensory wooden colourful blocks, engaging their senses and fine motor skills. They’ve been busy stacking, sorting, and exploring the different textures and shapes. Alongside this, they have been honing their gross motor skills through various play activities. We are thrilled to see their growth and development in these key areas.
Pre-Toddlers: Our curious Pre-Toddlers have been on a grand adventure in the big yard outside. They have been exploring the vast space, strengthening their gross motor skills and connecting with nature. Additionally, they have been using big colourful blocks to develop their gross motor skills and learn about colours. To add a touch of music and movement, they’ve been dancing with scarves, fostering their coordination and self-expression.
Toddlers: Our energetic Toddlers have been diving into the world of letters with alphabet letter threading. Through this hands-on activity, they have been strengthening their fine motor skills and letter recognition. Additionally, they’ve embarked on a roaring adventure in the dinosaur world, where they’ve let their imagination run wild and learned fascinating facts about these magnificent creatures.
3-Year-Old Kinder: Our inquisitive 3-Year-Old Kinder children have been extending their exploration of shapes through Kandinsky circle watercolour painting. They’ve been experimenting with colours, patterns, and shapes, nurturing their creativity and artistic expression. Through this activity, they are not only developing their fine motor skills but also deepening their understanding of shapes and colours.
4-Year-Old Kinder: Our imaginative 4-Year-Old Kinder children have had an eventful week. They embarked on a post office visit, where they eagerly brought stamps to put on the letters they were sending home. This activity not only fosters their communication skills but also introduces them to the concept of community engagement. Additionally, they’ve been constructing 3D houses, representing their own homes and strengthening their spatial awareness. To further fuel their curiosity, they’ve been using magnifying glasses to explore the fascinating world of our stick insects.
Welcome…
We would like to extend a warm welcome to Archie, who has joined our team. Archie brings a wealth of experience and a passion for providing a nurturing learning environment for our little ones. The children have been enjoying his musical and artistic talents too.
Farewell…
On a bittersweet note, we bid farewell to Educator Sam, who has been a valued member of our kinder team. We extend our gratitude for their dedication and wish them all the best in their future endeavours. Her last day is next Friday the 7th of July.
Well earned break…
Sue is on holiday next week. She is on a road trip to just North of Sydney to spend some time with family. She will be back on the 11th. I will still be here and will look after all of Choklits Admin while she is away.
July Events…
We are excited to share with you our upcoming calendar of events, packed with enriching and fun-filled activities for our little ones. Mark your calendars and get ready for a month full of celebration, connection, and giving back!
3rd – 7th: NAIDOC Week
We will be celebrating NAIDOC Week, honouring the rich culture, history, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Through various activities and discussions, we will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indigenous heritage among our children. This is a wonderful opportunity to teach them about the values of inclusivity, respect, and cultural diversity.
10th – 14th: Teddy Bears Picnic
Get your favourite teddy bears ready for our much-anticipated Teddy Bears Picnic. This special event will bring together children, educators, and their furry friends for a delightful outdoor gathering. We will enjoy games, storytelling, and of course, a picnic filled with delicious treats.
24th – 28th: Pyjama Day for Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal
We believe in the power of giving back to our community. From the 24th to the 28th, we will be hosting a Pyjama Day to raise funds for the Melbourne City Mission Winter Appeal. Children are invited to come dressed in their cosy pyjamas, and together, we will create a warm and caring environment while supporting those in need during the winter season. Let’s make a positive impact by coming together for a worthy cause.
28th: National Plant a Tree Day
We will be joining the nationwide initiative of National Plant a Tree Day. Our little environmentalists will have the opportunity to connect with nature and learn about the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Through hands-on planting activities, they will develop a sense of responsibility towards the environment and understand the role they can play in creating a sustainable future.
Last reminder…
Did you know the CCS balancing deadline is fast approaching…
Families must confirm what they earned in 2021–22 and 2020–21 by 30 June to avoid losing CCS or incurring debt. At the end of each financial year, Services Australia compares a family’s income estimate with their actual income to check they got the right amount of CCS. This process is called balancing. Families need to confirm their income for balancing to occur. There are deadlines for families to do this. The end of the financial year marks two important deadlines for families:
- first deadline for confirming 2021–22 income
- second deadline for confirming 2020–21 income.
If a family misses the first deadline, their CCS will stop. If a family misses the second deadline, they will lose their CCS eligibility and may have to repay any CCS they got for that financial year. Families should go to the Services Australia website for more information.
Stay warm my wonderful Choklits family and see you all next week.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 23rd —
Hello Choklits Community,
Welcome to another eggciting week at Choklits Child Care! We hope you’re all doing well and ready for a fun-filled update. Our centre has been buzzing with joy and excitement as we embarked on an eggcellent adventure with the Henny Penny Hatching Program. Alongside our delightful chick encounters, the children have also indulged their creative sides through art and craft, creating adorable little chicks. Let’s crack open the details and discover some more highlights of the week!
Nursery:
In our Nursery, the children have been immersed in the world of colours with our engaging colour sorting boxes. They’ve had the opportunity to explore different hues and textures, enhancing their sensory development and fine motor skills. Our little ones have shown great enthusiasm and curiosity as they discover the wonders hidden within each box.
Additionally, their artistic talents have flourished as they crafted their very own little chicks, bringing their imagination to life. Our adorable Nursery children have been busy exploring the world of art and creating their very own fluffy chicks using the delightful technique of stamping. With brushes dipped in yellow paint, they eagerly made playful strokes on paper, discovering the joy of self-expression and sensory exploration. The room was filled with giggles and squeals of delight as they saw the colourful patterns and textures take shape. Each unique chick emerged with its own personality, showcasing the creativity and imagination of our youngest Choklit learners.
Pre-Toddlers:
Under the sea, our Pre-Toddlers have dived into the captivating realm of sea creatures. From colourful fish to gentle sea turtles, they’ve been fascinated by these amazing creatures. Through hands-on experiences and interactive storytelling, our young explorers have been building their knowledge and understanding of the ocean’s diverse inhabitants.
Our curious and observant Pre-Toddlers have also been delving into the fascinating world of facial expressions. Using hand mirrors, they’ve had the opportunity to explore and recognize different emotions by observing their own reflections. This activity not only promotes self-awareness but also encourages empathy and understanding of others. Our little learners have been captivated by their own smiling faces, surprised expressions, and even playful silly faces! Through this interactive experience, they are developing their social and emotional skills, laying a strong foundation for building meaningful relationships.
In addition to exploring facial expressions, our Pre-Toddlers have been having a bubbly good time with bubble play. They’ve been enchanted by the magical floating spheres, giggling with delight as they chase and pop the bubbles. This sensory activity stimulates their visual tracking skills, hand-eye coordination, and provides a joyful avenue for exploration and discovery. The laughter and wonder that fill the room during bubble play create a positive and engaging atmosphere for our little Chokliteers.
Toddlers:
Our curious Toddlers have been busy unleashing their creativity with loose play cardboard construction. They’ve been building and constructing using various cardboard materials, fostering their problem-solving skills and spatial awareness. To add some musical fun to their week, the children enjoyed the catchy “Crackle and Pop” song, inspired by our feathered friends, chickens!
Our inquisitive and imaginative Toddlers have been building their fine motor skills and creativity through block play. Block play has provided them with endless opportunities for exploration, problem-solving, and cooperation. They’ve been busy constructing towers, bridges, and even imaginary worlds with their colourful blocks. Through this open-ended play, they are also developing their spatial awareness and critical thinking abilities.
To further enhance their language skills, our Toddlers have been engaging in songs with actions. These catchy tunes not only bring joy and laughter but also support language development as the children follow along with the lyrics and corresponding actions. Whether they’re clapping, stomping, or wiggling their fingers, these songs provide a fun and interactive way to learn new words, practice coordination, and foster a love for music. Our little stars are shining bright as they sing, dance, and express themselves through these engaging activities.
3-Year-Old Kinder:
Shapes have taken center stage in our 3-Year-Old Kinder room. Building on their previous exploration, the children were challenged to create shapes using their bodies. This engaging activity not only promotes physical development but also encourages critical thinking and spatial reasoning. Our little shape makers have been stretching, bending, and twisting to create a world of geometric wonders.
Also our imaginative 3-Year-Old Kinder children have been on a creative journey this week, exploring the rich world of Aboriginal animals. They have embraced the beauty of art by painting templates of various animals and skillfully cutting them out. Through this hands-on activity, the children have not only expressed their artistic flair but also gained a deeper appreciation for the cultural significance of animals in Aboriginal storytelling. This experience has sparked their curiosity about different animals and their habitats, fostering a sense of connection with the natural world around them.
4-Year-Old Kinder:
Our 4-Year-Old Kinder children have been on a sensory adventure with our exciting sensory box activity. By hiding objects within a box, the children have engaged their sense of touch and explored their problem-solving abilities as they try to guess the hidden objects. This activity promotes sensory development, fine motor skills, and critical thinking.
Additionally, our Kinder children had an enriching excursion to Marlborough Primary School, where they had the opportunity to engage with older students and gain insights into the world of primary education. They were able to explore the school’s playground and spend time in the Prep room with the Prep teacher Helen and students. With the Prep teacher, the 4-Year-Old Kinder group explored the magical world of storytelling. The Prep teacher Helen, embarked on an enchanting journey through the pages of the book called “Twinkle” by Nick Bland. The story took them on an adventure filled with twinkling stars and delightful characters. Through this shared reading experience, our kinder children not only developed their literacy skills but also ignited their imagination and love for storytelling. The were able to predict what might happen next
Inspired by the sparkling stars in the story, our creative kinder children had the opportunity to create their own shining masterpieces. They adorned stars with glitter and paper, turning them into dazzling works of art. As they carefully spread the glue, sprinkled the glitter, and arranged silver or gold paper pieces, our little stars were shining bright as they expressed themselves through this engaging activity. The glittering stars now serve as a reminder of their excursion to Marlborough Primary School.
Next Week:
Henny Penny
We have one more week with the chickens and only 4 eggs left to hatch. At the end of the program there is some information if you would like to adopt any chickens. We are going to adopt 4 of the little chicks with Ryan building a coop to house the chickens. Chickens provide an opportunity for children to develop a connection with the natural world. They can observe and interact with living creatures and the importance of caring for animals. Taking care of chickens also helps children develop a sense of responsibility. They learn about the needs of living beings and develop empathy by actively participating in the daily care and feeding routines of the chickens. We are beyond excited.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 16th —
Hello families,
Welcome to another exciting week at Choklits! It is lovely to be back and see all your beautiful children. I have had copious amounts of hugs which warms my soul and puts a smile on my face. Thank you for all the hugs from parents too and your warm and caring words, in what is still a very raw and heartbreaking time in our life. You have no idea how much your support means to my family and I. We are forever grateful.
Despite the chilly weather, our little learners have been engaged in a wide range of educational activities that have sparked their curiosity and ignited their imaginations. Here are some highlights from the week:
The Nursery:
Our youngest explorers have been diving into the wonders of the ocean with their “Under the Sea Sensory Play.” Through this interactive experience, they have been discovering different textures, colours, and sea creatures, stimulating their senses and fostering their cognitive development. In the Home Corner, the little ones have been engaged in role-playing activities, wearing hats to further enhance their imaginative play.
The Pre-Toddler Room:
In the Pre-Toddler Room, our little bookworms have been immersed in the magical world of reading. Our dedicated educators have been sharing stories, rhymes, and songs, promoting language development and early literacy skills. Through these engaging activities, we are nurturing a love for books and building a strong foundation for their future learning journey.
The Toddler Room:
In the Toddler Room, our young learners have been exploring the concept of home through their Home Corner activities. They have been engaged in pretend play, taking on different roles and responsibilities, and using their imaginations to create their own little worlds. These play-based experiences provide opportunities for social interaction, problem-solving, and building essential life skills.
The 3YO Room:
Our curious 3-year-olds have been on a shape exploration journey. They have been discovering and identifying different shapes in their environment, from everyday objects to geometric patterns. Through hands-on activities and games, our educators have been supporting their mathematical thinking and spatial awareness, aligning with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework.
The 4YO Room:
In the 4YO Room, our budding scientists have conducted an exciting raindrop experiment. They have observed and explored the effects of raindrops falling using shaving cream and food dye, encouraging their scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills. Additionally, the children have been grooving and moving with our music and movement sessions, where they can express themselves creatively and enhance their coordination and motor skills.
Educator Shout- out…
Congratulations to Chloe who celebrates her one year anniversary today. We love the wonderful program you offer our 4 year Old Kinder Children. If you haven’t met Chloe you can check out her profile by clicking here
Next week…
Henny Penny Hatching is coming on Monday
Henny Penny’s is a wonderful incursion to learn about where chickens come from. Over two weeks we will watch little chicks hatch from eggs.
Henny Penny’s hatching incursion is a wonderful opportunity for children to develop their fine motor skills, practice critical thinking, and enhance their social and emotional development. As they witness the magic of new life emerging, they’ll gain a deeper understanding of the natural world and the responsibility we have in caring for it.
Don’t forget…
To action any requests to complete previous years tax returns and Centrelink requirements as per email sent out on Tuesday before the end of the financial year. Any questions please do not hesitate to contact the office.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 9th —
Hello Choklits families,
Here we are at the end of another fantastic week, and it’s Friday again! We started our week basking in the pleasant sunshine and carried our joyful spirit forward, even as the sun made way for the rain in the past couple of days. But come rain or shine, our little Choklits explorers continue to enjoy their days full of learning and fun. As we look forward to the long weekend, we wish you all a relaxing time filled with cherished family moments.
This Week’s Highlights…
Nursery had an aquatic-themed week, celebrating World Ocean Day at our sea creature table. ‘Baby Shark’ is the song of the week, given the children’s fascination with baby sharks. The winter activities, including dressing up and strutting around in gumboots, were a hit among our little ones.
Our Pre-Toddlers had a mini adventure, exploring the 4-year-old room and enjoying the hospitality of the kindergarten children. The kitchen area was a favourite among them. Sarah couldn’t make it this week for the music session, but that didn’t dampen the spirit of our Pretoddler and Toddler rooms as they had their own music-filled fun.
The Toddlers have had a busy week of sandpit play, where they used their creativity to dig holes and make roads, imprinting car tracks. ‘What’s the time Mister Wolf’ was a fun game that enhanced their numeracy skills while ensuring they had a good time. Imaginative play was at its best with the children embarking on bear and snake hunts around our spacious backyard.
In the 3-year-old kindergarten room, children engaged in a myriad of activities. They loved making playdough, balancing soft bags during their yoga session and navigating through the obstacle course.
Our 4-year-old Kindergarten children extended their knowledge about emotions and corresponding Auslan signs. They also welcomed the Pretoddler children to their room and were caring guides during their visit. A special guest, Helen, a prep teacher from Marlborough Primary school, paid us a visit, sparking conversations about transitioning to school next year.
Welcome…
We are thrilled to have Nilusha from our Surrey Hills centre joining our 4-year-old kindergarten group for her three-week placement. Let’s extend our warm Choklits welcome to Nilusha.
Friendly Reminder…
Remember, we will be closed on Monday in observance of the King’s Birthday public holiday.
Enjoy the long weekend, and we look forward to another week of adventures, discoveries, and growth when we return!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 2nd —
Hello Families,
Can you believe we’re already in June? Although winter officially starts this month, it feels as if it’s been winter for the past month already. Despite the cold air outside, it’s wonderful to hear the cheerful sounds of children’s laughter and conversations floating in through the office window.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we have been focusing on National Reconciliation Week across the centre. In the Nursery, we used our ‘Country Book’ as a valuable resource, exploring it both in group time and with individual children. We created playdough in the colours of the Aboriginal flag, a fantastic sensory activity that introduced the children to these significant colours. Our indigenous playtable was a hit, and to mark the first official day of winter on Thursday, the children crafted cotton ball snowflakes.
The Pretoddlers and Toddlers were fully engaged in the acknowledgement of country, which is part of their everyday program. Stories were read, songs were sung, and an Aboriginal flag-themed wool threading activity kept them busy. They particularly enjoyed singing ‘Ko Koo Kookaburra’ and listening to the story ‘Somebody’s Land’ by Greig Dreise. We’ve also seen our children working on self-help skills, like cutting up their own fruit during break time. Our Pretoddlers took great delight in playing peekaboo with scarves and thoroughly enjoyed the rain stick during their yoga session.
Our 3-year-old group held meaningful discussions every morning after their acknowledgement to country. They explored the significance of the Aboriginal culture, symbols and how these relate to the care of everything around us. They enjoyed the book ‘People and Places and the Colours’, and ‘My Family Likes Bushtucker’ was a favourite read as they could relate to the Aboriginal symbols in the book. They even drew some symbols, which are now proudly displayed on the room wall.
The 4-year-old Kindergarten group had a thrilling day on Monday when they visited Chesterfield Farm. The experience was a topic of much chatter upon their return. They also enjoyed an art incursion on Thursday. Their weekly theme involved linking children’s voices to Aboriginal symbols and their meanings, and they enjoyed several books on our country, such as ‘I’m Australian’. During their Auslan sessions this week, they explored the topic of emotions.
Educator spotlight…
Next week, we’re excited to welcome Nilusha from our Surrey Hills Centre who’ll be joining us for her placement in the 4-year-old kindergarten room. Let’s all make her feel welcome.
Next week…
Dr Rob will be visiting us on Monday. We have reached the limit for the flu shots this Monday, but you can still sign up for the following fortnight when he visits us again on Monday, 19th June. If you would like your child or yourself to have the flu shot, please come to the office and sign the form.
Here’s to another week of learning and growth. Enjoy your weekend and keep warm!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 26th —
Hello families,
Another vibrant week is drawing to a close here at Choklits, and it’s been all the more special with Jodi back for a few hours each day. Both the educators and children were so happy to see her, there’s been lots of visits to the office window this week. We’re so glad to have her back Jodi!
Highlights from the week…
This week was an absolute whirlwind of diverse and engaging activities. The Nursery had a blast playing with puppets and creating some impressive block towers. They even got some hands-on experience making play dough and incorporated leaves and toy insects into their creations for an added twist.
In the Pre Toddler group, the children transformed their room into a mini vet clinic, complete with toy tools and stuffed animal patients. They’ve learned about caring for animals and the role of a vet, all while engaging in imaginative play. A particularly exciting addition this week has been four new spiny leaf insect pets that the children and teachers have affectionately named Bug, Spider, Cheese, and Bikkies.
Our 3-year-old group explored colours in depth, sorting and identifying different hues. They’ve also discussed the importance of good manners, learning when and how to use ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. A fun game of passing bean bags added an element of physical play to their week, and they’re set to mark Sorry Day with a reading of the special book “Welcome to Country”.
The 4-year-olds have spent the week getting to grips with numbers and honing their coordination skills. They’ve been involved in constructing a model city, promoting a sense of ownership and community spirit. A story session with Sarah from the library added a literary twist to their week. Anticipation is high for their upcoming trip to Chesterfield Farm on Monday!
Did you know…
We’re fortunate to have student helpers at the centre, who are here gaining valuable experience for their Early Childhood Education courses. Please extend a warm welcome when you see them.
Next Week…
We’ll be hosting local high school students for their work experience, giving them a taste of the rewarding world of childcare. As mentioned, our 4-year-old kindergarten group is all set for their exciting trip to Chesterfield Farm on Monday, complete with kitchen scraps for the resident pigs!
Here’s to another week of rich learning and fun at Choklits!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 19th —
Hello wonderful families,
What a vibrant week we’ve had at Choklits, kicking off with a glorious, sun-kissed Monday. The temperature may have dropped a notch since then, and today it almost feels like we might have a snow flurry! Our spirited little explorers, however, haven’t seemed to mind and have been enjoying a host of outdoor activities which have kept them toasty. As the weekend promises a bit of a chill, do keep snug and warm. We eagerly await the start of yet another adventurous week with your children!
Weekly highlights…
Our Nursery infants had a grand time exploring with the tunnel indoors and out this week, focusing on their spatial awareness. Together, they’ve immersed themselves in a world of stories, songs and stick insects.
The Pre Toddlers and Toddlers introduced an invigorating ‘brain break’ each day, where they took a mid-morning pause to refuel with nutritious snacks such as bananas. Their outdoor adventures involved a great deal of physical play, a highlight being their fun balance beam jumps of varying heights. Book-filled group times supplemented with puppets and songs worked to enhance their budding language skills.
The 3-year-old kindergarten group experimented with sensory art, using leaves and fine motor skills to create delightful paintings. Their resourcefulness shone as they upcycled paper to craft beautiful artwork. Music and dance also came alive, as they introduced scarves into their routines. Their outdoor pursuits saw them conquer the monkey bars and refine their hopping skills.
Our 4-year-old Kindergarten children received an insightful incursion on road safety, learning to ‘stop, look, and listen’. This has sparked conversations about road safety which were further reflected in their city project. Alongside, they’ve been honing their fine motor skills with some good old-fashioned scissor work. In addition to creating remarkable leaf insect models, they’ve engaged in plenty of outdoor physical play, running and exploring our yard in between their intriguing activities.
New faces…
Let’s extend a warm Choklits welcome to Gul, who has joined us this week as a new member of our educator team in the Toddler room. Do make sure to say hello and introduce yourselves when you see her around.
A big thank you…
We cannot express enough how deeply we appreciate our Choklits community for standing by Jodi during the challenging time she’s been through recently. The outpouring of heartfelt messages and genuine support has been truly overwhelming. Yesterday, as Jodi laid her beloved husband to rest, it was moving to witness not only a family grieving a Husband, Dad and friend, but also cherishing the wonderful life they’d shared. If anyone still wishes to contribute, the GoFundMe page remains active for donations.
Here’s to another week of learning, growing, and making precious memories together at Choklits!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 12th —
Hello Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I write this Friday reflection. After the news that we received at the start of this week we would like to say how proud we are of our educators and Choklits community for the love and support and generosity that you have shown to us all, and especially to the McVea family.
Jodi has expressed how much she wants to thank every one of you for your kindness and genuinely can not thank everyone enough, she is completely overwhelmed. It has been so nice this week that the children have brought a lot of joy and happiness to us with their laughter, imaginative play, singing and cuddles. Children have a way of knowing when they need to help us smile.
If you’d like to see what we’ve set up for Jodi and the McVea Family, please click here.
We are looking forward to seeing the Mums, Grandmas and special friends this afternoon for our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea which is due to start shortly!
Hope you all have a relaxing day and all our Mum’s get spoiled on Sunday for Mother’s Day!
Highlights from the week…
The Nursery children did some physical activities with the gym equipment inside as the weather was very wet and cold. They also had the blocks out for some hand eye coordination and changed the room around with a beautiful home corner ready for the Mums for afternoon tea. The sandpit was well used yesterday with the change in weather and they made a birthday cake and celebrated 3 little friends’ birthdays this month.
The pre toddlers loved Elena’s Yoga sessions this week, learning to listen, follow instructions and have some fun with the music.
The Toddlers enjoyed reading the book “We are going on a bear hunt” and then walking around the back yard through the fort around the trees and in the sand pit learning how to follow directions. They also enjoyed throwing bean bags into hoops practising aiming for the hoop.
The 3 year old kindergarten group has focused on being hygienic – washing our hands before and after food, and going to the toilet all ready for our Mother’s Day afternoon tea. Talking about changes in the weather, the sun hats have now all been washed and put away for winter and now the Jackets and gumboots have come out ready for the colder months.
Lots of fun activities are happening this week in our 4 year old kindergarten room. The children have been painting boxes to replicate buildings, getting ready for building their city. Children will be learning about where people live, going to work and belong. The drawing of the stick insects was another fun activity in the room learning how to copy objects.
Of course all the rooms have been very busy getting all the preparations ready for our Mother’s Day afternoon tea today!
Welcome…
We are very excited to have Phoebe back at Choklits! She worked here a few years ago and has returned to join the toddler room team, we are very excited to have you back Phoebe!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 5th —
Hello families,
Welcome to another Friday update!!!
There was lots of excitement at the start of the week as the children saw Ryan install a temporary fence that blocked off the fort. The children were wondering what was happening and listened intently as Ryan explained the Kinder yard was getting a new fence. The children were so excited to watch the tradesman build the new fence with their dog “Nacho”. There were lots of rich and thoughtful conversations between Educators and children as they discussed what was happening. The children were learning about the world around them and what some people do for their jobs.
We had our monthly staff meeting Wednesday night where Janine led the team on a training session on our Documentation, in particular the Learning Stories we write as part of documenting children’s learning at Choklits. As a group we then discussed Quality Area 2 of The National Quality Standard around supervision. This is a great opportunity for teams to come together and discuss program and planning and practice so we continue to deliver the highest quality of Education and Care.
This morning, we practised our emergency evacuation procedure with the children. We do this regularly to ensure that in a real emergency the children will know what to do. Our ‘hypothetical fire’ was in the golf course across the road, so after Sue alerted the centre to the danger, we gathered the children, emergency bags, medical alert bags and quickly but calmly headed to our assembly point in the 4 YO kinder yard. All the children sat in their room groups while educators did head checks and were happy to say everyone was accounted for. Once Sue gave us the all clear we all returned to the activities we were doing before.
The different faces you see at Choklits…
We love supporting students who are studying to become Early Childhood Educators. We see the value of giving them the opportunity to experience the everyday routines in a child care centre. They all have to do a meet and greet with management before starting at the centre.
Next week we have:
Nursery – Sam
Toddlers – Theresa (Thursday’s)
4 YO Kinder – Maddy and Li Li
On occasion, we also have agency staff to help support rooms and ratio requirements.
Next week we have Kara and Carol in the Toddler Room on Monday. They both have been here before and know our routine and the children.
Did you know…
That I did my placement here at Choklits almost 9 years ago when I was studying and Sue offered me a job! What a great eye for talent she has. Haha!!
Our favourite social post…
If you didn’t see the article about Sue that was posted on our socials click here to have a look. Sue is such an integral part of Choklits and we love how warm, friendly and supportive she is. No wonder she was voted “Melbourne’s best Childcare Worker” last year.
Next week…
Next week is our Mother’s Day afternoon tea. It is from 3 pm – 4pm on Friday the 12th of May. If you haven’t replied please email [email protected] with who is coming and if you have any dietary requirements. As you can imagine parking can be a little tricky when our special events are on. Please be aware it will be busy. Parking is available down Maidstone St and across the road at the golf course but if you choose this option please cross at the lights only. If you are not attending and usually pick up around this time you may want to consider coming a little earlier.
We have our fingers crossed for nice weather and we can enjoy being outside but if not there will be lots of activities and yummy afternoon tea in the rooms. We can’t wait to see everyone there. Click here to see a flashback of our 2021 Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. You might see some familiar faces.
Did you know the CCS balancing deadline is fast approaching…
Families must confirm what they earned in 2021–22 and 2020–21 by 30 June to avoid losing CCS or incurring debt. At the end of each financial year, Services Australia compares a family’s income estimate with their actual income to check they got the right amount of CCS. This process is called balancing. Families need to confirm their income for balancing to occur. There are deadlines for families to do this. The end of the financial year marks two important deadlines for families:
- first deadline for confirming 2021–22 income
- second deadline for confirming 2020–21 income.
If a family misses the first deadline, their CCS will stop. If a family misses the second deadline, they will lose their CCS eligibility and may have to repay any CCS they got for that financial year. Families should go to the Services Australia website for more information.
Don’t forget…
To RSVP to our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. The event will be held on the 12th of May at 3pm-4pm. Please RSVP via email or keep your eyes peeled for our Xplor posts, as we’d love to see you (and any special people) there! This invitation is to all of our families, not only those who attend on Fridays!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi, Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 28th —
Hello families,
Happy Friday Everyone!!! It is lovely to be back after a little time away. I did miss everyone and had lots of cuddles from both Educators and children. I caught up with all the wonderful experiences the children have been doing through the last two reflections which Sue kindly wrote while I was away. Here is what we go up to.
This week….
There was lots of poppy making and ANZAC biscuit making to commemorate ANZAC day.
There is so much to love about the ANZAC biscuit. It’s sweet, crunchy or chewy and reminds us of the ANZAC legacy and spirit. Making ANZAC biscuits is a beautiful tradition that many Australians use to commemorate ANZAC day to remember our fallen soldiers. The children across the rooms on Wednesday each had a turn to help make ANZAC biscuits which they devoured for afternoon tea. We love cooking experiences at Choklits as they can support the development of various skills and knowledge, including fine motor skills, maths and science concepts, language development, creativity and imagination, social skills, and self-help skills. I missed out again though and didn’t get to taste any of the scrumptious biscuits but the smells as they were cooking were divine.
Poppies are a symbol of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future and are used to remember those who have given their lives in battle because they are the flowers which grew on the battlefields after World War One ended. The children explored lots of different mediums to make their poppies. Please check out Xplor for all the wonderful posts about the different poppy creations.
We had a visit from Pam who came to deliver the ‘Living Safely with Dogs Preschool Program’. Pam brought her beautiful black Labrador, Clover and talked about dog safety and how and when it is safe to approach a dog. The 4-year-old Kinder children learned a song about how to approach a dog safely and they were very much engaged.
Did you know the CCS balancing deadline is fast approaching…
Families must confirm what they earned in 2021–22 and 2020–21 by 30 June to avoid losing CCS or incurring debt. At the end of each financial year, Services Australia compares a family’s income estimate with their actual income to check they got the right amount of CCS. This process is called balancing. Families need to confirm their income for balancing to occur. There are deadlines for families to do this. The end of the financial year marks two important deadlines for families:
- first deadline for confirming 2021–22 income
- second deadline for confirming 2020–21 income.
If a family misses the first deadline, their CCS will stop. If a family misses the second deadline, they will lose their CCS eligibility and may have to repay any CCS they got for that financial year. Families should go to the Services Australia website for more information.
Don’t forget…
To RSVP to our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea. The event will be held on the 12th of May at 3pm-4pm. Please RSVP via email or keep your eyes peeled for our Xplor posts, as we’d love to see you (and any special people) there! This invitation is to all of our families, not only those who attend on Fridays!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi, Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 21st —
Hello families,
This week has been busy and has gone so fast with lots of opportunities for learning, building relationships and having fun!
Highlights from the week…
Our nursery children concentrated on physical activities this week. The educators encouraged the children to use the balancing beam and the gym equipment. They stacked rings and used puzzles to help build their hand and eye coordination and fine motor skills. They also celebrated Earth Day today, with sensory bottles and looking at earth colours like green and blue. It’s no surprise that outside sand play remains one of the most popular activities to help develop fine motor skills.
The pre-toddler and toddler children read the famous story The Hungry Caterpillar this week which supports both maths and counting skills, as well as the wonders of science and nature as the caterpillar changes to a butterfly. They also sang lots of action songs which helps build language skills, a really popular one was row row row your boat!
The class also read and discussed a book called Reflection, an age appropriate book about Anzac Day. The themes of the book linked nicely to a craft exercise called threading, another popular activity this week. Using black thread and patty pan cups to resemble poppies the children have created some wonderful Anzac pieces. The children also spent a lot of time this week creating obstacle courses in the yard and are planting a terrarium today as part of their Earth Day discussions.
The 3 year old kindergarten class continued with their theme of learning about emotions and colours, and how to use colours to show how they are feeling. They were introduced to the primary colours this week and have started to look at secondary colours too. The children also enjoyed creating some marble paintings using shaving cream and took great pride in hanging their beautiful designs up in the room for everyone to admire.
The 4 year old kindergarten class had a fun week learning more about the stick insects, in particular the baby ones, what they eat and how they take care of themselves. They made their stick insects from sticks they had collected on their walks this week. They also made their very own paper birds and were so excited they could take them home! Today, for Earth Day, they are venturing out to collect the best leaves in our neighbourhood to make leaf crowns! I can’t wait to see their creations. As part of their preparation and collecting natural resources this week for their activities and learnings, the children have been discussing Aboriginal perspectives in relation to nature. They spent a lot of time discussing the reasons why we do not want to break sticks or leaves from trees or bushes, but pick up what has dropped onto the ground. They also talked about road rules and traffic lights, and practised many different aspects of road safety when they went to the library. They even learned many new signs for traffic lights and other road rules during Auslan this week! If you’d like to learn some new signs yourself I’m sure they’ll be willing teachers!
Educator spotlight…
We would like to say a big congratulations to Tracey who has now been with us at Choklits for 18 years. Tracey is fondly known by all the children as Nana Tracey and she loves coming to work every day to see the children. Thank you Tracey for all those years and we look forward to having you here for another 18 years!!!
Next week…
We will have Tuesday off for the Anzac Day Public Holiday. Then, on Wednesday, we will be making some yummy Anzac biscuits. Lauren will also be coming on Wednesday to talk to the 4 year old kindergarten children about being responsible around pets.
Don’t forget…
The centre will be closed for Anzac Day on Tuesday 25th April.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 14th —
Hello families,
Wow, where has this week gone! I hope everyone had a lovely relaxing Easter break. We are loving the sun which is out today and warming us up for the weekend. Many of you know Jodi is having a well earned break and will be back at Choklits on Wednesday 26th April so I’m (Sue) sharing the updates this week. I hope Jodi is having a great time!
Highlights from the week…
We have enjoyed some great and fun learning activities in our rooms this week.
The nursery children have been loving the bright colourful tunnel to explore, they also have really loved the technology table or office area with quite a few of the children pretending to talk on the phones and type on the keyboards. It’s amazing how children emulate what they see us do!
The Pre-Toddler and Toddler rooms love their family photos that are going up in the room. They spend lots of time pointing out their families and sharing stories which helps support their sense of belonging and build connections with their friends. We may have a new favourite song here too, the children have absolutely loved the wombat wobble song this week. Janine took many requests to keep the song on repeat. We also had our big parachute out this week which brings many smiles to the children’s faces. Watching the balls fly into the air and then catching them builds on many of the children’s senses and fine motor skills that are essential elements of learning skills like writing as they move to our kindergarten glasses.
The three-year-old kindergarten children have been looking at colours this week, how they relate to their emotions and how they can use colours in their communication. We have charts in our rooms at Choklits that connect colours with emotions. For example, the colour red is associated with feeling frustrated, so our charts have pictures of frustrated children’s faces inside a zone of red. A young child can’t often come to an educator and explain they are feeling frustrated. What they can do is look at the faces on the chart, relate the faces to their feelings and then tell the educators they are feeling ‘red’, for example. The use of colours not only helps with communication it also creates a safe space for them too. It’s much easier for a child to say they feel red than to explain why they are frustrated. From that point, our educators can help guide them through whatever they are feeling.
The four-year-old kindergarten children have been talking about the lifecycle of chickens, and have been making chicken puppets and even a chicken coup! We have some exciting things happening at Choklits that involve chickens, so please stay tuned for the coming news!
Welcome…
Last week we said goodbye to Tim from Rhythm and Moves and this week we welcomed Sarah from Rhythm and Moves who has taken over from Tim. Sarah will be here at the same time every Tuesday!
A big thank you to…
The Choklits Croydon Team for having many of the Choklits Ringwood Educators attend their team meeting this week. One of the benefits of having multiple Choklits services is that we get to learn from so many more people and all improve together. We spent time looking at their rooms, their programs and sharing information with each other. Thank you Team Croydon!
Have you noticed…
Our lovely new sign out the front of the centre promoting all three Choklits centres? With all the cars that drive down Canterbury Road we might all end up famous. Haha!!!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 7th —
Hello families,
Happy Good Friday!!!!!
Can you believe our Easter break is already upon us? This year is already flying by.
We have had a very busy and exciting start to the week preparing for our Easter Bonnet Parade today. The children have been busy creating some wonderful decorated bonnets and masks which they showcased to their educators and fellow Choklits friends in the Nursery and Pre-Toddler Rooms. Afterwards they had a little dance before heading off to enjoy the rest of the afternoon.
Goodbye…
We said goodbye to Tim from Rhythm and Moves this week, as opportunities have opened up for Tim closer to home. Tim has been visiting Choklits Ringwood for 6 years and will be sadly missed. The children made a lovely card for Tim to say thank you for all the wonderful songs he has taught us and all the groovy moves over the years. My all time favourite song that Tim sings is ‘Rockin Robin’.
The lovely Sarah from Rhythm and Moves will take over Tim’s sessions (same day, same time). We look forward to welcoming her and continuing to learn about music and movement.
Fun facts and things you should check out from our community…
- If you are looking for a fun extracurricular activity for 2+ year olds, then check out Trident Gymnastics. It is owned by one of our Toddler families. Dimi’s parents, Alona and Tim, own and run the family business. Click here to check out their website.
Our community page on our website is nearly ready. This will be a place where we can promote businesses, skills and talents within our community. If you are a business owner, or have a special talent or skill you’d like to share with others please email us so we can include you on the new page.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Thanks so much for your help!
I hope everyone has a lovely Easter break. I hear a lot of families are heading away. Take care and safe travels to those going away.
I will be having some time off too. I will be back in the office on Wednesday the 26th of April. Sue will be in the office looking after you all.
See you all in a few weeks,
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 31st —
Hello families,
Welcome to another Friday update!
What busy bees the children have been this week! All the rooms have been giving the children an opportunity to participate in Easter Art and Craft. The centre is looking very colourful and there has been lots of discussions around bunnies and chicks. There are some wonderful benefits for celebrating events like Easter at Choklits. It provides children with opportunities through activities to interact with others, practice sharing and develop social skills. It is also wonderful to help children learn about different cultures and traditions. We love celebrating different cultures at Choklits.
Highlights from the week…
As some of you know, we were recently assessed by the Department of Education who visit child care services periodically to check we are all doing the right thing! The visits include an assessment of many different areas across each service. Last night at our staff meeting we let the team know and we are super excited to share that we were rated ‘Exceeding’ for the quality area called ‘Collaborative Partnerships with Families and Communities’. Being rated exceeding means the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority has assessed and confirmed that we go beyond the requirements of the National Quality Standard for Quality Area 6. As I’m sure you can imagine, both our leadership team and all our educators were extremely happy to receive this feedback, a big thank you to everyone involved!
Educator spotlight…
Ereney has been a part of the Toddler team at Choklits for 2 ½ years. The children just adore Ereney. She has the biggest smile, gives the best cuddles and loves providing lots of art and craft activities for the children to extend their learning. Click here to see her profile.
Next week…
We have the photographers from Vision Portrait visiting the centre next week and there is absolutely no pressure to have your children’s photos taken, but if you do, the last day to book is Saturday. The details to book are just below in last week’s update.
Don’t forget…
We are closed on Good Friday (7th April) and Good Monday (10th April).
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
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
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi, Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 24th —
Hello families,
Happy Friday!!!
This week Choklits was abuzz with activities and learning opportunities for children as we celebrated Harmony Day. Harmony Day is a day to celebrate cultural diversity, respect, and inclusiveness in Australia. How good was it to see the children and educators wearing lots of orange. By wearing orange it shows how much we value and embrace cultural diversity at Choklits and are committed to building a community where everyone feels respected and included.
Highlight from Harmony Day….
Educators in the Nursery Room sang songs in their home language and read stories. They also explored the colour orange through the medium of paint, in particular the fun and messy finger painting or in their case whole hand painting.
The Pre-Toddler and Toddler children explored the colour orange too using a variety of resources. Orange playdough was very popular as were the painting experiences.
The 3’s created Harmony bracelets and read the story “We are together” by Britta Teckentrup, which talks about the importance of inclusivity and relationships.
The 4’s created teenie weenie pictures of themselves using colours to represent their skin colour. Super cute kinders.
We also had a visit from Sarah and Anne from the Realm Library in Ringwood this week. They come once a Term to read and sing songs to the children. We love our connections with our community who provide so many learning opportunities for the children.
Fun facts and things you should check out from our community…
- Did you know watching and listening helps develop language? In our interaction with the youngest of our learners, we use our hands, eyes, faces and words to communicate. This shows them how people communicate. Soon, the baby’s babbling noises will sound like adult talk. They begin to take turns and wait for a response. Later, children will choose the right words and body language to communicate their feelings and needs.
- We are currently rebuilding choklits.com.au and will be revamping our community page to include a place where we can promote businesses, skills and talents within our community. If you are a business owner, have a special talent or skill you’d like to share with others please email us so we can include you on the new page.
Please remember…
- Vision Portraits is coming to the centre from the 3rd of April to the 6th. Click here and use the password ‘annualphotos’. Don’t forget to click on Ringwood’s tab and follow the instructions.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback at any time on our 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
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jodi, Sue and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 17th —
Hello families,
What a week of multicultural celebrations!!!! The educators across the centre provided some wonderful experiences to explore the different cultural backgrounds we have at Choklits.
What we got up to this week…..
Nursery Educators Usha, Tejal and Sunanda along with student Brinda dressed in their traditional attire and danced and sang to the children. Educators Shuang, Tina and Ereney read stories and sang Nursery Rhymes in their home language. Nilu from the 3 YO room shared with the children a Sri Lankan parade, read the story “A Hundred Thousand Welcomes” by Mary Lee Donavan and sang “We are one but we are many”. Sam from the 4 YO Kindergarten room has started preparing a diversity/cultural wall in the room with a poster “Welcome to everyone” and look forward to watching this project grow over the next few weeks.
It was a wonderful week of learning!
Next Week….
Tuesday the 21st of March – Harmony Day. Wear ORANGE, the more the better.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
We are always looking for ways to improve at Choklits and we’d love your input! Let me explain…
As a child care service, our practices are guided by the 7 National Quality Standards (NQS) which are important for several reasons. Broadly, they provide a framework for assessing and improving the quality of care and education that children receive in early childhood settings. They help ensure children are receiving the best possible care and education, which is critical for their development and future success.
Furthermore, the 7 Quality Areas are a set of benchmarks established by the Australian Government to ensure high-quality early childhood education and care.
Below are the benefits of each of the seven quality areas:
- Educational program and practice: This quality area focuses on the educational programs and practices provided by the child care service. The benefits of a high-quality educational program include preparing children for school, supporting their development and learning, and promoting positive social and emotional outcomes.
- Children’s health and safety: This quality area focuses on the health and safety of children in the child care setting. The benefits of ensuring children’s health and safety include reducing the risk of illness and injury, promoting healthy habits, and providing a safe and secure environment for children to learn and play.
- Physical environment: This quality area focuses on the physical environment of the child care service, including the buildings, equipment, and outdoor areas. The benefits of a high-quality physical environment include providing a welcoming and stimulating environment for children, promoting physical activity, and supporting learning and development.
- Staffing arrangements: This quality area focuses on the staffing arrangements of the child care service, including staff qualifications, ratios, and ongoing professional development. The benefits of high-quality staffing arrangements include ensuring that children receive appropriate care and education, promoting positive interactions with children, and providing a stable and consistent environment for children.
- Relationships with children: This quality area focuses on the relationships between children and the child care service’s staff. The benefits of positive relationships with children include promoting emotional well-being, supporting social development, and facilitating learning and development.
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities: This quality area focuses on the partnerships between the child care service, families, and the wider community. The benefits of collaborative partnerships include supporting children’s learning and development, promoting a sense of belonging, and fostering positive relationships between families and the child care service.
- Governance and leadership: This quality area focuses on the governance and leadership of the child care service, including policies, procedures, and decision-making processes. The benefits of effective governance and leadership include ensuring that the child care service operates in a professional and ethical manner, providing a clear direction and purpose, and promoting continuous improvement in the quality of care provided to children.
By focusing on these quality areas, Choklits can support children’s learning and development, promote their health and safety, and foster positive relationships with families and the wider community.
This is where our parents, carers and community can help us. Below is a link where you can send us any feedback, ideas or comments on the 7 Quality Areas and how they relate to Choklits. Please let us know anything you’d like to see done, improved or implemented at Choklits. We’re completely open to any ideas so we’d love to hear any suggestions you have. You can use the link below, or we have a dedicated space in our foyer where you can handwrite any feedback too.
Please click here to send us your feedback.
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a wonderful weekend and for those who have joined our footy tipping competition, good luck. After round one I am already down the bottom LOL. It’s not too late if you would still like to join in the fun. Just click here.
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 10th —
Hello families,
Happy Friday and Happy Long Weekend.
We’ve had another super exciting week here at Choklits! This week we celebrated the Indian Festival Holi. Holi is a popular Hindu festival known as the ‘Festival of Colours.’ It is a vibrant and colourful festival that is a symbol of good over evil, celebrating the change from Winter to Spring in India and the blossoming of love. What a wonderful thing to celebrate!!
Here is how the rooms celebrated on the day…
Nursery
Educators created a sensory exploration table with colourful resources and provided an opportunity for the children to explore colours with some squeezable paint brushes.
Pre-Toddlers/Toddlers
Educator Elly read a story about the colours of Holi before the children explored some art activities with corks and paints. There was lots of wonderful artwork created.
3 YO Kinders
The children were able to watch a short video on the festival and I asked the children what they loved most about the celebration they just watched. The “colour battle” they yelled. The festival goers were having a great time with the Holi powder, throwing it around and getting messy. It looked like heaps of fun. Maybe we will organise this next year: Choklits Super Fun Battle of Colours between rooms. I know lots of children who would love this.
4 YO Kinders
The 4’s talked about the celebration and made some paper towel ink blottings. The children were able to use their fine motor skills with pipettes and use some control to pipe the ink onto the paper towel to create colourful patterns.
Happy International Women’s Day for Wednesday too, to all the wonderful women in the Choklits Community!
Next week…
13th – 17th Cultural Diversity Week
If you missed the blog on Learning about cultural diversity for Under 5’s click here
Click here to see our Calendar of Events
Please remember…
Footy tipping is officially underway! Sign up here before the first bounce on Thursday 16th March. With free entry and the chance to share in the $600 prize pool, we can’t wait to see whose footy knowledge will top the ladder!
We are closed on Monday for the Labour Day holiday.
I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend. A lot of our Educators are taking advantage of the long weekend and are going camping and heading to Moomba? What are you up to this weekend?
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 3rd —
Hello families,
Well, it’s official- Summer is over! We will be swapping our summer hats for woolly beanies soon. I feel it most in the mornings now and must admit, I cheekily put the heater on at least twice this week. Even though the weather has been a little gloomy and wet this week, it hasn’t stopped the children from enjoying lots of great indoor activities this week. Puzzles, play dough, construction and drawing were just some of the experiences we had on offer as well as lots of sand play outside.
What’s been happening…
The 3-year-old kindergarten class have set up a restaurant in their home corner and have been talking about healthy foods. I stopped in for a meal or two and was well looked after. I even popped in at lunchtime to have a chat about some of the vegetables in Saliya’s cooking. “I can see something small, round and green, I wonder what that could be?” I asked. “Peas” everyone chorused. I always have the best time visiting the rooms. The Pre-Todders and Toddlers have been exploring dinosaurs and the Nursery children have been busy using their fine motor skills to build towers out of blocks. The 4-year-old kindergarten class have been getting messy with clay and I saw some wonderful creations. Don’t forget to check out all the documentation on Xplor.
Have you noticed that we have our flags back on display? They are hanging on the wall just outside in the undercroft. We were really lucky to have them donated by some of our local members of parliament. We were thinking of erecting 3 flagpoles at the front of the centre. We would love to know what you think and any suggestions on where they should go? Wouldn’t it be great for the 4-year-old kindergarteners to be able to take turns raising the flags each morning? Who remembers being on flag duty at primary school? I sure do!
Next week…
We kick off some great learning opportunities next week when we look at the Indian festival Holi. Holi is the festival of colours. Then, we have cultural diversity week from March 13th – 17th. If you missed our blog on why we look to celebrate our diverse families in our program, please click here. There’s always plenty of discussion about food and meals during this period so if you have a favourite family dishes of cultural significance you enjoy as a family please let me know. As long as they are not family secrets then I would love to share them with our Choklits Community.
Coming up…
Centre photos have been booked for Monday April 3rd – 6th. We are using the same company as last year, Vision Portraits, and sessions are booked online through their website. There is no obligation to have your child/ren’s photo taken but if you do then please go to visionportraits.com.au/photos and enter the password ‘annualphotos’. Make sure you select Choklits Ringwood.
Have a great weekend. Some of our families are heading to Avalon for the air show. Hope you have a great time, I can’t wait to hear all about it!!
Jodi and the Choklits Team
— Friday, February 24th —
Hello families,
Happy Friday !!!
We’ve had another super exciting week here at Choklits! On top of our regular incursions, we’ve had lots happening here. We started off our week with a visit from our furry friend Hamish for Love Your Pet Day.
Hamish puts lots of smiles on the children’s faces and staff alike, and after visiting each room, he went home with a full belly of treats. Janine tells me he slept the afternoon away. I have loved seeing all the super cute photos of your family pets – from all the furry babies plus one very loved chicken, they all look like much-loved members of your family.
We also celebrated Pancake Day on Tuesday! The children absolutely love cooking activities and it makes it even more special when they get to eat the end products. Saliya made some homemade berry coulis to go with the pancakes for afternoon tea. There was not a single pancake left in any of the rooms and I know because I went looking. If you missed our blog post on it, you’ll find it here.
We are currently rebuilding choklits.com.au and will be revamping our community page to include a place where we can promote businesses, skills and talents within our community. If you are a business owner, or have a special talent or skill you’d like to share with others please email us so we can include you on the new page.
Next week…
Is a change of season- the first day of Autumn is on Wednesday! We look forward to exploring lots of experiences surrounding Autumn.
Have a great weekend,
Jodi and the Choklits Team
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