Family Learning Centre

“It takes a village to raise a child: (African Proverb)

“The Family Learning Centre is our own little village!  (We) parents and children have made lifelong friends here, starting at Playgroup – we are just like family now – we are there for each other, and all the staff are there for us, for everyone! It’s amazing to watch all our kids grow together is such a safe and welcoming. It’s our second home.” (Quote from Parent)

Welcome to the last edition of ‘What’s on?’ at the Family Learning Centre!

Wow here we are the end of an amazing year of activity and an especially fun-filled, action pack term 4, starting with our community Children’s week event and ending with our Community hubs excursion to the 2024 World Festival of Magic at Geelong Wes hall hosted  by the Lions Club of Hamlyn Heights.  

We had a very successful kindergarten orientation over 2 weeks in December.

On this day parents of Kindergarten children were introduced to the Family Learning Centre team including introductions to Lani, leading the School Readiness Funding activities for K3 and K4 in 2025, and to Community support services Krista,  Meli Early Help Community Hubs leader Narelle.

Open Week 2025

The Family Learning Centre will be holding an open week from Monday 3rd  - Friday 7th February. So please come by and explore all we have to offer.

Registrations will be open for Playgroups, English Classes, Toy Library and much more.

Come and meet our amazing partners and get to know us all and enjoy morning tea each day.

What's on Over the Holidays?

We're thrilled to bring you all the exciting activity updates and holiday events suitable for the Children and Families in December under 5’s and happening in your local community.

Geelong Regional Librariesaim to make learning fun and engaging for kids of all ages. “Our Holiday Fun!” program is bursting with enjoyable activities from Movie Mania to adventures into the natural world, Lego, Minecraft, art, technology, mixed-media and more.

See link https://www.grlc.vic.gov.au/learn/kids/events-kids 

Corio Library are offering some special events in December including:

• Festive Story Time with Story Dogs – learn about what Story-Dogs do and meet a dog who loves being read to. Ages 2+. Tuesday 10th December at 10:30 – 11:15a
• Festive Craft – Tuesday 17th December at 4 – 5pm and Thursday 19th December at 10:30 – 11:30am
• Family Movie Time – Thursday 19th December from 6 – 7:30pm

Please find attached flyers for printing and sharing on social media) so you can share these opportunities with your families. 

All events are FREE. No bookings required.

Kindness at Christmas 

As we count down to Christmas there is no better way to show your children how to be kind than to demonstrate, discuss and share random acts of Kindness in your family.  Best thing is, it doesn’t cost a thing. 

• create your own family Advent ‘kindness’ calendar 
• share and celebrate a random act of kindness everyday.
• Talk with your child about why we are kind.
• Ask them how it feels to spread kindness

Spread the word! It will make everyone feel a million dollars 😊 And together we can make this world a kinder place, one kind act at a time.

www.raisingchildren.net.au provides ad-free parenting videos, articles and apps backed by Australian experts and a range of email newsletters that take you from pregnancy through to the teenage years. 

Follow this link to their website for lots of low cost ideas for play activities that help kids learn and grow.  https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/activity-guides

But wait - there’s more for parents and carers!

New to Raisingchildren.net.au   is the Raising Healthy Minds App

Your free, personalised, pocket resource for raising confident, resilient children 0-12 years old – see link below to access more  information and the app! 

https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/raising-healthy-minds-child-mental-health

Family Centre playgroups and Community Hubs group activities will re-commence with an Open Week from 10-12 pm. at the Family Centre, starting  Monday 3 February 2025.

We look forward to releasing more information soon!

Until then, thankyou you for your ongoing support our playgroups and parenting groups in 2024. 

Wishing all the families and friends of the Family Learning Centre a very safe and joyous festive season and relaxing January break. See you in 2025 😊

Helen O'Conner

Coordinator