Centre Updates!
Google reviews
https://g.page/r/CUvmRryV45K7EBM/review
Enjoying Haven in 2025? We would love & appreciate a google review! :)
Staff Personal Achievements
Everyone at Haven would like to wish
Caila and her partner Connor
Alongside Charlotte and her partner Byron
A big congratulations on their pregnancies, both due with baby girls in late September. We cant wait to add two more to our Haven team.
Further, a big congratulations to Lauren on her engagement to partner Chris!
Staff Updates
A busy start to the year! Congratulations to the following team members on their years of service.
1 year- Maggie, Polin and Naomi
3 years- Issy
4 years- Caitlyn and Kayleigh
6 years- Nicole and Karla
8 years- Ann-Maree and Sam
Furthermore, congratulations to the staff members being recognised as staff member of the month:
Feburary
As voted by management went to Nicole for her commitment to the River room, helping all children, families and staff settle into the new year and continuing to build close connections.
As voted by Haven team members went to Maggie for her positive, smiling and can do attitude, always supporting her team members.
March
As voted by Haven management went to Isabelle B (Field) for her hard work within the Field room, adapting to an older age group, supporting all her team members and relationships build with children.
As voted by Haven team members went to Karen for her can do attitude helping all rooms, positivity, smile and beautiful interactions with children and staff.
April
As voted by Haven management went to Chethi for being a hard worker, always taking on tasks, adapting to the Sun room and having such close connections with staff, children an families.
As voted by Haven team members went to Nai for her can do attitude, respectful relationships with children and striving to do the best, while contributing new ideas and lots of creativity.
Haven Service Reminders
CCS Absent Count
Did you know that Centrelink 'allows' children to be absent from an education service for 42 days per financial year. These absences include sick days, holidays and public holidays in which up to 42 days they will continue to pay CCS.
If a child reaches the 42 day cap then Centrelink will not pay CCS leaving a full fee charge. This is the same if children do no attend their first or last booked day at a service.
When a child reaches their cap additional approved absences can be paid by Centrelink when evidence is provided which may include a medical certificate, family tragedy or prescribed leave/ appointments.
-Families are able to see their child's absent count under 'CCS Entitlements' on XAP.
If any questions around this please reach out and ask :)
Notifying of Absences
Children can be marked absent/ sick on Xap using the web address xap.rocks or the Xap Smile App. If you need help accessing Xap please email and we can assist.
-Holiday requests must be emailed in writing ensuring 2weeks’ notice is provided. The holiday discount is 50% off fees, noting, families are entitled to 20 discounted days per year.
-Haven is closed all public holidays with sick days also charged (see fee schedule for further information).
Importance of the outdoors & physical/active play
As we get closer to the colder months it is important to understand that Haven will continue incorporating and indoor/outdoor curriculum with children engaging in the outdoor environments. We ask families to please pack appropriate clothing to promote physical activity including rain jackets, jumpers, gum boots and beanies.
Children learn best when their whole bodies and minds are stimulated, and being active does just that. Outdoor play then offers more chances to move, explore and discover different environments. This also includes being active, strengthening fine and gross motor movement skills, testing physical limits and of course getting messy.
As children are moving, exploring and being physical they are constantly learning and developing their brains.
Recommendations from the Australian Government note that the ideal physical activity levels in children are below:
Under 12 months - At least 30 minutes of tummy time per day.
1-2 years years- At least 3 hours of energetic play
3 to 5 years- At least 3 hours physical activity with 1hour being energetic play.
*For all ages it is recommended to be sedentary (aside from sleep) for more than 1 hour per day.
References
-Get up and Grow
-24 hour movement guidelines
Struggling to add active play into the day? We are lucky at Haven to have Arcadia Reserve right next door and walking distance to St Simons and Rowville Primary School. Why not trail one day a week parking on Turramurra Drive and walking to and from Haven with a run across the grass/ on the playground.
