Family Learning Centre News

The Family Learning Centre on Goldsworthy Campus is owned by the college and provides Childcare, Kindergarten and a Family Centre with playgroups, drop in support and family focussed programs.

You will notice the beginnings of our building program with a spectacular veranda which will be joined by more natural wood features and plantings.

There is also a beautiful new coverway connecting our centres  and the centre modernisation is a rich community asset.

The Early Learning Centre

We have been getting busier and busier- it’s so great to welcome back some our regular families. To keep safe, we have been washing hands and sanitising as we arrive as well as taking regular temperature checks.

We change into our play clothes when we arrive and then back into our home clothes when we head out the door.  This way we are minimising the potential for sharing any germs.

What a time we have had with commemorating Sorry Day and celebrating Reconciliation Week.  We have shared stories, language, food and special activities as we explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness with our children.  It has been especially meaningful to show our acknowledgement of the Wadawurrung People by telling the story of The Parrwang (Magpie).

New from the Kinder Room

We have resumed our normal kinder hours (M, W & TH 9 am-3 pm) excluding Tuesday which remains 9 am-12 pm for the rest of term. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation with the change in timetable for this term due to COVID-19. With community and school support we are able to give your children the opportunity to slowly and safely return to kinder life. We have the environment and resources regularly and thoroughly cleaned and maintained, in accordance with the Department of Education Guidelines.

This term we have been focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, immersing our group in a variety of activities to learn about diversity and celebrate Reconciliation Week. We have designed out own boomerangs, explored natural materials, participated in Aboriginal flag painting using brushes and our hands, and listened to many Dreamtime Stories, as well as learning new Wadawurrung words.

Another focus this term is hygiene. To begin, we have been regularly taking temperatures- thanks to Kardinia Rotary. We have also made handwashing fun!  As part of our routine we wash our hands to Paw Patrol when we arrive at kinder, before we eat, after using the toilet, and after we have played outside. All children have been fantastically keeping up with this routine. They have also shown great responsibility when they sneeze or cough doing so in their sleeve. We have looked at germs, and although we can’t see them they can be very harmful to us and our family and friends, this is why we practice staying clean and healthy.

Keep well, Amy Vasher-Cockle - ELC Director

Family Centre Hello 

 to our local families and playgroup community. 

Like many of our community, term 2 2020 has been anything but normal. Our normally vibrant centre with the happiest of all sounds - childrens' fun, play and laughter has been eerily quiet as we were under strict regulations which limited our onsite programs, playgroups, parenting groups and drop in clients.

We cannot wait until we can once more offer our children and families the safety, care, excitement and vibrance that is the  Family Centre. I expect a return to Playgroup sessions will still be a little way off yet, and likely not until term 3. We have not yet confirmed with our community of service providers exact timelines or dates.  This advice will be dependent on Co-VID related directions from DHHS, State Victorian Government.

Meanwhile at the Family Centre. Our playroom has transformed to become the Rainbow Room in term 2 to assist the ELC children to access their particular allied health professionals and ongoing therapy sessions.  

While our weekly activities and Playgroups are temporarily suspended, our Family Services providers (supporting playgroups and drop in parenting groups and services) from by BCYF, Bethany ‘Connect Up’, and CoGG are still hard at work. While ‘face to face’ group work and support is not an option, they are available to accept new referrals for individual case work and providing support via phone or video conferencing (where possible). Natalie (Bethany) and Amanda (BCYF) are contactable by email or phone and welcome any opportunity to discuss potential referrals for support – though depending on demand/capacity there may be a short wait before they can respond.

Big thanks go out to all those services who have been actively supporting our families at a time of real scarcity, providing light for all of us during these uncertain times, including 

• Geelong Mums provided families directly with much needed personal care items for adults and nappies, toys, books, etc. for children.
• Geelong Food Relief Centre has actively provided many families with food vouchers, had boxes of fresh food and pantry items delivered in a contactless manner
• Rotary Kardinia Club has been most generous to supporting our beautification plans of our Family Learning Centre with the donation of their labour and material to build several vegetable garden beds, tree planting and of course our chickens, have provided joy to the children attending ELC.  Further support helped us provide children attending ELC with nappies, play suits and thermometers as part of their Co-Vid related response to address issues of Hygiene, safety and wellness.

Community Hubs Australia, thanks to Kristy and Neema who worked hard to pack up all the 37 boxes and between the two of them, have managed to make quite a few deliveries of ‘Happy Boxes’ filled with toothbrush packs and personal items , toiletries and some craft activities for their families at Playgroup, keeping parents connected and valued, not forgotten!

There are countless stories of goodwill, kindness and generosity of spirit, long may these positives continue. In the meantime stay positive, connected and forward looking – and remember that this will pass!

Helen O’Connor , Coordinator 

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