Front of house 

As we are about to move into a new year, I always love this time.  I really reflect on the 31st of December, wanting to pull out all the positives and achievements of the year.  I thought somehow, I would have the same train of thought as I did at the end of 2020.  But I don’t.  Throughout my time away from the centre these past weeks, I have gained insight into what an amazing year we have had. I believe we had enough negatives through lockdown, so let’s look over Haven’s year of triumphs.

Our River classroom has seen 36 children, enjoy a full year of belonging.  Being in a supportive and well-prepared environment has enriched each of the children’s development through learning and play. The way the team set up the physical environment not only shapes how children feel, but also act and behave. Our River Classroom has allowed each of the children to grow and develop through activities, learning experiences and materials in defined play areas. From the start of the year, they worked with each of the children’s individual routines, that the child would have had at home.  We now see that they ended up being fully emersed in a play-based environment, that has times of structure.  These include mat times (Welcome to Country, songs, stories, hygiene), music and movement, mealtimes, sleep times and intentional teaching programs implemented by our event of calendars and interests of the children.  This group absolutely loved arts and crafts and all sensory experiences throughout the year, especially water.

The bonds that are made between educators and children, are so special.  As we are starting to look at transitions over the coming weeks, we get to see just how special the relationships are.  This is a classroom which parents find hard to leave.  This is generally due to it being their first experience at an Early Learning Centre, and the trust and confidence they build with the educators, becomes a different type of relationship all together. 

We are lucky enough to have prams, that allow our youngest to go out and be part of their community. It also means that they are out with their peers not only from their room, but other rooms too. The relationship with their peers is very important, as they look for familiarity when they do move into the Sun Classroom.  We ensure that an educator, spends time going up and settling them into their new and exciting environment. 

I am so amazed by our Sun Class achievements this year. We had 46 children enrolled each week. To be able to go in and watch a group of 26 toddlers on any given day, being fully engaged in their environment is just breath taking.  The educational program that has been created for 2021, is nothing short of being brilliant.  Through intentional teaching, and the wonderful jobs each of our educators have done capturing moments of learning and observation.

Gardening and sustainability, exploring different parts of the world, sensory play and nature walks were a big part of their program. They encouraged children to participate in mat time, which by the end of the year, everyone enjoyed.  This allowed the children to sing, read books and talk about topics of interest along with discussing the day of the week and what is the weather like outside today. Linas sports program also developed with her range of resources and activities for the child to participate in.

Our Forest Class enjoyed a successful year of a well-planned educational program assisting the children to be Kindergarten ready.  Our Educational Program has been fun filled and engaging for all. This has allowed each of the children to learn more about their world around them. This has been achieved through educator observation, self-care support, intentional teaching covering focus topics.  They enjoyed celebrating special events such as Cultural diversity week, Nutrition Week, NAIDOC Week, RUOK? Day, Holi and recycling week. While their mat times each morning focused on the same schedules which was not limited to, but included Welcome to Country, their good morning song, and in term two they changed it up by incorporating AUSLAN.  The children learnt different songs by signing and singing.  It has been wonderful to see the whole class experience this and enjoy participating in this learning experience each morning. An outstanding achievement by the team, who took on the role of learning and teaching AUSLAN also. 

Our Kindergarten/Field Classroom has had an incredible year.  We saw each of the children grow and become school ready.  The children were engaged in a daily routine, that allowed them to gain more understanding of what a school day will be like.  Along with this routine, a very well planned out curriculum was in place, that saw each of the children thrive.  This is always such a sad time for us, as we say goodbye.  Most of the children have been with us since our doors opened in 2016.  It is wonderful seeing just how as a whole we have been able to help instil their curiosity, independence, confidence, social and emotional skillset, and love for learning. 

Our Kindergarten Class headed to Healesville Sanctuary in Term one, which saw the children drive off in the big bus, which to be honest was the highlight of their day. They were also lucky before lockdown to have Reptile Encounters Wildlife visit along with Swimland to talk about water safety. The group had many focus topics throughout the year, for their intentional teaching and learning experiences. Some of these were Chinese New Year, germs, dental health, space week, science week, people who help us, with a fun visit from 2 police officers. Through mat times each day, the children participated in Acknowledgment to Country, their welcome song – to encourage relationships with teachers and peers, days of the Week, weather/season/UV/Month, Jolly phonics and cued articulation, PALS social skills program, zones of regulations and show and tell.

I know just how excited the team is as we move into a new year, and a year of change with our stand-alone Funded Kindergarten Program commencing in Term One.

I found that we have had so much growth in belonging. Especially at a time, where children were not attending due to lockdowns.  Watching your children come back to the centre, excited and enthusiastic made me realise we had done an exceptional job at knowing each child.  Allowing them to be themselves, so they have a sense of being.

There is a consistent growth in all our classrooms.  Having ongoing leads meetings over the year, to establish what we are needing to focus on, has helped bond our leadership group at the service.  Which has in turn then allowed us to communicate better with all our colleagues we work with each day. I feel that as children transition to their new class, they will settle in quicker, as each classroom is operating at the same high standard, and understanding what each child needs.  The leads have completed transition reports so there is a clear understanding of each individual child. I feel the routines will also help the children settle, as each room is more consistent with these now also. Another big achievement for us.

Our out of centre programs have been very successful. We have focused on being a community more this year.  As we were unable to bring families into the centre, we still had centre events.  One of the highlights was Haven Olympics.  We set up the carpark with various activities, and had the children participate.  They loved every minute of it, especially when they received their medal at the end. They were so proud of themselves.  Some children were seen wearing these weeks after the event.  So, we know it had a lasting impact on them.

We saw our Kindergarten and Sun Class come together for Big Chefs (Kindergarten Children) help little chefs (Sun Children). The classes were split into two groups and the older children helped the younger ones, to mix ingredients and bake some yummy foods. I also loved watching these rooms, as they came together for Road Safety Week.  They went out on an excursion to cross a road.  To talk through the safety points.  A simple idea, but a great idea, and the children all looked out for one another, with the support of their educators and Teachers.

Hatching of the chicken program was another way to bring the whole centre together.  As the eggs started to hatch, and the chicks were ready to be handled, the chicks visited each of the classrooms.  The standout for me, was seeing just how gentle our river children were with them.  They just loved them so much, and the excitement in their little faces as the chicks came to visit each day.

We also saw the all the rooms being more spontaneous, with heading over to the park.  While at times the playground was out of use.  The team took over our own sports equipment and other resources. This showed me just how much the centre is not reliant on incursions. That we have been able to have our own team focused on their own areas of interest to incorporate into our program. This to me is one of the biggest achievements.  I think when you see the classes communicate with each other, asking if they want to join them for a picnic in the park, and then seeing the whole centre over there together.  Well, this is a very proud moment for me.

When I stepped into my role as Centre Director in 2018, I wanted us to be less reliant on the outside people, that everyone of my team would look at themselves and what they are passionate about.  Over the past three years, the growth has been more than I could have asked for. 

So, what does 2022 look like for Haven?

• Reconciliation Action Plan will play a bigger part in our centre.  Both Caila and Ann-Maree, have worked incredibly hard to bring the plan together.  Now we need to educate and embed to ensure this is successful.
• This year we announced that Haven will have its own stand-alone Kindergarten Program for 2022. It has been great to see the enrolment numbers, and families continuing to support Haven.  We have some new families joining us, and we can’t wait to welcome you all. The children will receive their Haven uniform, shortly and we can’t wait to share it with you all.
• Focusing more on sustainability.  This is something that as a centre we are all wanting, but we will be forming a sustainability group.  Where at least one person from each room will be part of, and so this will help filter through to everybody, and we will have a more successful program, one that becomes embedded throughout Haven.
• Excursions, incursions and special events will be back up and running in conjunction with our Covid Safe Plan.  We can't wait to have you all engaging with us again.
• A family get together will be schedule before Easter.  We are hoping to hold a picnic in the park.

I am so grateful for my team, and all they have achieved this year.  Those on maternity leave and other reasons, we look forward to seeing you all next year.  I am so happy we have new faces also that have joined our team, and we look forward to seeing you all grow.

I just wanted to say how thankful I am to each of our families.  You allow us to care and educate your children.  You trust and have confidence in all that we do.  From the bottom of my heart and my team, we thank you for choosing Haven.   

Happy New Year!