Family Learning Centre Update

THE EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

HELLO EVERYONE

At Northern Bay College Early Learning Centre we offer a 47 place long-day care and fully funded 4 year old Kindergarten sessional program.  We place a high emphasis on play-based learning, creating safe and clean spaces where your child can explore, imagine, make friends and communicate with each other and the world around them.  Our team of dedicated and qualified educators are excited to welcome you and provide a balance of positive play based learning experiences to enhance and inspire your child’s confidence and learning.    

We are off to a busy start in 2021 as our Childcare services has been in full swing since early January.  The beginning of a new year it is always exciting, a special time to welcome back parents, children and families, catch up on holiday news and marvel at how the children have grown over the summer break. It’s also lovely to welcome to our service many new families and their young children, as well as 4 new groups of children setting off on their kindergarten journey. 

The kinder children have settled in very well in the last few weeks. Friendships are forming as children learn new names and faces, engage in a variety of play together and adapt to a new routine. Our large outdoor area is popular as children enjoy climbing, running, exploring the gardens and play ground, and playing in the sandpit. We’re making the most of the warm weather to play outside and learn about sun safety as we apply sunscreen and wear out hats.

The children have challenged themselves on the climbing frames. Taking turns, maneuvering around each other and using words such as over, under, up, down, high and low.

THE FAMILY LEARNING CENTRE

Hello everyone, especially the  playgroupers - it’s great to be back!

The Family Centre has  been wonderfully busy – so much activity! What a joy to see so many excited and energetic children racing into through the Family Learning Centre doors to their playgroup, childcare and kinder programs each day, and their happy loving parents doing their best to keep up with them!  You have got to have a laugh!

ROTARY 100 ‘DOWN UNDER’ PEACE POLE PROJECT 

We hosted a very special event, the Kardina Rotary Club breakfast meeting  at the Family Centre.  Rotary in Australia and NZ is celebrating the First 100 years of Community Service in 2021. In a joint Centenary project Northern Bay College has been invited by Rotary Clubs Kardinia and Corio Bay to become involved in the Rotary 100 Peace Pole project. 

Our own A/P Ken Massari was presented with 4 Peace Poles for our four campuses with Primary school aged children and join many hunderds across the world with this common link. Each pole reflects the message “May Peace Prevail on Earth” symbolising our common wish for a World at Peace. 

The peace message is written in four languages, one on each side of the 4-sided Peace Pole. In our case the Poles have tEnglish, Swahili, Arabic, Urdu, Karen, Dari and Tamil, representing some of the cultural diversity of Northern Bay College.   It’s really a special time to celebrate. For more about this see 

The Peace Poles have been positioned on campus to coincide with the College's unveiled as part of Harmony Day celebrations 

Following on from this was the formal presentation of the College Captains and the winner of the 2020 Rotary Achievement and Inspiration Awards. Student recipients of these awards gave a short introduction, thanking the Kardina Rotary Club members. 

Award recipients included (left to right) Mar Ner Ku, Stephen Kennedy, Luke Graham and Leif Wellington.  So proud to be at this college with such engaging students!

Whether you are a first-time mum or new dad, or young parent returning to school, or maybe juggling work, as well as playgroup, childcare, Kinder and school routines, parenting can be great but it can also be challenging. 

Did you know the Family Centre provides a whole range of services including parenting information, resources, courses and supports to new young parents and parents of young children under 5, as well as for multicultural families? 

Drop in for a chat and a cuppa with any one of our friendly team at the Family Centre.  Or come say hi, and find out what everyone is doing!  Join us for a parent and child story time, craft and play in the sensory garden. We always have time for you. See our new “What’s on at the Family Centre” calendar

Playgroups for all – celebrating our cultural diversity 

Activities at playgroup are free and may include: music and singing, imaginative play, outdoor and free play, art and craft activities and outings. Family Centre playgroups and activities are free and facilitated by trained and experienced playgroup leaders.

Community hubs activities 

The Community hubs activities specifically support migrant and refugee women, pre-school children and their families. Parents and children enjoy new social supports and friendships, as well as sharing of practical information about health, nutrition and child development and well-being. Importantly for our multicultural playgroup supports parent and child bilingual language development and provides fun and friendly early learning experiences that promote positive pathways to kindergarten and primary school. 

For more information about English conversation classes and other activities each term, contact our Community Hubs Leaders, Neema at the Family Learning Centre and Yineth at Peacock Campus.

Interested in joining a playgroup? Be sure to inquire and make a booking with your playgroup or group activity facilitator for every person over 12 months of age attending.  

Wishing good health, smiles and happiness to you and your families J and happy harmony day J Sincerely,   

Helen O’Connor, Coordinator, NBC Family Learning Centre/ ph. 5224 9791