Category: Children’s Services
Generations connect over juice and scones
After watching the show ‘Old People’s Home for 4 Year Olds' we looked at how we could do something similar in our community. We knew that many of our families had grandparents who lived a long way away and they would benefit by having that intergenerational connection.
Changing lives through literature
Many of us take it for granted that our kids will grow up learning to read and write, yet for many children throughout Australia, this is not the case. Lack of education and early literacy can affect children throughout their lives and lead to psychological damage, poor health, fewer job opportunities and lower incomes.
Embedding cultural awareness into everyday practice
Aboriginal Community Engagement Manager, Judith, knows the children are engaged in her cultural awareness sessions when the enthusiastic stream of questions begin. "Sometimes the questions are a little random!
Children learn about themselves and the world through art
Art is something we really value at of our Lake Munmorah Early Learning Centre. It is such a big part of expressing your thoughts and ideas, and as a child it’s one of those go to mediums for communication when you don’t have the written word yet.
Families to benefit as the NSW Government reveals the locations of 100 new preschools
Thousands of families across NSW will benefit from expanded access to early childhood education as the NSW Government unveils the locations for 100 new public preschools.
Innovative sports program at OSHC
The COVID pandemic has impacted individuals and communities globally, with financial, health, social and emotional implications making headlines for the last few years. For the team at our Waitara OSHC, a less expected impact has been an increase in incidents on climbing equipment as children return to normal play times and experiences.
Young people pursue careers in early childhood education
As Australian job vacancies double, recruiting staff is more challenging than ever before. According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics release, there are 480,100 job vacancies in Australia, a 111.1% increase from 2011.
Aboriginal Community Engagement Manager already making a difference
Less than three months into her role as Aboriginal Community Engagement Manager at CatholicCare, Judith Murray says she already feels part of the furniture.
Embedding Aboriginal culture in our OSHC’s
It’s always a good thing when a child asks questions. Questions suggest that a child’s interest has been sparked, and they are eager to learn more.
Why families and educators are choosing home-based care for children
For Lisa Baker, pursuing her career in a community-based preschool simply wasn’t an option. When Lisa’s second child was born she says, “it just wasn’t affordable for me to have two children in care and be working in a preschool but I really wanted to be able to stay in the profession I loved.”
Family Day Care – a home away from home
Family Day Care for many working parents is the next best thing to being at home themselves with their children. It is less formal than a childcare centre, with supervised care for children being provided in the private homes of licensed educators. It is often thought of as a home away from home.
Benefits of our preschool programs
In 2020, well over 300,000 children in Australia aged 4 or 5 years old were enrolled in a preschool program. This is an overwhelming majority, but there are still some eligible children that miss out on the many benefits of preschool.