Early Childhood Development News In this issue • School holiday fun • How can a psychologist help your child? • Little Rays of Sunshine
From the desk of Tracey Millen As we rapidly approach the end of another busy year, our children starting prep in 2015 begin their very exciting transition into school and no doubt, many of you are in full swing planning for the holiday break. Whilst the festive season can bring much joy, it can also be a time where many of us may feel stressed and anxious, and could use a little additional guidance or support. Planning ahead and as early as possible, is often the key to reducing stress. Provide children with information, including photos and calendar’s detailing what is happening, this communication can help them better understand and change. It’s also lots of fun counting down towards a special time like Christmas or a big holiday. Term 1, 2015 is already looking like an extremely busy time for us. With the vacancies left by children transitioning to school, we will be accepting up to 40 new clients, and doing a lot of work with these new families.
The team will also be running the planning and information gathering activities we did last year, for all children accessing our program. Your Key Worker may book in a time for you to meet with other members of the team and assist us in gathering vital developmental information about your child. This information will help inform planning and supports for the coming year. We at Windermere really value your feedback; this helps drive us to continually improve across the agency. Feedback can be provided over the phone or in writing using the “Help Us Improve” brochures – which are distributed at least once a year during a Family Service and Support Plan review, the forms are also available from our reception at anytime.
Each year the team also conduct a consumer survey – this will be distributed in March and will be available on-line or in hard copy.
Have a wonderful Christmas and holiday period, stay safe and well, and we look forward to working with you in 2015.
Windermere Early Childhood Development Service will be closed from 4pm on Wednesday 24th December returning Monday 5th January. See back page for further details
What’s on? Little Rays of Sunshine ‘Little Rays’ is our supported playgroup which runs at Berwick on Thursday mornings from 10am – 12 noon, during school terms. A variety of interesting and fun activities are set up each week for children aged 0-6. The activities are planned to accommodate all abilities in a welcoming and supportive environment. The program will also include outdoor play (weather permitting), so don’t forget your
warm coat, and perhaps some waterproof pants and/or a change of clothes, during the colder months. Each session includes a group snack time, so please bring along a snack and drink for your child. ‘Little Rays’ is a wonderful opportunity to have some ‘play’ time with your child, as well as chat with other parents (siblings are welcome too). The ECDS Team look forward to seeing you at ‘Little Rays’.
When: Starting 5th February, 2015 Time: Thursdays 10am – 12 noon Location: Berwick What to bring: A snack and drink for your child. (Tea/coffee will be available for the adults)
Meet the team… 5 Minutes with... Name
Windermere
Alison Winkler
I began working for Windermere in 2013. I currently work Tuesdays to Fridays and have a strong passion for working with children and families during their pre-school journey.
Role Speech Pathologist Background Since graduating in 2011, I have been working as a Speech Pathologist, in a range of areas including schools, childcare, community health and the private sector in both rural and metropolitan settings.
My Philosophy I believe in working closely with families to support their child’s development, by generating fun and practical ideas that will have a positive impact in their day to day lives.
Sensory garden stimulates National Children’s Week On Thursday 23rd October, we took part in Children’s Week at the Old Cheese Factory, Berwick. The team gathered up as much fun stuff as they could and set off to make their field of sensory fun come to life for the children of Casey. The rain held off, giving the children the perfect opportunity to explore the team’s fun sensory garden. Music, tents, blankets, sparkles and cushions galore, you name it we had it. An obstacle course was set up winding around the grass, together with a baby play space. Magic boxes filled with secret objects, touch me boards with interesting textures to explore, and sparkly windmills hanging from the trees, to mention a few. 2
Who could forget the green goop, slimy slime, pastel play dough and beach animals exploring the magic sand? As the children lay relaxing on the grass the parachute came floating over the top, and where were the staff? Having just as much fun as the children, playing in the tunnels and on the spin board! The team also handed out recipes of the goop, slime, magic sand and playdough, which went down a treat. To obtain one for yourself speak to your key worker or collect one from our office during your next visit. We hope to see many more of our families there next year!
It’s that time again… school holidays! Entertaining your children at home can be tricky business, here are a number of easy and inexpensive activities that will keep everyone entertained during the holiday season.
t represent of special items tha ok bo nto me mo a Make or leaves found rs, pressed flowers the fea . (eg es nc rie ns, ho liday expe ircus, party invitatio b from the movies/c stu t ke tic the s, er lk ov wa ve on t by a relati activity, a letter sen ily fam a m fro s photo you visited). of somewhere that ho lidays, postcards d invite social some hula ho ops an or ll ba a th wi rk Visit a pa play with others. les, water them and flowers or vegetab Plant some seeds – watch them grow.
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aw ings/paintings child’s favourite dr ur yo of me so te Lamina into a bo ok. l ribbon to make it cia spe d an h nc pu and use a ho leand put on old clothes ce” (inside or out), ke ma Set up a “messy spa or butcher’s paper, , flick paint on to draw with wet chalk . plasticine creatures parachute or a cubby an old sheet as a Play hopscotch, use between two trees. ir y dress-ups with the ng prep in 2015, pla it. ing ar For children starti we ortable with help them get comf to rm ifo un l oo new sch ul park to visit with free and a beautif is rk pa ke La ld Emera nt. lots of play equipme m is on Belgrave-Halla miniature railway pp $8 t The Campbelltown ou d costs ab rre Warren North an Na of de tsi ou st ju Road, for a train ride. ild to draw a draw ing get your ch Using blank jigsaw own puzzle. in and make their picture or co lour it
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For more ideas and activities visit: http://www.amaze.org.au/
Can one of our psychologists help your child? An Early Childhood Development Psychologist specialises in: • Understanding your child’s behavioural, emotional, and cognitive (processes of thinking & learning) development • Assistance with feeding, toileting, sleeping or behaviour problems • Assistance with attachment issues, or with ‘goodness of fit’ between parent and child • Assistance with intervention planning and behaviour support plans • Managing your child's difficult temperament • Children’s play skills • Mental health concerns (e.g., anxiety) We can support you to find a Paediatrician or Child Psychiatrist if you feel you would like more formal assessments for your child. *At Windermere we do not conduct assessments for specific disabilities; however we can from time to time recommend a formal assessment be conducted. These types of assessments are often initiated and lead by a Paediatrician or Child Psychiatrist. Please contact your Key Worker or our Psychologists, Sarah Gelman or Elisa Hughes on (03) 9709 6900 if you would like to chat about ways we might be able to support you and your child. ECDS News Summer 2014
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Windermere and WECAN merge to support Gippsland children For almost 25 years, West Gippsland Early Intervention for Children with Additional Needs (WECAN) have been working to provide support to families with young children with special needs or living with a disability. Windermere Child & Family Services have also been providing Early Childhood Development Services to families across Melbourne’s South-East and is already established within the Baw Baw region, offering access to other essential support services and programs to the greater Warragul community. After more than 24 months of planning, preparation and commitment, Windermere and WECAN are delighted to announce the successful merger between the two organisations. Under the careful leadership of Windermere’s Early Intervention & Disability Services Manager, Tracey Millen, the team from West Gippsland will now form an important
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component of Windermere’s service provision in the Warragul area. “The team at Windermere are very excited to have the 11 employees from WECAN join us. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Windermere to expand our services into the Gippsland region and do so with localised knowledge and expertise”, said Ms Millen. To celebrate the union between the two organisations, a garage sale and mini community fun day was held on Saturday 25th October, at the Windermere WECAN office in Warragul. The event, generously supported by local organisation Bakers Delight Warragul & WECAN families and friends, who donated raffle prizes, baked and volunteered their time, raised over $1500 of much needed funds; helping us to continue delivery of best practice interventions.
End of year closure information Windermere Early Childhood Development Service will be closed from 4pm Wednesday 24th December returning Monday 5th January 2015. Please speak to your Key Worker in the next few weeks for advice if you feel that you may need extra support over the break or contact Community Information and Support Service on 9705 6699.
For urgent respite support during this period phone Alfred Health Carer Services (Formally CRCC) on 1800 052 222.
Windermere and the Early Childhood Development Team would like to wish you and your family a very happy festive season and a prosperous and safe 2015.