30th July 2020

 

Thursday Weekly Update (July 30, 2020)

Important Information

Masks for Family Members
It's fabulous to see all family members wearing masks and this is an apology by educators as we are finding it is taking us a bit longer to recognise some parents. Sooo sorry but people look different in masks and some of the children are also having trouble. We will get the hang of it and please forgive us, we are not being rude just ensuring we give precious little people to the correct masked member. Who would have thought teaching and family interactions would come to this.

Footpath Repair
Our footpath entering kinder and also the outdoor family foyer has been examined a few times and will be temporarily resolved in the next couple of weeks. Council will grind these areas. When kinder is closed for a longer period such as over the school holidays or summer break, they will be redone which will be a big job resolving our 1960s ageing  concrete.


Garden Renovation to Commence
So exciting that children will see the start of their garden renovation start early September. A local company has been successful in securing the tender and has experience in working with schools and early childhood services. There will be some initial preparation for the first week where the garden needs to be closed but we can ensure there is the surrounding outdoor spaces which will be available and the deck is always open. 
From this point, the garden will be partially open with new areas reopening as completed with full completion by Term 4 week 1. 
The company will follow covid19 procedures and not permitted indoors accessing the kinder by easement on the lower level. They will introduce their small team to educating staff so we are fully aware of who is working and we will be supervising works in collaboration with council. Further, they will secure all works as per departmental and council requirements and set specific spaces for children to safely observe action.  


Procedures and Reminders
-No new covid19 procedures at this stage for families and thank you for helping us meet our procedures.
-Although educators do not have to wear masks in their work, there are times educators may choose to wear a mask such as close proximity indoors or when preschool children help in the garden out the front of kinder. We have spoken to children about this and children seem to be very clear and aware of adults wearing masks in the community and of course they see you do this too. 


Committee News
Enrolment offers will go out to potential 3 year old families for 2021 this week. If you do not receive an offer by email and were expecting one. Please let us know. 

Kinder Life
3 year olds are settling well into their second week of kinder and have adopted the new safety procedures with ease. Getting their 'Super Power' reading on entry, and being greeted by our super power masks has become part of the routine. 
The past week we have been exploring painting using a range of media, drawing amazing pictures and stories and even having a go at cautiously sharpening pencils!
The children have been cooking up a storm in both the mud cafe and sushi kitchen and the water trough has become a meeting place for friends.  Children are busy sharing roles and learning to appreciate  water conservation, nurturing our plants and even experimenting with new found plumbing skills. You can see the flow of children inside out to the top level in the mud cafe before venturing down to the sandpit for mermaid adventures, castles and cakes and partaking in a treasure hunt set and mapped for them by some of our preschool children.
It's great to welcome Frances back giving Bron more time organise the reopening of Coniston Street. Nicole has been a wonderful addition to curriculum and the connections Nicole has between her and the children has been a pleasure to see. 
Children are becoming more collaborative in their play and most are confident to seek out new friends.
  
    


The preschool children have been coming to kinder with enthusiasm... there is a constant buzz of robust conversations and rib tickling laughter. The laughter this week has been next level with children finding humour in just about anything. 
This week Alfie had ongoing hiccups from the way Frances said the word 'Hamm' being a character from Toy Story as part of a domino game. It's the right sort of contagious as Isla and Jack laughed so much during the parachute game that Nicole, Dee and Bron could not concentrate. 
Children in after kinder care set up a treasure hunt for 3 year olds which they loved. Thanks Hamish and Alfie.
There has been a lot of outdoor play explorations this week with a lot of problem solving and theorising... a river in the mud patch, Jurassic Park built in the sandpit extending from block version inside, a potion recipe being followed in the mud cafe, a hiding space that now fits more of us after pruning. All of this took a lot of time, problem solving, cooperation and clarifying of roles with educators available for consultation and advice, mostly waiting for the delegation of a great role... 'Bron, can you hold this branch. It gets in the way'. Heath
It was a week for trial and error and all of the learning and laughter that comes from this. 

  
          
    
COVID19 Local and State overview at 15-7-20 and 29-7-20 

15-7-20                                                                          
Victoria - 4448 confirmed (1307= 29% active)       

  • Manningham- 65 (21= 32% active)                           
  • Banyule- 162 (38= 23% active)                                   
  • Whittlesea- 153 (39= 25% active)                             
  • Nillumbik- 37 (4= 10% active)                                   


30-7-20


Victoria-  9304 confirmed (5385= 50% active)

  • Manningham- 106 (38= 36% active)
  • Banyule- 324 (144= 44% active)
  • Whittlesea  576 (352= 61 % active)
  • Nillumbik-  74  (39= 52% active)

 

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Diamond Creek Memorial Kindergarten

11 Collins Street

Diamond Creek, Vic 3089

Australia


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