Hackham West
9 Vintners Walk Hackham West
SA 5163
Ph: 8382 6161
Facsimile: 8326 8268
[email protected]
Hackham West Children’s Centre News……February 2014
Welcome ! To ALL our new families and to those families who are returning this year. We trust
you enjoy your time with us. The early years are such an important time - we are very pleased
to be able to be part of this special time with you and your child.
I would also like to welcome and introduce Cath to our centre. Cath is replacing Chris who is
on leave. Cath is gradually getting to know all the families and childre - please introduce
yourselves.
Some reminders……… PLEASE:
With our extreme hot weather it is very important to remind families that children need to be
wearing clothes that cover their shoulders (so please no strappy tops or singlet tops). We
would like to remind families to please apply sunscreen either prior to coming or on arrival
(children should have sunscreen on for approx. 15-20 minutes prior to outdoor play).
We will continue to encourage children to keep their fluids up - drinking water is the best
way!!
On really hot days we closely monitor when- and how much outdoor play - is possible.
Keeping ourselves safe is a message that we encourage.
 We follow healthy nutritional practices - as set out by Start Right Eat Right. Julieanne does
a fantastic job in preparing healthy and balanced lunches and snacks. We ask that all families
please bring a piece of fruit in each day…… we can at times run out of fruit (we use a lot!)
And it is nice for children to have a special job of bringing in their fruit every day.
 A reminder for our kindy families – kindy children will have their own lockers.. please
encourage your child to find their locker for their own bag and to keep their hat in it…
 Label all clothes and belongings - including bags. This will help us – and your children!
Our children in kindy attend between 8.30 am and 11.30am - Mondays, Wednesdays and
Thursdays and on Tuesday, if attending for the full day, it is 8.30 to 3.30 pm. Please remember
that when children come in earlier they are either booked into child care or parents need to
stay with their child as staff set up for the day. Also if children stay after the session they will
be booked into AND CHARGED for child care ….. and we need to know beforehand to ensure
that we have the appropriate number of staff on so that children can be cared for safely.
Thank you for supporting us with this.
Check your note pocket when bringing in/or collecting your child.
We love to have your input into your child’s learning - we welcome suggestions for the
programme. So if your child has a specific interest or you have some ideas that will support
what we are doing we would love to hear from you.
Some other news  :
We are continuing with our Baby Play in the Koala room (our youngest group). This is
on Tuesday mornings with Johanna (Occupational Therapist). It’s a great session of songs,
play and fun activities supporting their growth and learning. Please see either Johanna or
Heidi for more information.
There are lots of positive and fun play and recreational activities being offered through our
Dad’s Programme…….Southern DAD’S & Proud of it
Please contact Milan0403 369 791 for further information of times and dates.
 Please see our flyer on the front door about Kidsflix.... you and your child may be eligible
for a free movie opportunity on SATURDAY 22ND MARCH.
We are celebrating Harmony Day on Tuesday 18th March. This is for both our childcare and
kindy children and we invite you to join us for some fun activities for you to do with your child
and a morning tea. Activities will start from around 9am onwards and morning tea around
10am. We hope you can join us as we celebrate HARMONY DAY (the actual date for Harmony
Day is the 21st, which is a Friday………however we will celebrate the day on Tuesday 18th as
we want both child care and preschool children involved). A special invitation will come home
later! The theme for Harmomy Day this year is ‘Everyone Belongs’ and
this is certainly what we believe……
PARENTING FIRST AID – a great opportunity to do a free 3 hour course to support how you
manage first aid and emergencies with your child. Participants will receive a Certificate of
Attendance. The course will be held Monday 17th February between 10am and 1pm - a light
lunch will be provided as well as a crèche. Don’t miss out on this great opportunity ….phone
Tracey Hill (FSC our Family Services Coordinator) on 0418 932 427 to book a place.
We now have PLAYGROUP on FRIDAY MORNINGS in the Yellow Unit… starting at 10 and
finishing at 11.30. Come and join in…. great activities, spend some time in a friendly
environment with your child and enjoy a free snack. Please phone the centre on 8382 6161 or
Milan on 0403 369 791 for more details.
Circle of Security parenting is a course that will cover information and an understanding
of what your child’s behaviour might mean. It will support parents in helping their children
to sort their feelings and to engage more in their play and learning. The program with
Johanna (our Occupational Therapist) and Tracey (our FSC) is a free 8 week course being
run on Tuesdays between 1pm and 3pm from the 18th February to 8th April in the Yellow
Unit. A crèche is available. Please phone Tracey on 0418 932 427 for more information
and to secure a place 
During the year information will come out about what we are doing in the programme
regarding Child Protection Curriculum. The two themes are:
1. We all have the right to be safe
2. We can help ourselves to be safe by talking to people we trust
WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME MORE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PACK THE BREAD OUR STAFF
HAVE COLLECTED ON THURSDAY NIGHTS. We will need to have the bread put in bags on
FRIDAY MORNINGS EARLY(so that families can pick up bread as they drop off children at the
centre). We already have 2 volunteers so far.. a few more would be fantastic.
I would like to thank our volunteers- both at our centre and in the
yellow Unit for their fantastic support.. it is appreciated
DENTAL CARE FOR YOUR CHILDREN
It is important for children to have strong, healthy teeth and gums.
All children (0 – 17 years) are welcome to attend School Dental Service clinics.
Dental treatment is free at School Dental Service clinics if:
 Family Tax Benefit Part A is paid for your child, or
 Your child is covered by a School Card, Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card.
The School Dental Service will bulk-bill under the new Medicare Child Dental Benefits Schedule that
starts in 2014. Under this scheme, most children aged between 2-17 years will be eligible to claim up
to $1000 of Dental services over 2 years.
If your child already attends a SA Dental Service clinic, contact The School Dental Service when their
next appointment is due. If your child does not already attend one of the clinics, please phone your
nearest clinic to make an appointment in 2014. More information and Clinic list found at
www.sadental.sa.gov.au
Our Annual General Meeting is on Monday 10th February at 5pm… we do hope you can join
us to find out more about the Children’s Centre…. There will be some nibbles and an
opportunity to talk with other families and staff plus meet with our Family Services
Coordinator, Tracey and Milan our Community Development Coordinator to find out more
about the services and programs available, their roles as well as other services such as
what Johanna our Occupational Therapist can support children and families with.
We look forward to working with you… and hope that both you and
your children enjoy and feel welcome at the Children’s Centre.
From Heather and all our staff team 