MARCH NEWS LETTER

Our centre theme this month has been from garden to table and we will be moving now into our April theme of Autumn and please purchase a ticket in our fundraising raffle for Easter.
Are school aged children booked for the April holiday fun?
Have you enquired about the bus?

We have vacancies please help us promote this wonderful centre
Please refer a friend and be eligible to receive $50.00 off you fees – check out the brouchure.

All welcome parent & staff meetings 7th April 2009 6.00pm
This meeting our guest speaker will be our former Assistant Director
Kate Shapcott will be presenting “Learning Connections”

FROM THE ROOMS

Daisy Corner:
We would like to say a very big hello and welcome to all of our new families. It’s great to have you here. Over the past month, the children have been enjoying outside play. The sand has been an enjoyable experience. We have been painting and singing lots of songs. We have been learning names of parts of the body - hands, feet, nose and ears, just to name a few. Please remember to bring in a hat for your children for outside play.
From Nicole, Rachel, Evonne and Ashleigh

Sunflower Nook:
Hey there folks, This month we have been really concentrating on some Montessori methods, that being more “individual “activities for each child. Takes a little getting used to but it really starts to create a calmer environment, resulting in less conflict. The children are still enjoying our day to day group activities which includes singing songs, story time, art and craft activities. Our new toys which were kindly donated by Megan Koek are a real treat, the children are just loving them, so thankyou again Megan, Darrell and Molly. Michelle has joined us having moved with the children from the infants room thus maintaining continuity of care. A big welcome to all our new families and children Cody B, Cody R, Sienna, Rilley, Lincoln, Lyall, Madison, Jakub and Jayse.
We know you are going to have lots of fun in your new room.
Cheers for now, Tracey, Michelle and Elysia.

Bambini Room:
It has been a busy time for us over the last weeks. Starting with change of room name “Bambini” which translates in Italian as children. This room is our family grouping room catering for children 15 months plus. This group provides more flexibility for parents wanting an extra, casual or different day other than booked and provides a transition from toddlers into the Harmony and Peace Rooms now utilising Montessori equipment.
Angie will be working closely with Granite Belt Support Services who continue to monitor early intervention. She has also taken on the role of Vacation Care Group Leader and will be also our pick up and drop off person on the bus.
A big welcome to our new Assistant Director Georgia Gray - our new group leader.
A Note from Georgia:
To all parents, I am very pleased and excited about taking on this new role as the group leader of the Bambini room. I have a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education and have been working in a variety of childcare centre for four years. I look forward to meeting with you all and creating a partnership with you to provide the care and support for your children to achieve optimal growth and development while in the Bambini room.
Please remember to visit our blog http://countrykidsstanthorpe.blogspot.com
From Georgia, Ellen, Teagan and Angie

Harmony Room:
Hi to all. Our room has been going very well, we have settled in to our new program extremely well and are finding our organised and planned routine wonderful. The children love completing individual activities and are reaping the rewards.
We have been talking about the Country we live in and looking at our States and the exact spot that Stanthorpe is. We have also looked at where Australia is on the Globe. We have been working on Grace and Courtesy “please and thank you’s.
We have been opening and closing containers and next week we are going to venture into the area of the sense of smell. What we like and don’t like and buckles and clips to help us with our self help skills in dressing and undressing. We have also been working those gross and fine motor skills polishing boots and washing up our morning tea dishes, it been great fun.
Bye for now, Teresa and Kasey.

Room of Peace:
Hello everyone, the weeks are going so quickly. Room of Peace is moving into the Montessori focus areas very smoothly. The children are adapting well to the change and utilising the new equipment to help them develop practical, sensorial, language and pre maths skills.
We were lucky enough to have Mr Hassall come into our room with a small grape press and make grape juice with us, which we were able taste. We picked the grapes from our vines and others were brought in by Julia. We took turns at turning the press. This was a very exciting event and a total hands on activity. Stay safe and take care until next time. Create your day is how we begin our day in the Room of Peace. Mel and Jaime