1 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

Dear Families and Friends of Family Day Care,

What a great start to the year. Our Easter raffle winners include:

Pam Nissen

Alysha Chapman

Christine Fox

Thank you again for your continued support.

PARENT SURVEYS

This month families and educators are invited to participate first hand in our Ratings and Assessment Pro-cess. We are inviting you to let us know, how you think we are doing as a Service and the quality of the service you are receiving. Your input is essential to ensure we have a very clear picture of the Service. Your constructive criticism is encouraged. How can we improve if we are not aware of the level of service that you receiving? Or if you are not satisfied? Please fill out a survey and return it to the Service at your earliest convenience. Your educator will have forwarded the survey to you via email or asked you to com-plete the survey on site. You can fill the document out, confidentially if you would prefer, and return it to your educator or send it to the Service directly. Please see the variety of methods for you to return your information.

FAMILY DAY CARE WEEK

Commencing on the 4th of May and concluding on May the 10th, National Family Day Care Week offers a chance for the family day care sector to unite and celebrate the amazing work of educators and staff of approved services in shaping the lives of more than 142 400 children around the country. In 2014, the National Family Day Care Week theme will encourage educators, services and children to wish upon a star. During the lead up to the release of this newsletter we have been sending out information on the ac-tivities and experiences that we as a whole with be celebrating and engaging in. One of our most popular is our “My Wish on a Star Artwork”. We are also encouraging educators and families to engage in some star watching, especially the family day care star named Sirius. Please see our website for some more information.

UNDER 8’S WEEK

This year the Service will attend the Under 8’s Day Celebration at Shipley Park, Moffat Beach from 9am-12noon, on Wednesday the 21st of May, 2014. It is a wonderful morning of experiences for little people all over the Sunshine Coast. There will be a new friends to make, paint, bubbles and craft, as well as representatives from all the different early childhood settings to talk too while

your under 8 is busy. Please see you educator for more information. All are welcome.

INFORMAITON ON SCREEN TIME

Research is consistently coming up with the same results, too much screen time is bad for children. Please have a look inside at the information from FDCA and remind your children that there are great things happening in the garden. My family are now using I pads for school and one day I asked for some assistance in the kitchen and her response was “Can you wait until I die?” Even though it was a fictitious digital character in a nonsensical game, I found the concept more than a little bit disturbing! Please read through the information, it is insightful...

We have also included some information on the very real dangers of button batteries.

Kind Regards,

Julie McCosker.

Lead Coordinator

News from the Lead Coordinator C&K Maroochy Family Day

Care.

45 School Rd

Maroochydore.

4558.

Ph– 5479 1677

maroochyfdc@candk.asn.au

C&K Maroochy Family Day Care and C&K Maroochy & Caloundra In Home Care

Newsletter April/May/June 2014

2 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

Play session

Fun… Today, we had some new children at play session. Which is great to see.

We had some little ones, some big ones and some chatty ones. And of

course my special friend, Hudson who calls me Jules!

We began the morning with the children exploring the outdoors. The bubbles, Oh the bubbles. The bubbles

kept everyone intrigued for the good part of 30minutes. Old and young alike, everyone loves bubbles.

During the morning, Hudson and I came into the kitchen to collect the ice cubes

that Linda had made for us to put in the water. Hudson held the basket and

chatted about what was in the bowls and what they were for. He grabbed the

basket with his two hands, when it got heavy. As I put the fifth cup in the bas-

ket, the weight moved the bowls made an X. Hudson said “you have made a five

with the bowls.” I asked what did he mean and he said “an x was another sign

for five.”

Outcome4: Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one con-

text to another.

While outside, Grace was playing with the ice bowls in the water. She said “The

water is turning orange”. I asked “how was the water turning orange?” She said

“the red and the yellow colours are mixing together.” Outcome4:Children re-

source their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed mate-

rials.

Willow was at the gardening table. She asked what we were doing. I

said that we were going to grow some seeds in the tray and put one in

a cup to take home. We would need to write our name on our cup

first, she said that she couldn’t and I asked if she wanted to. She

said she couldn’t and I said that I would write it if she would like me

too. Then I asked if she would like to copy it?

Outcome1: Children develop knowledgeable and confident self identi-

ties.

Grace and Cody explored the environment together. As the morning progressed they appeared to connect

with the quieter spaces, children and experiences. Cody was guiding Grace in her play. He watched for her in

the environment and was happy when she was close by. He engaged with her and encouraged her to partici-

pate but was just as happy for her to play at her own pace.

Outcome1:Children learn to interact in relation to others with care, empathy and respect.

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At group, Brendan shared that he could sign some parts of the song

we were singing. He stood up and was able to slowly sign some of the

words for Hot Cross Buns. To our delight he was able to do this each

time we sang the song. This allowed us to discuss how a deaf person

talks.

Outcome2:Children respond to diversity with respect.

The other big attraction for the

larger group was the making of the

playdough at the table. The children mixed the ingredients. Stirred and

Stirred. All the children had a turn and then the children suggested that we

add colour. This was not an issue as we already had food colouring paint at

the easels. The children discussed the colours as they added the paint. The

colours which included red which turned the

dough pink, yellow which made orange and

then blue which made a funny greeny/yellowy

colour. Grace thought it looked “skin” col-

oured. Funny thing was, when I put my arm on

top of the bowl, it was skin colour.

Outcome2:Children become aware of fairness.

Thank you to everyone who organised, attended and made the playsession so

much fun. Please remember to let your families know. All are welcome. We

just need you to rsvp. We hope to see you there next time.

Jules!

Dear Educators and Families,

Every year the Sunshine Coast Early Childhood Services hold an annual Under8’s day celebration.

This event has been going for over 30 years and we would like to invite you to participate with us in this fan-

tastic community event.

The under8’s day celebration is at Eleanor Shipley Park, Moffat Beach from 9am – 12noon, on Wednesday the

21st of May 2014.

This is a great way of meeting community partnerships in your NQF standard 5.6 you will be developing com-

munity partnerships, relationships and links to other family day care, child care/kindergarten services in your

area, as well as providing for the community. This is also a great way to network with other ECEC Services.

We generally have over 300 people attend on the day, with all services providing an activity for families, FDC

educators and children to participate in, such as bubble blowing, clay, collage, painting, sensory activities, play

dough etc. We also have representatives from the community in attendance – library, local university.

Under 8’s day is a wonderful way to actively promote UNDER 8’S in our local area.

If you have any questions or would like more information Please contact the FDC office on 5479 1677.

We hope to see you there,

Julie McCosker

Lead Coordinator

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Button Batteries—A Little Known Risk……

“An estimated four children per week in Australia present to an emergency department with a button battery related injury,"

Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit’s Director, Dr Ruth Barker said.

Button batteries found in remote controls and other household electronic devices are a severe and little known risk for young chil-

dren. A joint campaign by Energizer, Kidsafe, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is being launched to-

day (April 3, 2012).

"The Battery Controlled campaign is being launched to alert parents and carers about the danger that coin-

sized batteries pose to children if swallowed," ACCC Commissioner Sarah Court said.

The Battery Controlled campaign is calling on parents to keep batteries out of reach of children, get help fast

if swallowed, and to spread the word about the danger.

More information can be found at www.thebatterycontrolled.com.au and on the Product Safety Australia website (www.productsafety.gov.au) and social media channels: @ProductSafetyAU Twitter account and the ACCC Product Safety Face-book page. Source Kidsafe Qld

Summer's Story…...

My name is Andrea. On the 30th June 2013, I lost my daughter to a tragic accident.

Summer swallowed a lithium battery.

In my grief I talk about Summer a lot, however I know a lot of parents don't talk.

The reasons are unnecessary guilt, fear of making people uncomfortable and because people really

do not understand the pain.

Susan from Kidsafe Qld has come up with a great concept of a retreat for the families who have

suffered tragic loss - and a page on this website - for the families to be able to talk freely and

without judgement. It will provide great comfort and help with the healing

process.

I believe this idea is amazing and much needed and I would love to help

Susan and Kidsafe make this happen.

In both Summer's memory and the memory of all the children lost and in-

jured, let's talk out loud without fear and with people who can truly un-

derstand.

Information from: www.summersday.com.au

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ROSS RIVER FEVER………. Due to the recent wet weather, the Sunshine Coast is currently experiencing an increase in cases of

Ross River Fever.

Description Ross River virus (sometimes called epidemic polyarthritis) is a disease caused by a virus which is spread by the bite

of an infected mosquito. Ross River virus disease occurs widely in Australia. In northern and central Queensland,

cases of Ross River virus occur throughout the year, but most cases occur between February and May. Everybody

who becomes infected with Ross River virus will recover, however, the time taken to recover fully is prolonged in

some people.

Symptoms Ross River virus causes inflammation and pain in multiple joints (epidemic polyarthri-

tis). The symptoms may include fever with joint pain and swelling which may then be

followed in one to ten days by a raised red rash affecting mainly the trunk and

limbs. The rash usually lasts for one to ten days and may or may not be accompanied

by a fever. The joint pain can be severe and usually lasts two to six weeks. Some peo-

ple, especially children, may become infected without showing any symptoms.

Most people become unwell within three to 11 days after being bitten by an infectious

mosquito.

Transmission Ross River virus infection cannot be spread from human to human. Ross River virus is spread from animals to hu-

mans by a number of different types of mosquitoes with Culex annulirostris, Aedes vigilax (salt marsh mosquito)

and Aedes notoscriptus being most common. Aedes vigilax breeds in salty pools in mangroves and salt marshes after

flooding by spring tides and heavy rains. Culex annulirostris breeds in permanent bodies of fresh water while Aedes

notoscriptus breeds in containers close to homes and other human activity such as bird baths, pot plant saucers and

backyard rubbish holding water.

Treatment There is no specific drug treatment for Ross River virus infection. Treatment involves managing the symptoms that

develop. Your doctor will advise on treatment for joint and muscle pains. A combination of plenty of rest and gentle

exercise are important to keep joints moving and to prevent overtiredness, but medication may sometimes be neces-

sary.

Prevention The best prevention is to take precautions against being bitten by mosquitos:

avoid being outside during times of heavy infestation of mosquitoes eg. early evenings in the

warmer months

use insect repellents and wear protective, light coloured clothing

screen living and sleeping areas

check your home regularly for potential mosquito breeding areas eg. any uncovered water con-

tainers should be emptied regularly.

Control Mosquito eradication programs are the most effective way to control spread of Ross River virus. Health officers

from most local councils and state health departments work together to develop and implement mosquito eradication

programs.

Help and Assistance For further information, please contact your local doctor, community health centre or nearest public health unit.

Source—access.health.qld.gov.au/.../ViralInfections/rossRiverVirus_fs.asp

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~ EDUCATOR PROFILE ~ This quarter we would like to introduce new Maroochydore

educator Nathalie Guegant.

How long have you been a family day care educator?

10 weeks

What was your reason for becoming a family day care educator?

My interest in child development that I gained during the two years I was fortunate to be

a stay at home mum to our beautiful daughter.

How do you see yourself as your role as a family day care educator?

Career, teacher and learner. I believe children are great teachers themselves.

Highlights of your career to date?

Watching the children develop, play, learn and have fun every day.

How do you relax after a busy day with the children?

Relax???

I am a mum and wife... that leaves no time for me to relax after work.

I take time on the weekends with my beautiful daughter and loving husband to relax, doing

things like going to the park, beach, bike ride, having a nice coffee out.

Having fun with my family is relaxing.

7 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

In-Home Care

Vacancies Available! Are you in need

of Care? C&K Maroochy & Caloundra In Home Child Care pro-

vides care for children in the familiar environment of

their own home by an approved educator.

We offer a flexible service designed to meet the

needs of families who may otherwise not be able to

access child care and meet one of the

following criteria:

Families with 3 or more children under school

age.

Parents working shiftwork or non-standard

hours

Families in rural/remote areas

Families where the parent/s

or child has an illness/disability

Contact the Office

PH 5479 5194 for any enquires.

Community Contacts for our

Local Service!

Child & Family Health:

Nambour 5450 4750

Maroochydore 5459 6901

DV line;

(Domestic Violence 24 hours) 1800 811 811

Crisis Care: 1800 177 135

Post natal depression Support; 1800 017 676

Life Line Helpline; 13 11 14

Lifeline; Counselling Centre 5443 5366

SCOPE

(Suncoast Cooloola Domestic & Family Violence Ser-

vices for safer communities)

Maroochydore , Noosa, Caloundra, Cooloola -

5479 5911

Women's Crisis Services: 5443 4711

Dads in Distress; 1800 853 437

Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800

Family Planning: 5479 0755

C&K Maroochy Family Day Care Advisory Committee

Maroochy Family Day Care Co-ordination team would like to invite you to engage with the service through the Advisory

Committee. As an Advisory representative your role at Advisory Meetings would be:

to be proactive in specific tasks related to your areas of expertise

to voice issues of concern from your area of representation

to engage in discussion on these issues which will formulate the initial process of decisions

attend approximately 4 meetings per year

As decisions made through Advisory Meetings impact significantly on all those involved with Maroochy Family Day Care, it

should be noted that the process of decision making may be prolonged if further consultation or research is required.

Before each meeting an email will be sent to ask Advisory members if they have issues or topics for the agenda. Specific

topics will be on the agenda and representatives will be asked for their contribution.

Maroochy Family Day Care is a service that recognises change and responds accordingly.

Please send any Agenda items to the office, as we would like to distribute the items to all representatives prior to the

meeting.

If you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact the Office on 5479 1677.

8 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

Learning story with Linda……

Cooper seemed content and familiar in the environment, exploring his surroundings confidently. He was not perturbed about my presence as an extra adult in the playspace. Cooper showed an adventurous streak when gliding onto the foam child lounge and displayed his obvious enjoyment with a big smile on his face! This highlights Cooper is learning to demonstrate joy, interest and involvement in learning, in an atmosphere where adults appreciate the many different ways of expressing and representing thoughts and ideas. The living and learning environment is dynamic, engaging and open to many possibilities, while families are informed about their child’s learning and achievements.

Link to Building Waterfalls: Exploring – Children are competent and capable learners, thinkers and in-quirers.

EYLF Outcome: Children are confident and involved learners

Follow up ideas: Tunnels to crawl through, cardboard boxes for cubbies or to sit in, soft foam mats for rolling on.

Linda Simpson

Family Day Care Coordinator

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About Family Day Care Week Every Child is a Star is one of our most popular experiences for children under 8. Under

the theme “Every child is a star” the aim of National Family Day Care Week is to promote

Family Day Care’s unique and nurturing early childhood setting and how it encourages, de-

velops and celebrates a child’s own individual star qualities.

The key principles underpinning National Family Day Care Week and “Every Child is a Star”

include:

*Accepting and supporting children’s individuality, identity and ability.

*Promoting equality and celebrating diversity

*Reinforcing the concept that the development of positive relationships provides a sound

base for learning and development

*Valuing and respecting children and who they are

*Emphasising that all children have the capacity to succeed

*Celebrating individual achievements and interests

*Symbolising a child focussed curriculum

Please cut out your child’s star in the back of the newsletter

and send it into the office to hang with all of our other stars.

Your participation would be wonderful. Photos of the display

will follow in the next newsletter.

TAKE HOME A BIG BROTHER

OR BIG SISTER

Give your children the wonderful opportunity to have an international big brother or big sister by hosting one of our exceptional international students arriving in Australia in July 2014 for their 5 or 10 month pro-grams. Our international students from France, Ger-many, Italy, Spain Finland ,Norway, Denmark, Swe-den and will live as a local, attend a local secondary school, arrive with their own spending money and comprehensive insurance cover – all arranged by Southern Cross Cultural Exchange.

Visit us at www.scce.com.au, email scceaust@scce.com.au or call us toll free on 1800 500 501, request our international student profiles,

and capture the spirit of family and friendship!

10 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

Essential flu toolkit Here's an important message for all Parents: it’s time to get your arsenal of cold and flu treatments, your bottomless pit of

sympathy and your soothing hands ready for another flu season.

Even on a good year, about one in five people will be laid low with a bout of flu. And it will be a rare family who doesn’t get

hit with a nasty cold.

Preventing colds and flu

There are a few of ways to try to avoid getting this season’s nasty lurgy:

Get an annual flu shot Vaccination is recommended for anyone over the age of six months and particularly for those with underlying illnesses or conditions or who work closely with children.

Practice and teach hygiene Now’s the time to have the talk with the family (if they’re old enough to understand) about how

germs are spread, and to go about instigating some practices like regular washing of hands and

surfaces, not sharing personal items like utensils, food and drink bottles and keeping family

members home if they’re sick.

Boost immune systems There’s no denying a healthy diet rich in everything the body needs, particularly iron and Vitamin C, will help

the body fight off infection. Most of these nutrients are best sourced from fresh foods but if you’re struggling

to get them into your little family members, by all means try an age-appropriate supplement.

Prevention tool kit

Lots of yummy citrus fruits in the fruit basket

Antibacterial wipes or gel in the nappy bag and around the house

Reminder pictures or notes in the bathroom about washing hands after using the loo and before eating

A family chat about how germs are spread

Treating colds and flu Chances are, despite all the best intentions, some sort of nasty lurgy will enter your home and

take up temporary residence in your family. While there’s no cure for flu or the common cold,

sufferers can be made to feel more comfortable and some of the symptoms can be treated both

with medicines and natural methods. First, work out if it is the flu or just a cold. Cold symptoms last a couple days while the flu can last up to a week. The flu causes a high fever whereas a cold only sometimes causes a mild

fever. Shivering and body aches are symptoms of the flu but not a cold.

While serious complications with flu are rare it is still responsible for about 18,000 hospital

admissions year with children and the elderly most at risk. So it’s worth keeping an eye on your

sufferers and keeping them comfortable.

Medical options

There are medicines that can relieve the symptoms of flu but, remember, as the illness is caused by the influenza virus, anti-

biotics are not only unnecessary, they won’t work.

Here are some of the medicines which can treat flu symptoms:

Antivirals – there are now specific antiviral drugs available, but their effectiveness is very lim-ited, although they can shorten the length and severity of the illness if used early enough.

Paracetamol – this will ease the aches and pains and help reduce the fever.

Lozenges and gargles – these can relieve sore throats and coughing but should not be used by children.

11 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

Natural options

Flu needs to run its course and there are some natural remedies which can keep sufferers comfortable including:

Bed rest – encourage your littlies to stay in bed or at least rest until their temperature returned to normal for 48 hours.

Keep hydrated – ensure enough fluids are drunk to maintain normal urine output. It also helps the effectiveness of medicines like paracetamol.

A warm compress – these can soothe sinus pain and a headache.

Give lots of hugs and cuddles – who can’t get better without lots of love.

Often the best treatments are a combination of medicines with non-drug options. Talk to

your GP or chemist about the best ways to treat flu.

Treatment toolkit

Paracetamol (age appropriate)

Vitamin C-infused cordials (for drinking)

Patience, and lots of it

When to see the doctor

See your GP if a high fever persists or further symptoms develop such as difficulty breathing, coughing up green–yellow phlegm

or severe headache or rash develops. Also see your doctor if you’re at all concerned.

Research recommends less use of electronics by

children

New research in the journal JAMA Paediatrics has shown parents who set limits on their

children's tablet and computer use are likely to see positive results such as improved sleep,

better grades, less aggressive behaviour, and lower risk of obesity.

The Australian-led study of more than 3,000 children, found that watching TV, using com-

puters and playing video games between the ages of two and six had an adverse effect on

children’s wellbeing as measured two years later, including emotional and peer problems,

self-esteem, emotional well-being, family functioning and social networks. The risk of emo-

tional problems and poorer family functioning increased with each additional hour of TV,

gaming and computer use.

Source:Family Day Care Australia Website 9th April, 2014

12 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

Zucchini, tomato, bacon & egg slice Preparation 20 mins | Cooking 50 mins | Serves 6-8

This slice is great served hot, and just as good served cold in the school lunch box.

½ cup rice bran oil

1 brown onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

175g rindless short cut bacon, roughly chopped

350g (about 2) zucchini, coarsely grated

1 cup grated reduced fat tasty cheese

1 cup self-raising flour

5 free-range eggs, lightly beaten

125g cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

Green salad, to serve

step 1

Preheat oven 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line a greased slice pan

(about 16cm wide x 26cm long) with baking paper.

step 2

Heat 2 tbs oil in a medium frying pan over medium heat. Add onion,

garlic and bacon and cook, stirring often, for 5 minutes until tender. Set aside

to cool for 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.

step 3

Add zucchini, cheese, flour, eggs and remaining oil to bacon mixture.

Season with salt and pepper. Stir until well combined. Spoon into prepared

pan and smooth top. Arrange tomatoes over mixture. Bake for 45-50 minutes

until golden and firm to touch. Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Transfer to a board,

slice and serve with a green salad.

Source— www.freshforkids.com.au/recipes

Sirus is the brightest star you can see from planet Earth. During National Family Day Care Week only three things are brighter than Sirius at night. They are the

Moon, Jupiter and Mars. Sirius is actually much brighter than any of them, but it’s very far away-about 80 trillion kilometers!

Sirius is known as the Dog Star because it’s the main star in the constellation

called Canis Major, the Greater Dog. People long ago used Sirius as an important calendar marker. The ancient Egyptians watched for the sight of Sirius coming up just ahead of the sun at daybreak. This would mean that the Nile River would soon

flood, bringing fresh soil downriver and starting the season for planting crops.

Family Day Care Australia has adopted Sirius as our very own star to wish upon. As all parents and educators know, every child is a star.

Information courtesy of NFDC Information booklet 2014.

Good for you…ZUCCHINI

Zucchini are a source of vitamin C. This vitamin is

important for healthy gums and also helps the body

fight infections. Dark green varieties contribute

some beta carotene, an antioxidant pigment which

the body can convert to vitamin A.

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Turning 1!! Emma Richards Piper Kowald

Braxton McVey Poppy Nissen

Turning 2!! Benjamin Guc Lucas Crollick

Ben Emery Grace O'Keeffe Audrey Hocken Lilly Tretheway Ruby Couacaud James Wickham

Jane Buck Noah Wehlauer Maita Dawkins

Turning 3!!

Willow Connelly Ella Speakman Lilly Speakman

Maggie Ellis Evelyn Conn Liam Duffy

Mary Graham Perry Crowhurst Serena Lynham Hayden Lloyd Lucy Unsted Luey Graves

Turning 4!! Mia Johnson Piper Griffin

Dusty Bee Thompson Myles Hook

Turning 5!! Hudson Connelly Samuel Carpenter

Aiden Garland

APRIL, MAY & JUNE APRIL, MAY & JUNE

BIRTHDAYS!!!BIRTHDAYS!!!

Shianne Beale Dante Schultz Sienna Thomas Tess Partington

Jennifer Allen Bridget Allen

Olivia Curruthers Ethan Than

Cade Lamont

Schoolies!!

14 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

15 C&K Maroochy Family Day Care / C&K Caloundra and Maroochy In Home Care.

“Wish Upon a Star”-For Family Day Care Week. Please help your child cut and decorate the star. You may wish to write down

what your child wishes for. The stars will become a collaborative display in our

foyer full of the hopes and dreams of our children. Why not send it into the

office with your Parent Survey. 45 School Rd, Maroochydore!