Choklits Surrey Hills Weekly Updates
There’s always something exciting happening at Choklits so Surrey Hills Service Director Ellie Saberi shares updates on our adventures and learnings every week!
Please check the calendar below for important upcoming events and scroll down for your weekly updates. Past updates are also available, please feel free to share with family and friends.
Friday December 20th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to the last Friday update for the year!
Over the past few weeks we have continued our room transitions before we begin the new year. We have begun helping your children build strong connections with the educators who are guiding them in 2025 and with their new classmates, creating a sense of belonging and comfort. This early bonding ensures a strong start to the new year, laying the foundation for a positive and successful learning experience.
These orientation sessions have been a great experience for the transitioning children as well as children remaining in their rooms for the start of 2025. It has been amazing to see all the new friendships forming between staff and children. We encourage you to ask your children about what new friendships they have made or what new fun activities they have been involved in this week.
During the month of January, our educators focus will be to create and further develop experiences that directly support meaningful relationships between children. Together children will be learning about self identity and engaging in social interactions/conversations through play. This process will set up the foundation of children’s relationships that they have with educators and each other.
Educator spotlight…
This week’s ‘Educator Spotlight’ shines on our newest staff members, Zoey and Jason.
I would like to introduce the two newest members of our wonderful team, Zoey and Jason. We are very excited for you to meet them through the next couple of weeks. As they have just started with us, you may see them working in different rooms, this ensures they form meaningful relationships with all of our children and families. They are both very kind and helpful individuals and we look forward to seeing them thrive here at Choklits Surrey Hills.
We will provide a link to our Choklits website where you will be able to access our staff profiles. You will also be able to see the new educator bios on the front doors to the rooms.
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
As we head into the holidays, we want to thank you for being part of the Choklits community. It’s been a privilege to share in your child’s learning journey this year. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year filled with love, laughter, and maybe a little glitter! The updates will return on the 5th of February.
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday December 13th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
This week has been a busy time as we are fast approaching Christmas and the end of 2025. On Tuesday we had our centre Christmas party which had a great turn out. We also had wonderful performances from our children on the big stage. It was great to see so many families witness the hard work their children had put into practicing and performing their different acts. I would like to thank our amazing educators for putting in the time and effort to ensure these performances were run so well.
As we have also celebrated the end of year period with these events, we have also acknowledged a very important milestone for the children in our Kinder 4 room. The graduation of our 4 year old children outlined the amazing growth and knowledge they have gained this year. This celebration was filled with fun and excitement as this marked the end of one journey and the beginning of the next step in their education. It will be sad to see them leave as we have made great memories together.
We’re also excited to announce that our Summer Menu will be launching on Monday, December 23rd! Our chef has been busy preparing a selection of delicious, fresh, and nutritious meals that we can’t wait for the children to enjoy. You can check out the full menu here: Summer Menu 2024.
Educator spotlight…
Educator Spotlight shines on our dedicated educator, Harleen. Harleen has a beautiful personality which is shown through all that she does. Through her interactions with children and the way she greets families, Harleen is an amazing teacher here at Choklits. We would like to acknowledge the hard work she has been putting into her Kinder program this year. In the recent weeks, Harleen has been collaborating with our other Choklits centres where she has had the opportunity to connect with other Kinder teachers and gain some more valuable knowledge of different approaches to education. Following these visits, she has returned to Surrey Hills with new and exciting ideas which I am sure you all will get a chance to see soon.
Thank you for all your hard work and continuing positivity towards teaching and caring for the children here at Choklits Surrey Hills.
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday December 6th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
A huge thank you to everyone who attended out Christmas Party. It was fantastic to see so many of you here for an afternoon of fun. I’m still trying to work out how the magician broke and then repaired his magic wand!
Christmas Fund Raising Raffle Update…
A huge thank you goes to everyone who both donated to our Christmas Raffles this year, and to everyone who purchased tickets at our events!
This fund raising effort has been a long standing tradition at Choklits which has helped us help many charities over the years.
Thanks to all of you, this year we raised $1716! And, Choklits is matching the donations!
So, $3432 has been now been donated to The Salvation Army, Kids Under Cover, and Berry Street.
These organisations are dedicated to providing vital support to those in need, and your contributions will help them continue their important work.
Congratulations to all our lucky raffle winners and a huge thank you to the businesses far and wide who make this all possible. Everyone below is connected to our community so if you’re in the market for any of the services they provide why not give them a try, they will truly appreciate it!
- Mister Fox Cafe | mister-fox.com.au
- Sixtwo Pilates & Yoga | sixtwopilatesandyoga.com.au
- Kenworth Trucks | kenworth.com.au
- Ringwood Mazda | ringwoodmazda.com.au
- Ringwood Auto Tech | ringwoodautotech.com.au/contact-us
- Holey Moley | holeymoley.com.au/locations/melbourne-cbd
- Trident Gymnastics | tridentgymnastics.com.au
- Box Hill RSL | boxhillrsl.com.au
- Scott from Think Box Sales | thinkbox.net.au/our-people-1
- Lollipops Playland Croydon | croydonvic.lollipopsplayland.com.au
- Maroondah Leisure | maroondahleisure.com.au/Home
- Emma Ring | emmaringpsychology.com.au/store
- Shirin Gilleron | instagram.com/littlepawsstories
- Messy Prints | messyprints.com
- Jefferies Local Provedore | jefferies.com.au
We also want to thank everyone who contributed to the success of the event, whether through donations, volunteering, or simply being part of the celebration.
Together, we are making a positive impact on our community!
We look forward to continuing to celebrate the Christmas season over the next few weeks with more activities, fun, and festive cheer. Stay tuned for more exciting events as we wrap up the year and make more wonderful memories together.
Room transitions…
This week, our focus has been on engaging the children in a variety of activities that are carefully designed to suit their individual age groups and the specific rooms they are enrolled in for 2025. Alongside these activities, we have been conducting in-house orientation sessions for the children.
These orientation sessions aim to ease the transition for your child into their new learning environments for the coming year. Depending on each child’s needs, we are organising either full-day or half-day sessions in their upcoming rooms. These sessions are designed to provide children with opportunities to explore and familiarise themselves with their new environment, peers, and educators. Our goal is to create a supportive platform where every child feels confident, empowered, and ready to embark on their learning journey with enthusiasm.
By starting these transitions early, we aim to help your child build strong connections with the educators who will be guiding them in 2025 and with their new classmates, creating a sense of belonging and comfort. This early bonding ensures a strong start to the new year, laying the foundation for a positive and successful learning experience.
That being said, we understand that every child is unique and may need different amounts of time to adjust to a new environment. If your child requires additional time to feel comfortable in their new room, we are more than happy to work closely with you to ensure a smooth and stress-free transition. We can always start in the room where your child feels most confident and gradually introduce them to their new environment. Our ultimate goal is to keep every child happy, supported, and confident in their learning journey.
If you would like a printed or digital copy of the room program or any additional information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you and ensure that you have all the resources and details you need. Additionally, the KinderM8 app is a fantastic tool to keep you informed, so we encourage you to explore it for real-time updates and insights into your child’s progress.
Thank you for your continued support and trust in our program. We are committed to making this transition a positive and enriching experience for your child and your family.
Educator spotlight…
Educator Spotlight shines on our dedicated educator, Zovi.
Zovi has been an integral part of our team since nearly the beginning, bringing with her extensive experience and a deep understanding of both the centre’s and children’s needs. Working with children across all age groups, Zovi adeptly manages any challenging behaviours that may arise. She also provides valuable guidance to families, assisting them in enhancing their children’s learning experiences at home and supporting her fellow team members.
We are incredibly proud of Zovi for her proactive involvement in children’s learning programs and her ongoing sustainability projects throughout the centre. Her initiative and dedication greatly contribute to our community’s educational and environmental efforts.
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday November 29th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week has been filled with excitement as we have been busy preparing for our upcoming Christmas party, which will take place next week. It promises to be a festive celebration for both families and children, with plenty of presents, holiday preparations, and discussions surrounding the joy of the season. We’ve been focusing on the importance of family gatherings, the love we share, and the traditions that come with celebrating the holidays together.
In addition, we’ve been engaging the children in meaningful conversations about why it’s important to spend quality time with our families and loved ones. We’ve been emphasizing how to cherish these moments and make the most of our time together. Through these discussions, we’ve also incorporated learning opportunities such as writing letters to our loved ones, which not only supports literacy but also teaches the children the value of communication and expressing their feelings. These activities have also been a great way for the children to practice numeracy, as they count the letters and gifts they wish to send.
Alongside these holiday preparations, we’ve been working on planning next year’s learning experiences for each room. We are currently reviewing the children’s goals and reflecting on their progress. We truly value your input, so please don’t hesitate to share your child’s interests, stories, or any specific goals you would like us to focus on for the upcoming year. Your feedback is essential in helping us tailor our programs to better suit your child’s needs and interests.
Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to continue providing engaging and meaningful learning experiences that reflect the children’s passions. If you have any ideas or anything you’d like us to prioritise for your child, please feel free to let us know. We are here to support your child’s growth and development every step of the way.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to a wonderful holiday season with your family!
In addition please see below the information around the summer program that “The Hide and Speech company” who most of you may know they support us with any child’s development needs etc if you ever wanted to reach out to them directly.
From The Hide and Speech Team…
We’re excited to announce our Summer Holiday Programs and group therapy sessions for Term 1, 2025! All programs will be facilitated by speech pathologists or occupational therapists, ensuring they are engaging, fun, and tailored to each age group. More information can be found on our website hideandspeech.com.au/schoolholidayprograms. To book in, please contact our front desk.
Program | Age Group | Clinic | Date | Time |
Holiplay | 4–7 years | Surrey Hills Clinic | Group 1: Wed 15th Jan – Fri 17th Jan 2025 | 9:30am–12pm |
Group 2: Mon 20th Jan – Wed 22nd Jan 2025 | 9:30am–12pm | |||
Caulfield South Clinic | Wed 15th Jan – Fri 17th Jan 2025 | 9:30am–12pm | ||
Flexers | 8–12 years | Surrey Hills Clinic | Group 1: Wed 15th Jan – Fri 17th Jan 2025 | 9:30am–12pm |
Group 2: Mon 20th Jan – Wed 22nd Jan 2025 | 2pm -4:30pm | |||
Thinkers | 12+ years | Surrey Hills Clinic | Mon 20th Jan – Wed 22nd Jan 2025 | 9:30am–12pm |
Hide and Prep | Prep 2025 | Caulfield South Clinic | Mon 20th Jan – Wed 22nd Jan 2025 | 9:30am–12pm |
Educator spotlight…
Educator Spotlight shines on our dedicated educator, Ratna. Ratna has been an integral part of our team since nearly the beginning, bringing with her extensive experience and a deep understanding of both the centre’s and children’s needs. Working with children across all age groups, Ratna adeptly manages any challenging behaviours that may arise. She also provides valuable guidance to families, assisting them in enhancing their children’s learning experiences at home and supporting her fellow team members.
We are incredibly proud of Ratna for her proactive involvement in children’s learning programs and her ongoing sustainability projects throughout the centre. Her initiative and dedication greatly contribute to our community’s educational and environmental efforts.
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday November 22nd, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
Firstly, a big thank you to all our families for your continued cooperation and support as we work on transitioning to the amazing system known as KinderM8, which you are all familiar with. This system will help us streamline communication and further enhance the quality of care and education we provide to your children.
This week, we have been focusing on arranging the room-to-room orientations for all age groups. This process involves moving our children into the rooms they will be allocated for the upcoming year. The aim of this transition is to give each child ample time and opportunity to become familiar with their new environment, the educators they will be working with, and their new peers. We believe this will make the upcoming year even more exciting and comfortable for everyone.
During this room-to-room transition, a familiar educator will spend time with a small group of children, guiding them through their new space and providing support as they settle in. The educator will also complete a detailed reflection on how the day went, documenting the children’s experiences and learnings during the process. This reflective practice will help us better understand each child’s unique needs and ensure they are supported during this important transition. Depending on the individual needs and interests of each child, these room orientations may take place for either a full day or a half day. Our goal is to make this process as smooth and enjoyable as possible for all involved.
In the coming weeks, we will also be sharing more information about the new teams in each room. While some changes will be made, we are happy to announce that our lead educators will remain in their current rooms to continue leading their groups for next year. Additionally, we will maintain a strong team structure by having second-in-charge educators in each room, working alongside the lead educator. This will ensure seamless communication and the continued delivery of high-quality care for every child at all times. You will also see our float educators, who will be supporting all the rooms as needed. Their details will continue to be posted on the board at reception, so you always know who is here to assist and support your child throughout the day.
Please stay tuned for further updates as we continue with the room-to-room orientations and the formation of our teaching teams. We are committed to ensuring that all transitions are smooth and that every child feels supported and excited about the year ahead.
If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to let us know. We are here to address any concerns you may have. Otherwise, we will continue with the room-to-room orientation process and look forward to seeing our children grow, learn, and become confident leaders in their new spaces.
Thank you once again for your continued trust and support.
Educator spotlight…
This week’s Educator Spotlight goes to Masha for her incredible flexibility and dedication in supporting all of our pre-kinder children during their settling-in period. Mahsa has been using her past experience to offer valuable insights and support to new families, helping them navigate the needs of both their children and themselves. Her thoughtful suggestions have been greatly appreciated, and we have received many positive comments from families about how helpful she has been.
Mahsa, thank you for your hard work and your caring approach. Keep up the fantastic work – you are making a real difference in the lives of our children and their families!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday November 15th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Thank you to everyone who has completed their Ezi Debit payment forms that were emailed out on Wednesday in preparation for our transition to Kinder M8. All the details are in last weeks update if you missed it. We are now preparing all of your new Kinder M8 accounts so please keep an eye out for your invite (access) to the new system which will be sent to your inbox early next week. Very exciting!!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we’ve been busy engaging in a variety of spring activities while also preparing for our much-anticipated Christmas party celebration. There has been a lot of excitement in the air as the children have been practising for the event, with rehearsals and performances taking place across all age groups. We can’t wait to see our little ones shining on the stage and sharing their joy with all of you on this special day. The anticipation is building, and we’re so proud of all the hard work the children have put into their performances!
In addition to our Christmas preparations, we are also preparing for the graduation of our Kinder 4 children. It’s such a bittersweet moment for us as we reflect on the incredible growth and development we’ve witnessed in these children over the years. While we will miss them dearly, we are also filled with excitement for the new adventures and opportunities that await them. It truly melts our hearts to see them reach this milestone. As we approach their graduation, we encourage all families to cherish these final moments with us, and we look forward to celebrating this achievement together.
On a related note, we’d like to remind families of our wonderful collaboration with Our Lady’s Primary School. As part of this partnership, we take the children on regular library visits, along with many other activities that help to prepare them for their transition into primary school. Our Lady’s is one of the best local primary schools in the area, and we are thrilled to have such a strong relationship with them. In fact, we are delighted that teachers and graduates from Our Lady’s have begun visiting us every fortnight. This collaboration provides a fantastic learning experience for all the children involved, and we’d like to extend a special thank you to Our Lady’s for their continued support.
We’d also like to take this opportunity to invite you to visit us at the Centre to meet the teachers from Our Lady’s Primary School. This will be a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your child’s upcoming transition to primary school, as well as any other questions you may have regarding their graduation this year. We’re here to support you through this exciting new chapter in your child’s educational journey.
On a slightly sad note, we would like to let you know that Sue will be going on maternity leave next week. As many of you may already know, this is an exciting new chapter for Sue, and we wish her all the very best as she prepares to welcome her little one. Additionally, we will also be saying goodbye to AJ, who is moving to Perth with her family. We wish AJ all the best in this new adventure and hope she enjoys every moment of it.
We are also excited to announce that Yehan will be joining us as the new Room Leader for the Toddler Room. Yehan comes to us with many years of experience in the early childhood education sector and has previously worked at our sister centre. This week, Yehan has been getting to know the children and families while working alongside the Toddler Room team. Please don’t hesitate to say hello to him and introduce yourself – he’s looking forward to getting to know everyone better and becoming an integral part of our team. We’re confident that Yehan’s experience, skills, and passion for working with children will be a wonderful addition to the Toddler Room, and we look forward to the great value he will bring to the team.
Thank you for your continued support, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need further information about any of the upcoming events, staffing changes, or general updates. We’re looking forward to celebrating the end of the year with you all and to seeing the many exciting milestones our children will achieve in the coming weeks.
Educator spotlight…
This week’s Educator Spotlight goes to Zovi for her incredible flexibility and dedication in supporting all of our Nursery children during their settling-in period. Zovi has been using her past experience as a mother to offer valuable insights and support to new mothers, helping them navigate the needs of both their children and themselves. Her thoughtful suggestions have been greatly appreciated, and we have received many positive comments from families about how helpful she has been.
Zovi, thank you for your hard work and your caring approach. Keep up the fantastic work – you are making a real difference in the lives of our children and their families!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday November 8th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
This week’s update is below but before you scroll there we have some really exciting news.
Here’s an updates from Choklits Owners Jade & Matt–
Exciting update for 2025!
We are always looking for ways to improve our communication at Choklits. Over the past 12 months we’ve been reviewing platforms with the capabilities to communicate more frequently and in better ways with parents and careers.
Our teams at Choklits have now spent over 80 hours testing what we believe to be the best child care platform available today- Kinder M8!
We’ve now made the decision to move to KinderM8 in preparation for 2025 which is less than 54 days away!
What does this mean?
On the 22nd of November 2024 we will stop using Xplor to manage enrolments, CCS and to process payments.
What do I need to do?
From this Tuesday (November 12th) you’ll begin receiving instructions on how to activate your Kinder M8 account which already has your current bookings for the remainder of 2024 and 2025 set up!
It’s a great idea to check if all your details are correct in Kinder M8 when you get access to your new account but all your current information we have in Xplor will be transferred to Kinder M8.
As we will not be using Xplor anymore (we are actually prohibited from running two programs to manage the Child Care Subsidy at the same time) you need to activate your Kinder M8 account by November 19th.
What can I expect with Kinder M8?
We believe Kinder M8 is a significant leap forward in communication. The platform brings many new features, like the ability to choose different languages to receive your communication in. As the app is easier to use and automates many aspects like reminders for immunisations and medicine expiry dates, we expect parents and carers to have a lot more information in their hands and know a lot more about their children’s days. The app also features a calendar so you’ll never miss a Choklits event or a key date for your child!
What about my child’s learning journey and information in the Xplor Playground App?
We will complete all children’s documentation in Playground for 2024 and Xplor has advised us you will not lose access to your Playground account even after we move to Kinder M8.
If your child currently attends one of our 4-year-old kindergarten programs and is graduating in 2024 your child’s journey will be completed in the Playground App (this includes all kindergarten children who briefly attend in January 2025).
If your child is returning to Choklits in 2025 all your information in the Playground App will be migrated to the new Kinder M8 App when documentation begins again in February 2025.
What about the money?
Rarely do prices go down in the current climate, but although small we have good news on this occasion as it is one of those times!
We have been struggling with rising processing costs for sometime now so we are grateful that with a move to a new payments service we can share the the following-
- MasterCard and Visa transaction fees will reduce approximately 39% to 1.65% per transaction
- Amex transactions will reduce by approximately 52% to 2.4% per transaction
- Direct Debits will reduce by approximately 42% to $0.60 per transaction
- Dishonour fee/missed payment fee will reduce from $19.95 to $5.50, a 72% saving.
You have full control over the method you wish to use, a selection you can make once your Kinder M8 account has been activated. For clarity, there is no change to the current daily fee. Fees will be charged to your account each Wednesday for the upcoming week, please contact us if you need to make alternative arrangements.
Our team is very excited to start using Kinder M8 and delivering a better experience for all our families. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.
We hope you have a great weekend!
Jade & Matt
Choklits Owners
—
Now, here’s this week’s regular updates…
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we have been taking full advantage of the beautiful sunshine, and the children have had many wonderful opportunities to engage in outdoor learning. For all of our children under 3 years old, we’ve been taking them on short walks around the block each day, either walking on foot or going in the group pram to get some fresh air. During these walks, the children have had discussions about the plants and seedlings they have seen along the way, which has sparked their curiosity about the world around them.
For our Kinder 3 and Kinder 4 children, we’ve taken them to the nearby park, Blue Bell Hill, which is a local gem, offering a beautiful, natural space for the children to explore. While there, the children had the opportunity to use the park’s play equipment, which provided a fantastic chance to practise sharing resources and developing social skills. We also had discussions around the concept of Bush Kinder, which encourages the idea that nature can serve as the “best second teacher.” The children had the freedom to explore the park’s natural environment, using their curiosity to learn at their own pace, engaging with their surroundings in a hands-on way.
The outdoor learning experience was extended in the rooms as well, with both planned and spontaneous activities across all age groups. These activities provided a deeper dive into the concepts of planting, the importance of trees and flowers, and the role of insects and bees in our ecosystem. The children have been fascinated by learning about how essential these creatures are to the health of our planet, and we’ve taken time to discuss how their work impacts our daily lives. This kind of learning fosters a deeper appreciation for nature and helps the children understand the interconnectedness of the world we live in.
We encourage you to continue these conversations and learning experiences at home or whenever you’re out in nature. We’d love for you to share any stories or observations with us. It’s always a joy to hear about how the children are exploring and discovering the world around them, and we actively use this input to inform and shape the learning topics within the children’s spaces. Your involvement in these conversations helps extend their learning, making the experience richer and more meaningful for everyone.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement. We look forward to more wonderful learning experiences together.
Educator spotlight…
We’re excited to highlight Sky in our Educator Spotlight! Sky supports all age groups across our classrooms as needed. With a wealth of experience and a diploma in early childhood education, Sky brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and value to our team, as well as to the children she works with.
Sky’s expertise has made a significant impact on our program. She has a deep understanding of the varied needs of our children and takes a hands-on approach to help them thrive, both academically and practically. Her commitment to nurturing each child’s growth is clear in the way she works closely with them to meet their individual developmental goals, which we set at the start of the year. Through her personalised approach, Sky helps children progress at their own pace, encouraging them to become independent and engaged learners.
If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet Sky yet, please feel free to introduce yourself! She’s always happy to connect with families and be a part of the wonderful journey of each child’s education.
Thank you, Sky, for everything you do and keep up the great work!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday November 1st, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
We are excited to celebrate Grandparents Day and Halloween with all of you. This week has been wonderful, filled with fun dress-ups, Halloween-themed activities, and cooking plans. It has also been a special time to appreciate the love and care that our grandparents give us. The bond we share with them is unique and irreplaceable.
On Grandparents Day, we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea in each classroom. Everyone gathered together to read books and share stories. It was heartwarming to see the love and care from our grandparents. This event reminded us all about the importance of family and how lucky we are to have grandparents by our side. Their presence in our lives truly makes everything better.
Following this beautiful celebration, we moved on to another exciting event that is celebrated worldwide: Halloween! This day is known for its fun and joy as people dress up in costumes and enjoy time with loved ones. In Australia, we celebrate Halloween with enthusiasm, though perhaps not as grandly as in America. Still, the spirit of the day brings excitement, and the fun never gets old.
This week, the children have been engaged in many art and craft activities. They made a variety of face masks and costumes using recycled materials. Not only was this a fun activity, but it also taught them an important lesson about creativity and sustainability. It showed them that we don’t always need to buy new things; we can use what we already have to create something special.
What a fantastic and productive week we have had! We look forward to hearing your wonderful stories about how you celebrated Grandparents Day and Halloween over the past and upcoming weekends.
Wishing you all a joyful time,
Educator spotlight…
This week, we are excited to shine the Educator Spotlight on Ash (Ashvini). Ash is one of our float educators, meaning she provides support and assistance to all age groups in each of our classrooms as needed. With many years of experience and a diploma in early childhood education, she has brought immense value to our team and to the children.
Ash’s background and knowledge has enriched our program significantly. She understands the diverse needs of our children and helps them grow both academically and practically. Her dedication to supporting each child’s development is evident, as she works closely with them to achieve their individual developmental goals, which we set at the beginning of the year. This personalised approach has helped children learn at their own pace and become active learners.
If you haven’t had the chance to meet Ash yet, please don’t hesitate to say hello! She is always eager to connect with families and share in the wonderful journey of our children’s education.
Thank you, Ash, for all that you do!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday October 25th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we’ve been having so much fun focusing on our plants and gardens, especially with the beautiful sunshine we’ve been enjoying! With the lovely weather, we’ve taken the opportunity to use some of the donated seedlings and resources, and a special thank you to our wonderful sustainability advocate, Ratna. The children have been engaged in lively discussions about the importance of green trees and flowers, and they’ve been exploring their senses through activities that involve feeling, touching, and smelling.
We’ve also had some fantastic science activities where we’ve talked to the children about seeds and their amazing life journeys as they grow. It’s truly wonderful to listen to our children as active learners, eagerly participating in these discussions on such a captivating topic!
In addition to our gardening adventures, we’ve been taking the children on regular walks around the neighbourhood, spotting flowers and plants along the way. We’re also getting ready for another exciting visit to Our Lady’s Primary School, and we want to extend a big thank you to them for collaborating with us!
Please stay tuned for the risk management plan regarding these excursions and the permission forms we’re currently working on. We’re looking forward to starting this great collaboration next week! During the visit, our kinder children will get to explore their library and playground, participating in a variety of fun activities.
In the following weeks, we’ll also be welcoming a small group of children and two teachers from Our Lady’s to spend time with our kinder kids, engaging in even more exciting activities together. Keep an eye out for more information coming your way early next week!
Educator spotlight…
This week, we want to give a big shout-out to Ginna! She has been an incredible support for our toddler room families, expertly running the room program alongside our educational leader and the amazing teams. Ginna has been especially helpful in assisting families who speak Mandarin, ensuring they have everything they need.
We’ve received so much positive feedback from our families about her efforts, and we can’t thank Ginna enough for her dedication! A huge thank you also goes out to our families for trusting us to provide high-quality care for their little ones. We truly appreciate your support!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday October 18th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we have engaged in various free play and spontaneous activities, both indoors and outdoors, taking full advantage of the beautiful Melbourne weather. We also welcomed a visit from the dentists, who conducted dental check-ups for some of our children.
As you know, the importance of dental hygiene plays a significant role in a child’s learning journey. It helps them become confident learners and teaches them valuable skills, such as brushing their teeth at home.
We continue to provide these valuable learning experiences in all our rooms by having meaningful conversations with the children during group times and setting up related activities. We are also using recycled materials to create sustainable crafts that align with their learning. Additionally, we have made some Bush Kinder kits using sustainable materials. This initiative is based on the recent Bush Kinder program we submitted to the department. While we await the outcomes, we are expanding our children’s knowledge about the program itself, its learning values, and implementing these practices in our teaching.
We encourage you to share any stories you may have, whether related or not, that you would like us to hear. This will help us arrange our room settings in ways that benefit the children.
Thank you for your continued support!
Educator spotlight…
A big shout-out this week to Ella (Elahe)! Ella has shown great initiative in implementing wonderful activities for our pre-kindergarten children. Her experience as a mother, combined with her background as an educator, allows her to connect with the children on a personal level. Having a child the same age gives her valuable insights into their needs. She has been spending quality time with the children and working alongside her team leader, Mahsa, to support families with their needs and inquiries.
Thank you, Ella, for your dedication and hard work!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday October 11th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we have been having wonderful discussions with the children about the art of writing letters to one another. We’ve been talking about the importance of caring for and loving our families and the people around us as a way to show that love and care. Writing letters is one of the classic, old-fashioned methods of expressing affection for those we cherish, and we aim to instil this same practice in our children. Not only does writing letters allow them to connect with loved ones, but it also helps improve their literacy and numeracy skills.
With that in mind, we encourage you to join in on this activity by writing a letter with your child at home. You could send it to someone special, like grandparents or other family members. This will help contribute to fostering a culture of communication and care within your home environment.
In addition to our letter-writing activities, we have been celebrating Space Week! During this time, we’ve been teaching the children all about the solar system and engaging them in conversations about what activities they would like to plan in their rooms related to this exciting topic. We’ve also been involving the children in a variety of space-themed learning activities, such as reading related books, creating models of the solar system, and participating in fun games to celebrate this week. These activities are designed for all age groups, ensuring that everyone can join in on the excitement.
Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to sharing more updates with you!
Educator spotlight…
The Educator of the week goes to Zovi! Thank you, Zovi, for your exceptional support of our nursery children. Your extensive experience working with younger children and your ability to meet their individual needs have made a significant impact on both the children and their families.
You have been incredibly helpful in addressing family inquiries and providing advice on any questions related to caring for newborns. Your dedication and willingness to assist have created a nurturing environment that benefits everyone involved. Additionally, your strong teamwork with other staff in the nursery room has contributed to a positive atmosphere for both children and educators.
We truly appreciate you using your skills and experience to bring so much value to our nursery team. With your care for two very young children, we can confidently say that our nursery room is one of the most popular spaces in our facility. Thank you once again for your hard work and commitment!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday October 4th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, our children have been enjoying their regular outings and excursions, and it’s been going really well. They’ve been chatting about the green plants and trees, noticing how they’re starting to bloom with beautiful flowers this season. There have also been discussions about the weather and the various outdoor sports activities we can enjoy while spending time with friends and family.
During our walks around the block with our younger children, we’ve been engaging them in conversations about spring and the vibrant world around us. They’ve been excited to point out the colours of the flowers and everything they see in nature. Following these excursions, our educators have planned some fun activities that tie into these experiences, involving pasting, colouring, and crafting with the flowers and natural items we’ve collected along the way.
On top of all this, we’ve arranged our second round of dental check-ups for all the children. A big thank you to Smile for Kids for their fantastic support and service! For families who have already submitted their forms during the first annual dental check-up, Smile for Kids will reach out to you directly to see if you’d like to participate again this time. If you haven’t provided your consent forms yet, please refer to the link below to submit it. We also have hard copies available if you prefer to fill one out by hand; just give it to your child’s room team.
Here’s the link to the consent forms
The Smile for Kids team will be in touch during the week of October 14th to confirm your check-up sessions and go over any additional information with you. For your reference, we’ve included a brief overview below.
We’ve had many families asking whether children under two can be eligible for this check-up. After looking into it, we want to clarify that eligibility for this service doesn’t depend on the child’s age; it also takes family income into account. We’ve included a form for you to check your eligibility for this service.
Thanks for being such an engaged community, and we look forward to more wonderful experiences together!
“Smile For Kids” is a mobile dental practice that provides education and preventative dental service to all children aged 2-18 years of age. Under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), to be eligible a child must be aged between 2-17 years and their family must receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment.
**Please note that if a child is NOT ELIGIBLE for the CDBS service, they will still able to treat them at a discounted fee of $50 or $80 which will include:
$50 Option: Comprehensive Oral Examination/Check Up & Parent Report.
$80 Option: Comprehensive Oral Examination/Check Up, Removal of Plaque/Calculus (Clean), Application of Re-Mineralising Agent and Parent Report.
**Please note if a child has private health insurance, they will provide a receipt for them to claim back through their private health directly.
Educator spotlight…
A big shoutout to Sami for being such an incredible support to all the children across every age group! Sami has shown remarkable flexibility in working with various age groups and collaborating with all our educators and team members.
Sami’s background, along with their higher education and qualifications in children’s development, truly shines through. Currently, Sami is working on a thesis focused on managing children’s challenging behaviour, which will bring immense value to our team. This expertise will not only enhance our understanding but also help us better support and manage children’s behaviour effectively.
Thank you, Sami, for all your hard work and dedication!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday September 27th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week has been all about celebrating footy. We’ve planned a range of fun activities related to this exciting sport, and it’s been fantastic to see the children’s interest grow. They’ve been chatting in groups about the game, sharing their thoughts, and really engaging with each other. With the Melbourne weather warming up, we’ve taken the fun outdoors! The children have enjoyed various sports activities related to footy week, along with some awesome dress-ups and playful interactions with their peers and educators. It’s been a joy to watch them bond over these activities.
In addition to all the footy fun, we’re excited to let you know that we’ve started taking the children on excursions! On Tuesdays and Thursdays, as long as the weather permits, we’ll be heading to Surrey Park and Blue Bell Hill. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll have some fun and engaging indoor programs ready for the children. We’ll keep you updated with a new calendar that lists which children will be going on the excursions. If you haven’t yet provided us with a consent form, please feel free to ask your educators for a copy of the risk minimisation plans as well.
For our younger children under 3, we’re also kicking off daily walks around the block! These will happen around 10:30 AM, and the educators will share a rotating roster of which children will be going for walks each day. We’ll also have the risk minimisation plans available for you if you need a copy.
On another note, we’re excited to share that one of our lovely kinder teachers, Sue, is expecting and will be going on maternity leave from Monday, November 18, 2024, to Friday, January 31, 2025. In her absence, we’re happy to announce that Teresa, one of our fantastic kinder teachers who has been with us for a while, will be stepping in to lead the kinder program. She will be working closely with AJ, Ratna, and Harleen this year. We encourage you to reach out to Teresa and get to know her better!
We also want to extend a huge thank you to Hide and Speech Allied Health, especially to Meg Rudman, our occupational therapist. She has been conducting screenings for our kinder children, which is so important for assessing their skills and maximising the support we can provide. The first five years of a child’s life are crucial for their future development, so we truly appreciate this valuable service.
Lastly, please don’t hesitate to share your feedback with us about our services. If there’s anything else we can improve on or if you have suggestions, we’re all ears!
Thank you for being a part of our community, and have a wonderful weekend!
Educator spotlight…
A big shout-out to Abby, our Educational Leader! She has been doing an amazing job supporting families, meeting children’s needs, and assisting educators. Abby’s extensive qualifications and experience have truly brought great value to our team. Her skills have been instrumental in addressing all the needs and inquiries from families, ensuring everyone feels heard and supported.
Following our recent assessment and rating with the department, we’ve received fantastic feedback on the quality of our programs. The comprehensive learning experiences created by our room leaders, with Abby’s guidance, have really made a difference in our children’s education. We are committed to continuing this momentum and bringing our best to the learning and development of the children at all times.
Thank you, Abby, for your hard work and dedication in helping us achieve these goals! We appreciate everything you do!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday September 20th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we are excited to highlight our Plant to Plate program, which focuses on the importance of gardening and healthy eating. Our talented chef will be resuming gardening activities with the children, encouraging them to get hands-on experience in growing their own vegetables. This initiative not only promotes the consumption of salads and green veggies in their daily meals but also helps children develop a deeper understanding of where their food comes from. Through this program, they will learn about the environment, the role of plants in our ecosystem, and the many benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. We believe that these lessons will stay with them for years to come, fostering a sense of responsibility and appreciation for nature.
In addition to our gardening efforts, we are thrilled to announce the upcoming Footy Dress Up Week! We have been busy planning a variety of exciting activities, arts and crafts, and fun events that will allow the children to express their creativity and imagination. This week will be filled with joy and laughter as the children participate in themed dress-up days, showcasing their favourite characters and ideas. We can’t wait to see their fantastic costumes and the fun they will have during this special time.
As we move forward, we are also focused on confirming our enrolments for 2025. To ensure that we have everything in place for the upcoming year, we kindly ask all families to fill out the enrolment form that you received from us. This information is crucial as it helps us understand your preferred enrolled days, allowing us to better plan our staffing and activities for the children. We truly appreciate your cooperation and support in this process.
Thank you for being such an important part of our community. We look forward to sharing more updates and experiences with you as we continue this wonderful journey together!
Educator spotlight…
We want to share some exciting news about Teresa, who is currently the educator in charge of the afternoon throughout the centre. Teresa will be receiving training in the kinder room to take over for Sue during her maternity leave starting in mid-November 2024.
Having completed her Graduate Diploma, Teresa has been a valuable member of our team, supporting the younger age groups while completing her placements with us at Choklits over the past few years. She is now ready to take on the additional challenge of leading our Kinder 4 room, with the support of the current educators.
Please also note that Paris, who has been the Room Leader of the Toddler Room, will be moving to Choklits Croydon as she has relocated her home to that area. We would like to extend a big thank you to Sky, who has been a fantastic team member in our Kinder Room and will be supporting the Toddler Team from Monday to Friday. Our Educational Leader, Abby, will be overseeing the Toddler Room program while we search for a qualified Room Leader candidate.
Additionally, we are excited to welcome Binda and Ashvini, who will be supporting our Pre-Kinder team. Binda, who holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education, will be working with the Pre-Kinder children for the rest of the year. In 2025, she will transition to Kinder 3, providing greater support for the families and children’s needs as they prepare for their future learning experiences.
Thank you all for your support during these transitions!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that our SunSmart season has started, as the UV levels are rising during the day. We kindly ask that you apply sunscreen to your children prior to your arrival. This way, they will have a greater opportunity to start playing indoors and outdoors right away.
Additionally, please ensure you pack appropriate clothing for your child and avoid including any food items in their bags, following our food safety policy. We do not allow food items from outside the centre for the health and safety of the children.
Thank you for your cooperation!
We are also excited to remind you that Footy Dress-Up Week is next week! Feel free to dress your children in their favourite footy clothing for the entire week.
Doctor Chan will be visiting us on October 2nd. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday September 13th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
First off, we’d like to check in with you about yesterday’s event, R U OK? Day. We celebrated this important occasion as a team and with the children. It’s a great reminder of the importance of checking in with one another, and we encourage you as families to share your insights and experiences with us as well.
Thank you to all the families who are always actively involved in helping us improve the care we provide and the practices we implement. Your ongoing feedback is invaluable, and we deeply appreciate your support.
We’re also excited to invite your feedback on our newly updated indoor and outdoor environments. We’ve added loose parts, sustainable materials, and fresh plants to create a more dynamic and enriching space for the children. Each room now features loose parts areas, providing a consistent and engaging learning platform. We’ve also upgraded our Aboriginal areas and are conducting an Acknowledgement of Country each day to enhance the children’s learning opportunities.
As we move into warmer weather, we’ve resumed our daily UV checks. Please ensure your child is dressed in weather-appropriate clothing and has sunscreen applied before arriving at our centre. This will help them start their outdoor play safely and comfortably, even if the morning weather is cool.
We’d also love to hear from you! If you have any learning stories or experiences from the weekend or home time, please share them with us. Educators can use these stories to review your child’s goals and set up similar activities that they enjoy with their families, creating a warm and familiar environment at our centre.
Thank you again for your continued support, and we look forward to your feedback!
Educator spotlight…
The educator’s shout out this week goes to Gina for stepping up to take on additional responsibilities in her room. Gina has been in charge during the afternoons, supporting her lead educator and greeting all families during pick-up time. Her efforts ensure that we consistently meet families’ needs and requirements and provide a reliable point of contact throughout the entire day. Additionally, Gina’s extra educational qualifications have added significant value to the team and greatly enhanced the educational experience for the toddler room children.
Well done, Gina! Keep up the great work!
Reminders…
Doctor Chan will be visiting us on September 18th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We also kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday September 6th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week has been exceptionally vibrant, with a strong emphasis on fostering community connections. We are excited to announce that we have successfully established new partnerships with several local schools. Our Kindergarten children will soon resume their visits to “Our Lady’s Primary School” and “Surrey Hills Primary School”. Both schools have generously agreed to support our initiative by advertising our childcare services and available spaces to their communities, helping us better connect with local families.
In addition to these school partnerships, we have introduced regular outings for our Kindergarten children. Each week, our children will embark on excursions to “Surrey Park” and “Bluebell Hill Park”, both of which are conveniently located about a 20 minute walk from our centre. These outings are designed to offer a range of enriching experiences, including learning about road safety, environmental stewardship through tree planting and park clean-ups, and engaging in play and picnic activities. These experiences are not only educational but also provide our children with a chance to enjoy fun and active outdoor time.
Furthermore, we are resuming our regular visits to the local aged care facility situated around the corner. These visits will involve all age groups, and for our younger children, we will use the Choklits group pram to ensure their safety and comfort. If you have not yet signed the consent forms for these regular outings and excursions, please request a copy from your room leader during your next visit.
In addition to our community engagements and outings, we are focusing on enhancing our educational practices. We are committed to increasing children’s engagement through the use of open-ended questions and provocations. Our goal is to create stimulating environments that incorporate loose parts, which encourage creativity and critical thinking. By providing a diverse range of resources, we aim to support our children’s growth as individuals and foster their imaginative capabilities.
For more information on the benefits of loose parts in child development, please refer to this resource that elaborates on how these materials can enhance children’s learning experiences.
Educator spotlight…
This week, we are thrilled to shine the spotlight on Supipi (Sue), one of our dedicated Kindergarten teachers. Sue has been going above and beyond in her role, demonstrating exceptional commitment to our children’s developmental progress.
Sue has worked tirelessly to create comprehensive developmental progress reports for our Kindergarten children. These reports are not only detailed but are crafted with a deep understanding of each child’s unique needs and achievements. Her efforts are especially focused on supporting our graduating children, ensuring they are well-prepared for their transition to primary school.
Her dedication reflects our core value of providing the highest quality of care and education, not just within our centre but also as a foundation for our children’s future. Sue’s meticulous work ensures that each child’s transition to primary school is as smooth and successful as possible. She plays a crucial role in helping our children embark on their next journey with confidence and readiness.
Well done, Sue! Keep up the great work!
Reminders…
We kindly remind all families to please collect their child’s water bottle at the end of each day, wash them thoroughly, and refill them with fresh water before returning them. This practice ensures that no water bottles are left overnight in our care and guarantees they are properly cleaned for the child’s next use.
Additionally, we assure you that children will have access to fresh water at all times while they are in our care. We will continue to refill their water bottles regularly throughout their time in our learning environments.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday August 30th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, we’ve been busy creating an even more welcoming environment where our educators are providing a platform for children to grow into who they are and become who they want to be. We’ve received a bunch of new resources and toys, and we’ll continue to get even more in the coming weeks. This way, we’re not only updating our program but also enhancing our learning spaces. It means better opportunities for the children to access a variety of resources and discover something new every week while they’re in our care. Our goal is always to exceed national quality standards!
On another exciting note, we’re thrilled to announce that our regular outings will be starting up again next week. With the weather warming up, we’re eager to take advantage of it! As long as the weather cooperates, we’ll be using the centre’s group prams for the younger children and taking small groups of older children on nature walks around the block each morning, usually starting around 10 am. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, our kinder kids will head to the two local parks as part of their weekly excursions.
We’re also back to checking the UV index daily to stick to our SunSmart policy. Please remember to apply sunscreen on your child before arriving at the centre to support their health.
Additionally, we encourage you to pack weather-appropriate clothing and help us maintain your child’s grooming according to our health and safety policies. We’ve also updated our home nappy procedures. Now, we’ll make sure to change children’s clothes if they’re even a bit stained and tidy their hair before home time. This helps ensure that after all their messy play and fun, the children look well-presented.
A huge shout-out to Sky, one of our wonderful kinder staff members, and our kinder children for their daily efforts. Sky goes above and beyond by cleaning and sanitising all public areas each morning before the children wake up. This also includes checking in on the educators to offer additional support. By doing so, we’re not just creating a second home environment for the children but also making sure our hardworking team feels supported and valued.
Thanks for your ongoing support and for being a part of our community!
Our new menu for Spring…
We’ve done it, another Melbourne Winter is almost done! With the change in season comes a change in our menu and over the next couple of weeks we’ll be transitioning to our Spring Menu, check it out here!
Educator spotlight…
A big shout-out to Sky from our kinder team, as mentioned above, for stepping up as our well-being officer. Sky is dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety for all our educators, which helps ensure that our staff are happy and well-supported. She also plays a crucial role in keeping the centre clean and hygienic at all times. On top of that, Sky is great at involving the children in these efforts, setting a fantastic example for them to follow. Thank you, Sky, for all your hard work and commitment!
Well done, Sky! Keep up the great work!
Reminders…
Please remember to add our upcoming Kinder Information Session to your calendar. It is scheduled for 6th September at 3:00 p.m. During this session, all families will join us, and our two Kinder teachers and I will provide information about the Kinder program, Kinder funding, and other relevant topics.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday August 23rd, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights of the Week …
This week at Choklits, we immersed ourselves in the magic of stories during our Book Week celebrations. The centre was transformed into scenes from the beloved children’s book “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt,” creating an enchanting environment like stepping through grass, mud, and snow and swimming through rivers to reach a cave. This vibrant setup captivated the children and sparked their imaginations, allowing them to tactilely explore and discuss the story elements with our educators.
The Nursery room focused on “The Very Hungry Caterpillar”, with activities centred around healthy eating and metamorphosis. Deb crafted a delightful caterpillar costume, and the children took turns wearing it while learning about nutrition by “feeding” the caterpillar different fruits made from toys, enhancing their understanding of growth and change.
The Toddler room dove into “Where is the Green Sheep?” by setting up a fun search activity that helped children learn about colours and prepositions as they searched for the elusive green sheep within the room.
Our Kinder rooms brought the “Three Little Pigs” to life, with teachers and educators dressing up as characters from the story. Children were encouraged to bring their favourite books, share them with peers, and discuss their characters during group activities, fostering a love of reading and storytelling.
These thematic activities entertained and deeply engaged the children in learning, demonstrating the power of integrating literature into everyday experiences to enhance cognitive and language skills. This personalised approach helps to foster a love of reading. It enriches our educational program by connecting with the children’s existing interests and experiences.
Educator Spotlight…
This week, we shine a spotlight on Josie, an exceptional educator of our Nursery Room team. Josie goes beyond daily care routines to provide educational group sessions that captivate and educate our little ones. Her dedication to safety is paramount; she skilfully conducts our weekly evacuation drills, ensuring all children and staff can respond promptly and safely in emergency situations. Josie’s ability to blend educational quality with safety protocols makes her an invaluable part of our community, and her commitment to safety should reassure you of your child’s well-being. Keep up the great work Josie!
Reminders…
Father’s Day Morning Tea: Join us on August 30th, 9:30-10:30 AM, in your child’s room for a special celebration to honour all families in our community. The event will be complete with morning tea and engaging sports activities, courtesy of Sports for Kids. Various activities will be set up in the kinder yard where you can enjoy delicious treats, chat, and participate in exciting spot activities, experiencing diverse fun. Should inclement weather arise, activities will move to the spare room next to the pre-kinder room.
Kinder Information Session: Mark your calendars for September 6th at 3:00 PM. This session is an opportunity to learn more about our Kinder program, a comprehensive educational initiative designed to prepare children for primary school, funding, and other relevant topics. We highly encourage all families to attend, as it’s a great way to stay informed and involved in your child’s education.
Please remember that our Father’s Day celebration will be held on 30th August, featuring a morning tea from 9:00am to 10:30am in your child’s room, along with exciting activities. At 9:30 am, our Sports for Kids incursion company will invite all fathers and/or grandfathers to join the children in the kinder yard for a range of sports activities. If the weather does not permit, we will arrange the sports activities indoors in the spare room next to Pre-Kinder.
We look forward to celebrating this special day and engaging in multiple sports activities together.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Additionally, please ensure that you add our upcoming Kinder Information Session to your calendar. It is scheduled for 6th September at 3:00pm. During this session, all families will join us, and our two Kinder teachers and I will provide information about the Kinder program, Kinder funding, and other relevant topics.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday August 16th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights of the Week …
This week, we had the pleasure of hosting a dental incursion on Monday, which focused on the important topic of dental hygiene. This incursion was particularly engaging for the children, who showed a high level of interest in learning about how to care for their teeth, following up from our last week’s dental week celebration.
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to H&S Modern Dentistry for providing such a thorough and informative session. The presentation was incredibly valuable and provided our Pre-Kinder and Kinder children with practical tips and knowledge about maintaining good dental health.
Later in the week, we shifted our focus to science activities, which are consistently one of the children’s greatest interests. It was truly wonderful to witness the enthusiasm and curiosity as each room engaged in various science-related learning experiences. From hands-on experiments to interactive discussions, the children were deeply involved in exploring scientific concepts. We saw great enthusiasm as they reflected on their activities and extended these learnings into their daily programs.
To further enhance this learning experience and ensure we cater to the children’s interests, we would like to kindly request your input. If you have conducted any science experiments with your child at home, or if they have expressed interest in specific scientific topics or concepts, please share this information with us. Your insights will help us incorporate these interests into our educational activities, allowing us to build on their existing knowledge and curiosity.
By integrating your child’s experiences and interests, we can create a more personalised and engaging learning environment for them.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement in your child’s educational journey.
Educator Spotlight …
This week’s Educator Spotlight shines on Mahya for her exceptional support and dedication. Mahya has consistently demonstrated a hands-on approach, not only supporting her own team but also assisting her colleagues across various rooms. Her efforts in creating enriching learning environments for the children are commendable.
Mahya’s warm and welcoming attitude towards families creates a positive atmosphere that enhances our community. She remains actively engaged with the children, ensuring that their environments are thoughtfully set up with a variety of activities and resources.
Well done, Mahya! Your commitment and hard work are greatly appreciated. Keep up the fantastic work!
Reminders…
Please remember that our Father’s Day celebration will be held on 30th August, featuring a morning tea from 9:00am to 10:30am in your child’s room, along with exciting activities. At 9:30 am, our Sports for Kids incursion company will invite all fathers and/or grandfathers to join the children in the kinder yard for a range of sports activities. If the weather does not permit, we will arrange the sports activities indoors in the spare room next to Pre-Kinder.
We look forward to celebrating this special day and engaging in multiple sports activities together.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Additionally, please ensure that you add our upcoming Kinder Information Session to your calendar. It is scheduled for 6th September at 3:00pm. During this session, all families will join us, and our two Kinder teachers and I will provide information about the Kinder program, Kinder funding, and other relevant topics.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday August 9th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights of the Week …
What a fantastic and fun week we’ve had, raising money for a great cause in support of the Red Nose Charity.
A big thank you to all the families who joined us and celebrated this wonderful event, showcasing the children’s art and craft work for a gold coin fundraising effort. This event also ties into our ongoing sustainability project, which not only teaches children to care for their environment but also to give a second life to items we no longer use.
It’s an opportunity for them to support our community and engage in charitable activities—a valuable learning experience for our children.
We extend a heartfelt thank you to our educators for their dedicated efforts in making these events a success. Their continuous support in children’s learning and development, as well as the love and care they provide to each child, is greatly appreciated.
Educator Spotlight …
The spotlight this week is on Diba for her extra efforts and responsibilities in capturing our children’s wonderful crafts and learning experiences, uploading them on our social media pages more than before. She has been dedicated to ensuring that children’s learning needs are supported and all family inquiries are addressed.
Thank you, Diba, for your hard work. It’s great to see more of the children’s activities and updates on our social media than ever before.
Keep up the excellent work!
Reminders…
Please remember that our Father’s Day celebration will be held on 30th August, featuring a morning tea from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in your child’s room, along with exciting activities. At 9:30 a.m., our Sports for Kids incursion company will invite all fathers and/or grandfathers to join the children in the kinder yard for a range of sports activities. If the weather does not permit, we will arrange the sports activities indoors in the spare room next to Pre-Kinder.
We look forward to celebrating this special day and engaging in multiple sports activities together.
On the week commencing August 12th, we’re excited to announce a series of science activities and experiments tailored for all age groups to celebrate Science Week.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Additionally, please ensure that you add our upcoming Kinder Information Session to your calendar. It is scheduled for 6th September at 3:00 p.m. During this session, all families will join us, and our two Kinder teachers and I will provide information about the Kinder program, Kinder funding, and other relevant topics.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday August 2nd, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Highlights of the Week …
The Melbourne weather has been fantastic this week, which has been perfect for our children to enjoy outdoor activities. We’ve had Olympic-themed events like running tournaments, flexibility challenges, and hoop games that help with targeting and fine motor skills.
We’ve also had some fun indoor activities, like making the Olympic symbol and learning about its colours and meanings. We talked about the Olympic season, why people participate, and what it means to be a hero. The children were really interested in this, so we focused on discussions about being a hero and a champion, and how it feels to achieve something great. This also ties into how such achievements benefit our community and society.
Educator Spotlight …
We’re excited to shine the spotlight on Farina, who has been a wonderful part of our team. Farina started with us as a casual worker, moving between all our centres. Now, she’s a valued member of our toddler room team.
Farina plays a crucial role in supporting the needs of families and engaging children in various activities. Her dedication helps each child grow and learn in their own unique way. With her higher education background, Farina is well-equipped to support children’s learning in the best possible way.
Thank you, Farina, for your hard work and commitment. Well done!
Another 5 Stars awarded to our kitchen and food serving practices…
All our Choklits kitchen’s are assessed and audited as commercial grade kitchens. And, we are in the highest category, Class 1. Class 1 Food Premises are for high risk locations like child care services, hospitals are also Class 1 Food Premises.
Under our Chef Lai’s leadership, Choklits Surrey Hills was this week again awarded 5 Stars for 2024, the highest possible level to achieve.
Our official result as awarded by the Whitehorse City Council’s Environmental Health Unit was Overall Grading: Excellent (incorporating Best Practise).
It’s a credit to our entire team who maintain the highest standard of practise and have achieved a 5 Star rating for the past 2 years. Well done team!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that we are gearing up to celebrate Red Nose Day over two consecutive days. On August 8th, we will host a fundraising event showcasing children’s crafts made from recycled materials. These crafts serve various purposes, from decorative statues to jars for plants and games for children and many more.
We invite you to witness the creativity and teamwork of our children during your visit, as they contribute to supporting children and families in need. Please have your gold coins ready to join us in celebrating this special day on August 8th.
On the week commencing August 12th, we’re excited to announce a series of science activities and experiments tailored for all age groups to celebrate Science Week.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday July 26th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
We’re excited to share what has been happening at the centre, along with information about our upcoming events and how we support our children and families at Choklits.
This week, we engaged in plenty of free play, both indoors and outdoors. The children discussed the weather, suitable practices, and ways to better care for our environment. On July 26th, which was Plant a Tree Day, we had conversations with the children about the importance of trees and their role in our environment. We encourage you to share your stories if you have similar outdoor activities or discussions with your family.
Highlights of the Week …
We focused on helping children understand why trees are essential and the significance of nature. Despite the chilly and unpredictable Melbourne weather, we continued our weekly excursions by camping with the children in our large yard, allowing them to learn in their indoor and outdoor environment. In all our rooms, we’ve explored green plants and engaged in planting and gardening projects. It’s wonderful to see our new generation learning about their surroundings and contributing to these projects for future generations.
In saying that, due to the high interest in plants, we would love to incorporate this into our learning environment. If you have gardening resources or plants to donate, please consider contributing. We’re excited about the prospect of having more natural plants indoors for the children’s learning space.
Educator Spotlight …
A special shoutout to our wonderful educator, Zovie! Zovie’s enthusiasm and commitment to supporting the children’s needs are truly outstanding. Her contributions to the team and families have been invaluable. Thank you, Zovie, and keep up the fantastic work!
Reminders…
Please be reminded that we are gearing up to celebrate Red Nose Day over two consecutive days. On August 8th, we will host a fundraising event showcasing children’s crafts made from recycled materials. These crafts serve various purposes, from decorative statues to jars for plants and games for children and many more.
We invite you to witness the creativity and teamwork of our children during your visit, as they contribute to supporting children and families in need. Please have your gold coins ready to join us in celebrating this special day on August 8th.
On the week commencing August 12th, we’re excited to announce a series of science activities and experiments tailored for all age groups to celebrate Science Week.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday July 19th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
This week, we have focused on supporting our children’s learning both indoors and outdoors, ensuring our winter projects contribute to their education across all areas. Specifically, our emotional intelligence programs and ongoing sustainability project have been pivotal. We’ve noticed our children enthusiastically requesting materials like tubs and boxes from our chef to create amazing crafts, which visibly enriches their sense of belonging and accomplishment. It’s truly inspiring to witness each child shine in their unique way.
Highlights from the week…
Highlights of the week include our collective participation in PJ Week. Throughout the week, children and educators alike dressed in their favourite pyjamas, engaging in such wonderful activities tailored to this theme. PJ Week is a special initiative at our centre, supporting The Pyjama Foundation in raising awareness and funds for children in foster care. We’ve had ongoing discussions with the children about the importance of empathy and caring for others, crucial life lessons for our future generations. Together, we strive to equip children with the skills to lead fulfilling lives and become successful contributors to society.
We are very proud of how our children have embraced this learning, sharing stories from home and continuing discussions about helping children in need.
We would love to hear from you if you are involved with any charities or communities that support children in foster care. Your input will help us strengthen our connections and further enrich our educational activities with both educators and children.
Please do not hesitate to share any relevant charities or communities that we can collaborate with.
Educator spotlight…
Educator Spotlight shines on our dedicated educator, Ratna. Ratna has been an integral part of our team since nearly the beginning, bringing with her extensive experience and a deep understanding of both the centre’s and children’s needs. Working with children across all age groups, Ratna adeptly manages any challenging behaviours that may arise. She also provides valuable guidance to families, assisting them in enhancing their children’s learning experiences at home and supporting her fellow team members.
We are incredibly proud of Ratna for her proactive involvement in children’s learning programs and her ongoing sustainability projects throughout the centre. Her initiative and dedication greatly contribute to our community’s educational and environmental efforts.
Reminders…
Please be reminded that we are gearing up to celebrate Red Nose Day over two consecutive days. On August 8th, we will host a fundraising event showcasing children’s crafts made from recycled materials. These crafts serve various purposes, from decorative statues to jars for plants and games for children and many more.
We invite you to witness the creativity and teamwork of our children during your visit, as they contribute to supporting children and families in need. Please have your gold coins ready to join us in celebrating this special day on August 8th.
On the week commencing August 12th, we’re excited to announce a series of science activities and experiments tailored for all age groups to celebrate Science Week.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday July 12th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
This week, our focus has been on preparing our learning environments for the winter program, considering Melbourne’s unpredictable weather. With our leadership team, we’ve gathered feedback from families and incorporated their stories about their children’s learning into our plans for both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Additionally, we’ve reviewed children’s goals to discuss upcoming challenging activities tailored to each age group. We’re also introducing indoor physical activities to complement our outdoor resources, ensuring accessibility regardless of the weather.
Highlights from the week…
The highlights of this week revolve around both planned and spontaneous activities celebrating NAIDOC Week. It’s been a wonderful opportunity for our team and children to practise acknowledging the country before group time, using recycled materials for Aboriginal crafts and games, and learning about the Aboriginal flag colours. We’ve discussed the significance of this event, sharing stories about the traditional owners of the land. It’s heartening to see our children learning about this rich culture, promoting respect and kindness across all backgrounds.
Educator spotlight…
In our Educator Spotlight, we recognise Deb, one of our senior educators at Choklits Surrey Hills since the beginning. Deb has continuously supported children in the nursery room, their families, and her team, fostering a warm and educational environment where everyone feels valued. Her personalised activities tailored to each child’s needs and support for team members based on their skills are greatly appreciated. Thank you, Deb, for your dedication to empowering our community.
Reminders…
Please note that starting July 15th, we will have Pyjama Day, where children can wear their favourite pyjamas all week long. Our educators have planned fun activities each day, and we encourage them to join in by wearing their own favourite PJs.
In addition please be reminded that we are gearing up to celebrate Red Nose Day over two consecutive days. On August 8th, we will host a fundraising event showcasing children’s crafts made from recycled materials. These crafts serve various purposes, from decorative statues to jars for plants and games for children and many more.
We invite you to witness the creativity and teamwork of our children during your visit, as they contribute to supporting children and families in need. Please have your gold coins ready to join us in celebrating this special day on August 8th.
On the week commencing August 12th, we’re excited to announce a series of science activities and experiments tailored for all age groups to celebrate Science Week.
Following that, starting on August 19th, we’ll be diving into Book Week festivities every day. This event is a favourite among children, offering a chance to immerse ourselves in a world of stories, imagination, and literary wonders. Book Week is an eagerly anticipated annual celebration in Australia, designed to foster a deep love of reading among children and young adults.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday July 5th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
This week, our focus has been on enriching our family tree projects, empowering children to explore their identities, and fostering a sense of community and belonging. Across the centre, a standout achievement has been the creation of creative family trees by our children, supported by families, community members, and educators who generously donated recycled resources. This project not only teaches children about environmental stewardship and sustainability but also encourages them to use their creativity to repurpose materials, demonstrating that their world extends beyond consumerism.
Highlights from the week…
We’re thrilled to witness such impactful projects unfolding across all age groups at the centre. As this initiative continues, we invite you to contribute any sustainable resources you may no longer need from your workplace or home to support our ongoing efforts.
In conjunction with this initiative, we extend a warm invitation to all families and extended families to join us on Thursday, August 8th at 3pm for afternoon tea. We will also be hosting our inaugural sustainable art gallery showcasing the children’s artwork created for a charity event benefiting Red Nose Day Australia 2024, which supports Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) research. Families are encouraged to donate gold coins during this event.
Additionally, on Friday, August 9th, we invite all children to wear red outfits and red noses in support of Red Nose Day. Each room will host activities related to this important cause.
Educator spotlight…
This week, we shine the spotlight on Atena, who has made significant contributions to our nursery and team. With her nursing background, Atena provides invaluable support to children’s health needs and offers guidance to families on various parenting topics. Thank you, Atena, for your dedication to our children, families, and team.
Reminders…
A couple of reminders: We will be celebrating NAIDOC Week from July 8th to July 12th, featuring daily activities and a group Acknowledgement of Country on Monday. Starting July 15th, we will have Pyjama Day, where children can wear their favourite pyjamas all week long. Our educators have planned fun activities each day, and we encourage them to join in by wearing their own favourite PJs.
Your ongoing support and engagement in our community are deeply appreciated. We look forward to sharing these upcoming events with you!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday June 28th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
This week, we’ve been working closely together across the entire centre to support and assist our three newly appointed leaders: Abby as the new Educational Leader, Mahsa as the new Pre-Kinder Room Leader, and Paris as the new Toddler Room Leader. Congratulations to these future leaders, and thank you for your dedication to our children and families.
We would like to express our gratitude and extend a big thank you once again to these exceptional leaders. They have consistently gone above and beyond to support their teams and exceed their role expectations. Witnessing happy children, satisfied families, and a settled environment is proof in itself of their dedication. Thank you, leaders, and keep up the excellent work!
Strong leadership plays a crucial role in any organisation, and at Choklits, we highly value our team and leaders for their essential contributions.
We believe that effective leadership leads to delivering the highest quality of care and education to our children, who are the future generation we nurture.
Highlights from the week…
This week, our educators have shared some wonderful “wow” moments:
- In Kinder 4, children expressed their desire to be more involved in their daily routines. They’re now setting meal tables, preparing for relaxation time after lunch, and creating recycled play areas. The Kinder 4 team has been amazed by their enthusiasm and teamwork.
- In Kinder 3, a highlight was children taking “Mr. Jack Sparrow” home, where they enjoyed activities like PJ nights, brushing teeth together, and reading stories. It’s heartwarming to see their excitement and care for their special guest.
- In the Pre-Kinder room, educators celebrated children’s independence in serving meals and cleaning up afterward, fostering confidence and responsibility at a young age.
- Toddler Room witnessed successful transitions of nursery children, who quickly adapted to their new learning environment and became confident learners.
- In Nursery Room, our youngest learners are becoming more independent and building strong connections with their educators and peers.
Educator spotlight…
The Educator Spotlight of the week shines on AJ for efficiently managing the Kinder 4 program while one of our teachers was away. AJ’s proactive approach has ensured that children and families receive excellent support, and the room operates smoothly with strong leadership and teamwork. Well done, AJ! Keep up the outstanding work!
Reminders…
Please remember that our upcoming Parents’ Kinder Information Night is scheduled for September 6, 2024. Additionally, from September 9-13, we’ve arranged one-on-one meetings for families unable to attend the information session or desiring a private discussion with the Kinder teachers. These meetings will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM each day, allowing 30 to 45 minutes per family.
This session will cover expectations for the upcoming term, updates on programs and room routines, information about the Kinder funded program, and more details about our offerings such as the Bush Kinder program, weekly excursions, and upcoming projects and events.
If you’d like to meet with the Kinder teachers before these dates or have any questions about our programs, please reach out to us at your convenience. We’re here to arrange a meeting that suits your schedule.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and we look forward to seeing you soon!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday June 21st, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to our latest Friday update!
This week, we are continuing to focus on improving our quality of planning and documentation. Additionally, we have updated our website with detailed information about the staff in each room. You can use this platform to get to know our teams and reach out to them for any support or assistance you may need.
Furthermore, we are dedicated to achieving excellence in planning and documentation. We are also developing a room plan to identify the learning needs of each group. This will help us update the setup and resources in each room, ensuring that we enhance children’s skills and learning at all times.
Highlights from the week…
This week, while we have been benefiting from the great support of our newly appointed Area Manager, we have also been introducing families, children, and educators to Deb. Please reach out to Deb to get to know her and share your feedback with us, or let us know how else we can assist you.
Additionally, as we work diligently with our teams to enhance our educational program and planning, we are pleased to announce that Abby, one of our senior leaders with us for a long time, has been appointed as the new Educational Leader supporting all room and age groups. Abby and I, Ellie, will be visiting each room to review children’s documentation, individual goals, room programs, activities in learning spaces, and room displays to ensure excellent educational quality across all age groups.
Abby, with her Master of Teaching qualification, will bring valuable expertise to our teams and enhance educational quality. Please feel free to reach out to her with any suggestions or simply to congratulate her.
Educator spotlight…
We would like to congratulate Sky for her excellent communication with the families of the kindergarten rooms and for managing the closing rooms to an exceeding level. Sky has shown great initiative in planning and implementing wonderful activities for the children. She takes on all challenges and nails them each time.
Sky, thank you for being a great team player and for supporting both the kinder teachers and the kinder room team members collaboratively.
If you haven’t met Sky in person yet, please don’t hesitate to reach out to get to know her. You can also let us know, and we can arrange a catch-up for you, Sky, and the teachers to discuss any matters regarding your child or any feedback you would like to share with us.
Reminders…
Friendly reminder: Our Winter menu has been created and is ready for viewing. Our Award Winning Chef Lai will be rolling this out over the next few weeks. Here’s the link to the new menu Winter Menu 2024.
Doctor Chan will be visiting us on June 26th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday June 14th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to our latest Friday update!
This week, we focused on introducing all our team members, both new and existing, to welcome everyone and ensure we all feel part of one organisation. We all work together for the best interests of our great centre.
In addition to that, we have some very exciting news: we are thrilled to introduce you to our new Area Manager, Deb. She has been the Senior Director of the Choklits Croydon branch.
Highlights from the week…
We are delighted to share some exciting news with you! Choklits is proud to announce the promotion of Deb Prelorenzo, Choklits Croydon’s Director, to the new position of Area Manager of the Choklits Group.
Deb has shown amazing dedication and commitment to all Choklits services. Her journey with us has been inspiring, marked by her pursuit of excellence and her dedication to her Master of Education studies. Deb’s passion for childcare and eagerness to embrace new challenges make her the perfect fit for this role.
Congratulations, Deb! Learn more about Deb.
Winter Menu…
Our Winter menu has been created and is ready for viewing. Our Award Winning Chef Lai will be rolling this out over the next few weeks. Here’s the link to the new menu Winter Menu 2024.
Educator spotlight…
This week, we would like to give a big thank you to Nilusha for being an amazing part of our company. She always contributes to the program, supports her newly appointed room leader Mahsa, and encourages families to provide input on the activities in their room. Nilusha is always helpful and ensures great communication with all families at all times.
Please reach out to the Pre-Kinder team and meet Nilusha if you haven’t already. Well done, Nilusha, and keep up the great work!
Reminders…
Friendly reminder: Doctor Chan will be visiting us on June 26th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday June 7th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to our latest Friday update!
This week, we have been diligently following up on and continuing our work on documentation and learning stories, as well as setting up enriching indoor and outdoor learning environments in all our rooms. Additionally, we have been upgrading our room programs on a fortnightly basis and all align with the exceptional elements of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). For your reference, you can find more information about these guidelines here, which we use to enhance our children’s academic learning.
Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or would like further details on our initiatives.
Highlights from the week…
Highlights of the week have focused on documenting children’s learning, incorporating their voices, and including each child’s individual interests in our room program. This ensures that we are planning and programming our learning spaces based on each child’s specific interests and learning needs.
Additionally, we have added a section to our program template for family input. This allows us to incorporate family voices and expectations regarding children’s learning and goals. No matter the age group, please reach out to your educators and provide your input on the program, which you can access on the Xplor Playground. Share stories about your child’s learning and interests, so we can align your goals with the educators’ goals.
This collaboration will ensure that these goals are met before your child transitions to their new room next year, facilitating a smooth transition in 2025 and ensuring your child is well-supported.
Winter Menu…
Our Winter menu has been created and is ready for viewing. Our Award Winning Chef Lai will be rolling this out over the next few weeks. Here’s the link to the new menu Winter Menu 2024.
Educator spotlight…
A big shoutout to one of our wonderful and hardworking educators, Amy, who has been exceptionally supportive of her team in Pre-Kinder. She was recently nominated as the Responsible Person, taking on additional challenges and managing them very well on her own.
Amy, well done! We are very pleased to have you as our Responsible Person. Thank you for supporting your team and the children, and for helping with all family inquiries. Keep up the great work!
Reminders…
Friendly reminder: Doctor Chan will be visiting us on June 12th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday May 31st, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to our latest Friday update!
This week, we’ve been busy with our sustainability projects, led by our kindergarten children. They’ve been hard at work creating a dramatic play area using cardboard materials, as well as an Aboriginal culture play area using recycled materials. Currently, they’re focusing on conserving water and electricity, learning important lessons about saving energy and caring for the environment.
Highlights from the week…
This week’s highlights revolve around our connections with the local community, primary schools, and our ongoing sustainability projects.
Firstly, we want to extend a big thank you to the families who have graciously agreed to display our Choklits Child Care brochures in their shops and businesses, helping to promote the care we provide to all children. We’re also grateful for the support of local businesses in this endeavour. As a token of appreciation, we’ve created a special community connection area at the reception. Here, we’re welcoming local community information and businesses to be displayed, fostering stronger ties among us all. It’s crucial for us as local businesses and a small community to remain closely connected.
Please feel free to reach out to us with any ideas on how we can strengthen these connections even further.
In line with this, we’re planning to organise a Sustainability Art Showcase Day in July. During this event, we’ll invite all families and extended families to join us for an afternoon tea. We’ll showcase the children’s art and craft projects, highlighting their creativity. This will also serve as a charity event, aiming to make a positive impact beyond our immediate community.
Stay tuned for further updates, including the date and time for this exciting event. We’re eager to highlight the care and creativity of our children!
Winter Menu…
Our Winter menu has been created and is ready for viewing. Our Award Winning Chef Lai will be rolling this out over the next few weeks. Here’s the link to the new menu Winter Menu 2024.
Educator spotlight…
A big shoutout to Maryam for her outstanding support and assistance in the toddler room! Maryam has been a valuable asset, providing great help to the children while supporting her lead educator and team members. She handles all family inquiries with care and dedication, while also contributing to creating a fantastic educational environment and enriching the program. We truly appreciate Maryam’s exceptional efforts and the wonderful care she provides for the children. Well done Maryam and keep up the great work!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday May 24th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Greetings and welcome to this week’s update!
This week has been focused on ensuring that children have engaging and active programs in their rooms, covering a variety of educational topics each day. To achieve this, we’ve been collaborating closely with our leaders to update our plans on a fortnightly basis rather than monthly. This allows for a more comprehensive approach, offering children greater access to learning opportunities while creating a dynamic platform for their growth. Our aim is to provide guidance to children as they navigate their learning journey and develop their identities within their environments.
Furthermore, we recognise the importance of fostering a sense of belonging within our chocolate community. To support this, we have personalised lockers with children’s faces and tags, as well as sleep bags and other belongings. Additionally, we are in the process of creating family areas in all our rooms, adorned with photos of our wonderful parents and extended families. These visual cues aim to strengthen the connection between children and their support networks, enhancing their learning experiences.
We welcome any suggestions or feedback you may have for further improvements. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Highlights from the week…
The highlight of this week has revolved around the creation of family areas and dramatic play spaces, as well as the upgrading of resources to foster a deeper understanding of each other’s families and siblings among the children. To further enrich this initiative, we’re actively encouraging siblings and friends across all age groups to spend more time together in each other’s rooms and learning environments, fostering greater sibling interaction during their time with us.
Moreover, we’re excited to announce our plans to celebrate children’s birthdays within their rooms alongside their friends. Our talented chef, Lai, and our wonderful educator, Leila, have teamed up to offer weekly cooking classes and baking sessions. Leila, drawing upon her extensive experience as an industrial chef, will guide the children in creating birthday cakes, decorating them alongside their friends. We’re more than happy to arrange and decorate the environment for your child’s upcoming birthday celebration, and rest assured, all costs are covered by us. You’re invited to join us on these special days to celebrate as a community.
Educator spotlight…
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Leila for her invaluable support to Lai and all educators, both in the kitchen and in the rooms. Leila’s dedication to getting to know each child and their families, understanding their individual needs, and facilitating engaging cooking classes has truly been commendable. The children eagerly anticipate each session and always ask for more. We’re eagerly looking forward to joining you in another cooking class next week to experience more of their delightful baking and cooking creations. Thank you again, Leila, for your outstanding work, and please keep up the fantastic job!
Additionally, we want to express our gratitude for the children’s aprons you’ve made, which add an extra layer of excitement to the cooking classes. The children eagerly anticipate donning their aprons each week and can’t wait for the upcoming cooking sessions on Mondays.
Dear families, if you’d like your child to have a wonderful time baking and cooking with their peers, please don’t hesitate to book their next casual day.
Reminders…
We’d like to kindly remind you of the importance of grooming and ensuring that your child’s belongings are checked before they arrive at the centre. Adhering to our food safety policy, we kindly request that no outside food be brought in. Therefore, please ensure that your child finishes their breakfast and washes their hands before entering the rooms, contributing to the safety and health of everyone in our community.
Additionally, we ask that you check the toys or items in your child’s bags to ensure they are age-appropriate and safe for use. This simple step helps us maintain a secure and enjoyable environment for all children. Thank you for your cooperation in these matters.
Friendly reminder: Doctor Chan will be visiting us on May 29th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday May 17th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another Friday update!
Highlights from the Week….
This week, we were thrilled to welcome Elena back for our yoga sessions. The children had a fantastic time stretching and practising their favourite poses on Monday!
During our weekly incursions, the children engaged in a variety of enjoyable activities. They learned to thread while practising numbers in Mandarin and sorted colourful pom poms while learning Farsi.
If you’re interested in future learning and practice, we have hard copy materials available for you! You can find this in your child’s room.
We have had lots of cooking classes around the service. We made pizza from scratch. The children seemed very engaged as they mixed flour, oil and water to make the dough!
Reminder…
To check our calendar of events! Our Melbourne Aquarium excursion has been scheduled for June 6th, and we are welcoming families to volunteer if they can. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us to let us know if you would like to assist on that day. You will need your updated Working with Children Check card, and please let us know by no later than May 27th so we can arrange everything appropriately.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday May 10th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another amazing Friday update!
This week, we’re focusing on how we make sure everyone stays safe. That means our educators and children have been learning about crossing the road safely, being careful when they go on regular outings, and what to do if there’s a fire. We talk about these things a lot with the children, and we practise every week.
If you do these safety practices at home with your children, please let us know. We’d love to include those practices in our routines too, and work closely with you to make sure they’re well trained.
We want to say a big thank you to some of our families who work as police officers and firefighters. They’ve offered to come talk to the children about staying safe, and we’re really excited to have them visit next week.
So, please stay tuned for updates on how these visits go next week. We’ll be sure to share our reflections with you.
Highlights from the week…
The biggest highlight of the week has been teaching children how to stay safe during outings and excursions, as well as our Mother’s Day afternoon tea. We want to give a big thank you to all our families and extended families who came to celebrate this special day with us.
We’re excited to celebrate our next event with you all in the upcoming weeks. Please don’t hesitate to check the calendar of events for all the upcoming celebrations.
Educator spotlight…
Congratulations to Joann for being an incredible support to all rooms whenever they need her. She’s always flexible and ready to help out everyone on the floor. Her dedication embodies our wonderful teamwork culture, and we’re proud to have her as a role model at our centre.
Joann’s knowledge of each child’s needs and skills enables her to work flexibly with all children and support families whenever they need it. Additionally, we want to thank Joann for conducting her Mandarin language class each week and providing children with great language homework to continue their learning at home.
Reminders…
Friendly reminder: Doctor Chan will be visiting us on May 15th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday May 3rd, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another amazing Friday update!
This week, the focus is on continuing our environmental arrangements and establishing a clear information board outlining our room routines, program schedules, as well as information regarding incursions and excursions. This will ensure that families have comprehensive access to these programs at all times.
We’re also excited to begin our ‘Walk with a Pram’ initiative next week, where we’ll enjoy getting fresh air daily and providing fun walks for the children.
We’re also thrilled to announce the creation of our community area, where we showcase our community connection information. We’re also eager to strengthen our ties with the local community.
Additionally, we’d like to express our gratitude to our local community and the families with businesses in our area who have agreed to display our information at their shops and stores to support us.
Highlights from the week…
The highlight of this week has been our close collaboration with the local community, ensuring that our care feedback reaches them and fostering the exchange of services to enhance our partnerships. Additionally, we’ve upgraded our room settings and displays to focus on educational topics and proudly showcase the children’s artwork and achievements.
We’re excited to see our strengthened connection with the local community and welcome aboard the new families who will be referred to us in the upcoming weeks.
Educator spotlight…
A big shout out to Aj for being a fantastic support for the kindergarten children, ensuring the smooth running of the room, assisting in rearranging it with the kindergarten teachers, and establishing strong connections with all the families at the centre. Your support is invaluable to us, and we can’t wait to see you shine even more with the kindergarten team.
Reminders…
Hey everyone, just a friendly reminder for all our families and grandparents! We’re gearing up to celebrate Mother’s Day on Friday, May 10th, starting at 3 pm. It’s going to be a blast! We’ve got afternoon tea all set up, along with loads of fun activities planned by the children themselves. And that’s not all – we’ll also have some awesome craft stations, fairies, face painters, and more! It’s going to be a day filled with love and laughter. Can’t wait to see you all there!
Don’t forget to RSVP if you’d like to join us and let us know how many people will be attending from your family. Please RSVP no later than May 6th, so we can make sure we have enough goodies for everyone.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday April 26th, 2024
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another amazing Friday update!
Highlights from the week…
This week, our focus is on safety training for the children, and we’re thrilled about the progress we’re making! During group times and activities, we’ve started having conversations with the children about road safety and fire safety. We’ve even appointed some champion children who are leading the way in learning about fire evacuation and road safety. It’s a big ongoing project for us, and we’re committed to working on it every day.
We’ve also noticed how beneficial excursions are for the children, providing them with constant learning opportunities. If any of you have connections to police stations or fire stations, please let us know! We’d love to arrange for visits from these departments, especially if any of our families work there. It would be fantastic to have them chat with us a bit more about safety. Your input and connections are invaluable to us!
Educator spotlight…
Big shoutout to Josie! Not only is she an amazing support for her team and the children, but she also excels in communicating with families. Recently, Josie has been nominated as our Fire Safety Champion. She’s taking on the responsibility of ensuring that all children and educators receive thorough training in fire safety and that fire evacuation practices happen regularly. Josie, your dedication and hard work are truly commendable. Thank you for your valuable contribution to our team and for making safety a top priority!
Reminders…
A friendly reminder for all our families and grandparents- We’re gearing up to celebrate Mother’s Day on Friday, May 10th, starting at 3 pm. It’s going to be a blast! We’ve got afternoon tea all set up, along with loads of fun activities planned by the children themselves. And that’s not all – we’ll also have some awesome craft stations, fairies, face painters, and more! It’s going to be a day filled with love and laughter. Can’t wait to see you all there!
Don’t forget to RSVP if you’d like to join us and let us know how many people will be attending from your family. Please RSVP no later than May 6th, so we can make sure we have enough goodies for everyone.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday April 19th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to another awesome Friday update!
This week has been super exciting as we’ve been busy rearranging our displays in the rooms. We wanted to make sure they support your children’s confidence by showcasing all their amazing hard work and crafts. But that’s not all! We’ve also made sure these displays are super educational, with a touch of your child’s voice included. We’ve been documenting all the cool conversations happening during these projects.
Plus, we’ve been having some really fun discussions with the children using open-ended questions. It’s all about letting their imaginations run wild and getting those critical thinking gears turning!
We’d absolutely love to hear your stories and what your children are learning at home. That way, we can extend their interests while they’re in our care. We’ve got family input forms available in all our rooms for you to grab. You can fill them out anytime and hand them over to your educators. Whether it’s suggesting new learning areas, games, or activities, we want to include you even more in our programs!
And, speaking of our programs, we’ve got them all available for you to read and review. Feel free to provide us with your feedback anytime. Your input means the world to us!
Let’s keep the fun and learning going together!
Highlights from the week…
The highlight of our week has been all about getting ready for Mother’s Day! The children have been having a blast making some super cool and exciting crafts, and they’ve been lending a hand to their educators to prepare for the big event that’s coming up.
To make all this magic happen, our children have been heading out with their educators to our community sustainability area, right near our Pre-Kinder and Kinder rooms. Here, we gather up all sorts of recycled materials donated by families, the community, and educators. We’re talking about boxes, cardboard, tubs, and more! Then, we get creative and turn these materials into awesome new things, giving them a second life.
But it’s not just about making cool crafts. We’re also teaching our children an important lesson about taking care of our environment and the world around us. It’s all about showing them how to be eco-friendly superheroes!
Just a quick heads up: Elena, who usually leads our awesome yoga incursions on Mondays, will be on holiday starting next week. She’ll be back and ready to roll with yoga again from the week commencing the 13th of May.
But fear not! To fill in the gap, we’ve got something super exciting planned. Our master chef, Lai (you might already know her!), along with Leila, one of our educators with chef qualifications, will be hosting some fantastic cooking classes for all age groups on those Mondays. They’ll be whipping up some delicious recipes that’ll have everyone’s taste buds dancing!
Even when the yoga incursion starts back up, we’ll still be cooking up a storm each week on rotating days, so all the children can join in on the fun.
If you’d like your child to join these amazing classes, just let us know! You can add a casual day on Mondays either by giving us a call, or you can do it directly through your Xplor app under the booking tab. And hey, if you need a hand with any of this, we’re always here to help. Just give us a shout, and we’ll lend a hand anytime you need it!
Educator spotlight…
A big round of applause for Mahya! We just want to say a huge “well done” for her amazing support to the team. Even though she’s one of our newest educators, she’s been absolutely knocking it out of the park! Mahya has been going above and beyond to work with her fellow educators, making sure all the children and families get the support they need.
Her communication skills with all the families have been top-notch, and she’s been a real superstar team player, making sure everything runs smoothly in the room routines.
Let’s also give a big shoutout to Mahya for extending her love and passion for setting up activities! She’s always coming up with creative ways to extend children’s interests and implementing new ideas in their learning environments. Keep spreading those good vibes, Mahya!
If you haven’t already, make sure to swing by and say hello to Mahya. She’s doing an incredible job with the stars in our toddler room. We’ve definitely noticed her fantastic teamwork, and we really appreciate all her hard work. Keep it up, Mahya!
Reminders…
Hey everyone, just a friendly reminder for all our families and grandparents! We’re gearing up to celebrate Mother’s Day on Friday, May 10th, starting at 3 pm. It’s going to be a blast! We’ve got afternoon tea all set up, along with loads of fun activities planned by the children themselves. And that’s not all – we’ll also have some awesome craft stations, fairies, face painters, and more! It’s going to be a day filled with love and laughter. Can’t wait to see you all there!
Don’t forget to RSVP if you’d like to join us and let us know how many people will be attending from your family. Please RSVP no later than May 6th, so we can make sure we have enough goodies for everyone.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday April 12th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
Welcome to our Friday Fiesta Update!
We’re pleased to announce that we’ve been rocking and rolling this week, putting in some serious elbow grease to refresh our learning spaces and gear up for some epic adventures. Think of us as the superheroes of risk management, ensuring every trip is as safe as it is sensational!
As you’re likely aware, we regularly organise group walks for our young bubs using the group pram, exciting outings on Tuesdays and Thursdays for our kindergarten children, and our highly anticipated monthly visits to the local aged care which we are working very hard on arranging that for the upcoming month as we believe in the value of connecting with older generations for invaluable life experiences.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated teams for their efforts in creating nurturing environments where our children can flourish and reach their full potential. Additionally, we strive to ensure that every family feels included and valued as part of our Choklits community. Keep up the fantastic work, everyone, and continue to shine brightly!
Highlights from the week…
Furthermore, we’re excited to announce the upcoming Bush Kinder program, for which we’re currently finalising plans and scouting the perfect bush Kinder spot. Brace yourselves for another fantastic initiative for the children in the weeks ahead. While we’re in the midst of planning, please feel free to share any ideas or suggest locations you’d like us to consider. We’re always open to recommendations.
In light of these developments, we’re thrilled to introduce you to our kindergarten teams. Attached to this message, you’ll find a letter from the teams containing all the details about the kindergarten room routine and introductions to our educators for your reference. Don’t miss the chance to come and say hello and get to know these wonderful educators!
Educator spotlight…
This week, we’re putting Jennifer in our pre-kindergarten room in the spotlight. She’s been doing an excellent job supporting the teams and the children, all while diligently working towards completing her graduate diploma. Jennifer’s dedication shines through in the fantastic activities she organises for the children, drawing from her higher education studies and projects. Her efforts contribute to ensuring that our programs maintain an excellent standard for the children. Well done, Jennifer! Keep up the great work!
Reminders…
We have a special Mother’s Day celebration planned for Friday, May 10th, starting at 3pm. We’re inviting all families and grandparents to join us for afternoon tea and festivities. Children can come dressed in their favourite outfits for the occasion! There’ll be a photo booth, face painters, fairies, jewellery making, a creative workshop with loose parts, and more for everyone to enjoy together.
Additionally, mark your calendars for next week: photographers from Vision Portraits will be visiting our centre on Monday and Tuesday. They’ll be setting up around 8am and wrapping up by 2pm.
Doctor Chan will be visiting us on April 17th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday April 5th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
Welcome back to another Friday update.
We hope everyone had an egg-cellent Easter weekend and enjoyed some well-deserved time off. For those of you who went on adventures, we were so excited to hear all about your travels! The children have been telling us all their stories about road trips and new places they’ve visited.
It warms our hearts to see families making memories together, and we’re thrilled to have all our little ones back with us, soaking up the sunshine as we prepare for the cooler days ahead.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on sustainability practices! A huge shoutout to our amazing teams and families who have been generously donating recycled materials like boxes, cardboard, and tubs. It’s been incredible to watch the children’s creativity blossom as they repurpose these items, all while learning about caring for our planet and giving back to Mother Earth.
We’re very proud to showcase the handmade crafts created by our children, displayed in all our rooms! Keep an eye out for these wonderful creations as you wander through our centre—they’re truly a testament to our little ones’ creativity and imagination!
We invite you to take a stroll over to our communal sustainability area near the pre-kinder room. Your feedback on how we can further enrich this learning experience for the children is not only welcome but also incredibly valuable to us. Together, we can make a difference!
Educator spotlight…
A huge shoutout to both Harleen and Sue, our two newly appointed Kindergarten Teachers, for their outstanding work with our 3 and 4-year-olds! They’ve truly blossomed, delivering exceptional quality care to our children and for the reorganisation of our kindergarten rooms, creating well-arranged and organised spaces dedicated to learning.
Your efforts have resulted in dedicated learning environments that support our children’s educational journey, exceeding the expectations of our kindergarten-funded programs. Additionally, your commitment to weekly excursions enriches our children’s experiences and learning opportunities. Great job!
Reminders…
Friendly reminder: Doctor Chan will be visiting us on April 17th. If you require assistance with your child’s immunisation updates, vaccinations, or any other medical needs, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Doctor Chan is always eager to support our internal families in any way he can.
Please remember that Doctor Chan is available for private and confidential consultations with families. If you need advice or assistance with any medical-related concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to him. He’s here to support you in any way he can.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday March 29th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
We’ve had another fantastic week at Choklits! The theme, of course, has been everything Easter!
Easter Festivities
Choklits has been buzzing with egg-citement! From delightful arts and crafts to many Easter themed discussions, the Easter spirit has truly enveloped Choklits. Our children showcased their creativity by crafting Easter crafts, spreading smiles and laughter throughout the centre. We even had a musical themed Easter Egg hunt with Gabe, our music teacher! These activities not only spark creativity but also promote collaboration and social interaction among our young learners.
Mandarin and Persian lessons
On Tuesday, Joanne took our classes through their weekly Mandarin lessons. And, on Thursday, Mahsa facilitated our Persian classes. It’s amazing how quickly young children pick these languages up, we’ll be sharing more over the next few weeks.
Kindergarten Excursion
Please check out our video from this week’s Bush Kinder excursion! It’s always an exciting adventure and our children always look forward to it.
Photo Reminder
Please remember to register for the upcoming photography session at Choklits, which is scheduled to take place during the first week of Term 2 (Monday, April 15th to Wednesday, April 17th) by Vision Portraits! Only children registered will be photographed, however, you can bring your child in for the photo session even if your child does not attend on the scheduled photo days.
Please book in using this link.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday March 22nd, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
Welcome back to another exciting edition of our Choklits Surrey Hills Friday Update!
First off, a warm welcome to all our new families. We hope you’re settling in smoothly, and it’s fantastic to hear your positive feedback and appreciation for our amazing team.
A massive shoutout to those families who’ve been spreading the word about us! Your recommendations mean the world to us, and we’re so grateful for your ongoing support. We’re all about building connections within our community, so don’t hesitate to share our website with your loved ones to keep up with the latest happenings at Choklits.
Big thanks to Gail, one of our awesome grandparents, for leading a fantastic art class session for our pre-kinder children this week. It’s truly heartwarming to see such wonderful connections between our children and their extended families.
And speaking of connections, we’d love to invite you to reach out if your child’s grandparents are interested in getting involved in any of our activities! Whether it’s reading books, cooking classes, art sessions, clay crafts, or woodwork, we’re here to make it happen. Let us know what your grandparents enjoy doing with their grandkids, and we’ll organise a special session in their classroom during any day of the week in April.
We truly believe that having grandparents involved in children’s learning is a priceless experience, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like to arrange something special.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we’re shining a spotlight on our Mandarin language class every Tuesday and our Persian language class every Thursday. We’ve chosen these two languages because of our strong connections with the local community around Box Hill and Doncaster, and we couldn’t be prouder!
We’re excited to see our children using their newfound language skills in real life!
Don’t forget to pick up the fun activity pages created by our language teachers, Mahsa and Joanne. You can grab these from your child’s room, as we hand out one to each child to take home.
Let’s keep the language learning journey going strong!
Educator spotlight…
A huge shoutout to both Mahsa and Joanne for conducting their language classes in such a fun and exciting way! Your enthusiasm even makes us adults want to sit down and join in on the learning.
Thank you both for teaching our children a second language and providing them with your fantastic activity pages to take home and share with their families. Your dedication and expertise in sharing your skills with our children are truly appreciated.
Keep up the amazing work!
Reminders…
Just a friendly reminder that Doctor Chan will be visiting us every fortnight, with his next visit scheduled for the 3rd of April, 2024, at Surrey Hills.
For those who may not be familiar with Dr. Chan and the services he provides, please see the information below from Dr Chan directly.
We want to ensure that you are all informed about this excellent service he offers, benefiting both you as parents and your child.
Dear Parents,
I have been a G.P. for 36 years and have been dividing my time at Bioscor and various daycare centres around Melbourne since 1990. I have found it rewarding and interesting treating young children as I have watched my own grow up, and provide check-ups as well as immunisations. I can also perform asthma/allergy/eczema action plans. These consultations will be bulk-billed through Medicare.
Let us know if you would like to book your next appointment with Dr Chan and if your child is not attending on that day, you can still come in for an appointment.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday March 15th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
Welcome back to our weekly Friday fiesta!
The sun has been shining in Melbourne this week, it’s like nature’s invitation for family adventures! With the long weekend just around the corner, I hope you’ve been planning to take advantage of this warmth with your loved ones.
Speaking of which, we’d absolutely love to hear about your adventures and stories! Don’t be shy to share your tales with us as we love to incorporate your family activities into our learning spaces and lessons. Familiarity is a component of building confidence, plus, we love listening to each other’s stories which also helps us all work on our focus and engagement.
Here’s to another amazing week ahead!
Highlights from the week…
This week marked the return of our kindergarten excursions. The children had a blast at our local park spending some time in nature, don’t forget to check out the photos we’ve posted. In addition, we have added the kindergarten’s excursion dates to our calendar, which you can find on our calendar above.
Please note that if your child is not enrolled on these days, we are more than happy to book you in for a casual day if you would like your child to take advantage of this great excursion and learning opportunity. Alternatively, you can book the extra days via your Xplor app. Please see us if you need further assistance with this.
And, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re expanding our adventures to our younger age groups! Shortly, our nursery, toddler, and pre-kinder rooms will all start venturing out into our local community too. Picture this; big group pram strolls with our fantastic educators, Monday to Friday, weather permitting. It’s going to be a fantastic way to start our days together!
Got questions? Curious to learn more? Don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to make sure every step of this journey is filled with joy and excitement for our little adventurers!
Educator spotlight…
Big shoutout to Prag! We just have to take a moment to appreciate Prag for being an absolute superstar! She’s been there for each and every room, understanding the unique needs of every child and family with such grace and empathy. Not to mention, she’s been an incredible support to her team, always stepping up when needed.
Prag, your value shines through in everything you do, and we want you to know just how much we appreciate your dedication and support at our centre. You’re a superstar! Keep being amazing!
Reminders…
Mark your calendars because we’ve got an excursion to SEALIFE Melbourne coming up on June 6th for our kindergarten children. We’ll be handing out consent forms in our kindergarten rooms over the coming weeks which will no doubt prompt lots of discussions about our trip to the city. RSVPs are due by March 29th, as we’ll need to get everything organised well in advance. So, if you’re keen to join in on the excitement, don’t hesitate to reach out and secure your child’s spot for this outing!
Oh, and here’s a bonus: if your child isn’t already enrolled for that day, no worries! We’re more than happy to book them in as a casual attendee for the day so they can join us at SEALIFE.
New Choklits Menu…
As the Autumn has now begun, we’ll be transitioning to our new menu over the next couple of weeks! Once again the menu is approved by Nutrition Australia so you can be sure all our children will have the perfect nutrition for learning and all the activities they get up to throughout the day. You’ll find our new menu approved by Nutrition Australia here.
Footy Tipping…
Our highly anticipated footy tipping competition is back! Click the link below for all the details on how to join and be in the running to win a fabulous 12-month family adventure extravaganza, valued at over $320!
Good luck! You can join using this link – Choklits Footy Tipping Competition 2024
Reminders…
Please note that consent forms for the dental visit are due by March 11, 2024. Kindly return the forms to us as soon as possible to facilitate necessary arrangements well in advance.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation in our programs. Together, we create meaningful and enriching experiences for our children.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday March 8th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Choklits Families,
This week was absolutely fantastic, capped off with today’s presentation! I’m so happy to share that Choklits Surrey Hills has won Whitehorse City Council’s Food Premises of the Year 2023 award!
I cannot express how proud I am of the team to receive this award, in particular, our Chef Lai who is an absolute gem and one of the most diligent, thorough and hard working Chef’s I’ve ever met. Our kitchen and food standards are now recognised as the best in the area in the highest class category. We are super proud!!
Here’s an extract form the letter we received-
I would like to congratulate you and your staff for being selected for Whitehorse City Council’s 5 Star “Food Premises of the Year” award for 2023 in achieving excellence in food safety under the category of Class 1 Food Premises.
Please note that Council’s 5 Star Food Premises of the Year awards fall under 3 categories: –
- Class 1 – eg Aged Care, Child Care, Hospitals (selling high risk food to vulnerable groups)
- Class 2 – eg Cafes, Restaurants, Take-Away, Bakeries, Delis, Supermarkets
- Community Groups – eg School Canteens, Sporting and Community Clubs
I am seeking to schedule a time for the award to be presented by the Mayor Denise Massoud at your premises located at 764 Canterbury Road, SURREY HILLS.
This will provide an opportunity for you and your staff to celebrate this wonderful achievement and for Council to promote your business as the winner of the Food Premises of the Year 2023 which will be published in Council’s Whitehorse News and social media.
As the recipient of this award you will also receive a certificate and a $600 gift voucher.
I’m so proud of the entire team!
New Choklits Menu…
As the Autumn has now begun, we’ll be transitioning to our new menu over the next couple of weeks! Once again the menu is approved by Nutrition Australia so you can be sure all our children will have the perfect nutrition for learning and all the activities they get up to throughout the day. You’ll find our new menu approved by Nutrition Australia here.
Footy Tipping…
Our highly anticipated footy tipping competition is back! Click the link below for all the details on how to join and be in the running to win a fabulous 12-month family adventure extravaganza, valued at over $320!
Good luck! You can join using this link – Choklits Footy Tipping Competition 2024
Reminders…
Please note that consent forms for the dental visit are due by March 11, 2024. Kindly return the forms to us as soon as possible to facilitate necessary arrangements well in advance.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation in our programs. Together, we create meaningful and enriching experiences for our children.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday March 1st, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
First and foremost, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Grace’s family and the extended family members from our pre-kindergarten room for their valuable contributions to our program. A special thank you goes out to Gail, Grace’s grandmother, for generously offering to conduct an art class session for our pre-kinder room children on March 21, 2024, at 10 am. It’s truly heartwarming to witness the active involvement of our families and extended families in enriching the children’s experiences.
We encourage you to reach out to your child’s room leader if there’s a particular program or skill you’d like to share with our children at any time. Your participation is highly valued and greatly enhances our program.
Highlights from the week…
We are delighted to announce that our language classes are back and will recommence from the week starting March 4, 2024. Please find below the details and schedule for these language classes:
Tuesdays: Mandarin language classes for our Nursery room through to Kindergarten 4 room
Time: Starting from 10am in our Nursery room.
Duration: 15 minutes per session.
Thursdays: Persian (Farsi) language classes for our Nursery room through to Kindergarten 4 room
Time: Starting from 10am in our Nursery room.
Duration: 15 minutes per session.
Following each language class, there will be a language program briefing with topic-related activities prepared for the children. Families are encouraged to take these activities home to practise with their child in a home environment, fostering continuous learning of these two wonderful languages.
Additionally, we are excited to inform you that our cooking classes, led by our award winning master chef Lai, will also recommence starting from next week for all age groups. These cooking classes will be conducted weekly for each room on a rotating basis. We eagerly anticipate sharing updates, videos, and photos of these delightful cooking sessions with the children. Feel free to share your favourite recipes with us so that we can incorporate them into our cooking classes.
Educator spotlight…
A big shout out to Amy from the Pre-Kindergarten room for her invaluable support and exceptional knowledge in catering to children’s individual needs. Amy’s ability to modify activities based on children’s interests and needs, along with her dedication to planning engaging activities, greatly contributes to the children’s development. We appreciate Amy’s efforts, alongside those of all our educators, in creating a nurturing environment for our children and fostering strong connections with families.
Footy Tipping…
Our highly anticipated footy tipping competition is back! Click the link below for all the details on how to join and be in the running to win a fabulous 12-month family adventure extravaganza, valued at over $320!
Good luck! You can join using this link – Choklits Footy Tipping Competition 2024
Reminders…
Please note that consent forms for the dental visit are due by March 11, 2024. Kindly return the forms to us as soon as possible to facilitate necessary arrangements well in advance.
Thank you for your ongoing support and participation in our programs. Together, we create meaningful and enriching experiences for our children.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday February 23rd, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
We hope you’ve all had a wonderful and warm week so far. It’s been fantastic to enjoy Melbourne’s beautiful weather lately.
First and foremost, we want to extend a big thank you to our teams for supporting several of our children as they transition to their new rooms. This is part of our beginning-of-the-year internal transitioning process, and we’re excited to start working on their new room routines for the upcoming term. Please stay tuned for updates on this front.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we’ve been focusing on reorganising our family grouping process across all our rooms and adjusting our outdoor environments to best support the children and accommodate the needs of all families. Additionally, we’ve begun distributing dentist visit consent forms to families. We’re thrilled about this service as we believe it will support the health and hygiene needs of the children’s dental care.
Educator spotlight…
A special thank you goes out to Rita, one of our wonderful kindergarten teachers. Rita has done an exceptional job ensuring that her new children are settling well into the room and that the kinder program is running smoothly. She’s also been instrumental in leading projects such as the sustainability project and implementing Aboriginal culture teachings. Well done, Rita! And a big thank you to the children for being such fantastic helpers and active learners. We can’t wait to see the progress of these projects unfold.
Reminders…
Please remember that our first visit from Smiles Dentist is scheduled for 19/3/24 at 9:30 am. Even if your child is not enrolled on that day, you can still take advantage of this service. Please fill in the consent form and return it to the reception or the educators in your child’s room so that we can arrange all necessary details for this wonderful service for the children.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday February 16th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
We trust your week was as delightful as ours, and we’re thrilled to share the joy and excitement that filled Choklits Surrey Hills. From celebrating love and affection to whipping up tasty pancakes, it’s been a week to remember.
Celebrating Love on Valentine’s Day…
Valentine’s Day turned Choklits Surrey Hills into a heartwarming hub of creativity and joy. Our young ones dove into heart-themed crafts, pouring their creativity into vibrant cards and heartfelt creations. It was a beautiful expression of love, captured through art and craft, that showcased their affection for their families, friends, pets, and cherished toys.
In a nurturing environment, our educators led discussions on the many facets of love, emphasising the importance of kindness, empathy, and understanding. These conversations aimed to teach our children the value of expressing love through actions—be it sharing, lending a helping hand, or being mindful of others’ feelings.
A Deliciously Fun Pancake Day…
Pancake Day at Choklits Surrey Hills was nothing short of a culinary adventure. Our little chefs got a taste of cooking, from measuring and mixing ingredients to the exciting flip of pancakes. It was an engaging day that not only delighted their taste buds but also enriched their learning experience, tying into the Early Years Learning Framework.
To learn more about why we celebrate pancake day, please click here.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Events on the Horizon…
Our Choklits Surrey Hills Events & Key Dates calendar is bustling with upcoming activities! We’ve made sure to keep you in the loop with our calendar visible both onsite and online, right above this post. Dive in to discover what engaging events await your little one in the coming weeks.
Stay connected for more updates and make sure to mark your calendars for the array of fun and learning experiences we have planned at Choklits Surrey Hills!
New faces at Choklits…
A huge welcome to all the new families who’ve joined us over the past week, we still have lots of children returning from holiday breaks too, it’s been wonderful to see you all!
As a growing service we also have new educators joining our team, over the next few weeks we’ll have their profiles up on our website too.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
So, don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday February 9th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
What a great week it has been considering the weather has been fantastic, allowing for various opportunities for children to be engaged in multiple projects such as gardening, looking after our picnic area in the two kindergarten outdoor environments, and starting to plant some seeds in our garden beds and pots outdoors, among many more projects in all our rooms.
Highlights from the week…
This week, one of the main highlights has been welcoming new families and children to Choklits. Our educators have been working diligently to settle the children and accommodate all their needs. We would like to extend our gratitude to the teams and offer another warm welcome to all our recently enrolled families. We can’t wait to get to know you better and celebrate many upcoming events together.
Reminders…
As we are in the Sunsmart Season, we kindly request all families to ensure you have applied sunscreen on your child’s face and body where it is not covered by clothing before arriving at Choklits, and to have children wear Sunsmart clothing. Please don’t hesitate to refer to the Sunsmart Clothing Guide using this link as required and reach out to us if your child doesn’t have a Choklits hat so that we can assist you with this.
Educator spotlight…
Well done to Josie for being such a great support for the teams in the Nursery Room, particularly assisting children new to Choklits and the child care environment. We know this transition can be challenging at times, however, Josie and the team have gone above and beyond to ensure we accommodate the children’s individual needs, no matter the challenge.
Josie has provided ongoing updates for the families to keep them well informed of the new routines, while also coming up with great ideas to keep our families involved too. Thank you, Josie! Your hard work makes a huge difference and is appreciated by all of us.
The dentist is coming to Choklits…
We are pleased to announce that we have booked Smile For Kids Dental Services who will be at Choklits on March 19th, and October 17th, 2024.
Dental disease is the most common but preventable childhood disease, therefore, we aim to help our families and children be aware of the benefits of good dental hygiene and assist our community in getting dental care.
Smile For Kids is a mobile dental practice that provides education and preventative dental services to all children aged 2 to 18 years. Under the Child Dental Benefits Schedule (CDBS), to be eligible, a child must be aged between 2 and 17 years, and their family must receive Family Tax Benefit Part A or a relevant Australian Government payment.
Please note, that if your child is NOT ELIGIBLE for the Child Dental Benefits Schedule service, Smile for Kids is still able to treat them at a discounted fee of either $50 or $80:
- The $50 option includes a Comprehensive Oral Examination, check-up and parent report, or,
- The $80 option includes a Comprehensive Oral Examination, check-up, removal of plaque/calculus (commonly referred to as a clean), application of re-mineralising agent, and parent report.
Further note, if your child has private health insurance, we will provide a receipt for them to claim reimbursement directly from their private health insurer.
Next week, we will begin distributing the consent forms to all our families. This will allow you to review the details of this service and inform us if you would like us to arrange for your child to be seen by the Dentists.
Just as when Doctor Chan comes to visit, you don’t have to be enrolled on the day to use this service. You can simply let us know, fill in the form, and return it to us by March 11th, 2024, so that we can make the necessary arrangements.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday February 2nd, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello Families,
Welcome to another edition of the Friday update!
First and foremost, we extend a heartfelt thank you to all our families who joined us for the kindergarten information session. Please remember that we still have individual one-on-one sessions available for families. If you missed the kindergarten information session, feel free to reach out to us to schedule your personalised session with our wonderful kindergarten teachers.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we expanded our discussions with children on gardening and sustainability practices, emphasising the importance of caring for our environment. To further enrich the children’s learning experience, we invite you to engage in topic-related conversations with your children. Please share their voices and your stories with us, as we would love to build upon the child’s interests within our learning environments.
Educator spotlight…
Well done to Paris for supporting the children, teams, and families while one of our team leaders is on holiday. Paris has been running the room smoothly, maintaining the routine seamlessly, and warmly welcoming returning families from their holidays. Her efforts in helping children resettle in their learning environments did not go unnoticed. Thank you, Paris, for your hard work and dedication.
Next week…
Next week, we have the group yoga session led by Elena on Monday, February 5th, at 9:30 am. We’ve opened the session up to our community so if you’re attending please remember to bring your yoga mat, drink bottle, and towel. We can’t wait to see our families and children involved and enjoying this wonderful event.
If you would like to learn more about the private events Elena offers individually, reach out to us so that we can share the offers available from Elena. Alternatively, come and see us next Monday when Elena will be available for a chat.
Additionally, we are thrilled to celebrate the Lunar New Year on Friday, February 9th, at 3pm. Each room will have its celebration activities arranged, allowing families to join in this special event with their children. We’ve extended this invitation to all our families, even those not enrolled on the day are welcome to attend. Please note that we kindly ask you to RSVP no later than next Wednesday, February 7th, so that we can make arrangements for catering.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & the Choklits Team
Friday January 26th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello families,
Wishing all our wonderful families a fantastic long weekend! We hope you enjoy the warmth while creating beautiful memories with your loved ones. Have a splendid time with your family in the sunny weather!
We hope that you took advantage of the visit from Doctor Chan this week. We would like to express our gratitude to Doctor Chan for dedicating his time to ensure that our children are maintaining good health and hygiene, which we all know is essential.
Highlights from the week…
This week, considering it has been a very short week, we worked closely as a team to reset our outdoor learning environments. We actively incorporated children’s voices in deciding what they would like to learn and do with their peers outdoors. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that we will be recommencing our excursions in the upcoming weeks. Please stay tuned for more information about our multiple excursion meeting points and details.
A big thank-you goes to Jade and Matt, the owners of Choklits, for their tremendous support in organising and providing us with wonderful equipment, such as our great multi-seat pram and many more resources. Their support has been invaluable this week.
Educator spotlight…
A big shoutout to Ratna for being an outstanding support to our kindergarten teachers. She has played a crucial role in facilitating a smooth transition for the children to our 3-year-old kinder room. Ratna not only ensures the families feel welcomed and supported but also provides them with comprehensive information about the kinder program. Her dedication to maintaining quality communication with all our kindergarten room families is truly commendable.
Next week…
Next week, we plan to revamp our garden beds in all our outdoor areas and begin our centre’s gardening projects. We eagerly anticipate growing herbs and vegetables together, which Lai, our fantastic chef, will incorporate into many special recipes which the children will all share. Seeing our crops blossom into beautiful vegetable gardens is something we’re all excited about. We can’t wait to kick off this project!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & Jazz
Friday January 19th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
Firstly, we would like to welcome back our returning families who have rejoined us. It is wonderful to see you back with the Choklits family.
We would like to invite all our families and the community to join us on Monday February 5th at 9:30am for a group yoga session with Elena Michaelides. She has been conducting our yoga program on Mondays for the centre. Bring your own yoga mat, make some friends, or simply get to know the other families within our community and enjoy the yoga session and some morning tea.
Please RSVP via email if you would like to participate no later than Monday January 29th. We can’t wait to see you join our group yoga session and enjoy the morning tea provided for the families.
We would also like to thank our kindergarten children who have been actively working on the centre’s sustainability practices and creating our save energy signs. We can’t wait to see the progress of this great project and extend this to all our age groups. Please stay tuned for all our upcoming sustainability projects with the teams and the activity settings coming to each room.
Additionally, we would like to welcome back our wonderful chef, Lai. We are very excited to have our most amazing cooking classes recommencing in the rooms. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you would like to volunteer in our cooking classes facilitated by Lai in the children’s rooms each week. We are looking for input so please provide us with your child’s favourite recipe and we can look to incorporate it in the upcoming classes.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we welcomed many new families and engaged in the orientation process. The beginning of the year is always spent helping all our children settle into their new learning environments.
We also recommenced our incursions, where children took advantage of the sports program on Friday, learning all about balancing their bodies and various body movement practices. Additionally, yoga has been a great highlight of the week, and due to high interest, we arranged for a group family yoga session as mentioned above. Furthermore, our music incursion provided children with a great opportunity to learn a variety of topics through music, using different musical instruments.
Educator spotlight…
The Educator Spotlight of the week shines on our wonderful Lead Educator of the Nursery Room. Well done, and hats off to you Deborah, for being so accommodating to all individual children’s needs while also addressing families’ requirements and establishing a routine for their young children.
Deborah has successfully supported our new children with their sleep routines, extending the practices families have started at home to ensure that our nursery room feels like a second home for the young children. Deborah and the team in our nursery room tailor each child’s routine individually to accommodate family’s needs and contribute to supporting a great and comprehensive team of educators.
Next week…
Next week, our kindergarten teachers will be preparing for the upcoming kindergarten information event that we have organised which will cover our 2024 program. The session will be highly beneficial for all kindergarten parents and careers, and all Choklits families are welcome to attend as we’ll be covering both the 3-year-old and the 4-year-old programs.
Our very first 2024 Kindergarten Information Event is on January 31st from 3 to 4pm.
We understand that the start of the year in a kindergarten room can be a significant step and transition for both the child and the family. Therefore, we want to ensure that all the necessary information is accessible to you. We will cover kindergarten funding, school readiness programs, the program outlook for the year and other related details.
Additionally, we have opened five days for kindergarten families to schedule one-on-one meetings with our kindergarten teachers to discuss your child’s goals, the child’s learning status, and any further support we can provide.
We have more information to come but please email [email protected] to request your one-on-one. We currently have between 3 and 5pm available for the week commencing Monday February 12th, but expect to fill the times up very quickly!
Feel free to discuss any other topics or ask any questions you have.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & Jazz
Friday January 12th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello families,
Welcome to another edition of our Friday update!
This week, our wonderful educators put in a lot of effort to help the children settle into their new learning spaces. Big shoutout to the teams – we’re thrilled to see our little ones all comfy in their new environments.
We’re reaching out to you, our fantastic families, to start thinking about any goals or aspirations you have for your child/children. Whether it’s achievements, improvements, or any specific developments you’d like to see, we’d love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
Over the next four weeks, our educators will be setting goals for the children and tweaking room routines. We are looking forward to seeing the children getting involved in setting goals for their own spaces with their educators.
As you may already be aware, we have recommenced our weekly incursions, so now they’re officially part of our routine!
All our events are on the calendar above, but here’s our Weekly Incursion schedule:
- Monday: Yoga and Movement with Discover Tomorrow
- Wednesday: Music with Rhythm and Moves
- Friday: Sports and physical skills with Little Sports Heroes
And, don’t forget, Doctor Chan will continue to visit every second Wednesday from January 24th. All Choklits Children are welcome to book an appointment, even if they’re not enrolled on that specific day.
Highlights from the week…
This week, we had some fantastic incursions, and the children absolutely loved the programs and activities. The weather played its part too, making the whole experience even better!
Feel free to encourage your children to continue their learning at home. If they have any great stories or activities they’ve enjoyed, please share them with the educators when you return next week. This way, we can build on each child’s individual learning and extend their interests.
Educator spotlight…
A big shoutout to Tamara for being a wonderful support for the teams. She provides the support they deserve while ensuring the children are well-supported with all their individual needs and have a smooth transition.
Thank you, Tamara! Your hard work is truly noticeable. Tamara has put in a tremendous effort to ensure that the needs of our families are not only heard but also accommodated for. We appreciate your dedication!
Next week…
Next week, we’re continuing our sustainability practices throughout the centre. Our children have already started engaging in discussions with their educators about saving energy, understanding its importance, and why conserving water and power is essential throughout the day.
Moreover, our kindergarten children are collaborating to create customised and handwritten reminders for all our visitors, encouraging them to turn off lights and practice water conservation.
In line with these efforts, we’d like to invite you to bring any recycled materials and resources. This allows the children to access and create new environments and activities using donated materials from our wonderful families and the community.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & Jazz
Friday January 5th, 2024
Reading not your thing? We’ve got you covered…
Hello families,
What an incredible week we’ve experienced at Choklits Child Care Surrey Hills! We’ve had the joy of welcoming new families and supporting our amazing children as they transition between rooms, forging connections with both their peers and educators. Our focus has been on fostering creativity through free art and craft activities, using loose parts and recycled resources generously donated by families and educators. This initiative allows the children to unleash their creative thinking and imagination, giving a meaningful second life to resources that were no longer in use. Your contributions have made this week truly special!
Highlights from the week…
Our 3 and 4-year-old kinder children have engaged in meaningful discussions about Aboriginal culture and the colours of the Aboriginal flag. Drawing from their knowledge, they’ve skillfully identified these colours among the various shades provided by our fantastic kindergarten teachers and educators. Together, they’ve delved into the significance of respecting the land, and the children have beautifully created the Aboriginal flag on canvas. We’ve captured their voices, preserving this remarkable art piece, which is now proudly displayed in our newly established community area. This space is designed for families to unwind, enjoy a cup of tea or coffee, and connect with our teams and other families. Your children’s exploration of culture and creativity has truly enriched our community!
Educator spotlight…
A heartfelt acknowledgment to Abby for her outstanding dedication and hard work. Her exceptional teamwork and unwavering support for both families and colleagues reflect her commitment to providing constant care and ensuring the individual needs of the children are met with the highest quality. Well done, Abby – your tireless efforts do not go unnoticed!
Next week…
Following up on the high interest the children have shown in using recycled materials in various activities, we would like to extend an invitation for you to donate any recycled materials you may have. We have recently set up a sustainability area for educators and the community to contribute resources for children to access. In this designated space, children can take advantage of this golden opportunity to select any loose part resources they like and let their imaginations soar. This initiative aligns with our commitment to exceeding practice and fostering a strong connection with the environment.
Your contributions will undoubtedly enrich the learning experiences of our children.
Important date…
- Dr. Chan’s visit is scheduled for January 10th, 2024. Please make sure to sign up if you would like your child to be seen by Dr. Chan or if you have any questions or queries.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits…
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Ellie & Jazz
2023 Choklits Surrey Hills Weekly Updates
We are a busy bunch at Choklits so Choklits Surrey Hills Service Director Ellie shares updates and exciting news for our families and community every Friday!
Below is the latest instalment, scroll down for past updates and feel free to share.
*** Our updates will be back on February 2nd, until then please find our 2023 Annual Letter here ***
– Friday, December 22nd –
Hello families,
Happy Friday!
Highlights from the week…
The highlight for the week was definitely our visit from Santa and his little helpers. Santa was very excited to give out the new Choklits children’s book the Chokliteers Space Adventure. All the children we exited too!
The other big highlight this week was welcoming Ellie Saberi our new centre manager to Choklits. Please check our her wonderful profile – choklits.com.au/team/ellie-saberi/
Over to Ellie…
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Choklits team and embark on this wonderful journey with our amazing children, families, and the dedicated team of superstar educators. Your support is invaluable, and I am eager to contribute to the growth and development of each child in our care. Thank you for entrusting us with your little ones, and I look forward to building meaningful connections with all our Choklits families” – Ellie Saberi
Festive Season Wrap-Up
A huge thank you to everyone who attended our Christmas Party and Graduation functions over the past couple of weeks. It was amazing to see so many of you!
We raised $1629 across the Choklits Group which is absolutely fantastic, thank you all!
Each year Choklits commits to matching whatever is raised at our Christmas functions which means $3258 has been donated to our 3 chosen charities –
- Salvation Army
- Kids Under Cover, and
- Berry Street
Again, a huge thank you to you all!
Friday Updates
During January we’ll be busy organising next year and completing room transitions for all our children moving up. We’ll keep you up-to-date with any important dates but our Friday updates will resume on February 2nd, 2024.
Thank you all for a wonderful year, we look forward to a fantastic 2024!
We wish you and your family a fantastic festive season!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Jade, Jazz & Ellie
– Friday, December 15th –
Hello families,
Happy Friday!
We are on the home stretch to Christmas and the children are so engaged in conversation around holidays, family and of course Santa. We have been doing so many art and craft activities in the rooms and the children have been spending more time outside drawing, painting and playing when we can depending on the ups and downs of the weather.
Highlights from the week…
The children over the course of this week have been spending some time in their classrooms for 2024 and meeting their new teachers and educators in the rooms. We find these transitions very helpful in supporting the children with their sense of belonging and confidence. We are here to support all the children with these changes and assist them in getting comfortable with their new spaces and faces.
An Exciting Update for Next Years Program
In 2024 we are excited to announce that we are introducing an additional incursion into our weekly curriculum at Choklits Surrey Hills. We will now be offering an additional sports program called Little Sports Heroes. We had the opportunity to have them come and visit earlier this year and loved it so much we have decided to add it as part of our curriculum.
Our Weekly Incursion program will be as follows from the 8th of January 2024.
Monday– Yoga and Movement with Discover Tomorrow
Wednesday– Music with Rhythm and Moves
Friday- Little Sports Hero’s
Plus we will continue to have Dr Chan fortnightly on a Wednesday, all Choklits Children are welcome to come and see him on the day even if your child is not enrolled on the day.
Lastly, our Kinder 3 and Kinder 4 programs will be adding some additional activities during the week including local excursions and more adventurous excursions inline with the children’s learning curriculum. Our kindergarten teachers will share what these are early in the new year to all our kindergarten parents.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, December 8th –
Hello families,
Happy Friday!
Thank you so much for helping us celebrate our end of year Christmas function yesterday. We hope you all enjoyed your afternoon and I loved seeing everyone get in the spirit and get their faces painted, sing along with Gabe and catch up with the other members of our Choklits community. A huge thank you to all the staff and volunteers who assisted on the day and the month leading up to it.
A big congratulations to our lucky raffle winners and thank you for all the ticket purchases every little bit goes a long way to supporting our nominated charities. 100% of all money raised will be split evenly and go to the Salvation Army, Berry Street Christmas Giving Appeal and Kids UnderCover.
Once our final Choklits centre party has concluded next week we will share how much we have raised across all three communities.
Highlights from the week…
Yesterday we also had our kindergarten graduation celebration. I wanted to say how proud we are of these children and the qualities they have shown throughout the year. They are ready for their next chapter in their lives and we wish them well. This was a particularly special moment for Matt and I as we watched our first kindergarten children leaving to go to school who have been with us since we took over the centre 18 months ago. We are very proud of all our early learners and wish them all the best next year.
Coming Up…
- Next Week Dr Chan- Wednesday the 13th any last visit before Christmas please let us know, he will be back in Feb 2024.
- Dental Visit now changed to 20th of December.
- Room transitions for 2024 will start next week.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, December 1st –
Hello families,
Happy Friday!
For anyone who has visited the centre this week you will have seen our raffle prizes are now wrapped up and our Reindeer is ready to go to a good home! He has been receiving lots of cuddles from the children, so I am sure will be well loved. Please don’t forget to see Jazz to grab your raffle tickets, they will be available for purchase on the day also.
100% of all money raised will be split evenly and go to the Salvation Army, Berry Street Christmas Giving Appeal and Kids UnderCover.
Highlights from the week…
Today our Kinder 3 and Kinder 4 went on an excursion to Surrey Hills park from 10-1pm. They walked to the park and had a play in the playground, had a picnic lunch and fed the ducks at the pond. They had a wonderful time and it was so nice to be out in the community and experiencing some classes outdoors and having lots of fun playing.
The whole centre had music and yoga this week, plus learning more Christmas songs with Masha in Persian. We are really looking forward to celebrating the end of the year with you all next week and singing and catching up with you all. There will be music from rhythm and moves, face painting and a sausage sizzle. We hope you can join us.
Next Week Is Jammed Packed!
- Impact Dental Coming to visit on the Wednesday the 6th of December, please read all the information provided prior to submitting your consent form.
- Choklits Christmas Party and Kindergarten Graduation, Thursday December 7th 4-6pm.
Coming Up…
- Next Week Dr Chan 14th of Wednesday November 2023, last visit for the year.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, November 24th –
Hello families,
We hope you have had a fabulous week! As we dive into this week’s reflection, we would like to remind you all of our upcoming events! The information for these days/afternoons/nights can be found on our social pages, Xplor posts, emails and in our weekly updates below! Keep reading on to hear about this week’s adventure!
Highlights from the week…
It has been really exciting this week as we have been busily getting ready for our Christmas party and kindergarten graduation. The Toddlers have painted and decorated their Christmas tree which is in the foyer. It’s such a great art installation and is creating lots of excitement and chatter about Christmas with all the children. This week we have been extending our Italian language lessons, learning shapes and numbers with Tanya plus learning Christmas songs in Italian. Also, this week the whole centre participated in some practice drills, a lock down drill and a whole centre fire evacuation, the children and staff were wonderful. It’s important that we constantly practise these drills so we know what to do in an emergency. If you have any questions about these drills please do let us know.
New Faces
As Choklits continues to grow we are adding to our Choklits family. We have some new faces joining our team who we will introduce you to over the next week. Some of the educators are previous students who loved working with Choklits so much they wanted to come back and work which is really exciting.
Coming Up…
- Next Week Dr Chan 29th of Wednesday November 2023.
- Impact Dental Coming to visit on the Wednesday the 6th of December, please read all the information provided prior to submitting your consent form.
- Choklits Christmas Party and Kindergarten Graduation, Thursday December 7th 4-6pm.
Last Call …
Christmas Hamper donations, if you are able to donate new toys, vouchers or have your own business you would like to promote by donating something please let us know.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, November 17th –
Hello families,
Wishing you and your family a happy weekend ahead!
Highlights from the week…
This week Diwali celebrations have continued in all the rooms, with the staff sharing more of this celebration with the children and continuing on with some beautiful arts and crafts. The staff also dressed in beautiful saris and bought some amazing food for the staff to share and try. There are some great photos on our Instagram and Facebook if you would like to have a look. Also this week we had STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, THINK come and visit our older children, through the incursion they were introduced to road safety which starts providing an awareness of road safety to ensure that our little ones develop the necessary skills to navigate the streets safely. Also, it is beginning to look like Christmas with decorations, art and kindergarten graduation practice. It’s such a wonderful and exciting time of the year.
Coming Up…
- Dr Chan on Wednesday the 26th of November 2023.
- Impact Dental coming to visit on Wednesday the 6th of December, please read all the information provided prior to submitting your consent form.
- Choklits Christmas Party and Kindergarten Graduation, Thursday the 7th of December, 4-6pm.
Reminders
Christmas Hamper donations; if you are able to donate new toys, vouchers or have your own business you would like to promote by donating something please let us know, please see below:
How to donate items to the hamper
If you own or represent a business please email us, we would love to hear from you. Items or vouchers should be new and family-friendly, we’ll make sure you get a good plug for your business on the day as a thank-you for your contributions and help in raising money.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, November 10th –
Hello Families,
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Highlights from the week…
Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a joyous and vibrant celebration that holds great importance at Choklits. This festive occasion is marked by the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. At Choklits, we are proud to have several educators who celebrate Diwali, contributing to the rich cultural diversity within our community. Diwali is a time for families and friends to come together, share delicious meals, exchange gifts, and light traditional lamps called diyas. The significance of Diwali extends beyond religious boundaries, fostering unity and understanding among people. To all our Choklits families and friends celebrating Diwali over the weekend, we wish you a time filled with fun and joy. May the light of Diwali illuminate your lives and bring happiness to your homes.
Educator spotlight…
This week we would like to give a shout out to Tamara Johnstone, our Pre-Kinder Room leader. Tamara and the team in the Pre-Kindergarten room are always engaging in lots of activities, including fine motor activities to support hand and eye coordination and independence. Recently you would have seen lots of art experiences happening in the rooms and also now the creation of Christmas decorations.
Next week…
- Incursion- Stop, Look, Listen, Think is coming up on the 13th November at 11am, children will learn about road safety and the different rules associated with road safety.
- Doctor Chan visit on the 15th of November please ensure you put your name down for your child to be seen by Doctor Chan if you have any concerns or queries.
Coming Up…
- December 7th 4-6pm Choklits Christmas Party and Kindergarten Graduation.
Reminders
Can you donate to the Christmas Hamper this year? Please see below how you can donate, please note items do need to be new and unused.
If you would like to donate to the hamper please see below:
How to donate items to the hamper
If you own or represent a business please email us, we would love to hear from you. Items or vouchers should be new and family-friendly, we’ll make sure you get a good plug for your business on the day as a thank-you for your contributions and help in raising money.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, November 3rd –
Hello Families,
HAPPY FRIDAY!
Today we start our day by acknowledging our country and paying respect to our elders past, present, and emerging.
Highlights from the week…
We have had a wonderful week here at Choklits Surrey Hills. We absolutely loved hosting all our grandparents and special friends this week. We adored spending time with you all playing, laughing and engaging with our fluffy friends who came to visit. A big thanks to Animals on the Move animal farm.
And, a huge thank you to Lai for preparing all the beautiful food with such love and care, and for making sure everyone was looked after. Also, I would like to thank all the amazing staff we have at Surrey Hills for making the day so lovely for both the children and you all! We are really lucky to have such a wonderful and dedicated group of educators who are always thinking of the best ways to embrace every child in their learning and education journey.
We have taken lots of photos of the day, please check these out on our socials Choklits Instagram and Choklits Facebook and your child’s updates in your Home App.
Also, this week we did lots of Halloween activities across the centre and loved all the wonderful costumes and activities. We had fun carving pumpkins and doing some exciting sensory experiments.
Educator spotlight…
This week we would like to give a shout out to Abby, our Toddler Room leader. Abby always has such wonderful activities and learning experiences in her room for some of our youngest early learners. She is great at extending the children’s imagination and creativity. Thank you Abby!
Next week…
Is a Public Holiday, we are closed for the Melbourne Cup. We hope you all have a lovely day Tuesday and back a winner if you are going.
Coming Up…
- National children’s week 23rd-27th, celebrations dedicated to the amazing little people in our lives.
- Incursion- Stop, Look, Listen, Think is coming up on the 13th November at 11am, children will learn about road safety and the different rules associated with road safety.
- Doctor Chan visit on the 8th of November please ensure you put your name down for your child to be seen by Doctor Chan if you have any concerns or queries.
- December 7th 4-6pm Choklits Christmas Party and Kindergarten Graduation.
Reminders
There are only 7 more Fridays left until Christmas, we will be running our famous raffle again this year and 100% of all money raised will be split evenly and go to the Salvation Army, Berry Street Christmas Giving Appeal and Kids UnderCover.
This year’s hamper already contains a Bluey Best Mate Jumbo 45cm Plush Toy, a 12-month Melbourne Zoo Membership for 2 adults and your children (under 16) and a Choklits Golf Umbrella (so you can go to the zoo all year round and never get wet!). The Zoo Membership gives you unlimited entry for 12 months to Healesville Sanctuary, Werribee Open Range Zoo and Kyabram Fauna Park.
If you would like to donate to the hamper please see below:
How to donate items to the hamper
If you own or represent a business please email us, we would love to hear from you. Items or vouchers should be new and family-friendly, we’ll make sure you get a good plug for your business on the day as a thank-you for your contributions and help in raising money.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Choklits Team
– Friday, October 27th –
Hello families,
We hope you have all had a great week and are looking forward to a wonderful weekend.
Highlights from the week…
This week we have been diving into Halloween and exploring sensory activities, pumpkin cutting, painting friendly ghosts and creepy crawlies. We have also been doing science experiments, exploring colours and textures and discussing space and the solar system. Plus this week we have had language classes with Tanya learning Italian and Masha learning Persian.
Welcome…
We are delighted to welcome you two new team members to our Choklits Community. Please join us in welcoming Pinky Cheng our new 4 year old kindergarten teacher and Rita Song our new 3 year old Kindergarten Teacher. You can read their profiles by clicking the links below.
Pink Cheng – choklits.com.au/team/pinky-cheng/
Rita Song – choklits.com.au/team/rita-song/
Educator spotlight…
Have you met Deb, our wonderful nursery room leader? You can read more about Deb on her profile below.
choklits.com.au/team/deborah-chellemben/
Next Week…
Next week is HUGE!!
Grandparents Day is Tuesday the 31st of October, 9:30-11am.
Morning tea will start at 9:30am to 10am.
From 10-11am we will be exploring the animal farm outside and doing activities with our beloved family members. Please note we will invite our little learners into the animal farm first and then our older groups will visit the animals, this is to keep all animals and people safe.
Plus- Wednesday the 1st of November Dr Chan is coming, please put your name on the list if you would like your child to be seen.
Don’t Forget….
Christmas is 9 Fridays Away!!!
Choklits Surrey Hills Christmas Party and Kindergarten graduation is on the 7th of December from 4pm-6pm, we are very excited.
Don’t forget to buy tickets to our Choklits Surrey Hills CHRISTMAS HAMPER RAFFLE, check your emails for all the details for how to buy tickets or even get free ones!! You can also ask us at reception for more information.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
– Friday, October 20th –
Hello families,
We have had a wonderful week here at Choklits Child Care Surrey Hills. With so many new faces it’s fantastic to see our centre thrive as we continue to grow. This week we had a great focus on building relationships between children, educators and parents.
It’s gone quickly and I can’t believe the end of the year is near.
Highlights from the week…
Our kindergarten class worked on a new group project. They are making a large dream catcher using a wide range of creative materials to decorate it. They also spent time learning about the cultural significance of a dream catcher and where they originated. As a group, they were all very impressed and even came to a decision of where to hang it. Discussions continued and they spoke about their vision and extended on their ideas…. Exciting times for Kinder 3-4!
Spring is continuing as a theme throughout October, embracing the season as the weather has been warming up. It’s been great for the children to get involved in water play and use water in many creative ways including items from the sandpit and experimenting with funnels, sifters and jugs.
Educator spotlight…
We’re taking a moment to acknowledge the wonderful work that Josie does. She is an amazing team player and gives endlessly to the children in support of their development, learning and education. Thank you for being you, Josie, and continuing all the great work that you do.
Next week…
We are very excited to welcome our new Kindergarten Teachers to the Choklits Surrey Hills Team. They are super excited to meet you all too!
Stay tuned for their formal introduction next week.
Coming Up…
- Grandparents Day, Morning Tea and Animal Farm on October 31st, all are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
- National Children’s Week 23rd-27th, celebrations dedicated to the amazing little people in our lives.
- The Stop, Look, Listen Incursion is coming up on November 13th at 11am, children will learn about road safety and the different rules associated with road safety.
- Doctor Chan will visit on November 8th, please ensure you put your name down for your child to be seen and note concerns or queries.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
– Friday, October 13th –
Hello families,
HAPPY FRIDAY!
We have had a wonderful week here at Choklits Child Care Surrey Hills. There have been wonderful activities throughout the week including Persian and Italian Language class. We have embraced messy play this week across all rooms which is a great way to engage in sensory activities stimulating our senses.
Highlights from the week…
This week has been a great week with children in all rooms using recycled materials to create masterpieces. It has been extraordinary to see how children can extend their imagination, free expression and creativity while reusing boxes and other materials, working as a group promotes and fosters discussions regarding ideas and thoughts.
Self Help skills have been a real focus, encouraging children to be responsible for their health and wellbeing, serving themselves with tongs at mealtimes, scraping and washing their own dishes after mealtimes, it is also wonderful to see older children role modelling and helping their peers with the support of their educators. Be prepared for lots of helping hands and home.
We have also been discovering the wonderful world of nature and all the benefits of natural play and exploring various textures and visuals while using our senses to deepen our understanding of the natural world we live in. Investigating leaves, flowers, stones, rocks, crystals and using them in various experiences.
Welcome…
To all our new families we welcome you all, Nursery and Toddler is becoming extremely busy which is fantastic and the rooms are full of energy and buzzing with enthusiasm.
It’s a warm feeling to create new positive bonds and relationships.
Have you noticed…
We have added a new sign to the front of our centre in relation to enrolments for 2024 which looks amazing and it is great to see our current staff and children up there for our local community to view.
Educator spotlight…
A big shout out to Mahsa for all the hard work she does and for her constant care and support she provides to the children and educators around her, her Persian language class is a hit and we appreciate everything you do. Well done Mahsa!
Next week…
Doctor Chan visit on the 18th of October please ensure you put your name down for your child to be seen by Doctor Chan if you have any concerns or queries.
Coming Up…
- Grandparents day morning tea and on the 31st of October and Animal Farm, all are welcome and we look forward to seeing you there.
- National children’s week 23rd-27th, celebrations dedicated to the amazing little people in our lives.
- Doctor Chan visit on the 18th of October please ensure you put your name down for you child to be seen by Doctor Chan if you have any concerns or queries.
- Incursion stop, look, listen, think coming up on the 13th October at 11am, children will learn about road safety and the different rules associated with road safety.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
– Friday, October 6th –
Dear families,
What an out of this world week we have had here at Choklits. Children have been having fun and engaging in playful and meaningful experiences this week. The topic, of course, has been space for Space Week!
Exciting News…
We welcome back Paris who is returning to work on Monday we are super excited and cannot wait to have her back here at Choklits, she is also bringing her son Spencer who will be starting with us also.
Highlights…
This week has been a search for space and all the wonderful things to explore and further learn about the universe.
Children have been extremely busy with creative arts and exploring planets through painting and sensory experiences, including group times and reading stories, making planets and murals that change their rooms into a vocal taking point, transforming spaces in their room which also involved the children’s efforts for displays their work.
Music was a hit with Sarah this week, children learning various songs related to insects and their natural way of living and the elements that help earth grow and thrive.
This week our little scientists engaged in volcanic experiments. Mixing various ingredients, being baking soda, vinegar which created a reaction, stimulated a volcanic eruption as the bubbles started to froth and rise. This was a great way to expose them to basic chemical reactions through science.
Upcoming Events…
- Grandparents Day Morning Tea and animal farm visit from 10am-11am on October 31st. We will be getting close with fluffy and furry farm animals and enjoying quality time with loved ones at our morning tea.
- National Children’s Week (23rd – 27th): A special celebration dedicated to the amazing little people in our lives. And embracing the uniqueness and individuality of each child.
- Yoga morning class with Elena on Monday.
- Morning music session with Sarah on Tuesday.
- Persian Language class with Mahsa on Wednesday, learning about the Persian culture while singing songs and embracing key words, being please, thank, you and hello.
- Italian Language class with Tanya on Tuesday, learning to count, visual cards of the country and learning the colours through music.
Reminders…
- Doctor Chan will be visiting our centre on Wednesday, October 18th. Please put your name down on our consent list, located at reception if you would like Doctor Chan to follow up on any concerns or queries you may have for your child.
- Sending a reminder for everyone to complete your 2024 attendance requests for Choklits. On request, we have extended the date by a few weeks. We will obviously do our best to accommodate every family’s needs, however, due to our service availability, we cannot guarantee the preferences at this stage. To confirm your 2023 preferences please complete this form.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
– Friday, September 29th –
Dear Families,
What a wonderful week we have had here at Choklits. This week has been all about connecting with our community and getting in the spirit of footy week. Thank you to everyone who was able to make our Surrey Hills coffee morning it was so wonderful being able to chat with you many of you and introduce you to other families and staff members. We look forward to doing another coffee morning again soon.
It was also so great seeing all the different footy colour and sports teams embraced this week by the staff and the children. If you support one of the codes or one of the teams over the weekend good luck! All I hope for is a good match to watch!
Also, this week we welcomed Jazz Nannar to our Choklits Surrey Hills Team.
Jazz is our new Administration and Communications assistant and we are so excited to have her on board! Please introduce yourself next week when you see her at reception, she cannot wait to get to know you all and be a part of our wonderful team.
Next Week We Have Some Exciting Things Planned!
Monday – Our weekly Yoga class with Elena from Discover Tomorrow
We are excited to introduce our new language classes for the children:
Tuesday – The children will be introduced to the Italian Language with Tanya one of our wonderful kindergarten teachers. They will be introduced to counting, visual cards of the country and learning the colours through music.
Wednesday – The Children will be introduced to Persian the Language with Mahsa.
They children will be learning the culture while singing songs and embracing key words, being please, thank, you and hello.
Also On Wednesday – Our fortnightly visit from Doctor Chan. Please put your name down on our consent list, located at front reception if you would like Doctor Chan to follow up on any concerns or queries you may have for your child.
Thursday – Our weekly music session with Sarah from Rhythm and Moves.
Upcoming Events and Save The Dates
Space week from 2nd – 6th of October – we will be embracing the universe, children
will be participating in activities that will spark their curiosity for space.
Grandparents Day & Animal Farm Visit – we will be hosting a morning tea on Tuesday the October the 31stfrom 10am-11am. We will be getting close with fluffy and furry farm animals and enjoying quality time with loved ones at our morning tea.
Save the Date – Choklits Surrey Hills Christmas Party and Kindergarten Graduation – Thursday the 7th of December from 4-6pm.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Grand Final weekend, and we will see you all next week!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
– Friday, September 22nd –
Dear families,
What a wonderful week we have had here at Choklits Child Care. The weather has been amazing and we have enjoyed the beautiful sunshine.
Welcome…
We extend a warm welcome to all parents and guardians and are delighted to share the highlights and achievements of our young learners in different rooms during the past week. These include captivating creative activities, meaningful lessons, and engaging interactive experiences.
Highlights of the Week…
Multilingual Learning:
This week, we’re delighted to announce that our young learners have been introduced to the richness of two new languages: Persian and Italian. Thanks to the diverse backgrounds of two of our educators, we’ve provided a unique chance for our children to broaden their linguistic horizons.
Discovering the individual flags and basic words, songs and phrases in Persian and Italian has not only expanded their vocabulary but also played a vital role in fostering a more harmonious and culturally aware environment within our center. In the ongoing journey of language exploration, our aim is to cultivate a profound appreciation for linguistic diversity and the significance of cultural awareness in our children.
Science activities
Children are actively involved in fascinating science experiments, such as the lava lamp activity, which nurtures a deeper comprehension of chemistry through hands-on exploration. Additionally, they’ve been engaged in our ‘bubbly ice’ experiment, witnessing the captivating response as vinegar is introduced to the vibrant baking soda ice they created earlier. Furthermore, our young learners are discovering the significance of environmental stewardship by planting avocado seeds with the guidance of our educators, instilling in them a love for nature and a sense of responsibility toward the environment.
Artistry
Our diverse range of art activities encompasses both numeric-themed projects and opportunities for free artistic expression, children also painted the murals on the windows which have a stained glass window effect and look amazing, strategically designed to facilitate holistic child development. These activities not only foster creativity but also enhance fine motor skills and promote cognitive growth. In doing so, they ensure an enjoyable and engaging learning experience for our children.
Little Heroes Sports Excursions…
This week, we were delighted to host trainers from Little Sports Heroes, who not only engaged our children in various sports but also instilled values like teamwork, coordination, and determination. Through these activities, our young learners not only had fun but also learned important life skills.
Coming up…
Enrolments for 2024 are now open – please look out for this email and the link to re-enrol your child for next year.
Service Closure: Choklits will be closed Friday the 29th of September for the Grand Final Public Holiday.
Next Week…
Events…
- Next week, we’re celebrating Footy Week, so please feel free to dress up in the footy teams you support! We will be providing various experiences to celebrate footy week.
- On Tuesday morning we’ll have a coffee van here from 7-10am.
After you drop off your little learners please come and grab a coffee, it’s on us!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
– Friday, September 15th –
Dear families,
What a wonderful week we have had here at Choklits Childcare. All of us have had a fun filled week with so many different experiences to interact and engage with.
Welcome…
We extend a warm welcome to all parents and guardians, and are thrilled to share the week’s highlights and accomplishments of our young learners across different rooms, from captivating creative activities to meaningful lessons and interactive experiences.
Highlights of the Week…
R U, OK?
In a fast-paced world where time seems to slip away, we pause to bring attention to R U OK? Day this week. This special day is dedicated to the well-being of our loved ones, friends, and ourselves, serving as a gentle reminder that beneath our everyday roles and responsibilities, each of us carries our unique stories and challenges. It’s an opportunity to momentarily halt our bustling lives and extend a hand, not just with words but with genuine care and understanding.
At Choklits, we wholeheartedly embrace this day as an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within our community. We encourage open conversations, moments of empathy, and the simple yet profound act of truly listening.
On R U OK? Day, we actively participated in a variety of emotional activities, such as rock painting and crafting paper faces to express our emotions. These activities serve a dual purpose by fostering self-expression and emotional awareness in children while offering valuable learning experiences. Through these creative Endeavor’s, children have the opportunity to explore and articulate their feelings, nurturing a deeper understanding of their own emotions and those of their peers. Ultimately, this contributes to their social and emotional learning, equipping them with essential life skills, including empathy, effective communication, and self-regulation.
Solar System
We embarked on a creative journey by constructing our very own solar system. Engaging children in week-long discussions about the solar system, where they explore their questions, enhances their knowledge and critical thinking. Building a solar system model from recycled materials actively involves them in the learning process and reinforces their understanding of celestial bodies and their positions.
Art
These various art activities, which include both numeric-themed projects and opportunities for free artistic expression, are designed to support children’s learning in a holistic manner. They encourage creativity, enhance fine motor skills, and promote cognitive development, all while making the learning process enjoyable and engaging.
Coming up…
2024 enrolments will open on Monday- Please look out for this email and the link to re-enrol your child for next year.
Next Week…
Thursday the 21st of September.
We have a sports incursion coming into the centre called Little Sports Heros. This incursion will be suitable for all children from Apple Room to Kinder. They will be taking 5 small groups across all the ages. Very excited now that the weather is getting warmer, to get outside more and get active.
Save the date…
On Tuesday the 26th of September, Choklits Surrey Hills will be hosting a get-to-know-you community coffee morning. More details to follow next week.
Upcoming events…
The AFL Grand Final is just around the corner, and anticipation is building for the exciting highlights that the week of 25th-28th will bring. Children are invited to dress in their favourite team’s gear (or any sport) for the week.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
— Friday, September 8th –
Hello Chokilts families,
We hope you’ve had a great week, we sure had lots happening here at Choklits! Our main highlight was our STEM based science incursion, please read all about it below.
Highlights from the week…
There’s nothing like the wonders of science to bring learning to life. On Thursday we had Labcoat Learning visit Choklits to take our children to a world of experimentation, exploration, and discovery. From ‘steaming’ dry ice to creating polymer slime and making giant bubbles, our children were actively engaged in hands-on science that had them smiling and asking lots of questions. The expressions on their faces were priceless as they defied gravity and delved into the world of scientific experiments.
At Choklits Child Care, we believe in harnessing children’s natural curiosity to drive learning. This incursion was no exception. We utilised a variety of teaching techniques to ensure maximum engagement, participation, and interaction.
One of the highlights of this incursion was the opportunity for our children to develop hypotheses about their experiments. This hands-on approach allowed them to explore scientific principles in a fun, age appropriate and interactive way. At the conclusion of the incursion, we explained these scientific principles with demonstrations and role-plays, deepening their understanding of the world of science.
The incursion focused on the properties of everyday materials, how their properties can be changed, and how materials are classified. If there is a particular scientific focus you would like us to cover in future incursions, please don’t hesitate to let us know, we’d love the feedback!
If you’d like more information on STEM Learning, please click here.
Our youngest early learners this week have also been busy creating their flower wall display to embrace the Spring season which looks amazing, children are learning the various colours and materials used for this feature. They also embraced child protection week by painting a green ribbon, symbolising life growth and nurturing of children and listened to an age-appropriate narrative behind this art creation.
Welcome…
A huge welcome to both Harleen and Sheena who joined the Choklits Educational Team this week. They have been busy getting to know the children and have an exciting few weeks learning everything about Choklits ahead of them.
Have you noticed…
Tamara is back! After completing a couple of weeks of her required placement at Choklits in Ringwood she has returned to Surrey Hills. Tamara is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Early Years Education. As part of her coursework, she will occasionally be required to complete placements at our other centres. We’re thrilled to have her back! She will need to finalise a few tasks on Monday and Tuesday, but after that, she will be back with us full time.
A special mention…
Wednesday was Educators Day so I’m sending another big shout out to our hardworking team at Choklits. We enjoyed a lovely morning tea here at the centre. Thank you for your messages of encouragement, they really are appreciated.
Our favourite social post…
We all know photographing children can be difficult, but sometimes we get it just right.
Don’t forget…
Next Thursday is R U OK Day. While we don’t expect children of an early learning age to fully understand the significance of the day, each room will be using the opportunity to discuss topics like caring for your friends, checking others are OK and what to do if they aren’t.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachael and the Choklits Team
— Friday, September 1st –
Dear Families,
Warm greetings to you on this delightful Friday! We hope this message finds you in excellent health, eagerly looking forward to a splendid weekend ahead.
As we reflect upon the week that transpired at Choklits Childcare, we are thrilled to present the array of engaging and enriching experiences that have enriched your children’s days.
Highlights from the weeks…
Lemon Room:
Our young learners in the Lemon Room demonstrated commendable development in essential social skills throughout the week. They actively engaged in sharing toys and fostering positive interactions, showcasing their growth in interpersonal relationships. Furthermore, their spirited celebration of Father’s Day was marked by lively music sessions and engaging spring straw painting activities. These endeavours allowed them to channel their creativity and establish meaningful connections.
Apple Room:
The Father’s Day breakfast created a heartwarming sense of community among families and educators alike. This event offered children the opportunity to engage in enriching activities, such as pot-planting with their fathers. In addition to the special occasion, our daily activities were thoughtfully designed to provide both entertainment and holistic development. These activities included creative tasks and interactive games, fostering skills such as body awareness, self-recognition, patience, cooperation, and empathy.
Strawberry Room:
Children in the Strawberry Room enjoyed a dynamic mix of indoor and outdoor activities throughout the week. They participated in group sessions for interactive learning, expanding their vocabulary through engaging games. Moreover, they embarked on artistic pursuits, including unique air bag painting and magnetic block constructions. These creative experiences not only enhanced their problem-solving abilities and fine motor skills but also promoted teamwork and creativity.
Orange 1 Room:
The week in the Orange 1 Room was marked by the celebration of Father’s Day through a special breakfast and creative card-making activities. Through various art and craft projects, the children explored colors, shapes, and textures, nurturing their artistic inclinations. Additionally, a nature observation project heightened their environmental awareness and observation skills as they explored the wonders of the natural world around them.
Orange 2 Room:
In the Orange 2 Room, our kindergarten families engaged in a series of plant-themed activities, fostering a deeper connection to nature. These activities ranged from crafting artistic flower wind chimes to innovative lotus flower projects. The week also included an engaging math lesson where our classroom transformed into an ice cream shop, providing interactive play to teach children about money. This also tied in beautifully with our celebration of Father’s Day, which was marked by heartfelt gifts.
This Week:
We came together as a community to celebrate Father’s Day with a heartfelt breakfast, cherishing the warmth of the occasion and creating lasting memories. Your presence and active participation added a special touch to the celebration, ensuring that these cherished moments will be fondly remembered for years to come.
Exciting News:
We welcome two new staff next week being Sheena who has experience in childcare and Harleen, you would have seen Harleen around our centre she is a student with us and she has already shown her amazing skills and is already building relationships with children and families
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, August 25th –
Hello… We’re hope you’ve had a fantastic week and are getting ready for an awesome weekend. At Choklits Childcare, we’ve ensured your children have had a week full of fun and engaging activities, everyone has been extremely busy.
Welcome…
We extend a warm welcome to all parents and guardians, and are thrilled to share the week’s highlights and accomplishments of our young learners across different rooms, from captivating creative activities to meaningful lessons and interactive experiences.
Highlights of the Week…
Lemon Room:
The nursery children embraced Book Week with engaging reading sessions alongside educators and the enthusiastic presence of volunteer Bahar, deepening their bond and enjoyment; various delightful moments included Jude’s peek-a-boo play, Bean’s exploration of books, and Olivia and Gabriel’s joyful singing and Lama ride, highlighting the spirit of learning and camaraderie.
Apple Room:
Introducing a creative approach to painting, our young artists engaged in the car rolling painting activity, using toy cars’ wheels to apply child-safe paints, resulting in vibrant track patterns that not only showcased their playfulness but also merged and blended colours, fostering creativity and fine motor skills; in addition, our music class provided a rhythmic treat, as children enthusiastically clapped and stomped to various beats, enhancing listening skills, introducing diverse musical rhythms, and improving coordination and rhythm through engaging exercises.
Strawberry Room:
We had an eventful week with a mix of indoor and outdoor activities, including music, sandpit play, climbing, and toy cars outside, as well as book crafting, playdough, blocks, drawing, and imaginative play indoors; the excitement was elevated by children dressed as favourite book characters, sharing stories and creating anticipation for more character costumes and shared tales in the upcoming days.
Orange 1 Room:
Throughout this week at kinder, we’ve been delighting in hands-on activities, from creating our own blue playdough to imaginative block building and immersive storybook sessions, fostering creativity, collaboration, and vocabulary enrichment.
Orange 2 Room:
Throughout this week in the “orange room,” young scientists have been immersed in captivating science experiments, exploring the interaction between oil and water, understanding their properties and behaviours. These hands-on activities have fostered curiosity and a foundational understanding of scientific principles. Building on this, engaging discussions about plant life cycles and favourite fruits have seamlessly transitioned into creative expression, further enhancing communication skills, empathy, and appreciation for individuality within a holistic learning environment.
Friday Incursion…
Our Sports Incursion with Mel today has been a hit with our ¾ year old Kinder children learning various ball skills, patience, turn taking, respect for each other as they engage positively individually and as a team. These experiences allow children to further develop their gross motor skills, hand eye coordination, body awareness and self-control
Next Week…
We welcome back our valued educators Vanessa and Prague which is fantastic we have missed them while they have been away.
Events…
- 31st August Father’s Day breakfast will be held. We look forward to appreciate and acknowledge your child’s special person and enjoy the morning together sharing experiences and good food.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, August 18th –
Hello families!
It’s been another busy week at Choklits and we’ve sure had a lot of fun!
This week’s update, however, is a little different. We found a fantastic video about young children, how they learn and develop, and the importance of the early years. We thought you might like it.
Could a game of peek-a-boo really change the world?
You be the judge…
We love to hear any feedback you have, so please head to our last post and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, August 11th –
Hello… it’s finally Friday! We’re hoping you’ve had a fantastic week and are getting ready for an awesome weekend. At Choklits Childcare, we’ve ensured your children have had a week full of fun and engaging activities.
Welcome…
We extend a warm welcome to all parents and guardians, and are thrilled to share the week’s highlights and accomplishments of our young learners across different rooms, from captivating creative activities to meaningful lessons and interactive experiences.
Highlights of the Week…
Lemon Room:
This week, our young learners had a captivating time with activities like butterfly squish painting and a “Happy Tooth, Sad Tooth” play that teaches dental hygiene. They’re also crafting surprises for Father’s/Special Person’s Day, merging art with emotions.
Apple Room:
In an explorative week, our young learners immersed themselves in a supermarket catalogue, engaged in cross-cultural exchanges, and enjoyed the “Woolworth Supermarket” Playset. A dental care session with songs and hands-on teeth-brushing added fun learning.
Strawberry Room:
Our week was filled with meaningful experiences: crafting green play dough, discussing dental health, and creating projects differentiating healthy and unhealthy foods. These activities nurtured creativity and learning.
Orange 1 Room:
This week focused on refining fine motor skills through cutting play dough, exploring various instruments in a music session, and collaborative play with self-made play dough creations.
Orange 2 Room:
Engaging activities encompassed a polar bear project for environmental awareness, analysing images of polar bears on melting ice caps, and tactile clay exploration. These endeavours fostered creativity and ecological understanding.
Friday Incursion…
We finished of the week with a sports incursion which the Kinder children thoroughly enjoyed, Sports incursions can offer numerous benefits for children. Here are some ways in which a sports incursion can help children: It promoted their physical skills and gross motor activity. Turn taking, balancing, running marathon, jumping hurdles, mini obstacle course. As children learn new sports skills and improve their abilities, they gain a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence. Sports often involve strategic thinking and decision-making, helping children develop problem-solving skills in a fun and engaging way.
Next Week…
The educators will continue to provide the opportunities for children to learn, improve their skills and enjoy at same time.
Events…
- 13th: Red Nose Day – Let’s support this great cause by wearing as much red clothing as we can, raising awareness for safe sleep practices for babies.
- 14th-18th: Science Week – Get ready for a week full of exciting scientific exploration and experiments that ignite curiosity and wonder.
- 21st-25th: Book Week – Dress up as your favourite book character, celebrating the joy of reading and storytelling.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, August 4th –
Happy Friday! We hope you had a wonderful week so far and are looking forward to the weekend. At Choklits Childcare, we had an amazing week filled with delightful and engaging experiences for your children. We are committed to providing a nurturing environment where your child’s growth and happiness are our utmost priority.
Welcome…
We welcomed Joanne and her child back from there three month holiday from China. It has been fantastic to hear her stories and Joanne is enjoying working in the Kinder 3 Room she is a very passionate and enthusiastic educator.
Highlights of the Week…
Lemon Room:
The children in our Lemon Room had a fantastic week of delightful and educational experiences. They enjoyed ample playtime outdoors, engaging in various activities that align with the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF). These activities included reading books to improve communication and literacy skills, and playing with balls in the new ball pit, to enhance gross motor skills. The children explored and interacted confidently with their environment, fostering a sense of “Being.” Indoors, they shared moments of joy, singing, and dancing together, creating a sense of “Belonging” as they formed strong bonds. We are grateful for your trust and look forward to more enriching adventures in the days to come.
Apple Room:
In the Apple Room, our weekly activities are to support holistic development. The children engaged in creative portrait drawing, imaginative role-playing in our “Woolworth supermarket,” plant painting, invigorating yoga sessions, and numeracy-focused “Number Hunting” activities. These play-based learning experiences created a nurturing environment for the children to flourish across all aspects of their development.
Strawberry Room:
Our friends in the Strawberry Room enjoyed playtime with puzzles, playdough, and blocks, fostering creativity and problem-solving skills. Group time focused on understanding emotions using flashcards, and story sessions encouraged language development and imagination. Outdoor play in the sandpit promoted social interactions and physical activity, while yoga and playdough making activities further supported their physical well-being and creative expression.
In the Kinder Rooms:
Orange 1 Room:
The children in Orange 1 Room engaged in a variety of indoor activities. Beads Play and using their fine motor skills to thread the beads encouraging great hand eye coordination, Loose Parts Play, Craft Work station, and outdoor adventures promoted creativity, problem-solving, decision-making, and exploration. They also learned about critically endangered animals and air travel which was extended through a form of origami and making paper panes of different designs, nurturing their interests and awareness and a sense of safety while flying their hand made paper planes.
Orange 2 Room:
In Orange 2 Room, the children had a fulfilling experience. They acknowledged the original landowners and the Aboriginal culture, learned about emotions and how to guide their own self regulation and ensuring they have a quiet space to use when feeling overwhelmed, children engaged in group play, and practiced mindfulness through morning yoga sessions. Open-ended play, making choices during meal times and providing opportunity for self helps skills by washing their own dishes and scrapping their own bowls, also mindful use of water encouraged independence, critical thinking, and a sense of responsibility.
Next Week…
We look forward to starting our sport program next Friday for the kinder children which will be fantastic and will promote their gross motor skills, physical movement, turn taking, following instructions in a supportive, fun, and encouraging way.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, July 28th —
Dear Families,
Happy Friday! We hope this message finds you well and ready to enjoy a wonderful weekend ahead. As we reflect on the past week at Choklits Childcare, we are thrilled to share with you the delightful and engaging experiences that have filled the days for your children.
Highlights…
Lemon Room:
The Lemon Room has been abuzz with excitement and learning throughout the week. Our little ones have had the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities that have nurtured their development in various ways. From building with blocks, playing with toy cars, and interacting with baby dolls, soft cubes, and puzzles to engaging in pretend cooking in the kitchen area, each activity has contributed to their fine motor skills, critical thinking, and sensory exploration. Moreover, their participation in group activities such as singing songs and reading books has showcased their enthusiasm for language learning and attentive listening. Notably, their active involvement in tidying up after playtime has instilled a sense of responsibility, independence, and the importance of maintaining a tidy environment.
Apple Room:
In the Apple Room, the week has been filled with diverse and engaging activities. Our curious children explored the plant life cycle, sparking insightful questions and discussions. They also crafted delightful sheep from recycled materials, fostering creativity and promoting the importance of recycling. The marble painting activity ignited their imagination, resulting in unique and creative patterns on paper. Outdoor play featured “Snowball Rescue,” a fun game that honed their fine motor skills as they used tongs to rescue their snowball friends. Additionally, sandpit fun stimulated their sensory and fine motor development, while yoga sessions brought joy and confidence through various poses. The week was characterized by laughter, creativity, and a genuine love for learning.
Strawberry Room:
In our Strawberry Room, mornings were filled with joyful activities that have contributed to the children’s growth and development. Group time sessions allowed the children to sing songs and express their feelings, fostering language development and social skills. Yoga sessions during morning tea brought excitement, with the children imitating animal movements to promote physical development and emotional regulation. A new game called “spin-around” added to the fun, encouraging physical activity and cognitive skills. Making play-dough together inspired creativity and fine motor skill development, leading to imaginative play. Additionally, the celebration of National Plant a Tree Day provided an opportunity to teach the children about plant life cycles and environmental responsibility. Moreover, observing the growth of avocado seeds in the Strawberry Room enhanced their scientific skills and patience. Interactive songs like “Five Little Ducks” and “Five Speckled Frogs” during group time promoted numeracy, confidence, and communication skills.
Orange 1 Room:
The Orange Room has been a hub of teamwork and creativity. The children collaborated and communicated enthusiastically as they built robots using cardboard and materials. Outdoor play activities, such as hopscotch drawing and necklace making, improved their writing and numeracy skills. Group time included the acknowledgment of country and storytelling, fostering a sense of cultural appreciation and understanding. A fun yoga incursion added excitement and physical activity to their routine. The Orange Room has nurtured a nurturing and inclusive environment throughout the week, where children formed strong friendships, helping and supporting each other in their daily activities. Play dough play sparked creativity, while the welcoming of a new teacher student, Caitlin, was met with warm greetings and a positive attitude.
Orange 2 Room:
Our Kinder Orange 2 class had a creatively fulfilling week with engaging activities that promoted their development. Art activities enhanced their fine motor skills and exploration, while yoga sessions provided physical benefits and mindfulness. Engaging with learning resources fostered cognitive, social, and fine motor skills. Playdough fun encouraged imagination and cooperation, and train track adventures promoted collaboration and spatial awareness. Lego construction showcased their creativity and perseverance, and threading activities strengthened finger muscles and fine motor skills. Outdoor activities contributed to their coordination, agility, and problem-solving abilities.
This Week…
We embraced pyjama week seeing a lot of your designs you chose and thank you for all your gold coin donations to a great cause. It has been fantastic seeing you in your comfy pj’s for the week.
Exciting News…
We finish off our wonderful week with plant a tree day, we will spend our morning planting native trees, showing respect and care for our environment and working together as a group to gain more knowledge on our gardening skills.
Hope everybody has a great weekend see you all next week.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, July 21st —
Happy Friday! We hope everyone had an amazing week so far and are ready for the weekend. At Choklits Childcare, we’ve had a fantastic week filled with delightful and engaging experiences and activities for your little ones.
Welcome…
Welcome, dear parents, to a place where your child’s growth and happiness are our utmost priority. We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant community! We extend a warm welcome to the new families that have recently joined the Choklits family. It’s wonderful to see you settling into your new environment.
Highlights…
Lemon Room:
In the Lemon Room, our youngest members, the babies, are provided with a nurturing environment that encourages their early development. Throughout the week, they engaged in a variety of stimulating activities, including sensory play with textured toys, music and movement exercises, and essential tummy time to strengthen muscles. Additionally, they enjoyed the excitement of the “Magic Blooming Flower,” fostering curiosity and fine motor skills. Caregivers also introduced counting exercises with colourful toys, nurturing early numeracy skills, and facilitated colour-matching activities to enhance visual discrimination. In this loving and supportive setting, each baby receives individualized attention, promoting their cognitive, sensory, and motor development while fostering a positive and joyful learning experience.
Apple Room:
The children in the Apple Room had an active and enriching week with diverse activities. During art sessions, they expressed their creativity by painting delightful renditions of the Very Hungry Caterpillar, fostering the development of fine motor skills and sensory exploration. Numeracy activities focused on introducing the concept of number 2, encompassing counting exercises and number recognition to lay the foundation for mathematical understanding. Moreover, physical activities involved playful imitation of bunny hops and bear walking, effectively enhancing gross motor skills and encouraging imaginative play. The children exhibited unwavering enthusiasm and demonstrated commendable growth in various developmental aspects. Looking ahead, our future objectives include incorporating more social interactive activities to promote collaborative learning experiences and strengthen their social skills in the forthcoming week.
Strawberry Room:
Our little friends in the Strawberry Room had enriching learning experiences with outdoor play at the sandpit and tunnel train, developing gross motor skills and teamwork. Indoors, they enjoyed color-matching and puzzle games, enhancing cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Shape and color matching puzzles thrilled them, reinforcing recognition and improving hand-eye coordination. These activities sparked curiosity, appreciation for nature, and taught values of patience and focus. We continue to provide a nurturing environment where learning is enjoyable and rewarding for our little learners.
In the Kinder Rooms…
Orange 1 Room:
We are excited to share with you the highlights of the enriching activities that your children experienced at our Centre this week. In our Kinder Room, the children’s creativity shined as they embarked on a fascinating project of creating bird nests. Inspired by a group time story, they articulated their own ideas and made independent decisions about how to construct the 3D nests, using a variety of materials to demonstrate their problem-solving skills and imaginative thinking. Yoga with Elena was a hit, as the children joyfully posed as different animals, following instructions and regulating their movements and emotions as a cohesive group. Additionally, the children engaged in an interactive and enjoyable letter game during group time. Recognising letters and making connections with words added an element of excitement to their language development. The activity also involved taking turns to use hammers and hit the letters when they heard words starting with the corresponding letter, fostering turn-taking, self-regulation, and problem-solving skills. The children immersed themselves in hands-on experiences throughout the week, exploring their creativity through art and craft activities, genetic blocks, and a magnetic board.
Orange 2 Room:
This week in our Orange Room 3, the children had an incredibly fun and enriching experience with a variety of engaging activities. They were captivated by the magnetic connector block patterns, which allowed them to exercise their problem-solving skills while creating fascinating structures and designs. Imaginative play with playdough sparked their creativity, resulting in delightful pizzas and gingerbread men, showcasing their storytelling abilities and building their creative confidence. The highlight of the week was the exciting project of building their own robots, turning our little ones into budding engineers. This hands-on endeavor not only encouraged teamwork but also fostered critical thinking as they assembled their robotic creations. We, as educators, couldn’t be prouder of the children’s enthusiasm and engagement throughout these activities. Their unyielding curiosity and eagerness to learn continue to inspire us and reaffirm our commitment to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for our young learners.
We are looking forward to another week of joyous learning and growth. Thank you for entrusting us with your children’s education and development.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, July 14th —
Choklits Childcare
Happy Friday!
Hope everyone has had a fun filled week like we have at Choklits with a range of experiences and activities happening to create curiosity and spark interest.
Welcome…
Welcome, dear parents, to a place where your child’s growth and happiness are our utmost priority. We are thrilled to have you join our vibrant community!”
New Assistant Director: We are pleased to announce that a new Assistant Director Ehtesham has joined our team this week.
We are pleased to welcome our new families that have joined the Choklits family, it is great to see you have settled in your new environment.
Lemon Room:
The children had an exciting week filled with learning and exploration. They enjoyed a Teddy Bear’s picnic, engaging in dramatic play that fostered creativity. Through vehicle painting, they improved their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and colour recognition. Next week, they will delve into a STEM experiment, deepening their understanding of cause and effect while exploring diffusion and osmosis. These activities provided rich opportunities for sensory engagement, language development, and hands-on learning.
Apple Room:
Children eagerly explored the insect world, showcasing remarkable enthusiasm and learning about various bugs. Engaging in the “I Can Rescue the Bugs!” activity, they actively participated and even named the bugs, fostering creativity and observation skills. Through sensory painting activities, they developed number recognition, counting abilities, and made meaningful connections between numbers and paint representations. These hands-on experiences encouraged exciting and effective learning beyond rote methods.
Strawberry Room:
This week’s activities fostered meaningful learning experiences for the children. Through hands-on projects like creating shakers from recycled materials, they learned about sustainability and creativity. Engaging in themed group times, sandwich-making, and music sessions enhanced their language skills, self-expression, and appreciation for diverse rhythms. Yoga sessions promoted physical development and body awareness.
In the Kinder Rooms…
Orange 1 Room:
Children explored a space-themed storybook, enhancing language skills. They engaged in a STEM project, creating their own planets. Teddy Bear Picnic promoted social interaction. A Wominjeka welcome foyer involved children, promoting ownership and inclusivity. Displays fostered respect for different cultures.
Orange 2 Room:
In 4-year-old kindergarten, the focus was on developing self-help skills, fostering creativity and free expression. The children made a Wominjeka sign, promoting inclusivity and cultural understanding. They also worked collaboratively on a STEM project, creating a robot. This project encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and exploration of technology in a colourful and engaging way.
Goodbye…
Best wishes to Kriti as she embarks on new adventures, and our heartfelt appreciation for her contributions to our learning community.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, July 7th —
Happy Friday!!
It has been a wonderful week here at Choklits.
Welcome…
A warm welcome to Praveen who started as a student with us and is now employed as an educator, Praveen will be finishing his placement hours with the 0-2 age group then he will be back working in the Kinder 3 and 4 where he will continue to build on the existing relationships he has formed and a great support for the Kinder Room.
Highlights of the week…
What a busy week we have had, the dentist came to visit us at Choklits, encouraging and promoting health and hygiene.
The children showed great enjoyment during the discussion as they were informed about sometime foods and the dentist received feedback from the children, gaining their knowledge learned and their thoughts about healthy eating and habits. Then children happily shared their experiences in regards to food and drink they like and eat only at times.
During the individual dentist visits, their was a little hesitation as expected but overall a willingness to participate in their known safe environment.
They certainly enjoyed taking their dentist bags home with them.
We also want to congratulate Deb for stepping up to be Room Leader in The Lemon Room replacing Dan. We are super excited for you and what you will achieve as Room Leader and the support you give the children, families and staff is amazing!
NAIDOC Week…
This week each room embraced and acknowledged NAIDOC week and the Aboriginal culture with great experiences form singing with didgeridoos and craft experiences in the Nursery room, Abroiginal painting in the Toddler room using natural resources and a variety of paint colours, creating a collage which will be displayed in the voyer area.
Sensory activities were a busy choice in the Pre kinder Room, exploring symbols and their meaning. The Kinder 3 and 4 rooms also used cultural music as a form of self expression during our music session with Cam, both rooms got creative using their hands to paint a large group collage which sparked their imagination while also enjoying painting using their senses. The kinder children also participated in a group session where they learned about Aboriginal symbols, the Aboriginal flag and the representation of the colours.
It provided and opportunity to extend on their own learning an awareness asking open ended questions to educators.
This week the educators have been promoting kindness and
Goodbye and best wishes…
We say goodbye to Dan and Maria this week who have been a valued member and part of the Choklits team. We all wish you the best in your new endeavours and the greatest success in your future.
Hope everyone has a great weekend see you all next week.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 30th —
Happy Friday!!
Hope everyone has had a wonderful and fun filled week as we have had at Choklits Surrey Hills.
Highlights of the week…
The children have been embarking upon a creative learning journey this week! Throughout the room you may see different activities that are being facilitated.
For the lemon room, we the children have engaged in sensory play where they have further developed their curiosity and problem solving skills. The children are learning through their senses!
The apple room has embarked upon a scientific journey understanding the ocean. Here, the children have been able to understand the different levels of the ocean and how depth of the ocean can significantly influence our ability to function as a human. They have further explored the aquatic ecosystem and the interplay that exists between the water and the animals.
The strawberry room has learnt about self-help skills. This sets the child up for success. They can become independent thinkers and communicate to one another if assistance is required. Further honing their communication with peers. They have been using tongs to pick up fruit by themselves! They have been doing a fantastic job!
In The Kinder Rooms…
Kinder rooms have been focusing on the idea of collaboration and teamwork. Here, the children have embarked upon activities that facilitate such an idea. One activity they have delved into their engineering mind and attempted to assist one another to build the largest tower without it falling! Such an activity required a lot of communication to successfully build the greatest block tower!
Kinder children enjoyed their incursion STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK, learning about road safety, asking questions and understanding the importance of being safe in the local community and around transport and roads.
We also had a visit from Doctor Chan this week which was fantastic promoting health and wellbeing, children being provided the opportunity to get their health check up in their familiar environment.
There has been a great lot of learning through the experiences that the educators are sharing with each other! We look forward to seeing you next week and being able to further enhance your child’s learning.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 23rd —
Hope everyone has had a wonderful week, here at Choklits Surrey Hills, it has been a fun filled week with excitement and.
Highlights of the week…
This week we have been continuously focusing on STEM through a great range of activities provided to the children to investigate and spark curiosity. Continuing with the exploration of science in daily with different games being pin wall which is teaching children about gravity and its effects, painting with various colours with the three primary colours red, blue and yellow being a focus for children’s learning.
Recycled materials that we sourced at the Reverse Art Truck, this has been amazing for children to use recycled resources in a creative manner as well as for construction, children using their imagination to build, construct, assemble and pull apart.
Candle making was popular amongst the Kinder children who showed great fine motor skills and were able to wait patiently and follow instructions while working together as a group and individually.
Our Nursery children have been engaging in sensory activities from slime to painting to promote their fine motor skills and while using their senses and getting creative.
Our Toddler children have been loving their new environment and set up play spaces which is extending their interest as well as sparking their thought for new learning and ideas.
Our Pre kinder children have been enjoying their outdoor and indoor play, especially outdoors to increase their gross motor skills will having fun and socialising with each other, music has also been a big hit with the children they enjoyed Cam’s visit for our music session for the week and the use of the guitar, learning new songs, rhythms and beats.
Don’t Forget…
A friendly reminder to please donate any books you no longer would like to keep as we can use it in out future centre book library.
Hope everyone has a great weekend and see you all next week!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 9th —
Hello Families,
Happy Friday! Hope everyone is ready for the long weekend! What a wonderful week it has been at Choklits.
Welcome…
A warm welcome to the new families who have joined the Choklits Child Care community! We are delighted to have you on board as we embark on this exciting learning journey together.
At Choklits Child Care, we are committed to creating a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child can thrive and flourish. Our experienced team of educators is passionate about providing a play-based learning approach that sparks curiosity and fosters a love for exploration. By tailoring the learning environment to each age group and following the principles of the Early Years Learning Framework, we ensure that your child receives personalised attention and experiences that support their individual developmental needs.
As a family-owned and operated child care center for over 26 years, we understand the importance of community and a strong sense of belonging. We encourage family involvement and collaboration, as we believe that together, we can provide the best possible care and support for your child.
Rest assured that your child’s safety is our top priority. We adhere to the Child Safe Standards, ensuring that our center is a secure and welcoming space for everyone. Our outdoor play spaces offer opportunities for exploration and fun, while our nutritious, chef-prepared meals ensure that your child receives balanced nutrition throughout the day.
Highlights from the week…
We want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Dan, a valued member of our team, for her exceptional hard work and dedication. Her unwavering commitment to providing a warm and welcoming environment for our children is truly commendable. Dan’s passion for early childhood education shines through in every interaction and activity she undertakes, making a positive difference in the lives of our children and their families.
Don’t forget…
We are excited to embark on this journey with you and your child, and we encourage you to actively engage with us. Our weekly updates, like this one, will keep you informed about the enriching experiences your child will have at Choklits. You are also welcome to reach out to our dedicated team if you have any questions, concerns, suggestions or ideas to share.
Once again, a warm welcome to our new families. We are thrilled to have you as part of our Choklits Child Care community, and we look forward to getting to know you and your child better.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, June 2nd —
Hello Families,
What an incredible week we’ve had at our centre! We trust you’re as eager for the upcoming weekend as we are. This week was special, as we had the opportunity to welcome new children and families into our community, forging fresh connections and relationships.
Welcome to Choklits…
We are thrilled to introduce Abby, our new Toddler Room Leader. Abby has quickly become an integral part of our team, cultivating strong bonds with children, their families, and our staff. Her positive impact is already evident, and we can’t wait to see how she continues to enhance our nurturing environment.
Highlights of the week…
This week, we embraced Reconciliation Week, honouring Aboriginal culture through a broad array of activities. From engaging in Aboriginal art in our group sessions to using iPads as a technology tool to explore Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, we ensured the children had various opportunities to learn and appreciate this rich heritage.
All our rooms have been buzzing with activity, as we encouraged and guided children to participate in various experiences, expanding their unique interests and skills. The excitement and engagement radiating from each child made every moment worthwhile.
Community Connections…
Our recent excursions into the local community have been immensely beneficial. The children have thoroughly enjoyed exploring their surroundings and interacting with different aspects of the community.
What to look out for…
We’ve also introduced STEM into our curriculum across all the rooms to help children understand the relevance of science in everyday life. Make sure to check out our new STEM display at the centre, where we will be providing weekly updates and photos for everyone to appreciate and reflect upon. You can also find more information on STEM here.
We hope you have a wonderful weekend and look forward to welcoming you all back next week for another exciting journey of learning and discovery.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 26th —
Hello families,
We hope that this post finds you well and you are ready for the weekend!
It has been an exciting week and it is always great to reflect upon what we have achieved over the week.
Highlights from the week…
We have had changes this week with myself starting on Monday as our new Centre Director which has been amazing, I’ve had a great first week with everyone being so welcoming and it has been lovely getting to know you all.
We have also had the Lemon children slowly transition from the Lemon Room to the Apple Room which has been a very smooth transition and the children have been exploring their new environment ensuring their interest, routines and current learning is passed on in their transition.
The Strawberry Room has also had a fantastic week after the official opening, the children and educators enjoying their new space and exploring their environment and the experiences provided.
We also welcomed Ebony back this week, it is lovely to have you back at Choklits we all have missed you!
Exciting News from our Kindergarten!
Our Kindergarten children have been enjoying the excursions for the week at Bluebird Hill Reserve on Monday and Our lady’s Primary School on Wednesday which is great for school preparation for the children who will be attending school next year. The children enjoy heading out in their local community. There are great opportunities that children can experience on these adventures like being aware of their own independence and the contribution they make within their local community.
The Kindergarten children have been focusing on their Literacy and Numeracy through a range of activities within the rooms.
Our favourite social post…
The excursion to the Box Hill Art Centre, click here to take a look.
Next Week…
We welcome our new Room Leader for the Apple Room Abby to Choklits. Abby is super excited to start with us and can bring her knowledge and skills to our centre, he is looking forward to meeting everyone.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Rachel and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 19th —
Hello families,
We hope this post finds you well and you are ready for the weekend! It is always exciting to reflect upon what we have achieved thus far through our own learning journey! Let’s take a look back through the week at everything that we have done so far!
Highlights from the week…
We have seen some new changes to the rooms. You may have noticed them as well! The educators are busily adapting the spaces to ensure that the experiences that they create are not only engaging but are thought provoking and insightful. These allow the children to further explore their understanding of the of world around them and sets them up for success with the foundational skills required to excel.
We are also dividing the current Orange room into our 3-year-old and 4-year-old Kinder rooms. It is such an exciting time for the children! We look forward to sharing some wonderful experiences with you. Furthermore, we have now officially opened the Strawberry room! The children have been very excited exploring their new room.
Exciting news from our Kindergarten!
Our Kinder children went to visit the Box Hill Community Art Centre today! To get to their destination the children first needed to catch a bus! Together they learned what a Myki was and how they could safely embark and disembark a bus. Public transit helps build a strong sense of place and home among children. When children utilise public transit, they have a better sense of where they are and how one place differs from another. When the children arrived at the Arts Centre they were immersed in a series of art pieces and collections. Together with the Arts and Cultural Services Coordinators, we explored the areas, watched The Chinese dancers and used our senses to investigate the community garden. Art helps support free play in children, allowing them unrestricted exploration and experimentation that are both fun and educational.
A big thank you for…
The continuous love and support that you have provided to support Ebony, Jodi and the McVea family after the unfortunate passing of Andrew.
A bittersweet note…
The wonderful Dee has decided it’s time to explore what the world holds for her outside of Choklits. Dee has been with Choklits for 4 years and has been such an integral part of our team. In this time she has helped us write our Chokliteers books, assisted us in publishing our RAP at Ringwood and has been by our side as Choklits grew to 3 centres last year.
Dee will be missed but we wish her all the best! It is a small world so we may cross into her again!
Please join us in wishing Dee all the very best for her future endeavours.
Next week…
We welcome our new director Rachael! Rachael will be inducted into the service on Monday, she looks forward to meeting you all! A profile to introduce Rachael will be published in the coming days. Rachael has vast experience as a Director and will be a wonderful addition to the team. Welcome Rachael!!!!!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Savannah, Cooper and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 12th —
Hello families,
We hope this finds you ready to continue the celebrations for all the Mums and Matriarch figures in our lives this weekend for Mother’s Day. We hope you love the presents carefully prepared for you!
Learning highlights from the week…
Wednesday held our first visit to a local Primary School. A group of Orange Room children (armed with umbrellas!) made their way to the Our Lady’s school around the corner. We met with Annie, the school principal, who gave us a tour of the school and people. This is the first of many planned visits and a great tool for the children to use in building on their school readiness ahead of going to ‘big school’ themselves!
The educational team in both Apple and Lemon Room have been utilising tactile learning with the children. This is when the use of hands-on approaches are emphasised by using touch and manipulation to engage with and explore learning concepts. Young children learn through the senses, for example, using touch to input learning into their brain, which then provides feedback to their bodies and builds strong connections between what they see and what they feel. The Apple Room children have been engaging with literacy using “touch and learn” cards, while the Lemon room continues to provide hand-on learning with experiences like the “popsicle stick shape building”.
Welcome…
To Mukesh, who joins our educational team and Khrisha (GG) and her family who join the Apple Room. A big Choklits welcome to you all!
A big thank you to…
All of you who shared your support for Ebony, Jodi and the McVea family after the sudden passing of Andrew. Each comment and gesture speaks to the love that the Choklits Community has in this time of tragic loss.
Have you noticed…
Our new door signs with educators? As you may have noticed, we have introduced “educators in our room today…” signs on the door with photos of educators working with children each day. We hope this helps you get to know more about our team members as well as further develop a sense of belonging for staff, children and families.
Our favourite social post…
The stunning collection of Art Gallery posts depicting children’s artwork. Not only does it showcase the creative talents of our learners, but also the pride they take in sharing both the process and finished product with those around them.
Next week…
- Dr Chan’s visit on Wednesday 17th – as usual, please add your child’s name to the clipboard at reception if you’d like to book and appointment
- The introduction of our next excursion – a visit to the Box Hill Community Art Centre!
- The opening of the Strawberry Room as the Apple room splits into two groups
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Dee, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, May 5th —
Hello families,
The first week of May is done and dusted and more highlights and updates to share with you all – enjoy reading!
Highlights from the week…
The biggest highlight of the week was definitely the community coming together for our Mother’s Day Celebration on Wednesday! These community events are the highlight and epitome of the relationships and connection that we are all about at Choklits. You can see the beautiful photos captured on both Xplor and our social media accounts.
We can’t wait to see the result of this week’s photoshoots with Vision Portraits. There were many smiles, cheekiness and what’s sure to be some beautifully captured images of your favourite little people that are sure to melt your hearts.
Finally, Brodan (one of our Orange Room children) shared his highlight from the week as “playing inside with the playdough!”. Many of our little learners share the pleasure of freshly made playdough to squeeze, shape and mould?
Welcome…
A big welcome to Jordan, who has joined our educational team. Jordan will be working across the Lemon and Apple room, developing their relationships with children and families alike. Keep an ear out for Jordan’s delightful singing voice!
For those who have been waiting to hear the news….Paris has welcomed Baby Spencer into the world! A huge congratulations to the family as they settle into newborn family life!
Have you noticed…
The new educator signs on the door of each room? We have implemented these based on direct feedback from our families and will use them to build a further sense of comfort to communicate who your child’s regular educators in the room have been for the day.
Fun facts and things you should check out from our community…
Have you heard about Box Hill Community Arts Centre? They describe the centre as an artistic and cultural hub within the City of Whitehorse – and we are thrilled to be visiting them with our Kinder class beginning next week!
If you haven’t had the chance to check out this beautiful space, I encourage you to have a wander. The gardens surrounding are open to the public and have many eye-catching features to explore. My favourite is the mosaic garden, with its purposeful use of space and intricate designs – I’m sure the children will love them!
Our favourite social post…
All of the Mother’s Day love!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Dee, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 28th —
Hello families,
We hope you’ve had a wonderful week here at Choklits! It has been such an exciting week with amazing learning experiences and opportunities for the children.
Highlights from the week…
This week has been full of learning opportunities and marvelous experiences which the children were able to fully immerse themselves into the wonderful world of learning! The children engaged with the experiences that the educators provided. Our educators created a marvellous STEM experiment about the melting of coloured ice blocks exploring the states of matter as well as understanding the power of primary colours.
We have Tanya who is joining us and is a strong believer in adopting art as a vital language of self-expression and confidence in Early childhood education. She is looking forward to being able to bestow her wisdom upon the children and our educators.
Look out for…
Mother’s Day is next week, we look forward to seeing you all there to celebrate! The children cannot wait to share their creations with you!
A big thank you to…
To all our educators who are always fostering best practice and always further developing their integral role as an educator.
Our favourite social post…
Do you notice any familiar faces or voices in this helpful guide to packing your child’s bag…? https://www.instagram.com/p/CqbuM6RDCtE/?hl=en
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Dee, Savannah and the Choklits Team
– Friday, April 21st —
Hello families,
Thanks for joining in to read this week’s updates from Surrey Hills!
Welcome…
Lots of expansion to our Choklits Community this week, which is a reflection of the fast-growing community that continues building here in Surrey Hills!
First, a warm welcome to Prag and Ratna who joined our team of educators. As with anyone who seeks to join the Choklits team, they bring with them knowledge, care and passion.
We have also welcomed Shuang who will be joining us at Surrey hills for a little while whilst she completes her placement.
We’d also like to extend the warmest of welcomes to both Archie and Alexander. Archie joined our Orange Room and Alexander joined the Lemon Room. We hope that your first week at Choklits has you and the family settling in with a secure sense of being in trusted hands.
Learning spotlight…
With words and walking increasing by the day in the Lemon Room, every day is filled with growth and discovery. The team were reflecting on the rapid growth that happens, from the tiny babies they were not long ago to the curious and confident explorers they’re becoming! Following on from last week’s learning about Australian animals, the educator team has introduced further resources to extend on their knowledge of the animal world and grow some extra pathways in their brains. These have included mixed media such as books, videos, songs and photos, as well as some jungle animal figurines. My favourite has been listening to the animal sounds that our little friends try to imitate – attempts at sounding like a trumpeting elephant have been very cute to hear!
This week, Choklits celebrated Earth Day! This was an opportunity for each room to get involved with art experiences, hands-on learning about the concept of Earth and how to care for the planet we live on. The Apple Room built on the children’s connection to nature by planting seeds. We love seeing them continue to develop so many skills like pouring liquid from a small container, observing the changes from something as simple as making dry soil wet or imagining that a tiny seed could grow into something much bigger!
The Orange Room has been expanding their cultural safety by learning about Ramadan and the celebration of Eid. Alongside the Kinder team, the children have built on their understanding of the moon and its significance to Ramadan. The children created their own crescent moons, which you can see proudly adorning the room. As well as scissor practice and creativity, it helps the children to visually link concepts together and complements the discussions shared to build stronger understanding.
Did you know…
Talking about the position of something (‘up’, over’, ‘behind’, ‘next to’) is called positional language. When we use positional language to describe where something is we are drawing children’s attention to position, order and direction. Over time, they began to recognise that we can use these words to describe position. This sets the foundation of key skills in numeracy and maths.
Here are some songs that we love that use positional language:
- ‘Hokey Pokey’ (left hand in, left hand out)
- ‘5 Cheeky Monkeys’ (jumping on the bed, one fell off)
- ‘Humpty Dumpty’ (sat on a wall)
Can you think of other songs to add…?
Next week…
- We are closed on Tuesday April 25th for the ANZAC Day Public Holiday
Don’t forget…
- To RSVP for our Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea (May 3rd, 3-30-4.30pm) on Xplor
- To register for centre photos (May 1st-4th). Go to www.visionportraits.com.au/photos and enter the password as “annualphotos”, then follow the prompts.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Dee, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 14th —
Hello families,
We hope you started the week off rested and recovered from Easter treats after an enjoyable long weekend.
Highlights from the (shorter!) week…
It seems as though, not only bunnies, but lots of other animals were featured in the learning this week!
The Lemon Room has been building on the children’s literacy and communication through singing songs, reading stories and using puppets. The theme has been native animals, with Dan, Zovi and Rebecca singing a song in Yorta Yorta about a cheeky goanna.
The Apple Room has been building on both their literacy and concentration through one of their favourites – lift-the-flap books! Educator, Josie, tells me that story times together have shown lots of engagement and joy, which we love to see continuing to grow the children’s love of books and reading!
Animal poses were a huge hit in this week’s yoga sessions with Yogi Elena. Madina reported that the children were contorting and stretching their body into some amazing animal poses, alongside Elena’s guidance.
And lastly, environmental awareness was a big theme of our excursions with the Orange Room. The children spoke about picking up the rubbish from the ground so the birds and animals don’t get hurt. The next day, we finally discover who lives in the little tree house! You can check out our display in the foyer (near our excursion teddy) for photos to see what we discovered!
Have you noticed…
The amazing smells of Chef Lai’s Choklits Brioche floating down the hallway…? I don’t know how she does it, but Lai has all our mouths watering with healthy, yet somehow buttery plump bread. The children’s favourite is the sultana studded loaf. Would you like to know her secret recipe…?
Next week…
- Dr Chan visits on Wednesday 19th April – don’t forget to book appointments using the clipboard next t the sign in table
- Tuesday April 25th the centre is closed for the ANZAC Day Public Holiday
- Centre photos – 1st-4th May. To register, go to www.visionportraits.com.au/photos and enter the password as “annualphotos”, then follow the prompts.
- Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Choklits Surrey Hills on the 3rd of May at 3:30pm. Please RSVP on the Xplor post, as we’d love to see you (and any special people) there!
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Dee, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, April 7th —
Hello families,
We hope you’ve adjusted to the change in time with daylight savings ending earlier this week; we know that little people can be especially sensitive to an hours difference in routines!
Highlights from the week…
On Monday, our team joined together for our monthly team meeting. Savannah, Deb and Zac led the group in reviewing processes, procedures, and how we capture children’s learning journey.
A big highlight was critical reflection, where we examine every aspect of the service we offer: interactions between children, families, educators and our entire Choklits Community, how areas are set up to maximise learning, the implementation of learning experiences. The Early Years Learning Framework (our guide to meaningful curriculum) points out the importance of examining from all perspectives to build a rich understanding of the why and how we do things to build great outcomes for all involved!
Look out for…
Nick who you may see performing at the service for events and during drop off and pick up times. Nick is well versed in all genres, is classically trained and performed at our other services too! He specialises in Italian classics. His favourite artists are Pavarotti and Elvis.
A big thank you to…
Those who have shared feedback with us either on the clipboards in the hallway or online. Hearing from the voices of everyone who we impact helps to shape what we do here at Choklits. If you’d like to add your voice, see the section below on providing feedback.
Our favourite social post…
Do you notice any familiar faces or voices in this helpful guide to packing your child’s bag…? https://www.instagram.com/p/CqbuM6RDCtE/?hl=en
Don’t forget…
- Our centre is closed Friday 6th-Monday 10th for Easter Public Holidays
- Tuesday April 25th is closed for the ANZAC Day Public Holiday
- Centre photos – 1st-4th May. To register, go to visionportraits.com.au/photos and enter the password as “annualphotos”, then follow the prompts.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Qing, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 31st —
Hello families,
Highlights from the week…
Another week and the delight of more community adventures on our excursions! Although the weather got in the way, we still managed to venture out twice this week! We’re also busily planning the future excursions, consulting with community groups and researching where the learning benefits are around Surrey Hills. Do you have any suggestions for where you’d like to see excursions planned for…?
This week, the Lemon Room children have been getting involved with puppets. Did you know that these are a great tool to build on communication and language skills? Puppets help build these skills by acting out scenarios and feelings, role-playing and using non-verbal communication like gestures and expressions.
The Apple children have loved the introduction of a digital piano – and we love seeing them build on their musical literacies! Early childhood theorist, Howard Gardner, believed that music is one of several ways that children can express their intelligence and we can certainly see this demonstrated by the children’s interaction with the new instrument.
Lastly, for those waiting for an update on the arrival of Paris’ baby …still no news yet, but we’re all excitedly waiting and will keep you updated!
Welcome…
A warm welcome Anita, Josie and Monica who have joined our educational team. We’d also like to extend a warm welcome to Kayla and her family, who joined us in the Apple Room. We hope you’ve all enjoyed your first week as part of the Choklits family.
Congratulations…
To our Kinder Teacher, Maria, who is off to get married overseas! We wish her and her soon-to-be-husband all the best with their celebrations and the beginning of their married life. I look forward to seeing all the photos!
Don’t forget…
- Centre photos will be held Monday 1st to Thursday 4th May. Follow the instructions on Xplor to register your child
- Dr Chan’s next visit will be on 5th April – the register to book appointments can be found next to centre sign in tablet
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can send us feedback or share your ideas at any time regarding our service, practice, policies or curriculum in a couple of different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Using our Policy Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Qing, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 24th —
Hello families,
We hope you’ve been enjoying reading our weekly centre wide updates – we’re hoping they give you a wider view of the wonderful happenings not just in your child’s room, but across the service too.
Highlights from the week…
We couldn’t go past the highlights without emphasising the excitement around our very first Choklits excursion at Surrey Hills. With great trepidation, we noted that, in true style, the Melbourne weather almost tried to rain on our parade, but we prevailed without a drop of rain felt!
Our biggest takeaway was that (as exciting as the park was), the journey there was the best part! When you examine the world through a child’s eyes, all of a sudden, the feel of a furry lambs-ear leaf, jumping in a pile of fallen leaves, the tiny possum house up high in the tree and the sound of birds calling all seem wondrous and incredible! We can’t wait for next week’s excursions and the other visits we’re busily planning for! We’d also love to hear about any past or future trips you have planned to this beautiful space (around the corner from Choklits on the corner of Erasmus St and Harding St).
Inspired by this week’s adventure to the park, we’ve written a blog exploring the benefits of excursions for children which you can read here.
Another highlight of the week was welcoming Tina and her family, who joined us in the Apple Room. We hope your first week at Choklits has been both welcoming and fun!
A big thank you to…
All of the children who joined in our Harmony Day with a sea of orange outfits (the colour to represent the theme of everyone belonging) – we love seeing the involvement and interactions that stem from our Choklits Calendar of Events.
Have you noticed…
Some friendly faces at our front reception area? Savannah has joined the Surrey Hills Leadership Team and will be helping us as part of our commitment to continually improve the quality of our service, particularly with our educational curriculum. She brings with her an exceeding level of expertise in early childhood programs, a strong knowledge base and a passion for growth. Savannah will be with us for the next few months and will be supported by both Deb and Zac from Choklits Group Support who’ve been here helping us too. When you see them around, say hi! I know they’re looking forward to connecting with our Surrey Hills Community and discussing the changes they’re making.
Lastly, Dr Chan visited and saw a record 8 patients! We’re very lucky to have Dr Chan making sure the wellbeing of the children is a top priority in an easy and accessible way. His next visit will be Wednesday, April 5th – if you want to book in with him, you’ll find the clipboard at the front desk next to the sign-in tablet.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
Don’t forget you can give us feedback at any time regarding our curriculum in a few different ways-
- In person at Choklits, either verbally or in writing using the clipboards provided
- Via phone or email
- Using our National Quality Areas Feedback Form
- Visiting choklits.com.au/contact
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Qing, Dee, Savannah and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 17th —
Hello families,
This week the highlights have been colourful, to say the least, including:
- Colour mixing in the Orange Room – have a look at our socials for some super-cute faces of concentration!
- Continuing colourful spray explosions in the Apple Room – great practice for strengthening the tiny finger muscles that will learn to grip pencils!
- As well as painting, there’s been lots of chats about colours in the Lemon Room. With sounds and language increasing every day, these interactions and intimate conversations are a huge part of our babies’ development in the Lemon Room.
- Welcoming Vanessa to the Choklits Educational Team.
Next week…
We’d like to invite everyone to wear orange for Harmony Day on Tuesday 21st March. This closes off a week of Cultural Diversity Celebrations which you can see and read more about on your child’s Xplor.
Please remember…
Dr Chan has returned to Choklits. His next visit to Surrey Hills will be on Wednesday the 22nd of March. There is a “Dr Chan’s Visitor Log Book” on the reception bench (next to the sign in/sign out iPad), for those of you who would like Dr Chan to visit your child. If for privacy reasons, you’d like to fill out an individual sheet, please just simply ask Qing or Dee.
We’d love your help to help us improve at Choklits …
We are always looking for ways to improve at Choklits and we’d love your input! Let us explain…
As a child care service, our practices are guided by the 7 National Quality Standards (NQS) which are important for several reasons. Broadly, they provide a framework for assessing and improving the quality of care and education that children receive in early childhood settings. They help ensure children are receiving the best possible care and education, which is critical for their development and future success.
Furthermore, the 7 Quality Areas are a set of benchmarks established by the Australian Government to ensure high-quality early childhood education and care.
Below are the benefits of each of the seven quality areas:
- Educational program and practice: This quality area focuses on the educational programs and practices provided by the child care service. The benefits of a high-quality educational program include preparing children for school, supporting their development and learning, and promoting positive social and emotional outcomes.
- Children’s health and safety: This quality area focuses on the health and safety of children in the child care setting. The benefits of ensuring children’s health and safety include reducing the risk of illness and injury, promoting healthy habits, and providing a safe and secure environment for children to learn and play.
- Physical environment: This quality area focuses on the physical environment of the child care service, including the buildings, equipment, and outdoor areas. The benefits of a high-quality physical environment include providing a welcoming and stimulating environment for children, promoting physical activity, and supporting learning and development.
- Staffing arrangements: This quality area focuses on the staffing arrangements of the child care service, including staff qualifications, ratios, and ongoing professional development. The benefits of high-quality staffing arrangements include ensuring that children receive appropriate care and education, promoting positive interactions with children, and providing a stable and consistent environment for children.
- Relationships with children: This quality area focuses on the relationships between children and the child care service’s staff. The benefits of positive relationships with children include promoting emotional well-being, supporting social development, and facilitating learning and development.
- Collaborative partnerships with families and communities: This quality area focuses on the partnerships between the child care service, families, and the wider community. The benefits of collaborative partnerships include supporting children’s learning and development, promoting a sense of belonging, and fostering positive relationships between families and the child care service.
- Governance and leadership: This quality area focuses on the governance and leadership of the child care service, including policies, procedures, and decision-making processes. The benefits of effective governance and leadership include ensuring that the child care service operates in a professional and ethical manner, providing a clear direction and purpose, and promoting continuous improvement in the quality of care provided to children.
By focusing on these quality areas, Choklits can support children’s learning and development, promote their health and safety, and foster positive relationships with families and the wider community.
This is where our parents, carers and community can help us. Below is a link where you can send us any feedback, ideas or comments on the 7 Quality Areas and how they relate to Choklits. Please let us know anything you’d like to see done, improved or implemented at Choklits. We’re completely open to any ideas so we’d love to hear any suggestions you have. You can use the link below, or we have a dedicated space in our foyer where you can handwrite any feedback too.
Please click here to send us your feedback.
Thanks so much for your help!
Have a great weekend,
Qing and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 10th —
Hello families,
This week, we reached an amazing milestone – on March 7th, we celebrated the first birthday of Choklits Surrey Hills! This is such an exciting achievement, and of course, a huge thanks goes out to every single one in our community who has connected with us over the year. Each and every one of the relationships and interactions we’ve shared plays a huge role in what Choklits is today. We can’t wait to see what the next year will bring!
We also celebrated Holi, an Indian festival of colours. It always amazes us to see how the same concept can be taken by our educators and adapted to suit every age, from babies through to kindergarten children. Each child had the opportunity to create some bright and explosive artwork using all the colours of the rainbow. Have a look on Xplor to see the incredible results.
Paris has now officially taken the next step in her journey to parenthood, having begun parental leave. I’m sure you’ll join us in wishing her all the best for this exciting chapter!
A big welcome to Ari who joined us in the Apple Room this week!
Our favourite social post this week…
With the Orange Room’s upcoming excursions beginning, the children get to experience so many benefits. You can check them out here (our favourite is practising real-life skills out in the world, because we know how much little learners love doing ‘big people stuff’!).
Don’t forget…
Footy tipping is officially underway! Sign up here before the first bounce on Thursday 16th March. With free entry and the chance to share in the $600 prize pool, we can’t wait to see whose footy knowledge will top the ladder!
Have a great weekend,
Qing, Dee and the Choklits Team
— Friday, March 3rd —
Hello families,
Can you believe it is Autumn already?! We can see the leaves beginning to fall and are grateful to have our Maintenance Manager, Ryan, on top of making sure our outside areas are always ready for lots of opportunities for learning, play and fresh air!
Our favourite experience this week…
This week brought us the opportunity to welcome some special guests from a local primary school. Robotics teacher, Melinda, and Grade 4 students Aston, Quinn and Anjelica joined us for a Robotics Incursion! They introduced “Bee Bots” to the group and invited them to actively engage in building mazes for these cute robots.
The children of all ages took great interest in the new faces. As with all visitors to the centre, lots of curiosity and wonder were shown. It is always humbling to us as adults to see the learning that happens in the smallest of events (a doorbell ringing, a visitor carrying a cardboard box) when you view them through young children’s eyes.
The incursion gave us the chance to build on our Choklits philosophy that learning is everywhere and from everyone. The kindergarten class were highly engaged in listening to the ‘big kids’ throughout the experience. A big thank you to Roberts McCubbin Primary School for the opportunity to introduce the Choklits learners to robotics and coding!
Keep an eye on the Choklits blog and our socials for more about coding, robotics and today’s incursion!
Fun fact…
Did you know play is central to children’s learning and development? When children play, it gives them many different ways and times to learn. Play also helps children build confidence, feel loved, happy and safe, understand more about how the world works, develop social skills, language and communication, learn about caring for others and the environment, and develop physical skills. The Stages of Play Development for Preschool Age Children will tell you more about the stages of play development for birth to preschool age children, when they occur, what they look like and the skills they are developing.
Next week…
Keep an eye out for the growing carrots and lettuce that the children from the Apple Room planted this week… we wonder what meals Lai will add them to?
Keep an eye on our TikTok account (@choklitsearlylearning) for a fun and healthy ‘Choklits style cake’ coming soon featuring Ebony and Chef Lai 🍉🍇 🍊 🍎 🍒
Please remember…
Dr Chan will be returning to us from next week. Dr Chan provides his services for anything from a general health check-up to immunisations. His first visit will be Wednesday afternoon the 8th of March. There is a “Dr Chan’s Visitor Log Book” on the reception bench (next to the sign in/sign out iPad), for those of you who would like Dr Chan to visit your child. If for privacy reasons, you’d like to fill out an individual sheet, please just simply ask Qing or Ebony.
Have a great weekend,
Qing and the Choklits Team
— Friday, February 24th —
Hello families,
Our Choklits community expanded this week as we welcomed Grace and Charlotte!
Every week holds so many exciting and rich experiences for our Choklits Community. This week the highlights included:
- All things pancake!
- The opportunity for our Orange families to collaborate with Kinder teacher, Maria, setting strong goals for their children
- Getting ready to go on our first Choklits Surrey Hills excursion!
Our favourite experience this week…
There was much mixing, flipping and delicious pancake-eating this week with Pancake Day on Tuesday! We love that every room was able to get involved, helping to mix, pour, measure….and of course, eat!
You can read about why we celebrate pancake day and the learning opportunities and then get stuck into making your own Choklits Pancakes with a helpful step-by-step recipe from our talented Chef Lai.
Fun fact…
Did you know at birth, the average baby’s brain is about a quarter of the size of the average adult brain? Incredibly, it doubles in size in the first year. It keeps growing to about 80% of adult size by age 3 and 90% – nearly full grown – by age 5. Early brain development has a lasting impact on a child’s ability to learn and succeed in school and life. The quality of a child’s experiences in the first few years of life – positive or negative – helps shape how their brain develops.
Next week…
Keep an eye out for more information on a special visit from a local primary school next week, who’ll be visiting us for a Robotics incursion on Friday. We’re excited for the chance to expand, not only our community connections, but develop problem solving, spatial reasoning and critical thinking skills too.
Have a great weekend,
Qing and the Choklits Team
— Friday, February 17th —
Hello families,
We’ve had another super exciting week here at Choklits! On top of our regular incursions, we’ve had lots happening here as our kindergarten interviews and check-ins are all underway with Maria in the Orange Room. It’s been lovely seeing so many parents at the centre!
The start of the year is always busy and we’ve had so many new families join us this year already – a big welcome to Aubrey and Winnie who joined us in the Lemon and Apple Rooms this week.
We also celebrated Valentine’s Day! It’s always a special day here as it sparks many conversations about people we love – like our families! Hope you all liked the gifts your children bought home for you, they spent many hours making sure they were perfect. If you missed our blog post on it, you’ll find it here.
Fun facts and things you should check out from our community…
- Did you know watching and listening helps develop language? In our interaction with the youngest of our learners, we use our hands, eyes, faces and words to communicate. This shows them how people communicate. Soon, the baby’s babbling noises will sound like adult talk. They begin to take turns and wait for a response. Later, children will choose the right words and body language to communicate their feelings and needs.
- We have some super talented educators at Choklits, like Zovi who can speak 4 different languages fluently- Arabic, Armenian, Turkish and English! ’رائ is ‘wow!’ in Arabic!
- We are currently rebuilding choklits.com.au and will be revamping our community page to include a place where we can promote businesses, skills and talents within our community. If you are a business owner or have a special talent or skill you’d like to share with others please email us so we can include you on the new page.
Next week…
We’ll be celebrating Love Your Pets Day, we’ve put a blog post up with more info here.
Please remember…
To complete your kindergarten funding form if your child is in either our 3 or 4-year-old kindergarten programs, you’ll find it here.
Have a great weekend,
Qing and the Choklits Team
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