Alison’s update
Chief Operating Officer
Welcome to our November newsletter for 2022. When caring for young children, it is important to encourage a whole-service understanding that every family is diverse and unique. At Petit Early Learning Journey, we recognise all families have distinct values and aspirations. This knowledge informs our approach to partnering with families and extends to developing cultural competence and respecting families’ distinctive beliefs and traditions. Each person interacting with our centres also has a different culture as they bring their own values and beliefs, even when belonging to the same cultural and linguistic background.
We live in a multicultural country where cultural diversity is at the core of our identity. It is a child’s right to feel accepted and respected, so we need to nurture their appreciation and respect for the diversity of cultures. Early childhood provides an ideal opportunity for children to learn about different cultures and form friendships with people from a broad range of backgrounds. By promoting an understanding of difference and diversity, our educators can assist children and their families in building positive relationships with their local communities.
Celebrating and learning about different cultures and traditions allows children and families to see their culture reflected in their centres and fosters children’s experiences of belonging. We use a holistic approach to cultural diversity, recognising the many opportunities to learn about different cultures in our daily curriculum. We also encourage participation in diverse cultural experiences in partnership with families and by engaging in local community celebrations.
Genuine partnerships between families and educators involve building a shared understanding of expectations. By learning about your child’s home life, cultures and traditions, we can provide them with a meaningful and engaging learning environment.
We look forward to providing more opportunities and experiences for families and children over the holiday season and into the new year with our Summer Learning program and beyond.
Please speak to your Centre Director if you have questions about our Summer Learning program or your child’s journey with us in 2023. We are always here to help.
Exceptional team member for November
Marika Foggiato from Petit Early Learning Journey Coffs Harbour
Congratulations to our exceptional team member for November, Marika Foggiato from Petit ELJ Coffs Harbour. Marika is a dedicated team member who celebrates seven years of service with Petit ELJ. Marika has a unique position where she shares her culinary skills as a chef and is a float educator.
Marika is an inspiration to the children and families and is highly respected by her peers. Her positive attitude and passions show in the caring relationships she creates within the centre, where she embraces all aspects of Being, Belonging and Becoming. Thank you, Marika!
What do you like most about being a chef and an educator with Petit ELJ Coffs Harbour?
Receiving feedback from the children and their families is amazing. When I walk into the room, and the children tell me how much they enjoyed lunch, I know I have done my job right. I also like being a float educator throughout the centre, this allows me to create relationships with all of the children.
How did you come to work in early childhood education and care?
I started off as a chef in Coffs Harbour and then moved to London. After travelling, I moved back to Australia and worked in fine dining. There was no work-life balance, so this prompted me to look and find other ways to follow my passion, and I found Petit Early Learning Journey!
What’s your favourite recipe to make for children?
I love to cook the children spaghetti bolognese. I am Italian, and we love carbs. This recipe allows me to hide vegetables giving the children extra vitamins and minerals without them knowing.
What was your most memorable experience with Petit ELJ over the last 7 years?
Watching the children grow up from babies and then head to primary school is an incredible experience. The connections we make at Petit ELJ are so valuable.
Upcoming events
Notice to families: Confirm your income
Services Australia is balancing Child Care Subsidy (CCS) for the 2021–22 financial year. Now is a good time to confirm your income with Services Australia if you have not done so already.
All families need to confirm their income before their CCS can be balanced. You can confirm your income by either lodging your tax return or informing Services Australia that you don’t need to lodge a tax return and confirm your income.
Services Australia will send families an outcome once their CCS has been balanced.
Cheaper childcare legislation was passed through parliament in November 2022. Under the legislation, Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rates will increase from July 2023.
Petit Early Learning Journey will keep you updated on changes and important notices for CCS.
Need more information? Go to the Services Australia website. You can also connect with Services Australia on social media to ask general questions about family payments. Search for the Family Update page on Facebook.
Featured educational program
Petit Early Learning Journey Hamilton celebrates family partnerships
Report from Amy Goodman, Educational Leader, Petit ELJ Hamilton
Petit Early Learning Journey Hamilton has an ever-growing and supportive village. We recognise the special occasions when family members stop by, the extra “stay and play” visits, and the fundraisers and donations all contribute to a sense of belonging in our community of young learners.
As the proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child”, and we are grateful for the participation and involvement we receive from our families. Not only does it help us to educate and care for the children it also informs and assures the children that they truly belong here, that they are safe, and that the adults who care for them consider them with love.
In the early childhood space, partnering with families is more than a goal embedded into our curriculum guide. It is essential for practising high-quality education and care for young children.
Anne Stonehouse, an influential figure in our practice, recently wrote in Early Childhood Australia, “Real collaboration with families arises not from specific activities or strategies, but rather from a pervasive attitude and perspective that educators bring to every aspect of service operation.”
We know that 2022 has been a fast-paced year for most, especially with life returning to almost pre-pandemic normalcy. As a result, time for chatting can be minimal during drop-offs and pickups. Even catching up with life of any kind can be left to the last minute. We can all relate to that!
Our team is always working hard to communicate accurately and frequently what they notice about your child. Every day presents a new opportunity to participate in the goals and plans our team develops.
Our Storypark platform is an excellent way for us to keep informed, and we love that our families are utilising it well. You can communicate through the child notes with us, and we will add your contributions to our planning.
We are delighted to help if you need assistance navigating Storypark or have any ideas you would like to share.
Community connections
Petit Early Learning Journey Kew promotes waste reduction with a plastic-free picnic
Report from Olivia Moloney, Educational Leader, Petit ELJ Kew
For our most recent community project, we partnered with Plastic Oceans Australasia. Plastic Oceans Australasia aims to restore the health of our oceans and protect marine life by eliminating plastic from oceans and waterways.
One of our families works closely with this organisation, so we teamed up to organise a whole centre plastic-free picnic where everyone could be involved. Jodie provided us with resources and information about this wonderful cause. The event encouraged children to share a morning tea together on the rooftop and learn about the importance of reducing our plastic waste. During the picnic, our educators discussed waste and recycling to protect our oceans with our children. Afterwards, Jodie presented us with an award for the “Biggest Community Picnic”.
The children benefit from working with our community to learn how we can look after our oceans and make conscious decisions about plastic in their everyday lives. With the knowledge and new practices we gained from this community project, we aim to continue working on recycling, reducing plastic waste and embracing our sustainability action plan.
Our community picnic sparked new ideas within our centre. We have also introduced a recycling centre in line with our sustainability action plan. Families can bring in resources such as glass jars, boxes and bottle tops which we can use for children’s learning and art experiences.
We plan on hosting this event each year to continue to educate our community about protecting our oceans. Our community can donate or hold their own events by visiting the Plastic Oceans Australasia website.
Inspiring Children’s Sustainability Skills at Home
It is never too early to encourage children’s sustainability skills. The earlier we start, the more likely they will develop lasting habits that will benefit our planet and future generations. We list must-have skills children can learn at home that promote sustainability.
Latest parent review
Petit Early Learning Journey Murwillumbah
“We have been using the services for 3 years now and have nothing but praise for the staff. They are positive and engaging and treat the children with respect. They aren’t just childminders, they are educators and engage on a personal level with both children and parents. Cannot recommend highly enough.”
– Matt “Baxter C” Lee
Our culture: How we encourage positive dispositions for learning
When educators encourage positive learning dispositions in children, they set them up for success. Positive dispositions like curiosity, cooperation, creativity, persistence and enthusiasm help children to learn and grow. We explore how educators encourage these dispositions and why they are important.
Experiences from around our services
Petit Early Learning Journey Marian goes under the microscope
Kindergarten children from Petit Early Learning Journey Marian investigated several insects and arachnids in an incursion. They used magnifiers and digital microscopes to look closely at these crawly creatures encouraging children to ask questions, observe and make conclusions.
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