FEBRUARY 2013

Welcome to the February 2013 Camden Macarthur Local Child Care & Services Directory. 

This month we welcome Bellbirds Early Learning Centre at Menangle Park and UWS Unique Kids Early Learning at Campbelltown to our child care directory. Sensory Tools Australia joins our Additional Needs Directory. Read all about these services below.

This month's parent resource is Survival Tips for Working Parents which is full of lots of helpful tips for all mums and dads with another busy year to come.

WIN...WIN.... ....This month you have the chance to win a $20 voucher from La Burp Kids

For your chance to win simply email us to go into the draw and tell us if you have used our newsletter or site to find or look for care or other child related information.

New Long Day Care At Menangle Park!!

Enrol your little one at Bellbirds Early Learning Centre and enjoy a tranquil and unique rural setting.

Every child is unique and we provide a warm, safe and learning environment tailored to their individual needs. Our qualified educators work hard to build a strong partnership with parents.
Preparing your child for school and the very best start in life.

Open Monday - Friday from 7am - 6pm - 51 weeks of the year. Our family owned and operated purpose built facility cater from 6 weeks to 6 years.

We are situated at 52 Taber Street, Menangle Park. For more information and enrolments contact us

• Highly Qualified caring educators to nurture your child
• Curriculum planned according to the Early Years Learning Framework
• School Readiness Program
• Nutritious meals provided and prepared daily
• Spacious indoor playrooms
• Large shaded outdoor area
• New hours in 2013 now opening from 7.30am-6pm
• Each child is UNIQUE and is a valued member of our community
• No Charge for public holidays
  

Please do not hesitate to drop in and see our beautiful centre or call us today to discuss your child's needs.

Sensory Tools Australia are leaders in the field of child development. Practical & innovative resources & seminars for professionals, educators & families. For more information visit www.sensorytools.net

Partners In Care Early Learning Centre
We are so confident that you will love our Early Learning Centre and our team at Partners In Care that we are offering any family looking for Childcare a 2 WEEK FREE TRIAL AT OUR CHILDCARE CENTRE* NO ENROLMENT BOND

Piper Kindergarten is excited to announce the opening of our brand new state of the art 70 place childcare centre in Blair Athol.

Get in quick to reserve your childs place Pied Piper Kindergartens are family run and have been operating since 1995.

Pied Piper Kindergarten is open from 6.30 am till 6.30 pm and we offer long day care for babies 6 weeks - 5 year olds and we are the only centre in Blair Athol to offer before and after school care and vacation care. All meals are provided.

We offer the state of the art technology includinga laptop in each room with an LCD TV for children to have class discussions using the internet. The children also have access to interactiveipads loaded with age appropriate educational experiences that are mirror imaged onto LCD TV which act as smart board.

We provide great communication with our families such as "The Daily Reflections" our families are emailed daily with information regarding their childs day including photographs menus and a brief outline of what the kids have done throughout the day, Many parents have stated that it is the highlight of their day.

Literacy & Learning Centre  Term One Programmes at the Literacy and Learning Centre

Enrolments are now being taken for the Ready to School groups for Term One.  These groups boost confidence by providing kids aged 3-6 the opportunity to practice basic skills, such as writing, working in a group, letters and numbers) important for their first year at big school.  Groups will begin in Week 3 and go for 8 weeks ($50 per 1 hour session).  Please call to check for available times.

Survival Tips for Working Parents
Being a working parent is a challenging role. It involves a balancing act between meeting your child's needs for care and attention, sharing a satisfying relationship with your partner and friends and being a reliable and competent employee while trying to enjoy life and parenthood. Make Life Easier by:

• Setting realistic and achievable goals for you and your family
• Asking for help
• Changing your expectations and priorities around the house
• Involving other supportive adults in the planning and sharing of parenting and household responsibilities
• Be realistic about what can be achieved each day.  Routine is important. Having an unpredictable lifestyle is time consuming and unsettling for everyone. Young children become frustrated, overwhelmed, and rushed when routines are frequently changing (understandably, sometimes it cannot be helped).

Talk to your partner about household responsibilities and expectations as a parent and an adult household member. 
Starting and finishing the day on a happy note:

• Give yourself extra time in the morning
• Re-think what is essential to be completed before leaving the house each morning
• Pack your work and childcare bags the night before
• Use time in the car as a valuable opportunity to connect with your child both on the way to childcare and on the way home. Sing songs, and listen to your child when they speak to you
• Most importantly, leave work stresses, at work
• Organise the next days clothing the night before, for you and your child
• Avoid conflicts and fights in the morning - it is always a no-win situation for everyone
• Make sure your child goes to bed early enough as this ensures they have adequate sleep for development and growth and gives you and your partner time to interact as adults and friends 

Feeding the family does not need to be stressful!

• Prepare double amounts of food and freeze for later
• Invest in a slow cooker and put dinner on before you leave for work
• Also remember your evening meal does not always have to be a hot meal
• Depending on the age of your child, try and enjoy dinner around the table with the television off and all family members present. This is a good habit to get into and provides a great opportunity to meaningfully interact with your family
• Consider a no TV rule in the morning as this can distract everyone from getting ready

Shopping:

• Add an extra hour to childcare for shopping later in the day
• Avoid taking tired and hungry children shopping
• Consider shopping on-line or in the evening ask your partner to do the shopping
• Another suggestion is to do a big weekly shop to avoid the need to shop every day

Washing:

• Wash and hang the clothes the night before
• Fold washing properly and save ironing
• Children do get sick when you least expect it:
• Ensure your employer knows you are also a parent, so if your child does become sick you can take leave

Otherwise, have an alternative plan -either arrange for your partner to care for your child or have a back up such as a grandparent or good friend on standby.   from http://www.tresillian.net/