Welcome to the May 2011 Camden Macarthur Child Care Directory Newsletter.

This month we welcome Only Organic and Ready Steady Go to our Child Care Directory.

Australian Training Professionals joins our Resources for Care Provides Directory. Read more about these great services below.

This month's parent resource is about Settling techniques: 12 months to toddlers. We hope this information helps you get through this difficult stage.


WIN...WIN.... This month you have a chance to win a Kimochi - Lovey Dove from My Mini Munchkin valued at $50.00.

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 child related information.

Only Organic only use the very best organic ingredients to give a burst of organic goodness in every little mouthful.

Only Organic baby food range has a delicious selection of baby cereals, breakfasts, savoury meals, fruit purees, desserts, finger foods and snacks for your little one.   Your baby will be delighted with the new custard's and yoghurt's varieties that come in our convenient BPA free pouches, and as a parent you won't have to worry about the nutritional value of these products. More information and to order visit www.onlyorganic.co.nz

Ready Steady Go Multi Sports Program For Preschoolers Aged 2.5-6 Years

• Australia's largest ball-sports and exercise program for PRESCHOOLERS (Ages 2.5-6)
• Classes available Monday-Saturday
• Multiple locations in Sydney
• FREE TRIAL CLASS AVAILABLE...CALL 1300-766-892 TODAY!

Introducing children to sport and physical activity between the ages of 2-5 is the ideal time as learning healthy habits from such a young age provides great grounding for the future. Encouraging gross-motor development, eye-hand coordination and introducing children to a variety of sports help promote an appreciation for a healthy lifestyle, combat childhood obesity and can have a positive impact on a child's self esteem.

Ready Steady Go is Australia's largest multi-sports and exercise program for preschoolers operating in 40 locations across NSW, VIC & SA. Ready Steady Go offers a fun, educational way for preschoolers to learn the fundamentals of sports such as soccer, basketball, tennis, football and t-ball. Ready Steady Go classes run Monday to Saturday each week, in 11 different locations across suburban Sydney.

Ready Steady Go is truly a multi-sports program allowing preschoolers to learn a broad number of sports and skills. Participants are encouraged not to focus on one sport, but instead to 'have a go' at a variety of sports. Our low instructor/child ratio means that children receive specialised, focused attention.

The benefits of Ready Steady Go participation include:

Physio Designed Program Taught by qualified instructors with early childhood and coaching experience

Confidence & Competence Develop gross and fine motor skills and enhance eye-hand/eye-foot coordination with the goal of being able to tackle tasks independently

Introduction to Life Skills Encourage participants to take turns, play by the rules, cooperate with peers and introduce the concept of 'sportsmanship'

Boosting School Readiness Skills Program incorporates skills such as concentration, listening and following directions

Encouraging a Healthy Lifestyle Introduce extra curricular sports to preschoolers helps to promote a 'lifelong love for sports and exercise'

Platform of Knowledge Participants will leave the program with an understanding of 10 different sports to build upon when school begins

Australian Training Professionals Have you considered obtaining your Certificate III (CHC30708) or Diploma (CHC50908) in Children's Services?

Are you aware that you are constantly producing the required evidence to obtain your qualification through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)?

Australian Training Professionals is regarded as one of Australia's most reputable and leading Registered Training Organisations (RTO - 51773) offering nationally recognised qualifications which are achievable, extremely flexible and affordable.

If you are currently working within the Childcare industry and are "job competent", we recognise your capabilities and experience allowing you to fast-track your qualification through the RPL process. There isn't any timeframe, as long as you can produce the required evidence. Upon registration, Australian Training Professionals will provide you with a very user-friendly RPL kit with simple easy to follow instructions enabling you to submit your evidence.

Kids Kinder Childcare is dedicated to providing a safe, friendly environment that fosters your child's social and educational development.

Kids Kinder is a privately owned and operated childcare centre operating for long-day hours providing care and education programs for children 2-6 years old.

The centre operates 52 weeks a year Monday to Friday from 7am to 6pm closing only on public holidays.

We have a team of dedicated childcare professionals who each day provide a fun and safe learning environment with daily routines similar to that of home for each child.

Kids Kinder is big enough to provide lots of toys, equipment and great facilities, yet small enough to provide an individual level of care for each child and their family. Our focus is the well-being of each child and their learning.

We believe that all children are unique. It is our hope to extend and compliment the home by providing a happy, stable and secure environment in which each child develops towards their full potential.

SPECIAL OFFER: enrol now for 2011 and receive a FREE LAPTOP or a FREE $300 COLES VOUCHER. Terms and conditions apply.

We currently have vacancies for all ages and look forward to welcoming you and your child to our lovely centre, please contact us

Airssential
Cash for a Cause
Cradle 2 Kindy
Enchanted Cubby House
Ezy Shaid
Girl Guides NSW & ACT
Kids Kontact
Maternitywear.com.au
My Mini Munchkin
Only Organic
Ready Steady Go
Pencil Grips Plus
Playsafe Kids
Soccatoos
Smart Start Learning Centres is offering a free lesson for their school preparation program for children entering Kindergarten in 2012. Start preparing your child now for BIG school. Literacy, Numeracy and Handwriting are all included in the program. This offer is for group or private lessons. Please phone 9990 6664 or  0414 543 074 to discuss your child's needs. You can also visit our website: www.smartstartlearningcentres.com.au for further information.

Ambervale
Kindy Patch

Appin
Bambinos Kindergarten Appin

Bargo
Bargo Child Care Centre
Kids Korner

Bow Bowing
Kool Kids Kindacare

Campbelltown
Campbelltown Prebyterian Community Child Care
Little Einstein's Early Learning Centre - Campbelltown
St Patrick's Child Care Centre
Unique Kids Early Childhood Centre Inc

Currans Hill
UnitingCare Currans Hill OSHC

Denham Court
Leaping Learners Early Education Centre

Glenfield
Playground Learning Centre

Harrington Park
Bambinos Kindergarten Harrington Park
Bambinos Kindergarten Harrington Park (North)

Ingleburn
Little Einstein's Early Learning Centre - Ingleburn

Leumeah
Little Einstein's Early Learning Centre - Leumeah
Little Green Frogs Pre-School

Macquarie Fields
Kids Kinder Childcare
Kidzland Preschool Kindergarten & Day Nursery

Mount Annan
Jenny's Kindergarten - Mount Annan
Leaping Learners Early Education Centre

Narellan Vale
Jenny's Kindergarten - Narellan Vale

Narellan
Gumnutz Kids
Kids Korner

• Bath time
• Clean nappy
• Clean teeth
• Dim lighting
• Talk quietly, gentle song, cuddle, story time tuck/wrap depending on age
• Kiss and say goodnight
• Ensure your child is adequately clothed especially for the night e.g. warm pyjamas, enough blankets or a sleeping bag.
• Having a favourite small soft toy or similar in the cot/bed may provide comfort
• If in a cot ensure that the sides are up and securely in place

Settling Options

Comfort Settling
Comfort settling provides your child with reassurance and support while also providing an opportunity for your child to discover their own way of going to sleep.
Following a bedtime routine as above:
1. Talk quietly, reassure child i.e. 'good night it is time for sleep' to encourage a state of calm
2. Position your child on their back in the cot/bed awake [calm/drowsy]
3. Comfort your child providing verbal reassurance in a calm firm voice 'time for sleep' rhythmic patting, or stroking
4. As your child calms, move away from the cot/ bed or leave the room
5. Listen to your child's level of distress (intensity of cry)
6. If your child is not calming return to the room using a calm voice provide reassurance (steps 3), then lay him/her down and tuck in the bedclothes move away from the cot/ bed or leave the room
7. You may have to repeat steps 1-6 several times before your child responds
8. During the day if your child does not respond pick your child up, cuddle until calm then either

• Reattempt comfort settling (steps 1-4)
• Stay with your child until asleep
• Get your child up, continue with daily routine and try again at the next sleep time

9. During the night if your child does not respond continue (steps 1-6) providing comfort / reassurance however if your child remains distressed you may need to consider other options. Such as:

• Picking your child up and cuddle until calm
• Offering a drink of water (cup)
• Staying with your child until they are asleep

The length of time it takes to calm your child will decrease as your child learns to settle.

Self settling
Following a bedtime routine as above:
Prepare your child for sleep as per steps 1 to 3 above.
10. Leave the room promptly allowing the child the opportunity to self settle
11. If your child is not calming, return to the room using a calm voice provide reassurance (step 3), then lay him/her down and tuck in the bedclothes, then leave the room
12. Continue reassuring your child intermittently by comforting in the cot/bed for brief periods until calm and leaving the room for slightly longer periods
13. You may have to repeat the steps several times before the your child responds
14. The length of time out of the room is dependent on your child's level of distress and your capacity to wait and listen for crying to reduce
15. During the day if your child does not respond pick your child up and cuddle until calm then either:

• Reattempt (steps 1,2, 3,10, 11 and 12)
• Staying with your child until asleep
• Getting your child up, continue with daily routine and try again

16. During the night if your child does not respond continue (steps 1-6) providing comfort / reassurance however if your child remains distressed you may need to consider other options. Such as:

• Picking your child up and cuddle until calm
• Offering a drink of water (cup)
• Staying with your child until they are asleep

The length of time it takes to calm your child will lessen as your child learns to self settle.

Gradual withdrawal
This option helps children who may find self-settling too difficult for various reasons such as co-sleeping or high levels of separation anxiety. Following a bedtime routine as above:
Prepare your child for sleep as per steps 1 to 3 above.
17. Remain in close proximity allowing your child to fall asleep with a parent in view. (e.g. chair beside the bed or sitting on the bed)
18. Over time the distance between you and your child is gradually increased as your child gains confidence and the ability to fall asleep without you present.

Parental presence
You may prefer this option if your child is over 6 months of age and has not been separated from you at sleep time. Following a bedtime routine as above:
Prepare your child for sleep as per steps 1 to 3 above.
19. Once calm lie down or sit beside the cot within sight of your child and pretend to be asleep
20. If your child remains awake, give a little cough or quietly 'ssshhh time to sleep' signalling you are still in the room
21. If your child becomes distressed respond with the minimal action required to calm your child and repeat steps 19-20
22. Stay in the room until your child is asleep during the day and sleep in the same room as your child throughout the night
23. This continues for at least 1 week or until your child has 3 consecutive nights of relatively uninterrupted sleep. You can now begin to leave the room before your child is asleep.

For further help:
Visit either your local Child and Family Health Centre or local doctor.
Call Tresillian's 24 Hour Parent's Help Line on (02) 9787 0855 or 1800 637 357 (Freecall outside Sydney)

Extract from http://www.tresillian.net/tresillian-tips/settling-techniques-12-months-to-toddlers.html