Johnson House
Waratah Room
Story by Educator Shelley
To support Johnson House Waratah children’s interest in nature, science and literacy in a fun and meaningful way, a scavenger hunt was recently planned for the children. Firstly, children were given a clipboard, texta and print out of the items to be found and identified. They then looked at each picture, so they knew what to look out for and what to do when they found it—namely, to check off each item as it was discovered.
We were all very excited to start hunting for our items. It was great to see the children working together as a team as they enthusiastically shared their findings with the group. Aside from being great fun, scavenger hunts help children to develop their language and recognition skills. The children shared their ideas and experiences using spoken language, including asking questions, making statements and critiquing. For example, the children observed that the native bees in our garden are so small and challenge their typical ideas of what bees look like i.e. yellow with black stripes. The native bees are teeny tiny, are black, have no stripes and do not make honey for us, unlike the typical European honeybee. Many of the children also demonstrated recognition of the first letter of some of the words on the scavenger hunt list, such as ‘w’ for worm and ‘b’ for blue.
Great fun was had by all, with lots of learning happening along the way!
Family Day Care Sydney Wide
Story by Educator Support Officer Alix
As we swing right into 2025, Family Day Care Sydney Wide Educators have been busy meticulously reviewing and updating excursion risk management plans so that new and previously enrolled children can experience the benefits of engaging with their local communities.
Many of our services embark on routine excursions as these provide so much educational enrichment to children’s daily lives. Ultima, from Little Pods Family Day Care in Mosman, is lucky enough to live within five minutes of Taronga Zoo. This means that children can regularly visit their favourite animals and exhibits throughout the year.
Meanwhile, over the bridge in Randwick, Gabi’s Family Day Care has built an affinity with Randwick Sustainability Hub and Environment Park through their ongoing trips to these spaces. Children’s developing connections to country are enriched through the sensory delights that the nature in these spaces has to offer.
Community Playgroups
Story by Playgroup Coordinator Rebecca
It has been an amazing start to the year at our Community Playgroups, with so many families venturing out to join us despite the ever-changing weather we are currently experiencing.
The playgroup team have enjoyed catching up with families and hearing about the adventures you’ve had since we last saw you.
This week we have been busy catching up with old friends and making new ones, playing and learning. We have used our fingers and hands to create collages, and we made bracelets by threading straws onto pipe cleaners. We have drawn and painted and sculpted and rolled with the playdough. A crowd favourite has seen our children ‘cooking’ and ‘making’ yummy things for us to eat at the kitchen.
We look forward to the weeks ahead as we play, learn, share and most importantly have fun.
