Good afternoon,

This email is to inform you that CCS Helpdesk has just advised us that they've had an issue where for some services, they issued multiple payment clearance numbers from the Childcare Subsidy System. The outcome users will see is that some parent accounts will have incorrect balances as CCS has reconciled additional CCS payments to the parent account. This issue is impacting all CCS software providers clients. We are waiting for additional information on this issue from the CCS Helpdesk to determine the extent of impact across the sector and how they will be resolving it. Once we have clarity from the CCS Helpdesk we will immediately provide you with an update. Wilston Kids Care will continue to provide you with regular updates as they come from our Software Provider QikKids. Kindest regards,

QikKids Team

The Crocs are offering three blocks of learn to swim intensives over the school holidays. These will run from the 16th - 20th December, 6th - 10th and 13th - 17th January.

We offer 5 x 30min lessons at the same time every day, with an experienced learn to swim instructor. Lessons commence from 8:30am. Total cost for the five days is $75.

For more information please see Kirsten in the pool office or email swim@wilstonpandc.org.au

Dear Families,

From 29 July 2019, the Department of Human Services (DHS) will start balancing each family’s Child Care Subsidy (CCS) entitlements for the 2018-19 financial year. All families who received CCS during that year will go through this process. For some families, this may be the first time they will be part of the balancing process.

To help families understand the balancing process, the Department of Education and DHS have developed the resources listed in the table below.

While these resources are there to help families, providers and services are not expected to answer questions families have about balancing their payments. Families who need more information to understand the balancing process can be directed to the DHS website.

Resources for you to share with your families:

These resources can also be found on the Department of Education Child Care Subsidy Balancing webpage.

Holiday squads will run both weeks of the June/ July holidays. The squads will run Monday - Friday mornings from 7:30 - 9:30am. The session will commence with land based exercises followed by the pool session.

The cost is $10 a swim or $40 for 5 swims.

Adult squad will run Tuesday and Thursday mornings over the holidays from 6:00 - 7:00am.

Bookings for term 3 learn to swim and squads are now available. Please email swim@wilstonpandc.org.au for all enquiries.

WKC Prep enrolment and rollover of existing bookings is now open for 2020. Please refer to the instructions below on the enrolment and rollover process.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN EXISTING ENROLMENT WITH WILSTON KIDS CARE (they currently attend) - Read this section

Step 1- On Friday 27th September 2019, all existing WKC enrolments will be rolled over by WKC Admin team, ready for commencement of Term 1- Tuesday 28th January 2020.

An example of this - If you have Before/After School Care booking currently Monday and Tuesday in 2019, this will automatically rollover to be the same booking for 2020. This means, if you have a place now, you will have a place in 2020, on the same booking pattern. No forms or further action need to be completed by the families.

Step 2- From Thursday 16th May 2019, if you want to make any changes to the rollover booking for 2020 you must change NOW………….

An example of this - If you have Before/After School Care rollover booking for Monday and Tuesday mornings/afternoons for 2019, and you want to change to Wednesday and Friday morning/afternoon, you simply change the booking request yourself via the My Family Lounge Website. This off course will be subject to availability, and you will need to wait for an offer through My Family Lounge from WKC Admin team.

When changing the booking you MUST do the following

Place the start date as Tuesday 28th January 2020 otherwise the booking change will commence now. The 2020 Term 1 bookings will commence Tuesday 28th January.

ONCE I HAVE ROLLED OVER AND WANT TO MAKE CHANGES TO MY PERMANENT BOOKINGS FOR 2020

From Tuesday 14th May 2019, if you want to make any changes to the rollover booking for 2019 you must change now. Please follow the below instructions.

When changing the booking you MUST do the following

Place the start date as Tuesday 28th January 2020 otherwise the booking change will commence now. The 2020 Term 1 bookings will commence Tuesday 28th January.

1. Go to Wilston P & C website - http://www.wilstonpandc.org.au/

2. Log into your My Family Lounge account (website only)

3. In the current bookings section, click edit on the booking you would like to change

4. Select the preferred start date (All bookings for Term 1 2020 will begin 28/1/2020)

5. Select the days you would like booked in (if you wish to remove permanent day, untick the days you no longer need)

IF YOU ARE LEAVING WILSTON KIDS CARE AND WON’T BE RETURNING IN 2020

If you no longer require a booking for 2020 or your child is a Grade 6 and/or leaving the school, you MUST advise the Service in writing via email otherwise your booking will continue, and you WILL be charged with no exceptions. The government requires 7 days’ notice in writing (not verbal) to fulfil our compliance obligations for all cancellation of bookings.

IF YOUR CHILD IS A BRAND-NEW ENROLMENT FOR 2020

If your child is starting at Wilston Kids Care in 2020 e.g. Prep students, new students to the school or an existing child from WSS that has not attended Wilston Kids Care previously, please follow the instructions below:

1. Go to our website http://www.wilstonpandc.org.au/wilston-kids-care

2. Click on My Family Lounge button

3. Existing Families sign into your My Family Lounge account (do not click register).

- New families register for My Family Lounge

5. Existing Families Click the “Add Child” and fill out the details, then complete the enrolment form

- New families Complete your Enrolment Form for your child

4. Print, sign your enrolment form

5. Complete Debit Success form found on our website

6. If you require permanent bookings, add a new booking request in through My Family Lounge

7. Make yourself familiar with the WKC Family Handbook found on our website

8. Download My Family Lounge App to your mobile phone

9. You will be required to complete an Orientation before your child starts at Wilston Kids Care. The WKC Admin team will be in touch with families soon on how to do this when it is available for 2020.

ALL NEW AND EXISTING FAMILIES- Booking Confirmations

All new booking requests will be confirmed by 25th October 2019 (3rd week of term 4), if you have not received an offer before this date your child will be on the 2020 waitlist. As positions become available the WKC Admin team will send more offers.

We will not be able to provide parents with where they are situated on the waitlist as it is an automated system that automatically offers the next person a formal offer based on the priority of access guidelines and booking availability. We have no way of reviewing this information housed in the back end of the software system.

Once a permanent position is offered, families will have 3 business days to accept the offer on the My Family Lounge website.

We are so very excited to deliver this quick and easy Rollover Enrolment Process for 2020. We thank our Wilston Kids Care community for their ongoing support for our Service and we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2020.

Our popular learn to swim holiday intensives will running in the first week of the Easter Holidays from Monday 8th April - Friday 12th April. We offer 5 x 30 minute lessons at the same time each day with an experienced learn to swim instructor. The cost for the 5 days is $75. Please email swim@wilstonpandc.org.au for more information and bookings.

From this Friday 29th March, Friday squads will now run from 3:30 - 5:00pm. Mark will be running a more relaxed session on Fridays and he hopes you can join in! All squads will swim together for the entire session. There may be a mix of pool and land activities.

Holiday squads will run in both weeks of the Easter holidays, Monday 8th – Friday 12th and Monday 15th – Thursday 19th April from 7:00 – 9:00am for all squad levels.

Mark will run a mix of pool and dry land training so please bring appropriate clothing. The cost for holiday squads will be $10 a session or 5 sessions for $40.

Holiday Learn to Swim Intensives

The Crocs are offering three weeks of learn to swim intensives over the school holidays -

Monday 17th – Friday 21st December

Monday 7th - Friday 11th January Monday 14th – 18th January.

We offer 5 x 30min lessons at the same time every day, with an experienced learn to swim instructor. Lessons commence from 8:30am. Total cost for the five days is $75. For more information please see Kirsten in the pool office or email swim@wilstonpandc.org.au.

Holiday Squads – Squads will run over four weeks of the holidays. From the 17th – 21st December (Week 1) Coach Claire will be running squads each morning between 7:00 and 8:30am. All squads will swim at the same time. The pool will then be closed from 22nd December to the 6th January. From the 7th – 11th January (week 4) and 14th – 18th January (week 5) Coach Mark will be coaching all squad levels from 7:00 – 9:00am each morning. From 21st – 25th January Coach Mark will be running a camp. The Stroke Development Squad will swim from 7:00am – 8:00am each morning. From 8:00am – 11:00am swimmers from the Skills Development and Training Development Squads will participate in land drills followed by a pool set. The camp will be a great preparation for the year ahead. The cost for holiday squad will be $10 a single swim or $40 for 5 swims.

Adult squad will run each Tuesday and Thursday morning over the holidays from 6:00 - 7:00am apart from the two wees the pool is closed. See you at the pool!

Establishing a proper oral hygiene routine from a young age is essential for children’s health, development and wellbeing.

Here at Wilston Kids Care we are strongly promote healthy oral hygiene habits to our children. We do this by encouraging the children to “swish and swallow” after meal times. Parents also have a key role in making sure their children understand the importance of oral hygiene.

Ways in doing this include supervising an effective brushing routine. In support of this regular check- ups with your dentist are vital.

Did you know about the Child and adolescent oral health services provided by the Queensland Government? If your child is a Queensland resident four years of age or older who has not completed year 10 are eligible for publicly funded oral health care via Queensland Health's Child and Adolescent Oral Health Services (previously referred to as the School Dental Service / Program).

These services are provided to eligible parents at no extra cost. For extra information regarding where your local clinic is please refer to the following website:

It has been reported to us that Chickenpox is present within the community.

Please review the symptoms and incubation periods for this condition. If your child displays any of the symptoms you should refrain from sending them to school or Wilston Kids Care to minimise the risk of spreading.

Any questions don’t hesitate to contact us.

Click for more information regarding the health notification about Chicken Pox.

Wilston Kids Care Management

All learn to swim and squads sessions will run as normal on Monday 22nd October - pupil free day. See you at the pool!

The Wilston Crocs have been selected to participate in Local Matters at Grill’d Newmarket this September!

Local Matters is the Grill’d community donation program that sees each Grill’d restaurant donate $500 back into the community every month. The donation is split between 3 local community groups $300 / $100 / $100.

HOW YOU CAN HELP?

We’d love your support in receiving the highest $300 donation! Simply head to Grill’d Newmarket during September for a burger and pop your Local Matters token in our jar. The group with the most tokens at the end of the month receives the largest donation.

It’s a simple (and delicious) way to show your support!

You’ll find us on a jar at Grill’d Newmarket, Reading Newmarket Shopping Centre 400 Newmarket Rd Newmarket.

All swimmers currently enrolled in our term 3 learn to swim program can now confirm their places for term 4.

From Monday 3rd September bookings will open for all new and returning swimmers.

Please email swim@wilstonpandc.org.au for bookings.

The following Crocs have been recognised by Swimming Australia through their Australian Junior Excellence Program (JX). The program recognises, rewards and encourages junior swimmers who, through their development of aquatic skills and fitness, achieve a high standard of swimming excellence. Congratulations - Willow T - Gold

Eve T - Silver Alice V - Silver Camie K - Bronze Evelyn B - Bronze Oliver A - Green

The Crocs will be holding their popular learn to swim holiday intensive program in the first week of the holidays, Monday 24th September - Friday 28th September. We offer 5 x 30 min lessons at the same time each day, with an experienced learn to swim instructor.

Lessons will commence from 8:30am. Total cost for the 5 days is $75.

For more information please drop into the pool office or email Kirsten at swim@wilstonpandc.org.au

The Crocs will be holding their popular learn to swim holiday intensive program in the first week of the holidays, Monday 24th September - Friday 28th September. We offer 5 x 30 min lessons at the same time each day, with an experienced learn to swim instructor.

Lessons will commence from 8:30am. Total cost for the 5 days is $75.

For more information please drop into the pool office or email Kirsten at swim@wilstonpandc.org.au

At WKC we’ve recently started collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries in our stage areaas part of our Community Outreach Program. All donations go toward Rosies - Friends On The Streetto support those most in need, those people who are abandoned, marginalised or socially isolatedwithin our communities. There is a list of goods that they have specified that they value most asdonations on the wall near the collection spot. We’d like to thank all of those families that havealready donated to the cause!

The collection of goods has created quite the buzz amongst educators and children, acting as acatalyst for discussion about why we collect for charity, and how we can help people who are lessfortunate than ourselves.

These kinds of projects are as much about helping the wider community as they are about rolemodelling acts of compassion to the children in our care. You can also role model acts of compassionthat help those less fortunate by donating clothes, donating blood or volunteering your time tocharity organisations.

Children gain an understanding of what they value very early on, and asking questions about this canbe a great way for children to unpack it for themselves. Do they have a particular passion for helpinganimals? Do they show care for the environment, the elderly or people in poverty?

We also understand that in our fast-paced lifestyles the time to participate in charity may be hard toobtain, however there are small ways that you can teach your children about charity andcompassion every day. Discussions about equitable distribution of resources can arise from simplediscussions about sharing toys, taking turns or sharing screen time. These kinds of discussions instilin them an understanding of how their use of resources may affect others.

Random acts of kindness can also be an easy way to initiate your child’s interest in philanthropy. Thiscan spark an interest in the positive feeling that a child may feel in giving something without expectation of anything in return. You could ask:

What can you do at school to be more kind?

How does it feel when you do something kind?How can you make your teacher feel more appreciated? A thank you card perhaps?How can you make your family members feel appreciated?If you were given $500 to spend on yourself, and another $500 to give to charity, how would you choose to spend each of these amounts?

By enquiring with our kids about how and why we contribute to charity, show kindness to others,and care for those who are less fortunate, we set them up to be compassionate and philanthropicadults.

To learn more about Rosies – Friends On The Street you can click here!

At Wilston Kids Care respecting and caring for our environment is at the forefront of what we do. We acknowledge the importance of teaching the children in our care to become socially responsible and show care for their environment. As a generation of children who face growing challenges in terms of their climate and their environment, this goal is perhaps more important than ever. But how do we speak to children about this? And how do we foster an understanding and appreciation of nature when children are exposed to it less and less in our increasingly urbanised lifestyles?

The key is remembering that a child's understanding of their own context is often limited compared to that of an adult, and their way of processing information also differs. Where an adult has an understanding of how they operate in the world on a global scale, a child's understanding may be limited to their immediate surroundings and interactions, particularly when they are young. They are also likely to experience the world around them through relationships and sensory experiences, rather than textual or linguistic processing. These factors pose both a challenge and an opportunity for those of us wanting to nourish their interest in their environment. So what can you do?

1. Acknowledge and Encourage Curiosity

Children are not able to immediately grasp a large and abstract concept such as "the environment" without first understanding it, and to understand it, they must experience it. This can be achieved through simple acts like exploring natural materials in craft, walking through a park or interacting with an animal. Pose simple questions which encourage them to examine their sensory experience and engage with their intrinsic curiosity about the world around them.

"Is the surface of the leaf soft or rough?"

"What shapes can you see in the clouds?"

"Where do you think the birds go at night?"

2. Help Children To Directly Care For Their Environment

Setting up a herb or vegetable garden and allocating watering responsibilities is a simple and effective way to foster responsibility in children, as is caring for a pet. These direct and prolonged connections with nature form memorable relationships and foster valuable skills that can be extended upon later in life. Caring for a plant or animal and experiencing their life cycles in a tangible way will give children further understanding of caring for other plants and animals.

3. Be A Role Model

Children look to the adults around them for direction, directly or indirectly. So it is up to us to examine how we interact with our environment.

Are we involved in caring for the environment or are we distanced from it?

Do we consume products ethically and with restraint?

Do we dispose of our waste in a responsible way?

Do we role model recycling, composting and water saving?

Do we allow kids to interact with nature or shy away from it?

Do we talk about these things with our kids?

If we are able to support children's time in nature at a young age, they are more likely to be advocates for their environment as they grow older, as well as build a range of skills which contribute to their physical and mental health in the long-term. Ultimately a love of nature gives children an understanding of their social and environmental responsibilities, and allows them to grow into adults who respect the magnificence of the world around them.

"Time in nature is not leisure time; it's an investment in our children's health (and also, by the way, in our own)."

-Richard Louv, author of Last Child In The Woods.

As a Service we strive to build relationships and engage with our community, and that means that we take pride in helping those in need. Our new WKC Community Outreach Program aims to gather donations of toiletries and non-perishable items to support those in need in Brisbane. We've set up a donation collection point on the stage to begin the program and we hope that as a community we can band together and provide support to those who are socially isolated.

All donations will go to the Rosies - Friends On The Street program. Rosies reaches out to those most in need, those people who are abandoned, marginalised or socially isolated within our communities.

We're looking for donations of:

Food Items

· Instant Coffee · Cup Noodles · Cup A Soup · Cordial · Sugar · Muesli Bars · Biscuits

Toiletries

· Small Roll On Deodorant · Shaving Razors · Toothbrushes · Toothpaste · Shampoo · Conditioner · Pocket Tissues · Sunscreen · Insect Repellent · Paper Napkins · Milo

You can find out more about the great work that they do at Rosies on their website: www.rosies.org.au

If you have any questions about the program feel free to chat to one of our friendly staff.

Are you ready for the new Child Care Subsidy? To transition, you’ll need to provide new information through myGov. For more information about how to transition to the new subsidy, visit http://www.education.gov.au/childcare

In this podcast, Department of Human Services General Manager Hank Jongen and Gabi from the New Child Care Subsidy team discuss the changes, and explain what you need to do to transition to Child Care Subsidy.

Have you booked your Vacation Care spots? We've got an exciting program planned and we'd love to see you there!

Come and join us for fun activities like Laser Tag, a Superhero Dress-Up day and our much loved bike excursion to the park, back by popular demand!

Find the program, permission forms and how to book at http://www.wilstonpandc.org.au/wilston-kids-care

With Vacation Care fast approaching we're looking for recycled materials for craft and construction! Do you have cardboard boxes, plastic bottles, wood off-cuts or bottle lids that could spark a child's creativity? Please bring them in and drop them in the recyclable materials collection points at the room or B Block, or let one of our friendly staff know!

If you haven't booked for Vacation Care you can do so at our website!

Dear Families,

WKC Prep enrollment and rollover of existing bookings is now open for 2019. Please refer to the instructions below on the enrolment and rollover process.

IF YOUR CHILD HAS AN EXISTING ENROLMENT WITH WILSTON KIDS CARE

Step 1 - On Monday 11th June 2018, all existing WKC enrolments will be rolled over by WKC admin, ready for commencement of Term 1 -Tuesday 29th January 2019.

An example of this would be: If you have Before School Care booking currently Monday and Tuesday mornings now in 2018, this will automatically rollover to be the same booking for 2019. This means, if you have a place now, you will have a place in 2019, on the same booking pattern. No forms need to be filled out.

Step 2 – From Monday 11th June 2018, if you want to make any changes to the rollover booking for 2019 you must change now.

For example, if you have Before School Care rollover booking for Monday and Tuesday mornings for 2019, but you want to change to Wednesday and Friday morning you simply change the booking request yourself via My Family Lounge. This off course will be subject to availability.

As you can see below, when changing the booking you MUST place the date (Tuesday 29th January 2019) as the booking commencement date otherwise the booking change will commence now. The 2019 Term 1 bookings will commence Tuesday 29th January.

How to make changes to permanent bookings rolled over for 2019 as per Step 2

1. Go to Wilston P & C website - http://www.wilstonpandc.org.au/

2. Log into your My Family Lounge account (website only)

3. In the current bookings section, click edit on the booking you would like to change

4. Select the preferred start date (All bookings for Term 1 2019 will begin 29/1/2019)

5. Select the days you would like to be booked in for (if you wish to remove permanent day, deselect the days you no longer need

IF YOUR CHILD IS A BRAND NEW ENROLMENT FOR 2019

2019 Preps, new students to the school or an existing child from WSS)

NEW ENROLMENTS – How to make a booking request

Step 2 - Log into your My Family Lounge Account - *do not register for an account, this will create a duplicate* - Click on New Request in the “Booking Requests” sectionStep 3 - Select the service type (BSC or ASC), Service, start date and number of days (for bookings beginning Term 1 2019 the start date will be 29/1/18)

ALL NEW AND EXISTING FAMILIES

When you have requested a booking Administration will respond to you within seven business days. You will have seven business days to accept the offer.

All new booking requests will be confirmed by 12th October 2018 (1st week of term 4), if you have not received an offer before this date your child is on the waitlist. As positions become available WKC will send more offers. We will not be able to provide parents with what number they are on the waitlist

IF YOU ARE LEAVING WILSTON KIDS CARE AND WON’T BE RETURNING IN 2019

If you no longer require a booking for 2019 or your child is a grade 6 and leaving the school, you MUST advise the Service in writing (via an email) otherwise your placement will continue, and you WILL be charged with no exceptions if you don’t communicate your child’s Cessation of Care (cancellation of booking). We require 7 days written notice (email) for cancellation of bookings.

We are so very excited to deliver this quick and easy Rollover Enrolment Process for 2019. We thank our Wilston Kids Care community for their ongoing support for our Service and we look forward to an exciting and prosperous 2019.

Many thanks,

Wilston Kids Care

Phone: 3352 6753 Email: wkc.admin@wilstonpandc.org.au

We love having conversations with you about your child! As educators we are always looking for more information about what makes the kids in our care tick! Knowing what your child likes and dislikes, what their culture is, or even something that they seem to be struggling with, gives us an opportunity to support them in the context of WKC.

Starting Blocks provides this wonderful infographic to help you on your way to communicating your child's interests and needs to the educators that they interact with every day!

Did you know that some medical conditions require exclusion from school, childcare centres and other settings to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among staff and children? By abiding by exclusion periods and cautions provided by Queensland Health we can protect all children, especially those who are more susceptible to infectious disease. To find out more about keeping your kids healthy, and whether exclusion times apply to you, you can access the following PDF resources which contain all sorts of helpful links.

Time Out Brochure - Information for parents about infectious diseases and exclusion periods in Queensland early childhood education centres and schools.Time Out Poster - Information regarding minimum exclusion periods for children in Queensland early childhood education centres and schools For more information regarding illness in children and local health services you can also access Health Direct:https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/childhood-illnesses

Image: 'Over Time We Come Together 2015' by Cassie Leatham

One of the most important aspects of Reconciliation is to listen and learn from our fellow Australians and their experiences. If we are able to listen and share, we can move forward creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Share Our Pride is an online resource that aims to provide all Australians with an appreciation of Indigenous Australian histories, cultures and achievements.

We encourage you to take a look: http://www.shareourpride.org.au/