...where children are happy to learn
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31 Harrington St, Elderslie NSW 2570
ph: (02) 4658 0706 mob: 0411 777 583
Welcome to July
Dear Parents/Families,
Winter has well and truly hit HDK Elderslie!
We have embraced Winter by adapting our Children’s routine to ensure we still get to enjoy the sunny outdoors. Please make sure to check our July Calendar of Events on our OWNA app and our website to avoid missing out on any special events that might occur on the days your child/ren attend. Participating in these events helps educators plan for future events and shows great partnerships with families when it comes to assessment and rating.
HDK’S parent committee is open for new committee members, if you are interested, please shoot Miss Sam an email and she can add you into our mailing list. We completely understand parents and families’ busy schedules which is why our parent committee is email based.
What's on Next Month !
7th - 11th July
NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is an Australian observance lasting from the first Sunday in July until the following Sunday. The acronym NAIDOC stands for National Aboriginal and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
8th July
Camden Council Flag Raising Ceremony
To celebrate NAIDOC there will be a Flag Raising Ceremony, at 10.30am followed by a Community Fun Day from 11am - 2pm.
26th - 27th July
Mayor's Winter Sleepout
This event, taking place outdoors at Onslow Oval from July 26-27, aims to raise funds and awareness for homelessness in Camden.
Important Reminders
Reminder to Parents
A reminder to all parents that our contract hours are from 7:00am to 6:00 pm.
This means that our insurance and licensing only allows children and families on site during these allotted times for everyone’s safety.
Please ensure you are arriving to drop off and pick up to within these times.
Label Belongings
Please remember to label everything. lunchboxes, drink bottles, bags and spare clothes.
Birthdays
Happy Birthday to our June celebrants:
Miss Julia, Ofelia, Mya, Zara.B, Finnley, Kingsley, Lily & Lucy.M
Footwear
Please ensure child are wearing appropriate footwear each and every day, this includes closed in toes, solid supportive soles, correct sizing and appropriate accessibility to the children.
Please avoid thongs/flipflops, slides, slippers, and shoes the children cannot learn to use independently (difficult laces, buckles or zippers)
Sign in /out
A reminder to please sign your child in and out every day using the iPad at the door.
If you have any issues with signing in/out, please let a staff member know so we can assist.
Absences
If your child is going to be absent from the centre, please document this by marking them absent via the OWNA app, notifying us of your child’s absence allows us to open that spot to a family that might need it as a casual day.
Clothing
ALL children must bring spare clothing every day; even if completely toilet trained.
This to ensure that in the event of an accident, split food or messy play they have clothing to change into.
Infectious Illnesses
Please HELP us contain infectious illnesses by keeping your child at home when they are sick. If your child is absent from school due to an illness, please make sure to bring in a clearance form from the doctors on their next booked day. If your child has been sent home from school on their booked day, in correspondence to our SICK CHILDREN’S POLICY, your child must stay home for 24 hours before bringing them back, to reduce the spread of illnesses and also provide a Doctor’s Clearence. If a Doctor’s Clearence is not provided your child/ren will not be able to attend for the day.
Policy of the Month
This month Educators will be reviewing and refining our Clothing Policy, to ensure our Children & Educators are appropriately dressed at all Times.
What we got up to last month...
Pyjama Week
Can you believe Winter is here! The Wombats & Possums were encouraged to get involved with Pyjama Week by coming to HDK in their warmest Jammies & Slippers. The Children engaged in a range of Pyjama themed activities & even enjoyed a Cinema Dramatic Play Area. They have also even engaging in Winter themed sensory trays as well as winter themed crafts.
World Sushi Day
International Sushi Day – June 18, 2025
International Sushi Day on June 18th is the perfect excuse to tuck into the Japanese specialty. Sushi has become a global phenomenon over the past 30 years or so after struggling to find a foothold in the west in the beginning. The Wombats & Possums embraced World Sushi Day by enjoying a yummy sushi bowl for lunch filled with rice, seaweed and edamame beans
Magic Moments
Please enjoy some of our Magic Moment's from throughout June!
Classroom News
Age-based Intentional Learning Groups
Possums
Learning Group for 2-3 yrs old
June Recap
Self Help Skills
For the month of June, the Possums Monthly Focus Activity has been exploring their Self Help Skills. They have engaged in a variety of different skill building activities.
Packing Our Own Bags - The Possums focused on packing away their bags. The Children made their way over to their bags, ready to practise these skills alongside their educators. The Children helped to fold their belongings and place them into their bags. They also practiced zipping up the bags and then placing them neatly into their lockers.
Putting On Our Own Shoes - The Possums gathered on the mat in a circle and began having a group discussion about what type of shoes we have on eg, sneakers or slippers and if our shoes had laces, no laces or Velcro. Each Possum took their shoes and socks off without assistance and promptly placed their shoes along the wall.
By engaging in this activity, the children are building their independence and self-help skills, which are important for their growing confidence and autonomy. Linking to the EYLF, these experiences support children’s sense of responsibility and develop skills such as managing their belongings (Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing). These are also social experiences where children observe and assist one another, promoting collaboration and a positive classroom community
Wombat Kindy's
Learning Group for 4-5 year olds |
School Readiness Program
June Recap
This month, as part of the School Readiness Program, the Kindy Wombats have focused on their letter recognition and phonemic awareness. The Children began with Phonemic awareness the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in words. This is a vital skill that lays the foundation for early reading and spelling success. It helps children understand how sounds connect to letters and words. The Kindy's have engaged in a variety of hands on learning experiences such as matching games, alphabet bingo and name tracing.
Wombat Jnr's
Learning Group for 3-4 year olds
June Recap
This month mimicking the Wombat Kindy's the Wombat Jnr's are also focusing on letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and name writing. The Children began with Phonemic awareness the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in words. This is a vital skill that lays the foundation for early reading and spelling success. It helps children understand how sounds connect to letters and words.The Jnr's have engaged in variety of hands on learning experiences such as alphabet bingo and name tracing.
Projects
Insects Project
This month across the service our project was Insects in anticipation of Insect week, and the arrival of our stick insects. Both our Wombat & Possum Room have engaged in this topic of interest, they both began by reading the story 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar', this then led onto discussions about different types of insects and there names, insects habitats and diving deeper into the makeup's of stick insects.
Lots of Love, Miss Bella & Miss Julia
Focus Learning Programs
Playing And Learning to Socialise (PALS)
Happy Days Social Skills Program
June Recap
Active Listening Skills
Over the month of June, during our PALS program, we are focusing on Listening and Following Instructions!
This is a great way for Children to strengthen their ability to listen carefully, follow directions, and engage meaningfully with both their peers and educators. These skills are essential for developing positive relationships, learning routines, and becoming confident, active participants in group setting. The Children have been engaging in a variety of fun games that will challenge these skills further such as Simon Says, Whispers & Guided Drawing.
Simon Says - Participating in Simon Says encourages the Children to focus on verbal cues, and respond appropriately, which are important skills for effective communication and self-regulation. The repetition and group setting help build their awareness of listening and paying attention. As we continue playing Simon Says, we will look for ways each child shows growth in their understanding and ability to listen actively within the group.
Whispers - This activity helps children tune into verbal language, concentrate on what others are saying, and understand how important it is to listen carefully and speak clearly. Plus, it’s always lots of fun hearing how the original message can change as it’s passed along!
Lots of Love, Miss Britt & Miss Molly
Eco-Warriors
Happy Days Sustainability Program
...when Fun and Responsibility meet
June Recap
For the month of June, our topic for Eco-warriors is to look after and tend to the centre animals.
The Wombats & Possums have helped Miss Dee & Miss Kayla tend to the chickens by giving them food and water as well as collecting the eggs.
The Wombats & Possums were so excited seeing the chickens and helping Miss Dee & Miss Kayla bring in the eggs from their nesting hutch. The Wombats & Possums each took turns saying hello and goodbye to the chickens before venturing back inside.
Munch and Move
Happy Days Health & Fitness Program
June Recap
HDK Fifa World Cup
This Month as part of our Munch and Move program, the Wombats & Possums have been focusing on practising their soccer skills as they get ready for HDK’s FIFA World Cup. The children got organised into pairs and we moved over to the soccer goals. Each child was invited to stand at the goal and encouraged then to kick the ball to their partner. The children spent time kicking the ball back and forth, working together and concentrating on improving their soccer skills.
This group experience supported the children in building their gross motor skills, including balance and coordination, which are key elements of soccer. Through working in pairs, the children developed collaborative play and communication. The children demonstrate increasing control and coordination over movement and co-operate with others. The program also reflects our approach of fostering active physical participation and supporting children to try new movement skills in a social environment. These activities lay important foundations for confidence and persistence in physical play.
Community Engagement
Camden Produce Markets – Every Saturday 7am to 12pm
Shine Shed Playgroup – Every Tuesday 1pm - 2:30pm & Every Friday 9:15am to 10:45am
$10 entry
5 Mount Erin Road, Blair Athol
Menangle Night Markets – Second Saturday of Every Month 5pm - 10pm
Bicycle Education Centre Playgroup – Thursday 10th July 10am to 12pm
Campbelltown Bicycle Education Centre, King St
Timbernook Southern Sydney - Appin
Tiny Ones (0-6yrs old) Every Monday 9:30am to 11:30am & 12pm to 2pm
Little Wild Ones (3-9yrs old) Every Wednesday 9:30am to 12:30pm or 9:30am to 1:30pm