Acknowledgment to country
We see you Dharug people
We hear you Dharug people
We thank you Dharug people
Hear is the land, here is the sky, here are my friends and here am I. We thank you Dharug people for the land on which we learn and play. Hands up, hands down we are on Dharug ground
MOTHER’S DAY MORNING TEA
We invite you a special morning tea on Thursday 7th May 10am-11am.
An invitation has been sent to all families.
STAFF NEWS
We welcome Miss Charlotte to our Hunny Pots team. Miss Charlote is an Early Childhood Teacher she will be working 4 days and you will see her in our Eeyores room. Miss Charlotte will go on a holiday from late May returning late June. Please welcome Charlotte.
STAFF TRAINING
Over the course of this year our educators have been busy further developing their knowledge in our early childhood field. Below are all the different webinars and professional development our educators have engaged in.
| Name | Professional development |
| Jo | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Following policies and procedures as the RP 27/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Allison | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Foundations of child safety |
| Emma | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Foundations of child safety |
| Chloe | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Being belonging becoming 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Shubhi | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Critical reflection on parent goal 27/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Amanda | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Building children sensory play 26/3/26
|
| Jemma | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Programming for children under two 27/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Annaliese | SAFE SLEEP PRACTICE 16/1
Child protection Safe food handling Role of a room leader 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Sophie | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Work place culture 27/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Monique | Foundations of child safety
Child Protection
|
| Paige | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling The power of words in the workplace 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Rupinder | Child protection refresher 16/1
Safe sleep Safe food handling Collaboration with service and educators 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Rhiannon | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling School readiness 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Emily | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Educator dopamine levels 27/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Brianna | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Different leadership styles 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Gabby | SAFE SLEEP PRACTICE 16/1
Child protection Safe food handling Balancing supervision and engagement 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Jess | Child protection refresher 16/1
Safe sleep Safe food handling Assessment and rating evidence file 27//326 Foundations of child safety |
| Georgia | Safe sleep
Child protection Safe food handling Balancing Supervision and engagement 27/3/26 Foundations of child safety |
| Erin | 14/1/26 child safety
Safe sleep Child protection Safe food handling Interaction with children 27/3//26 Foundations of child safety |
| Piper | Balancing supervision and engagement during play
Engaging environment (9/1) Safe sleep Child protection Safe food handling Balancing supervision 26/3/26 Foundations of child safety
|
| Simon | Foundations of child safety
|
| Janelle | Foundations of child safety
|
Lots of professional development completed; this is something we are passionate about- learning, growing, applying our learning to practice.
Mandatory reporters
Do you know that all our educators at Hunny Pots ELC are mandatory reporters. Our reporting authority is Department of communities and justice
Child protection helpline
Ph: 132111 (24 hours)
Online
Mandatory reporters with less serious concerns can use e reporting.
We have been focusing on child reporting and advocating for children, making them feel empowered through knowing who their safe people are and who they can report to. Over the last month the rooms have been busy putting together a child reporting book for each room which we use daily with the children so they are aware of who they can report to and that their voice will always be heard. We have also started a display in our foyer which has pictures of all the educators in our centre so children know who they can report to. This is something we are very passionate about and are always reading and reflecting upon. Our main priority or our paramount principle is children safety
CHILD SAFE STANDARDS
At the start of the year, our Child Safe Standards drivers included set questions for Standards 1 and 2 as a refresher. During their allocated Child Safe Standards time, educators revisited and strengthened their understanding of these two standards by answering the reflective questions, which form part of our ongoing practice of critical reflection. We have also been reflecting on the Code of Ethics within our curriculum planners in each room, ensuring this remains a key focus. Educators critically reflect on their practice in relation to children, families, the community, and colleagues, and identify what actions we will take moving forward.
Throughout our eight-week programming cycle, we have been working on strengthening our Risk management plan by introducing new headings. All educators were provided with the opportunity to contribute to this shared document. Educators referred to relevant policies and the Code of Conduct, providing clear explanations to support their strategies and adding meaningful, distinct input that builds on the existing content. This process has supported educators’ knowledge and reinforced a clear understanding of risks in relation to child safety. Additionally, all educators have completed two child safety courses, with time provided off the floor to allow them to focus fully on this training.
CHILD SAFETY REFORMS
From 24 April 2026, new NSW legislative changes under the Children (Education and Care Services National Law Application) Amendment Act 2025 will come into effect. These changes from the government(s) are designed to reinforce the protection, wellbeing and rights of children, while providing clearer expectations for providers and services.
We have been busy reviewing our policies to align with the new changes. The policies we have amended are providing a child safe environment, recruitment policy, child protection policy and we are in the process of creating a protected disclosures policy. Over the coming weeks we will send through the policies we have made amendments to.
RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN
In the last two months, our 0-3, preschool and school‑readiness rooms continue to embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in meaningful, everyday ways. Over the past weeks, the children have deepened their connection to Country through our gardening project, where they explored native plants, cared for the environment, and engaged in rich discussions during our yarning circles. We also acknowledged and celebrated Close the Gap Day, supporting children’s understanding of fairness, wellbeing, and community responsibility in age‑appropriate ways.
Our community connections continue to grow as the Pooh’s Corner children extend their learning from Shirley Pearl’s letter from Koori Curriculum, exploring diverse Aboriginal perspectives in meaningful ways. We are also deepening our relationship with Nabiac Early Learning Centre through the exchange of learning resources, ideas, and cultural knowledge. These collaborations help us strengthen our understanding, enrich our program, and ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives remain embedded authentically in our everyday practice.
At present, our educators are reflecting on how we can further strengthen our links with community and deepen the cultural learning already taking place. We are considering new opportunities to collaborate with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, enhance our learning environments, and continue building respectful, ongoing relationships. This reflective process helps ensure that our practices remain authentic, inclusive, and grounded in genuine connection.
VEGGIE MONTH
Over the past month, we proudly celebrated Veggie Month across all of our rooms. Supported by the Munch and Move initiative, Veggie Month encourages children to explore and enjoy a wide variety of vegetables while engaging in daily physical activity. During this month educators got creative and introduced vegetables through play-based learning experiences. Children engaged in different experiences to expand their knowledge on what vegetables feel like, smell like and even taste like.
Throughout the centre the children engaged in a range of learning experiences including, science activities, art-based activities, books and story times, gardening, mealtime discussions, taste testing and other vegetable related experiences for example puzzles or home corner dramatic play we also connected to our community by inviting Holy Cross students to participate in cooking and gardening experiences. These experiences provided opportunities for the children to deepen their knowledge their interest-based experiences, encouraging the children to stay healthy and live active lifestyles.
This was only a small snapshot of the amazing learning children were exposed to teach them the importance of eating veggies.
IMAGE OF THE CHILD
As part of our advocacy project of play-based learning, we did some research on what our image of the child is. As a team we brainstormed different words that we associate with how we see children. We then collected all these words and created statement of the image of the child. These are displayed in the rooms and in the foyer next to our philosophy. These statements link to what our philosophy is. Below is the image of the child statements.
Image of a child statement
Curious
We believe that children are born naturally curious and we use this as a valuable tool for learning about this world they live. It is our responsibility to acknowledge and embrace this curiosity and sense of wonder in their world through play-based learning.
Critical thinkers
We believe that children are independent and critical thinkers. They have original thoughts and it’s our duty to encourage and foster those thoughts, to provide an environment that provokes thoughts, problem solving and inquisitiveness through play-based learning. We view children as active participants in their own learning.
Kind
We believe that children are kind by nature and we reinforce this by acknowledging kind acts each and every time they are observed.
Open minded
We believe that children are openminded and therefore willing to try new challenges and see the world from different perspectives. We support this mindset by providing new and varied experiences as well as taking time to look at the world through the eyes of the children in their care.
Natural risk taker
We believe children are natural risk takers. They are able to assess risk and we trust their instincts. We allow safe risk taking as a means of learning how to keep themselves safe.
Unique
We view children as capable competent and full of potential. Each child is seen as unique individual with their own strengths, interests and cultural background and ways of learning. We support this by creating individual learning opportunities focusing on the child.
Empowered
We recognise children as confident communicators. They construct knowledge through play exploration, relationships, and meaningful experiences. We value their voices and encourage them to express their ideas feelings in different ways to feel empowered.
Being
We believe in children to be in the moment to be joyful, creative, determined, strong, connected and belong. We will support this by also being in the moment with the children not to rush their thinking or learning, to really focus on how important play-based learning is.
COOLER WEATHER
We do go outside in the cooler months – we ask for children to be dressed appropriately for outside play. We encourage active play outside to stay fit and healthy!
ILLNESS
A timely reminder to ensure all children with an illness stay at home to rest and recover.
A very big thank you to our families for your proactive efforts in keeping your unwell children at home. We have certainly noticed many children absent due to colds and flu. By keeping your children home to rest and recover, you are helping your families and other children in our care and our team by not infecting others.
Please remember, if your child has Panadol or Nurofen in their system, they are not to come to Hunny Pots. You are only masking the symptoms, and the illness will spread to other children and our educators.
We are unable to administer any over the counter medication at Hunny Pots e.g.: cough mixtures etc.
We are able to administer prescribed antibiotics (after your child has been taking it for 24hours); you will need to complete a medication form (near the sign in/out sheets in foyer).
We are only able to administer Panadol at Hunny Pots if a child has a temperature of 38 degrees or above and with parent consent/ once and arrange for immediate pick up.
If your child presents any illness symptoms, we will call you to arrange an immediate pick up. Your child will not be able to attend for a full business day after being sent home – eg: sent home at 10am Wednesday, they cannot return Thursday at all. This is to ensure the child is well and not passing on any infections.
We will also give you a courtesy call if your child is feeling “off” – no immediate pick up is needed.
Children are to stay home with any cold/flu symptoms. If they have a non-contagious symptom; clearance from the doctor is required. Please see illness policy for all the details. (sent via email and in our policy folder in the foyer)
These practices are in place to protect all children, families and our educators from the spread of illness. We are consistent with our policies for all families.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation.
IMMUNISATION = ENROLMENT
Please ensure that throughout the year if your child receives an immunisation e.g.: 12 months, 18months or 4years, you will need to provide your child’s immunisation status record to us.
Due to Government regulations, we are unable to enroll unimmunised children – failure to provide immunisation records = no enrolment.
You are required to keep your child at home for 24hours to monitor any side effects after immunisation/flu shot etc. (please see policy).
We appreciate your cooperation.
WITHDRAWAL OF YOUR CHILD/REDUCING DAYS
Parents must give at least three weeks written notice to the Director before withdrawing their child from Hunny Pots. If the child does not attend the Centre during this period, fees are still payable (please see the below section: A child who has not yet received care or who has ceased receiving care) If the child is withdrawn without notice, three weeks full fees must be paid regardless.
Parents may reduce their child’s days of attendance by giving three weeks’ notice to the Director.
No notice period accepted in December and January for withdrawing or reducing days.
A child who has not yet received care or who has ceased receiving care
Below is from the Child Care Handbook Australian Government Department of Education and Training:
Child Care Subsidy will not be paid for absences where a provider charges a family to reserve a place for a child who has not yet physically started care.
If a child is booked in to start at a service on a particular date, and does not start on that day, no Child Care Subsidy will be paid until the child physically attends a session of care.
Similarly, a childcare service is taken to have permanently ceased providing care for a child on the day the child last physically attends a session of care. This means that Child Care Subsidy will not be paid for absences submitted after a child last physically attends a session of care.
If a family has confirmed their child’s last day at a service, but that child does not attend their last booked sessions of care, no Child Care Subsidy will be paid for any days after the child’s last physical attendance at the service.
PLEASE ATTEND YOUR LAST DAY for childcare subsidy reasons
If a provider continues to charge fees for sessions on days after a child has left the service because the family did not give the agreed period of notice, Child Care Subsidy will not be payable for these sessions of care. If absences are reported in the above circumstances and Child Care Subsidy is incorrectly paid, these amounts will be recovered from the service and families will have a Child Care Subsidy debt to pay.
CHILD CARE SUBSIDY
Each financial year (child care subsidy year) your child has 42 allowable absences – it’s families responsibilities to monitor their absences.
If you have exceeded absences and your child is unwell, you can provide a medical certificate to the centre to have documentation – this can assist in not claiming absence (only AFTER exceeding your absences this can be used)
Childcare subsidy rules are a Government regulation – decisions made regarding childcare subsidy is from the Government/ not a business policy.
We must comply and follow to pass on childcare subsidies to families.
Please see the link for more information
EVENTS
MAY –
- Composting week 3-9th May – theme is compost feed the soil that feeds us. Which highlights the importance of compost for building healthy soil, supporting biodiversity and sustaining life on and.
- Elders yarn incursion Wednesday 13th May
- Outdoor Classroom Day 21st Thursday
- Mother’s Day morning tea Thursday 7th 10am – 11am
- National Family week 11th – 17th May
- Monday 11th – To promote mental health, we are inviting families to come and do some yoga, relaxation, drawing or painting to music in the morning from 10:15am – 11:15am with your children in all rooms.
- Tuesday 12th – Families are invited to come in and participate in some fun sports games. Families can either come in the morning 10:30am-11am or in the afternoon 3:30pm-4pm
- Wednesday 13th -Wacky Dress up day and disco fun in the afternoon for all rooms. 3:30pm-4pm families are welcome to come and join in for a dance/karaoke.
- Thursday 14th – We invite families to come in and see all the learning occurs that occurs through play-based learning.
- Eeyores – families are welcome to come in 10:15am-11am
- Tiggers – families to come in and participate in our pre school program with your child 10:45am-11:15am
- Poohs Corner – families are welcome to come in and participate in our school train program with your child 12:30pm-1:15pm
- Friday 15th – Bike day – we invite the children to bring in their bike/scooter to learn all about road safety for road safety week. Please bring in your label helmet. NO HELMET NO RIDE. Please place bike/scooter near the bins. Car park will be closed at 10am. Any children who choose not to bring in a bike or scooter we will have transport experiences for the children to engage in.
- National simultaneous Storytime 27th May WEDNESDAY – book luna roo: the kangaroo baller by Adam Jackson
- National reconciliation week May 27th – June 3rd – theme is bridging now to next focusing on the connection between past, present and future and encouraging action toward reconciliation
JUNE –
- World environmental day 5th June Friday
- World ocean day 8th June MONDAY
- B Kinder Day June 22nd MONDAY – inspired by Billie kinder encourages acts of kindness and a discussion around the importance to make a positive change in the world. The main activity involves people sending B Kinder card to someone they care about
Save the dates:
Health checks for 4 year olds – 11th and 12th August – details to come
Eye testing for 4 years – Tuesday 1st September and Wednesday 2nd September– details to come
Re-enrolments for 2027 –will be sent to all existing families August 2026.
Photos – 18th and 20th August – details to come
CLOSURE – This year’s closures dates are:
Last day Wednesday 23rd December 2026- reopening Wednesday 6th January 2027.