Thursday, December 24, 2009

Happy Holidays!



Dear Child Care Directors,

Please be informed that our Inclusion Office will be closed as of 24th December 2009 Thursday from 12pm to 4th January 2010 Monday.

We will be business as usual from 5th January 2010.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

We look forward to the new year of collaborative opportunities with you and your staff.

Happy Holidays and we will see you next year.

Best Regards,
Angela for SMIST

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Resignation of ISF

Dear Child Care Director and all staff concerned,

On behalf of the team, I regret to inform you that Ms Glenda Ng has resigned from this position of an ISF.

Her last working day will be 5th January 2010.

We are in the mist of recruitment for more ISFs therefore we appreciate your kind understanding during this period of transition.

We wish Glenda the very best in her future work endeavours.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Early Years Learning Framework Familiarisation Sessions - PSCWA

PSC WA will be providing EYLF Familiarisation sessions to Commonwealth Government funded services throughout Western Australia 2010.



The Early Years Learning Framework sessions will enable early childhood educators to come together to reflect, share ideas and gain an understanding of the National Early Years Learning Framework. These sessions will outline what the National Early Years Learning Framework means for children, for families, and for early childhood educators.

 
Metro

January 20th
Venue: Midland Sporting Complex
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm


February 3rd
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm


Februray 15th
Venue: South Lake Leisure Centre
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Februray 22nd
Venue: Halls Head Recreation Centre
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

Februray 26th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm


March 8th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm

March 10th
Venue: Challenge Stadium
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm


March 10th
Venue: Armadale Arena
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

March 15th
Venue: Joondalup Library
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

April 6th
Venue: George Burnett Leisure Centre
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

April 12th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm

April 19th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 6.30pm-8.30pm

May 6th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 1.00pm-3.00pm

May 17th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 10.00am-12.00pm

June 30th
Venue: CHILD Australia
Time: 1.00pm-3.00pm

For registration, please click on this link -> Registration Form to secure a spot.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Resignation of ISF

Dear Child Care Directors,

I regret to inform you that our new ISF, Carolyn has tendered her resignation with immediate effect. Her cases will be handed back to the former ISFs in charge until we are able to find a suitable replacement.

Please be very patient with us. We will try to continue our best to upkeep our standard of response time.

Yours sincerely,

Angela for SMIST.

Employment Vacancy - Children's Services ISF

Communicare South Metro Inclusion Support Agency (SMISA) is responsible for the provision of support to child care services that includes practical advice and access to a range of supports designed to strengthen the service’s ability to create a quality care environment inclusive of all children. These supports include, but are not limited to, providing onsite assistance with developing Service Support Plan (SSP), facilitating access to Specialist Equipment, General Resources Library, professional support, funding through Flexible Support Funding (FSF) or Inclusion Support Subsidy (ISS), and Bicultural Support.

The role of the ISF will have the opportunity to participate in a professional development project that will be coordinated by the PSCs. The aim of the project is to support the development of the following competencies:
 guiding change in child care services

 child development and inclusive practice

 adult learning principles

 coaching and mentoring

 reflective practice

 strengths-based practice and capacity building approaches

 learning organisations

 innovation and change in child care theory and practice

 interdisciplinary team work and interagency collaboration

 family-centred practice

 Cross-cultural competence.
 
For more information to the vacancy, go to SEEK for details
Vacancy - Inclusion Support Facilitator

Friday, December 11, 2009

Thursday, December 10, 2009

The EYLF - Getting Started By Joy Goodfellow (Early Childhood Australia)

For many of us who missed the recent EYLF training with PSCWA, Joy Goodfellow did a wonderful introduction to the framework. The simplicity of her explanations helps clarify assumptions to the framework and motivates all of us to give it a try.




Click on the pictures to read all about it.

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Ways of Celebrating Christmas by PSCWA

Adapted from PSCWA -

"The Resource Centre has several books from the 'Christmas In' series to assist with the Christmas celebrations of our members. Some of the series are listed below:



Christmas in Australia
Christmas in Brazil
Christmas in Britian
Christmas in Canada
Christmas in Denmark
Christmas in Germany
Christmas in Italy
Christmas in Mexico
Christmas in Russia
Christmas in Spain
Christmas in Ukraine


Plus more! Visit our online catalogue and type in 'Christmas' as a keyword search for a complete list of these and other Christmas resources. If you are not a member you can download a membership form from our website. Remember, joining CHILD Australia's Resource Centre provides membership to the PSC WA website which provides access to a variety of procedural handbooks and "policies to go by ".

PSCWA has lots of resources that will expand your knowledge in other professional knowledge, other than child care needs. Be quick to join as a Member. Resouce library is a Knowledge Hub. And Knowledge is Priceless!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

New Training Calendar from PSCWA

Hi Staff,

Look through this training calendar from PSCWA.
If you do see something interest you, please check with your ISF if you could apply under 'FSF' for a funding subsidy, to release time for permanent child care workers/carers to attend specialist training that is relevant to the inclusion of a child with additional needs.

Alternatively, speak with PSCWA to see if they are able to tailor made trainings to the needs of your centre.

Please plan in advance.

PSCWA Training 2010

Monday, November 16, 2009

New Claim Forms and Attendance Records Form from KU

Let us know if you would need us to assist with the forms.
We will try!

ISS New Claim Forms and Attendance Records Forms

And remember to claim your Centre's ISS before the deadline.

ISS Claim Deadline for 2009/2010

You are Invited to our Sharing Session!


Sunday, November 15, 2009

Autism Solution - Channel 7

I caught a snippet of the interview on Sunday Night - 20091115.

Is it for real or is it another invested interest on families of children with Autism?

Autism Solution - Is it for Real?

Friday, November 13, 2009

Strengthening Mental Health by CLAN WA


I think this workshop will help us revisit some of the fundamentals in communicating with professionals. Sometimes in the course of our heavy workload, we may forget that the right thing to do may not be the fastest way to it.

Very short notice but sign up as soon as possible if it suits you.

Angela
Program Manager, SMIST

Thursday, November 12, 2009

SM Inclusion Support Client Satisfaction Form

Dear Services,

It is the time of the year where most of us will be busy reflecting on the best practices of 2009 and all armour ready for challenges in 2010.

SMIST is also looking forward to events in 2010 and we hope to have some input from you.

Please help us with our Client Satisfaction Form for 2009 and we welcome suggestions on what would you like SMIST to assist you in the near year. We understand that 2009 had been a year of new forms and IPSP guidelines. If you would like us to come out and attending a informal meeting with your staff about these new guidelines, this can be one of your objectives for SMIST in the new year.

Please get a form from your ISF. Every feedback will help us grow. No centre will be penalised for speaking their minds.

We hope to hear from you soon.

Angela
Program Manager - SMIST

THREE CHEERS TO OUR MEDIA MANAGER - AIMEE!

We would like to convey our many thanks to our Media Manager for helping us upload our latest copy of our newsletter onto the Children's Services Website at Communicare.

For some reasons if you have not received a copy through your email, please click on the link and it will direct you to a copy on the website.

Let us know if you like our newsletter or if you think we can improve our future editions.

SM Inclusion Newsletter Spring/Summer 2009

Monday, November 9, 2009

New Inclusion Support Facilitator

Carolyn started with SMIST on 4 November.
You will see her attending to some service visits with our exisiting ISFs.

Please extend a warm welcome to Carolyn when she pops in.

Working with Vulnerable Families: Mental Health workshop 11 Nov, 9am to 12pm



Location: City of Armadale Function Centre

Friday, November 6, 2009

Trainings by PSCWA

November 23rd
Cross Cultural Communication in Early Childhood
6.30-8.30 YMCA

Descriptor:
Facilitator: Goodrun Solutions
Accreditation Links: QIAS; 2.1, 4.3 OSHC: 2.2, 3.3 FDC: 1.1, 3.6


Level:1&2
The workshop will help you discover how much fun it is to use a variety of means to communicate with each other and the children!


30th Programming and Planning for FDC
6.30-9pm YMCA
Descriptor:
Facilitator: YMCA
Accreditation Links: FDC 3
Level:1&2


Do you find yourself asking the question “What is the need for all this programming?” This session will give Family Day Carers an opportunity to learn about purposeful documentation and how to use it to provide an
environment that is in tune with each child’s current interests, abilities and needs, whilst being flexible and adaptable to the home environment.

Please contact PSCWA to register. Hurry! Seats are limited.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Bicultural Support Early Childhood Workshop 2010

For directors, coordinators and members of boards of management:



The workshops for 2010 outlines the creation of a framework for service management and delivery in the context of social justice, multiculturalism and equal opportunity. The workshops will focus on:


Strategic Planning
Your Philosophy/Mission Statement/ Values
Policies and Procedures

Tailored workshops and meetings can be developed and facilitated to meet the particular needs of your service.
 Please contact Gudrun on 08 93901922 or visit the website BISSWA to discuss the professional development needs of your service.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Indigenous Professional Support Unit WA

YIPSU support Indigenous Child Care Centres. They are very active in the rural and remote regions of WA therefore we see very little of their programs in Metro child care centres.

Their newletter has always been very colourful, with lots of resouces and best practices that are as informative for our services in Metro regions.

Have a read - YIPSU

Monday, October 19, 2009

Righteous Pups Australia

Our ISF Sonya contributed an article of the above mentioned topic.

Keep a lookout for her article in our next edition of our SMIST newsletter.

Friday, October 16, 2009

FREE ENTRY - Turn on the Lights

Turning on the Lights

November 28th, SATURDAY
5:30pm to 7:30pm – FREE EVENT




Join the Communicare team as we turn on our Christmas lights and celebrate the beginning of the Festive Season. Come along as a family, to 28 Cecil Ave Cannington, and enjoy the fun of the carnival from 5:30pm and then help us countdown to the turning on of our lights at 7:30pm.

Activities at Turning on the Lights will include:

Camels rides
Ponies rides
Dunk Tank
Bouncy Castle
Face Painters
Sausage Sizzle
Balloon Twisters
Pinata
Santa


Turning on of the Communicare Christmas Lights at 7:30pm

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Kookaburra Twirl

A book for all children to help them recognise that everyone is unique and special. The artwork were selected from over 4,000 entries for Therapy Focus' state wide 2009 Help a Chil Grow Art Competition.

The combination of the artists and children in the story educates all that is the differences between us that makes us special and make life more exciting.

Inclusion has a copy in our office. Ask your ISF to bring it along in your next service visit.

To purchase a copy, contact THERAPY FOCUS

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Does this Child Need Help?

How do we identify young children with additional needs?

Most of us by our years of experience in children services, will have our radars up when we see a child interacting differently with their peers. Let's give the child a name - Aaron.

We know that Aaron needs help. At 24 months old, he is not walking. He has no single words. Aaron is still babbling. He is not even aware that you have left for work. He does not wave 'goodbye'. He does not look for you when the thunder roars.

How do we explain our years of experiences to Aaron's parents? Aaron is their first born so they have no other children as comparison. Aaron is still a bub. He is only 24 months old they tell you. Give him some time.

Try using a developmental checklist. Items in Developmental checklists have been derived from observation of many children in the age group. The checklist will give parents/caregivers a better developmental breakdown of children's strengths and developmental areas that needed improvement. It will definitely help with your SSP and Programming.

In Aaron's case, sit down with parents and ask them to answer those questions alongside with you. Parents will be concern when Aaron does not get all "checks" on the checklist for 18 months old, let alone a checklist for 2 years old.

Contact your Inclusion Support Facilitator. They will be able to give you a few samples of developmental checklists that are simple to administer and evaluate.

- written by Angela

Friday, October 9, 2009

Anthony Semann Environments Workshop 29.10.09

Adapted from PSCWA  Email -

‘The environment should be regarded as a window of opportunity for young children, a well-spring of inspiration and a source of wonder and delight‘ (Shepherd and Eaton, 1998)
• Can you imagine the perfect early childhood space?
• Can you visualise the elements that would be required in this perfect space?

• What is the role of natural elements in the designing of children’s learning spaces?
• Where can innovative and inspirational equipment be purchased?


This presentation will provide learners with an opportunity to re-imagine early childhood spaces, providing them with practical ideas of how to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. Participants will be taken on an inspirational and creative journey throughout this presentation and will walk away full of ideas on how to transform both their indoor and outdoor spaces.


‘The environment should sing the song of the joy of teaching, the characteristics of the people who work and live in this space and their dreams for a landscape of possibilities’ (Semann & Shepherd 2008)


Early childhood spaces play an important role in assisting children learn and participate. Spaces should be ones which


• Foster creativity
• Allow children to engage in learning
• Provide safety and security
• Allow for wonder and delight
• Spark the imagination
• Provide challenges and foster problem solving

‘Practitioners ... need to dream about possibilities, not just of known landscapes but places of otherness, wonder and delight’ (Semann & Shepherd 2008)




TOMPKINS PARK
Cnr Dunkley Ave & Canning Hwy
29 OCTOBER
9.30AM - 4.00PM
COST: $55 per person

What makes a space memorable for children


their families and for staff?




Thinking about environments should start at the gate and continue along the path up the entrance and then within.


The environment should:
• have an air of freshness and serenity;
• be clean, well maintained and organised with no clutter or visual barriers;
• reflect cultural elements that are important to the community;
• promote a sense of well being, tranquility, wonder and delight;
• have places and spaces for moving between experiences, for meeting and connecting, for networking and for contemplating or for simply being alone with one’s thoughts;
• reflect the choices made by children, their voices and their experiences;
• be filled with opportunities and invitations to engage;
• reflect the richness of the relationships that have developed over the years;
• respect and value childhood;
• provide rich memories for life.


About Anthony Semann


Anthony is a Director at Semann & Slattery. Anthony has worked as an educator, innovator and advocate with a broad range of government and private organisations. His skills and expertise has seen him work across Australia and overseas. Anthony is in demand as a presenter, facilitator and public speaker. Anthony has qualifications in Education, Sociology and Social Policy. Anthony is currently completing a PhD with a research focus on leadership and courage.

To register, contact PSCWA

Early Brain Development - Free Seminar


Wednesday, October 7, 2009

PSCWA - November PD 2009

PSCWA are reminding services of the upcoming November Professional Development in your area.



If you would like to attend any of this training please complete the training registration form attached, or call the helpline on 1800 783 768.


TO ENSURE YOUR REGISTRATION FORMS ARE ACCEPTED, FORMS MUST BE SUBMITTED 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE SCHEDULED WORKSHOP DATE WITH PAYMENT.


To view the complete Metro training calendar please look at PSCWA Website


Please place this reminder in your staff room to remind your staff of our upcoming workshops or discuss them at your next staff meeting.


Upcoming Professional Development
November
2nd Creating Musical Instruments

6.30-8.30 George Burnett Leisure Centre
Descriptor: Creating Musical Instruments
Facilitator: RTQ consultants, Ralph Southall
Accreditation Links:
Level: 1&2

Do you have a professional tool Kit? For Childcare workers they come in all shapes and sizes and are filled
with wondrous things. Including homemade Musical instruments.

This is a fun creative workshop were you will have the opportunity to make a variety of percussion (musical)
instruments to use back in your centre with the children. E.g. Drums, Tapping Sticks, Shakers, etc.


10th Financial Administration
6.30-8.30 YMCA

The learning outcomes for this course include identifying your daily financial responsibilities, maintaining true and accurate records and financial reporting requirements of your service. You will also work through
strategies in monitoring expenditure and income against the budget, and achieve a cash flow projection.
11th Reducing the Paperwork in Programming
6.30-8.30 Armadale Arena
Descriptor: Facilitator: RTQ, consultants, Ralph Southall
Accreditation Links: QIAS: 3 OSHC: 4 FDC: 3
Level: 2&3

During this workshop participants will participate in a discussion forum on how to reduce programming paper
work. Participants are all encouraged to bring samples of their current programming formats and observational records for advice on how to streamline your processes.


16th Out and About for OSHC
10-12pm Koorling Arts Centre
Descriptor: Facilitator: YMCA
Accreditation Links: OSHC 5.2
Level:1&2

This workshop will give participants plenty of opportunity to learn about ways of promoting interest, variety and challenge in the great outdoors with school aged children. You will come away with a wide range of ideas for setting up and maximising spaces within the outdoor environment.
18th QA – Are you Ready?
6.30-8.30 YMCA
Descriptor: Facilitator: YMCA
Accreditation Links: QIAS: 7.2, OSHC: FDC: 6.3
Level:1,2&3

Organisation and preparation are the two key factors essential to any continuous improvement plan.

This session covers:
• The NCAC CCQA Systems
• The steps involved in the Accreditation process
• Ways an organisational self evaluation and continuous improvement process can be facilitated and documented
• How to ensure spot checks and validation visits run smoothly. Participants are recommended to bring a copy of their services NCAC Quality Practices Guide.
23rd Cross Cultural Communication in Early Childhood
6.30-8.30 YMCA
Descriptor: Facilitator: Goodrun Solutions
Accreditation Links: QIAS; 2.1, 4.3 OSHC: 2.2, 3.3 FDC: 1.1, 3.6
Level:1&2

The workshop will help you discover how much fun it is to use a variety of means to communicate with each other and the children!

30th Programming and Planning for FDC
6.30-9pm YMCA
Descriptor: Facilitator: YMCA
Accreditation Links: FDC 3
Level:1&2

Do you find yourself asking the question “What is the need for all this programming?” This session will give Family Day Carers an opportunity to learn about purposeful documentation and how to use it to provide an
environment that is in tune with each child’s current interests, abilities and needs, whilst being flexible and adaptable to the home environment.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Australia's First Early Years Framework

By early childhood educators for early childhood educators.
Introduction to Early Years Learning Framework

A Vision for Children's Learning - and you are part of it!
Read all about early childhood pedagogy, elements of the framework and the learning outcomes.

These information will help you significantly when you are planning to write/update your centre's SSP.

Keep yourself updated.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Welcome to Child Care in 14 translated language and dialects

These FREE pdf downloads provide childcare services and families from a variety of cultural backgrounds a practical way to communicate about child care. Each handbook contains about 16 pages of translations.

Good resources for Bicultural Support - by Inclusive Directions SA

All Inclusion Forms are on Communicare Inc Website - including our Referral Forms!

Dear Child Care Staff,

We are pleased to inform you that our forms has been uploaded onto our Organisation's website.

Special thanks to our Media Manager for making it possible.

Every form you need to get Inclusion Support

Free Training in Armadale

Communicare Inc is hosting free workshops, for professionals who work with vulnerable families to learn more on the following topics:


1. Domestic Violence in the family – 21st October


2. Parenting and Mental Illness – 11th November


These workshops will enable teachers, playgroup leaders, staff in community service and government agencies, financial counsellors, Emergency Relief staff and volunteers to learn more in the above areas. These workshops will enable you to make informed referrals for families and thus families may access appropriate help earlier before problems escalate.


Topic: 'Working with vulnerable families: Domestic Violence' workshop
Cost: FREE
Venue: City of Armadale function room, 7 Orchard Ave, Armadale
Date: 21st October


Time: 9am -12 noon
Food: Morning tea provided


If you would like to attend please contact Charmaine at cporter@communicare.org.au or by phone on 9497 8521.


Thursday, October 1, 2009

Did Albert Einstein have Asperger's?

Who is Temple Gradin?
Have you heard about the Feingold Diet?


A website that provides access to around 170 fact sheets relating to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Telethon Institute for Child Health Research

Message from the website:

"The Telethon Institute for Child Health Research is DEDICATED to the PREVENTION of childhood diseases and disability. Headed by 2003 Australian of the Year, Professor Fiona Stanley, the Institute's success stems from its INNOVATIVE approach in bringing together researchers from different fields of science to tackle major issues in child health and wellbeing."

Browse website(s) -
http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/
Asthma, allergies and Respiratory Diseases - http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/research/highlights/respiratory
Early Years Learning - http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/research/highlights/early
Understanding Disability - http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/research/highlights/disability
Indigenous Child Health - http://www.ichr.uwa.edu.au/research/highlights/aboriginal

General enquiries

Phone: (08) 9489 7777
Fax: (08) 9489 7700
email: enquire@ichr.uwa.edu.au

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Stepping Up to the Challenge by PSCWA

CHILD Australia's PSC WA is pleased to present "Stepping Up to the Challenge" - a course for new and existing managers to develop their skills in managing long day care and outside school hours care early childhood services.

The Stepping up to the Challenge course includes;
Session 1 Leadership;
In this session, participants will be introduced to the role of the leader, identify strengths and areas to focus on and discuss strategies for overcoming the diffi culties inherent in taking up a leadership position.


Session 2: Financial Adminisatration


In this session, participants will work through a range of strategies to assist the financial responsibilities of Manager’s in early childhood services and will gain a better understanding of fi nancial administration.

Session 3: Manage Administration through


Effective Time Management
In this session, participants will identify a range of strategies to be an effective Manager including learning effective delegation skills and time management in order to make the most of each day.

Session 4: Suppoting the Staff Team


In this session, participants will identify strategies to support the team of staff in an early childhood service to encourage cooperation within a professional framework.


Session 5: Meeting Legislative Requirements


In this session, participants will identify their legal responsibilities in terms of the Children and Community Services Regulations (2006) for their specifi c type of early childhood service, other relevant state, local and federal government legislative requirements and employer responsibilities.


Session 6: Maintaining a Professional Profile with Centre Clients


In this session, participants will consider how they communicate with parents and how to encourage greater parent involvement and appreciation of the quality aspects of their service. They will also learn how to effectively handle complaints and how to use complaints as a tool to improve their service. This sessionwill also focus establishing on-going support networks for the participants.




For further information about the sessions please contact PSCWA http://pscwa.org.au/getdoc/cd79c340-d1da-49dc-9540-03678aa8adb4/CA0023---PSCWA-Stepping-Up-To-Challenge-Flyer.aspx.


Please note that there are only 15 places available in this course. Bookings after the course has commenced will not be accepted.


Commencing the 19th October 2009
Time : 9:30am - 12:30pm (inclusive of all sessions
Venue: All sessions will be held at CHILD Australia
Address: 5 Carson Road, Malaga
Cost: $250 per participant

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Free Workshops in City of Armadale - C4C




To RSVP, call Tel: (08) 9497 8521 or Email: cfcarmadale@communicare.org.au

Natural Play Space Workshop 9th Nov 2009 6pm

Kids Play – Naturally …

Natural Play Space Workshop
Monday 9th November 2009 @ 6pm
Parenting WA, Mt Lawley


Are you interested in finding out about the growing trend in natural play spaces for children?


Natural play spaces provide opportunities for children to interact with and develop their built-in connection with the natural environment. There is also an increasing body of evidence showing that when children are given opportunities to play in quality natural environments there are benefits across multiple learning and developmental domains.


Similarly, international research suggests that for many children, spending time in natural play spaces improves their behaviour and self-control; their ability to pay attention and concentrate when they return indoors; and stimulates their imagination, curiosity and appetite for learning.


And most importantly, consultations with children repeatedly highlight their preference for natural spaces to explore and to play and hang-out in.


The Department for Communities and Parenting WA have very kindly offered their Mt Lawley venue for Kidsafe WA’s Playground Advisory Service to present this Kids Play – Naturally workshop at a special discount price of $5 per person.


Come along and be inspired by this wonderful presentation.


Space is limited, so to reserve your place contact Kerry Logan at the Playground Advisory Service, Kidsafe WA on 9340 8939 or kerry@kidsafewa.com.au.

Friday, September 25, 2009

PSCWA - Upcoming Professional Development October

7th Protective Behaviours. 6.30-9pm George Burnett Leisure Centre


Descriptor:
Facilitator: PBWA
Accreditation Links: QIAS 5.1 OSHC 7.1 FDC 4.6
Level: 3
A personal safety program providing simple, practical teaching activities designed to increase children’s personal safety. It will also educate caregivers in the issues of abuse and abuse prevention, as well as develop problem solving and assertiveness in children and adults.


You will also cover the themes, core concepts and strategies in preventing abuse.


20th October. Mat Session Resources. 6.30-8.30pm South Lake Recreation Centre


Descriptor:
Facilitator: RTQ consultants, Ralph Southall
Accreditation Links: QIAS: 4 FDC:3
Level: 1&2
This is a fun creative workshop where you will have the opportunity to create your own language resources and gather ideas to further develop your resources when participating in mat sessions with children.Participates will leave this workshop with a bundle of resources to use back at the centre. E.g. Felt pieces, magnetic stories, and a felt board


22nd October. Mat Session Madness. 6.45-8.45pm South Lake Recreation Centre


Descriptor:
Facilitator: RTQ consultants, Ralph Southall
Accreditation Links: QIAS: 4 FDC:3
Level: 1&2


Do you find mat sessions a mad and frantic time? Attend this workshop and explore creative mat time
opportunities that you can easily implement into your programming and daily routines. This workshop is a great opportunity for participants to gather different storytelling ideas and to provide carers with the opportunity to discover their own imagination and hidden talents. Come dressed for fun because you will be actively involved in this workshop.


23rd October. Western Australia Child Care Awards
25 – 30 Children’s Week




28th October. Makaton. 6.30-9.30pm. Koorling Arts Centre


Descriptor:
Facilitator: Raeleen McAllister
Accreditation Links: QIAS: 4.3 OSHC: 1.2 FDC: 1.1
Level: 1&2
Makaton is a unique language program which may be used as a method of using sign with speech where the key words are signed as they are spoken. It can be used by toddlers, pre-school and school-aged children, and adults with a broad range of communication needs. Makaton can reduce children’s frustration by helping them to understand what is happening and express their needs


To register, please contact PSCWA for registration details.

Monday, September 21, 2009

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Kites for Kids 18 October 2009

Process not Product through PSCWA

Provided by Educators at the Art Gallery of Western Australia


This program will offer carers an alternative approach to art making with young children. A 45 minute interactive workshop in the Art Gallery with an Educator will build confidence in using arts language to describe artworks. This workshop will include strategies that will engage and encourage art responses in young children. This will be followed by a 1.5hour practical art activity that will enhance art making skills and explore the benefits of a process-driven approach. Carers will participate in observational drawing, colour mixing and explore space in composition.


All participates we also receive a copy of ‘Just Imagine, a Children’s Guide to the Art Gallery of Western Australia’ as long as stocks are available. Once a early childhood professional from your services attends a workshop at the Art Gallery the PSCWA can then offer customised PD to your individual service so all staff can be involved in learning more about creative arts. For further information please call PSCWA.


Venue: Art gallery of WA
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth
Date: 7th December 2009
Time: 10.15- to 12.30pm:
Cost: $22 per person (includes the book)

Contact PSCWA at www.pscwa.org.au to register.

THE TODDLER EXTRAVAGANZA by REYG

The Rockingham Early Years Group (REYG) is inviting Communicare Children's Services to host a stall at the Toddler Extravaganza at Secret Harbour Community Centre on 27th October 2009. SM Inclusion Support Team and Communicare Family Day Care Representatives will be present.

Over 100 families have attended this biennial event previously. This is your opportunity to be onboard to provide information to parents on raising toddlers, as well as promoting parent/child relevant services in a fun and interesting manner.

Date: Tues, 27th Oct 2009, 9am -1pm
Location: Secret Harbour Community Centre, Oasis Dve, Secret Harbour
Target group: Parents/Caregivers of toddlers & toddlers

Speakers: 9:30 – 10:30 Meet Mother Goose (Rhyme Time)
11:00- 11:45 Off to Sleep (Paula Medley, Child Health Nurse)
12:00 – 12:45 Mealtime Management (Kyla Smith, Dietician)


We hope to see you there. Join us!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

New Inclusion Support Subsidy Forms and SSP

Please note that there had been a recent change and updates with the Inclusion Support Subsidy form and SSP.


We anticipate that it may be more time consuming in writing the new ISS forms and SSP. Our ISFs will forward a blank form to you before we visit. Please complete the forms on your computer so that any amendments necessary, can be easily corrected.


If you do not have a computer in your service, please contact your ISF to discuss other alternatives.


For more information on the recent changes, please go to: http://www.ku.com.au/resources/other/Revised_ISS_Guidelines.pdf