Category Archives: Latest Blogs

Hopping into Learning: Easter Fun at Piney Lakes Childcare

At Piney Lakes Childcare, we love using seasonal celebrations to inspire curiosity, creativity and connection—and our Easter festivities this year brought all that and more!

Easter-Based Learning Experiences

In the lead-up to Easter, our educators introduced a range of themed learning activities that supported children’s development across all areas. From pastel-coloured painting and egg-decorating to story time and songs about kindness, our little learners explored Easter in a fun, meaningful way.

There were plenty of opportunities to practise early literacy and numeracy too—like counting colourful eggs, sorting them by size and colour, and learning new Easter-themed vocabulary during group time.

A Magical Visit & Egg Hunt

The highlight of the week? A surprise visit from the Easter Bunny! Much to the children’s delight, the bunny made their way through the centre, hopping between rooms and waving hello. There were lots of giggles, cuddles, and wide-eyed wonder as each child received a small treat.

After the visit, the fun continued with an Easter egg hunt throughout the centre. The children eagerly searched high and low—behind bookshelves, under cushions, and in the garden—for hidden eggs. The excitement was contagious as everyone joined in on the adventure, practising teamwork, persistence and problem-solving along the way.

It was a joyful moment of discovery and celebration that brought smiles to every face.

Building Community Through Shared Experiences

We’re so proud of how our little learners embraced the Easter season, and we’re already looking forward to the next special moment on our calendar!

Supporting Development Through Festive Fun

While the Easter activities were filled with excitement and play, they were also thoughtfully planned to support each child’s learning and development. Activities like the egg hunt and craft sessions encouraged fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and social interactions. Celebrations like these help children build confidence, practice communication, and experience the joy of shared achievement—all within a safe, supportive environment.

Looking Ahead

As we hop into a new season, we’re excited to continue offering rich, engaging experiences that reflect the interests and developmental needs of our children. Whether it’s through nature play, cultural celebrations, or spontaneous moments of wonder, we remain committed to providing a nurturing space where every child can thrive, explore, and feel a strong sense of belonging here at Piney Lakes.

 

Piney Lakes Childcare Centre: Book Buddies Takes on “We’re Going on a Bear Hunt”

At Piney Lakes Childcare Centre, we’re always on the lookout for creative ways to make learning fun and engaging for our little learners. This year, our Book Buddies program has taken an exciting twist as the children dive into one of their favourite stories—We’re Going on a Bear Hunt—using only actions and picture prompts! It’s a hands-on, interactive way for the kids to engage with the story while developing their language and literacy skills.

The Magic of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

If you’re familiar with We’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Michael Rosen, you’ll know it’s a wonderfully rhythmic and repetitive story, perfect for young children. The story follows a family on an adventure to find a bear, encountering different obstacles along the way—like tall grass, a river, and a snowstorm. What makes this story so engaging for little ones is its repetitive structure and vivid imagery, making it easy for children to remember the key events.

In our Book Buddies program, we’ve taken this classic story and used it as a foundation for an exciting new challenge: can the children retell the story using only their actions and picture prompts?

Setting the Stage for Adventure

We kicked off the We’re Going on a Bear Hunt adventure by transforming the room into a “journey zone.” The children walked in to find visual prompts—illustrations of tall grass, a river, and a snowstorm—ready to be brought to life through movement and action. To make it even more fun, we set the stage with props that encouraged children to act out each scene.

For example, when it was time to “swish, swish, swish” through the tall grass, the kids used their arms to mimic the swishing motion. When they encountered the “mud,” they got to squelch their feet in a fun, exaggerated way. And of course, when the bear appeared at the end of the hunt, they had to act out their surprise and excitement.

How the Book Buddies Program Helps

Our goal with the Book Buddies program is to help the children build their confidence and language skills. By using actions and picture prompts to retell We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, they’re not just reading—they’re experiencing the story in a dynamic, interactive way. Here’s how the program benefits the kids:

1. Developing Narrative Skills: By acting out the story, children practise recalling key plot points and narrative structures, which strengthens their storytelling abilities.

2. Enhancing Vocabulary and Language: As they repeat phrases and use actions to reinforce the meaning of words, children grow their vocabulary in a natural, engaging way. For instance, saying “squelch, squelch, squelch” while acting out the mud helps them internalise the word’s meaning.

3. Boosting Confidence: When children physically participate in the retelling of the story, they feel more confident and involved. The combination of movement, repetition, and visual prompts gives them a sense of accomplishment as they work through the story.

4. Improving Listening and Focus: By following along with the picture prompts, children have to listen carefully to the narrative and focus on the sequence of events. This builds their listening comprehension skills and attention span.

Why Kids Love It

The We’re Going on a Bear Hunt activity is an instant hit with the kids because it’s all about movement and imagination. The children love mimicking the actions in the story—from swishing through grass to wading through the river—and getting to playfully act out their favourite moments. The picture prompts help them remember key scenes, while the movements make the story come alive in a way that reading alone can’t match.

We’ve noticed that the children feel more connected to the story because they’re physically involved in the retelling. This interactive approach helps them become more engaged with the material and reinforces the concepts in a way that’s memorable and fun.

What’s Next for Book Buddies?

As the Book Buddies program continues, we can’t wait to see how the children’s retelling of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt evolves. This hands-on approach to reading is helping the children not only improve their language skills but also develop creativity and confidence. As they become more comfortable with retelling the story through actions and picture prompts, they will be ready to tackle even more complex narratives.

We’re excited to keep integrating movement, props, and interactive activities into our Book Buddies sessions—giving the children opportunities to retell stories, explore new ideas, and grow as readers in a fun, dynamic environment.

What’s Next for Book Buddies?

As the Book Buddies program continues, we can’t wait to see how the children’s retelling of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt evolves. This hands-on approach to reading is helping the children not only improve their language skills but also develop creativity and confidence. As they become more comfortable with retelling the story through actions and picture prompts, they will be ready to tackle even more complex narratives.

We’re excited to keep integrating movement, props, and interactive activities into our Book Buddies sessions—giving the children opportunities to retell stories, explore new ideas, and grow as readers in a fun, dynamic environment.

Our Journey Towards Excellence

At Piney Lakes Childcare, we are thrilled to share with you all that we’re on a journey towards achieving the prestigious ‘Excellence’ rating from ACECQA. This is an exciting milestone for us, and we’re committed to creating an environment where every child can grow, learn, and thrive.

As part of this journey, we’ve introduced something we believe will make a real difference in fostering communication and collaboration between our educators and families – individual weekly reports for each child. These reports are designed to inform parents about the exciting learning experiences their children are engaged in at the centre. It’s important to us that we keep you, as parents, informed every step of the way about how your child is progressing, what they’re discovering, and how they’re developing their skills.

We believe communication is key. Regular updates ensure that you can celebrate your child’s achievements with us, reflect on their growth, and work alongside us in nurturing their learning journey. We’re here to support you and your child, every step of the way.

Along with our efforts to achieve ‘Excellence’ from ACECQA, we’re also excited to see the new vision of Piney Lakes Childcare coming to life. It’s a vision where we encourage children to explore, create, and use their imaginations to run wild. Whether they are building elaborate castles with blocks, pretending to be animals in a puppet show, or simply dreaming up new adventures, our goal is to spark creativity and foster a love for learning.

We want Piney Lakes to be a place where children feel free to explore their imaginations, challenge themselves, and grow in confidence. It’s about allowing them to be themselves, express their ideas, and develop their unique interests and talents. Our educators are here to guide and inspire, but ultimately, we want every child to feel empowered to discover the world in their own way.

Thank you for being a part of this exciting journey with us. We’re proud of the path we’re on, and we can’t wait to continue sharing these moments of growth, learning, and exploration with you. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue working towards that ‘Excellence’ rating, one step at a time!

We’ve attached some fun photos of our centre in cartoon form! It’s so great to see the innovative ways that we can see our fantastic learning and play spaces.

Piney Lakes Childcare – Where imaginations soar and learning never stops!

 

Piney Lakes Childcare Celebrates Tara’s 5-Star Achievement on the City of Melville’s ‘Scores on the Door’

At Piney Lakes Childcare, we are always striving to create an environment that is safe, nurturing, and enriching for the children in our care. Part of what makes our childcare centre so special is the incredible team behind the scenes, and today we’re thrilled to share some exciting news about one of our key team members – Tara, our wonderful cook.

Last week, Tara received for her third year running the prestigious 5-star rating on the City of Melville’s ‘Scores on the Door’ program, and we couldn’t be more proud!

What is ‘Scores on the Door’?

The ‘Scores on the Door’ initiative is a program run by the City of Melville to ensure that food safety standards are maintained in all food-related establishments. It’s a visible way for customers to quickly see how well a food business complies with hygiene and food safety regulations. The rating is based on a comprehensive inspection that checks areas such as food storage, cleanliness, food handling, and overall hygiene practices.

A Well-Deserved 5-Star Rating

Tara has always gone above and beyond to ensure that the meals she prepares for the children at Piney Lakes Childcare are not only delicious but also safe and nutritious. Her commitment to maintaining the highest food safety standards is reflected in this 5-star rating.

From ensuring proper food storage and handling to maintaining an immaculately clean kitchen environment, Tara’s attention to detail is second to none. She takes pride in creating balanced, tasty meals that the children love while adhering to strict food safety practices. It’s no surprise that she received the highest rating possible!

Why This Matters to Us

At Piney Lakes Childcare, we understand that the health and well-being of the children in our care are of the utmost importance. This 5-star rating is a testament to Tara’s hard work and dedication to providing safe, healthy, and enjoyable meals for the children every day.

It also reassures parents that when their little ones enjoy a meal at Piney Lakes, they are benefiting from a top-notch food safety environment. We’re incredibly lucky to have someone as talented and conscientious as Tara on our team.

Celebrating Tara’s Achievement

We want to extend a huge congratulations to Tara for earning this well-deserved recognition! Her passion for cooking and commitment to food safety is truly exceptional, and we are so grateful for all that she does.

At Piney Lakes Childcare, we continue to be committed to providing the best for the children and families we serve. Tara’s achievement is just one example of how our dedicated team goes above and beyond every day to ensure a positive experience for everyone.

We look forward to more delicious meals, safe practices, and continued excellence at Piney Lakes Childcare – and, of course, we’re all proud of Tara for her 5-star success!