Goodstart Early Learning Parkdale in Mentone, Victoria, Australia | Childcare service

Goodstart Early Learning Parkdale

Locality: Mentone, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9585 4544

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• Childcare service
• Nursery

24.01.2022 Hi lovely families, After Dan Andrews press conference today, Im sure you were all left a little bewildered in regards to what stage 4 restrictions equate too. Hopefully I can provide you with a little bit of an insight, whilst we await the Federal Governments announcement. Goodstart Early Learning Parkdale will remain OPEN, for (on-site work) Covid Safe Plan in place, but will have restrictions as per the following statement provided by the Victorian Premier.... The Early Childhood Education and Care (including Sessional Kindergarten, Long day care, which is us, family day care and Outside School Hours Care) Restricted to permitted workers and vulnerable children (eg those in/out of home care or known to child protection, medically/socially vulnerable children, Koori children) I have not been made aware of what permitted workers look like, and will absolutely provide this information to each and every one of you as soon as it becomes available to me. Please continue to bring your children on their enrolled days, until otherwise informed. KEEP STRONG ! Amy & Team

23.01.2022 Love my Early childhood educator team!!!!

23.01.2022 Dear Families, As you know we are waiting on more detailed information from the State and Federal Governments about the impact of Stage 4 restrictions on our centre. We expect to know more tomorrow but in the meantime heres some information on our plans. What is likely to happen this week: ... - At this stage we plan to open as usual on Thursday and Friday for eligible children - Once we have more information on who will be permitted to send their children to our centre we will be in touch but if you believe your family is likely to be a permitted worker your child can attend as normal. Here are a few things we can be sure of: - If your child is not permitted to attend for the next 6 weeks your gap fees will be waived and all direct debit arrangements paused - It will be important to keep your childs booking with us during this time as it ensures we still receive Government funding so that we can pay wages and be ready to welcome your family when the restrictions are lifted - We will apply for more absences for your child if you are concerned will exceed the current 42 days of CCS allowable absences From Monday 10th August (unless we are instructed by the government to do otherwise): - We will be accepting children from permitted workers and those who need extra support at this time - Our strict hygiene rules including temperature checks will continue - Our centre team will offer remote learning for children who are not able to attend the centre with educator time being offered on-line and even more home learning resources being made available through Goodstart@Home Thanks again for your continuing support during this difficult and uncertain time. Please dont hesitate to call or email me with any questions or concerns. Amy and the Parkdale Team xx

22.01.2022 Thank you for all the amazing donations to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. Your generosity is greatly appreciated. What a wonderful community we are at Goodstart Parkdale.

21.01.2022 Goodstart@Home provides parents with access to world leading online learning. Parents with young children at home now have access to worlds best practice online learning, packed with fun, play-based learning activities. Goodstart@Home is an extraordinary new way to learn for children who cant attend early learning centres. Provided free to Goodstart families and for just $1 per month for other families, the website provides resources created by some of the worlds leading e...arly childhood practitioners. Online activities have been developed and approved by a team of Goodstart experts from across our nation-wide early learning network of educators, teachers, and behaviour and learning specialists. The resources are easy to use and great fun for children, parents and grandparents. Key benefits for families Continued learning in the home environment for children in the early years Access to the Goodstart at Home online village with easy to do learning activities that are updated regularly. Recipes and ideas for cooking with children Support, articles and resources for parents A brand new Behaviour Support Kit that you can order to be sent to your home which is designed to help parents support their children during this stressful time

21.01.2022 Its Voting Time... Click the link to notimate one of our educators or the entire team to receive a Goodstart Goodie Award... https://www.goodstart.org.au/goodies-awards-2020

20.01.2022 At Goodstart we’re not for profit, so we can do more for children. We’re not for letting anything get in the way of early learning. We’re for being a place where our children, our families and our people feel like they truly belong and where they can grow and thrive. We’re for always being at our best, and for staying close and connected with our centre families. We’re for providing the highest quality early learning and care in the safest possible environments.... We’re for a warm hug for every child who needs one, and for taking the time to help them understand the ever changing world around them. We’re for being a great place to work, and for always letting our Goodstarters know just how important they are. We’re Goodstart. We’re for children, families and community.

20.01.2022 In HUGE #thankyouweek news our CEO Julia Davison just announced that all permanent Goodstart centre team members who worked tirelessly through COVID (and still continue to do so) will get a free day off on us! This is on the back of the exciting update yesterday that every Goodstarter in our centres will also be receiving a surprise gift pack (worth $200) from our friends over at Good360 Australia as a thank you from them! #thankyouweek #loveourGoodstarters

19.01.2022 A massive shout out to an AMAZING team!!!! This has been an interesting and challenging time and their support has never gone unnoticed. Thank you to our families for all your kind words and support during this time. We are all in this together. X

19.01.2022 Update As you are all aware we are back into a 6 week lock down. Our Centre still remains open with quality care being offered each and everyday. We will continue to follow our covid safe plan as advised. If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact our Centre director, Amy or our Assistant Director, Rose.

19.01.2022 Thank you for all the wonderful donations to the Salvation Army Christmas Appeal. What a wonderful community Goodstart Parkdale is. Thank you for helping us make Christmas brighter for families in need.

19.01.2022 Dear families, I know you are all awaiting this news this is what I can tell you so far. Only vulnerable children and the children of permitted workers are allowed to attend Melbourne education and care services under stage four. Permitted workers arent necessarily the same as so-called essential workers, who were given special exemptions during Victorias first lockdown.... Yesterday afternoon, Daniel Andrews released a list of restricted sectors bit.ly/2BZ3rnM We are expecting further details today about who can continue to access education and care services. In the meantime, here are Mr Andrews responses to key questions that families and services are asking ab.co/3kbmts2 Goodstart are in conversation with both state and federal governments to ensure your urgent concerns are heard by the right people, and to get the most accurate information to you ASAP. Thank you for all your support. I hope to have answers soon. Thanks Amy

17.01.2022 Happy Fathers Day to all the amazing men in our lives who make our childrens lives better, and to our single mums for doing it all . #HappyFathersDay2020

17.01.2022 Child Protection Week At Goodstart we want to help give all of Australias children the best start in life and Child Protection Week is all about just that! This National Child Protection Week ... (6 12 September), is an opportunity for us to celebrate the many ways that everyone in the community can make a difference in the life of a child. We are always here to support you, as you support your family and communities. #childprotectionweek #goodstartchildprotection #puttingchildrenfirst https://www.napcan.org.au/national-child-protection-week/

16.01.2022 Dear families, A reminder our centre will be closed on Friday the 25th of December and Monday the 28th of December due to Christmas Day and Boxing Day public holiday. Take Care and Stay Safe.... With love from the Goodstart Parkdale Team See more

16.01.2022 Today we celebrated Early Childhood Educators Day to recognise the hard work, passion and dedication of the Goodstart Parkdale team. This year has thrown us challenges like weve never seen before, but you the team have risen to every one and continue to provide high quality education and care for the children and families in our community! To my team thank you for everything that you do! To all the families that sent in videos, photos and bought us flowers and chocolates... we couldnt do any of this without you and all your support. We are so very blessed with our Goodstart Parkdale community. Thank you. Amy. See more

15.01.2022 I know that everyone is waiting for an update this is what I know at the moment: CHILDCARE AND KINDER ACCESS FOR PERMITTED WORKERS Information on the Permitted Worker Scheme & Access to Childcare Permits, can be found at www.vic.gov.au/worker-permit-scheme. ... People working in permitted industries will have access to kinder and childcare for their kids under Stage 4 restrictions beginning at 11:59pm tonight, regardless of whether they are working onsite or from home. If you or someone else in your household can look after your kids at home, you must continue to do that, but we recognise that for many frontline workers and others playing important roles in our pandemic response, its just not possible. And while keeping movement down across our community is vital to slowing the spread of coronavirus, we also need permitted workers to be able to keep doing these vital roles. From tomorrow, only the children of permitted workers and vulnerable kids will be able to access childcare and kinder. But in recognition of the realities of trying to undertake critical work functions while supervising small children, for the purposes of accessing childcare or kinder, a permitted worker will also include someone working from home. The new Access to Childcare Permit will sit alongside the Permitted Worker Scheme announced yesterday. For people working from home in permitted industries who arent able to supervise their kids in the course of their duties, and who dont have anyone else in the household who can supervise them either, there will be a separate form to complete. This will require the employer to attest that the worker is employed in a permitted category and the employee will need to attest that there is no one in their household who can supervise their child. Reasons might include because the other parent is also a permitted worker or because they are a single parent. For permitted workers who are still required to attend work onsite and need access to childcare or kinder, there will just be a component of the existing permit where they will need to confirm there is no one else in their household able to supervise their child. The Permitted Worker Scheme and Access to Childcare Permit will assist childcare centres and kinders to verify that a permitted worker is eligible to access childcare, whether they are working onsite or from home. Thank you for all your patience. Amy and the Parkdale Team.

15.01.2022 One sleep to Early Childhood Educators Day! Whether it be taking flowers and plants in to the centre, or sending them a photo of a picture your child has drawn - lets all bring a little sunshine to some very special people

14.01.2022 Families with children enrolled in kinder programs at Victorian Goodstart centres will benefit from a saving of up to $2000 in 2021. More information to come on how this fee relief will help you to afford and for your child to attend the maximum kinder days to fit your subsidy. #GoodstartCommunity #GoodstartEarlyLearning

14.01.2022 Just a friendly reminder Monday 8th March 2021 is Public Holiday and the Centre is Closed! Note: No fee charges apply for the day

14.01.2022 Dear Families, As you have probably already heard, this afternoon Premier Daniel Andrews has declared a "state of disaster" which takes effect at 6pm tonight. This means the Victorian Police have greater powers and Metropolitan Melbourne will move into Stage 4 Restrictions. What does this mean for our centre? ... At this stage we know that Monday and Tuesday will be business as usual, but from Wednesday onwards, for early learning services in Metropolitan Melbourne, only children of "essential workers" and from disadvantaged and vulnerable families will be allowed to attend early learning services, for the duration of Stage 4 Restrictions. Once I receive a list of work types/vocations that the Victorian Government deems to be "essential services/workers", along with the definition of "disadvantaged and vulnerable families", then I will share this with you immediately. Goodstart and the Victorian Department of Education and Training (DET), will send out advice via emails and updates, which I will be able to share once I have this information. Take care and keep smiling, we will get through this together. Kind regards Amy

13.01.2022 Please make sure you sign your child in and out each day. Did you know that Goodstart is required to report childrens actual attendance times to the Australian Government? Its important that you are signing your child in and out of care via the Kiosk each and every time they attend the service. Once we have submitted these attendances and absences your MyGov account will be updated and reflect this information. If the record of your childs attendance is not complete (wit...h a sign in and out via the Kiosk) when we submit to the government, your childcare subidy entitlement will not be confirmed which may result in the childcare subsidy not being paid to us correctly, or being removed from your account which could then leave you with additional out of pocket costs. If you have forgotten your PIN or forgotten how to sign in and out, please let us know - it is an easy fix! See more

13.01.2022 Dear families, I know this a very stressful time for all of us. I have promised to give you all the information that I can as soon as I can. I will continue to do this to the best of my ability in between caring for my own family and having some down time. I cant always respond but I appreciate all your support and care for myself and the Goodstart Parkdale Team. We are so very lucky to have such amazing families and for this I THANK YOU. Please reach out if we can assist ...you in anyway. X Thank you, Amy.

13.01.2022 I just wanted to share how much I appreciate the Educators at Goodstart Parkdale. I see all the hardwork and passion you put in everyday and couldnt do it without you! Today is about you! Feel free to share the love with our educators today and everyday! #goodstartearlylearning #earlychildhoodeducatorsday

12.01.2022 A fantastic free webinar available on Zoom for fussy eaters.

12.01.2022 Dear families, As Victorians prepare for the five-day lockdown I wanted to share our plans for this time with you. Our centre will be open with all our usual strict hygiene practices in place.... Like all Victorians, Goodstart is very experienced in dealing with COVID-19 lockdowns and we’re here to help your family and minimise any disruptions to your child’s early learning. If you decide to keep your child at home, it will be treated as a normal absence day just like if your child was sick or on holidays. Health and hygiene Throughout COVID we have had the strictest health and hygiene measures in place, and this will continue. If you are unable to wear a mask for medical reasons, please call ahead before dropping off your child so we can talk through how to do this. Anyone experiencing the mildest symptoms, such as headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat or runny nose, are asked to not attend the centre and go forward immediately for testing, then isolate until they receive a negative result. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact myself or the team at the centre. Thank you, Amy Centre Director

12.01.2022 Indigenous Literacy Day is fast approaching! At 12.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday 2 September the Indigenous Literacy Foundation will be presenting a celebration of Indigenous language and literacy. This event will be a window into the work, the joy of books and reading, and the importance of first languages. Get ready for this event by subscribing to our Youtube Channel today! https://go.ilf.org.au/subscribe... Alison Lester, Anita Heiss - Author, Shelley Ware, Josh Pyke, Justine Clarke, Jessica Mauboy, Riverbend Books, Potts Point Bookshop

12.01.2022 Dear families, As you will all be aware Daniel Andrews made an announcement over the weekend that from Wednesday 22nd at 11.59pm all people living in stage 3 lock down areas MUST wear a mask when they are leaving their house. This means that if you are dropping your child off you must wear a mask whilst in the centre to protect yourself and others.... We have already begun educating children on the importance of masks, hygiene and social distancing throughout these uncertain times. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. Kind regards, Amy - Centre Director

12.01.2022 Its almost Fathers Day! Fathers Day is this Sunday 6 September and Goodstart@Home has some great ideas for families who are looking for a gift that come from the heart. Weve uploaded three new Fathers Day activities on Goodstart@Home, for some fun, home-made gift making. The activities are focused on supporting your childs early literacy, and their cognitive, fine motor and creative thinking skills.... For many more wonderful activities to do at home with your child visit the Special Occasions section on Goodstart@Home.

11.01.2022 We think its safe to say that 2020 has been a year unlike any other. For the world, for Australia and for our Goodstart team. Over the past few months people, families and communities have been tried and tested in the most extraordinary ways. As frontline essential workers our Goodstarters rose to this challenge, stepping up to support our 60,000 families and 71,000 children through some incredibly challenging times. So weve declared this week Thank You Week! A week to ce...lebrate and recognise our 10,000+ Goodstarters for continuing to go above and beyond in face of adversity. We have a few special surprises planned for our Goodstarters this week, but in the meantim wed love for our Goodstart families to get involved too! Please share your messages of thanks and support below and tag an educator or a centre who has really made a difference. #ThankYouWeek #InThisTogether

10.01.2022 Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Play is important to healthy brain development. It is through play that children at a very early age engage and interact in the world around them.

09.01.2022 A wonderful gift from one of our beautiful families on #thankyouweek. Thank you Charlie, Lana and Craig. The team feel very spoilt and appreciated.

09.01.2022 Its time to nominate your favourites! The Goodies awards recognises educators and services for their achievements and you, our families, can nominate someone (or our entire centre) to win an award! If you love us as much as we love you, please click the link to get started.... https://www.goodstart.org.au/goodies-awards-2020 #goodiesawards #goodstartearlylearning

08.01.2022 Just a friendly reminder that we are closed tomorrow. Happy long weekend and we look forward to seeing you all Monday.

08.01.2022 Dear Families, weve got your back. During Stage 4 lockdown we are waiving fees for all absence days. This means you can keep your booking while your children is at home - with no out-of-pocket costs. By keeping your booking: you have peace of mind knowing that when life returns to normal your spot is secured and your child able to jump right back in to learning!... But did you also know by keeping your booking you are supporting our wonderful centre to remain open and for our educators to have security while we wait for your return. We cant thank you enough for your patience and understanding during this time keeping your booking is one small way to support our wonderful Goodstart community. Remember, as a Goodstart family you have free access to our online learning at home activity hub Goodstart@Home. Please feel free to reach out to Rose or myself with any questions. Thanks Amy. See more

06.01.2022 As you know the Victorian Government announced yesterday that they are re-instating restrictions in areas across Victoria in light of the evolving COVID-19 situation. I just wanted to reassure you that there are no new restrictions on early learning and care centres. We remain open and here to support you as we navigate through the next few weeks together We are committed to providing the best possible learning and care experience for our children and families in the sa...fest possible environment We have well practised and high standards of hygiene and infection control, with daily cleaning of centres using hospital grade cleaning products Throughout COVID-19 we have strengthened these even further and implemented additional measures to ensure the ongoing safety and wellbeing of all in our care Our national health and safety team have been closely monitoring the situation in VIC and we already moved a week ago to implement further, safety and hygiene restrictions across all centres in VIC, particularly those in identified hot spot areas Were committed to working together to ensure your childs continued learning and development we know that during uncertain times routines and familiar faces are more important than ever. Children thrive when they have a regular routine especially at times of uncertainty and stress and we are working hard to keep all our children and our team members safe in inspiring and enriching learning environments We understand families may be concerned, however remember that we have weathered the storm together already over the past few months and this is no different. We have and will continue to be ready to support and respond if or when the situation evolves or changes.

05.01.2022 National NAIDOC Week 2020 celebrations will be held from the 8-15 November. The November dates follow the decision by the National NAIDOC Committee to postpone NAIDOC Week from the original July dates due to the impacts and uncertainty from the escalating Coronavirus pandemic.

05.01.2022 Dear families, Here is another great online free webinar to help with all that is happening in our precious childrens lives. https://facebook.com/events/s/little-people-big-feelings-fre/315567756260560/?ti=icl

05.01.2022 Since the Zoos are temporarily closed for visitors due to COVID restrictions, Zoos Victoria has released many wonderful virtual tours. These videos run for a total of one hour. 1. Virtual Tour of Healesville Sanctuary - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kl5P9qSkhY 2. Virtual Tour of Melbourne Zoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqbYWw85yOg... 3. Virtual Safari Tour at Werribee Open Range Zoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyAxQxtmzl0 4. Virtual walking tour of Werribee Open Range Zoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ib2pweIy4ZM 5. Koala keeper talk from Melbourne Zoo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_yx--MA5Rk Zoos Victoria: https://www.zoo.org.au/ Note: Explore Melbourne is not affiliated with Zoos Victoria.

05.01.2022 Kinder lights up after Government announcement! If you have a child moving into kinder next year you may have already heard from other excited families that the Victorian Government is offering free kinder for 2021. While we don’t yet know a lot about how the offer will work, we do know that it includes children who are in kinder at all Goodstart centres. So, parents will get a lot of extra financial help from the state government next year and enjoy all of the advantages of ...being a part of the Goodstart long daycare family. Unfortunately, there’s not a lot of detail we can share with just yet, but here’s what we know: The Victorian Government announced on November 10 that it would be providing $2000 funding for each kinder child in 2021 including families who enrol their child in Goodstart’s centres for kinder. The State Government has said this will save families about $2000 per year and that the subsidy will be paid direct to providers. As soon as we receive further information we will share it with you but in the meantime enjoy this piece of good news and stay safe. Kind regards Amy See more

05.01.2022 On Wednesday 2 September its Early Childhood Educators Day! This is a wonderful opportunity for us to recognise and celebrate the amazing team we have here at Goodstart Parkdale. This has been a big year for everyone and we were hoping you would join us in celebrating our team in a special way this year.... Early Childhood Educators Day happens to coincide with the start of spring and what better way to show our appreciation than saying it with FLOWERS! Wed love to fill the centre with some springtime joy and ask if you could possibly bring some greenery or flowers in on the day, for our centre or for the educators in your childs room. It doesnt matter whether they are from a shop, from your garden or from the side of the road they will surely put a smile on the faces of our educators! Maybe youre at home due to Stage 4 restrictions? Send us a photo of your child and you holding flowers real or a picture, for us to share with the team. Your little one might even like to create a card and draw flowers or a portrait of your favourite educator? Let your creativity run wild! Thank you so much for your support, we are looking forward to brightening up the day together with you! #earlychildhoodeducatorsday #sayitwithflowers #thankyou #appreciation #goodstartearlylearning

03.01.2022 Staying at home during the lockdown? Why not try our Goodstart @ Home app which is free for our Goodstart families.

03.01.2022 A few friendly reminders we would like to share as Victoria continues to fight the coronavirus battle. sanitize your hands on arrival. Pumps are located in the foyer and at each room entrance. please utilize our sanitizing stations throughout the centre please keep 1.5 metres away from other parents and educators at drop offs and pick up times please wipe down kiosks with antibacterial wipes provided after you sign in or out and place in bin after use ... please keep children home if you suspect they are unwell. Children with coughs, temperatures or cold symptoms will be sent home. please be open and honest when staff ask how your child has been feeling. Staff reserve the right to deny care if they suspect a child is not 100% well. please limit drop offs and pick ups to 1 family member and keep time spent in the centre under 15 minutes. most importantly please remember our community spirit is strong and WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER and here to support you and your family. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the centre and we will do our best to guide you. See more

02.01.2022 Happy Footy Day!!!! We have had the best day supporting our teams, kicking the footy, playing games and creating our footy masterpieces. Our centre tally for the grand final is Cats to win.

02.01.2022 Children are constantly learning when they play

01.01.2022 Dear families, I know you are all awaiting this information so I can share this with you: Childcare and In-Home child minding clarification There has been mass confusion over who can and can not access childcare/kinder.... To put it simply, both parents are required to be a permitted worker to be eligible to continue to access childcare. Permitted workers have been classified by DHHS as an employee still allowed to work on-site but is able to or has chosen to work from home (i.e Under stage 4 you would be allowed to work on-site however you have chosen to work from home) Unfortunately, single parents working from home that are not permitted workers, are not eligible to access childcare, even if they are unable to supervise their children (disappointing this is the case). However, according to the note in Section 7(1)(L) under the Stay at Home directions (signed late last night), this means that, if parents had an EXISTING care arrangement (whether they are permitted workers or not) with grandparents, family members of paid workers (babysitters/nannying) you ARE allowed to continue this. You can have 1 person enter your home for this purpose or in the alternative you can transport your children to the premise at which care has previously been provided. Further information for permits relating to childcare access can be found here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/permitted-worker-scheme-covid-1 Please reach out if I can be of further assistance. Amy

01.01.2022 How exciting to be the feature of the important role we do everyday....thank you Tim Richardson!!!