Happy Faces Childcare Centre & Kindergarten in Mill Park, Victoria, Australia | Nursery

Happy Faces Childcare Centre & Kindergarten

Locality: Mill Park, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9436 8908

Address: 136 - 140 Centenary Drive 3082 Mill Park, VIC, Australia

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25.01.2022 We received a great email today from the City of Whittlesea with some wonderful ways to stay connected to nature and be sustainable while spending our time at home. There are lots of examples and suggestions that can be adapted for people of varying ages. Follow the link and have a read. https://sustainabilityplanning.cmail19.com//1BDAC35DB51143

24.01.2022 Our Week at Happy Faces 18th - 22nd May 2020 This week at Happy Faces saw us welcome back some of our friends who have been spending the last few weeks at home. Although its only been a few weeks it was amazing to see how much the children had grown and their smiling faces. The children have been busy exploring experiences inside, learning more about the dinosaurs, using the interactive table, dancing (a favourite with the babies and toddies) and spending as much outside a...s possible. Playing outdoors is so vital for children, children can find much enjoyment reading in the shade of a tree, building in the sand pit, pouring and splashing in water, collecting sticks and leaves, exploring through pretend play on the play equipment, the list is endless. Playing outdoors allows children time to look and listen, observe and explore, nurtures their imaginations and creativity, encourages the joy of movement, builds resilience and safe risk taking, increases wellbeing and self-confidence, leads to better physical health, encourages friendships and establishes social and emotional connections including turn taking and understanding emotions and self-regulation. Outside play is so important for all children all year round so its important that your children have the right clothing in their bags to make it possible. We were also busy throughout the week discussing the changing weather outside and looking at how the trees have been changing and all the leaves that have fallen to the ground. Eva bought in some awesome leaves for the children to explore and look at as well as use them for an art experience. The children did some roller painting on the leaves and then looked at the stencil that the leaf had left on the paper. Over the coming weeks the older children will continue to look at the weather as we approach winter. The increase in rain falls is a great opportunity for us as educators to take the childrens interest and curiosity in the weather and provide intentional teaching such as the water cycle and why the seasons and weather changes. Outcome 3 - Wellbeing & Outcome 4 - Learning

24.01.2022 Wow, its hard to believe its Friday already. Where did the week go? Weve had a great week together with lots of laughter some pasting and painting including ourselves and painting our noses red for Red Nose Day, singing and dancing, reading our favourite story Monkey Puzzle, threading, developing our numeracy and literacy skills as well as plenty of time outside in the fresh air - climbing, building, swinging and riding bikes.

24.01.2022 24th July 2020 What a busy and productive week weve had at Happy Faces, the children in the kinder and junior kinder revisited our discussions with Seemore Safety on healthy practices such as hand washing and about keeping our bodies and minds healthy which is important to combat germs and viruses that are present in the environment. We also spent time enjoying our time interacting with each other (and some solitary time too) as well as exploring our environment, continuing... learning about the components of the water cycle - precipitation, accumulation, evaporations and condensation and finishing off the week with our Crazy Hair day. It was awesome to see all the wonderful and colourful hair dos There was also lots of time spent outside. In the mornings we discuss with the children the day of the week, what the date is, what the weather is outside. We try to spend at least half an hour outside if not more. Outdoor play is so important for us all year round, its vital for our growth and development, gives us the opportunity to stretch our muscles, breath fresh air and enjoy the freedom of space and best of all its fun. The only restriction usually to get outside is our clothing, so please remember families to send those jackets in (and if youve got them, a hat and gloves). Also remember to keep track of posts and messages in the app so youre up to date with what were up to at Happy Faces. See more

23.01.2022 Attention families, We have just uploaded an important letter in the OWNA app for parents to read regarding the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief package. If you do not access to the app already or need assistance with logging on or password details please contact Lyndal ASAP https://www.dese.gov.au//ecec_relief_package_four_week_rev

23.01.2022 Back by popular demand (as requested by the children)

23.01.2022 The children have been excited all week, anticipating a visit from the Easter bunny. Through the week they have participated in Easter themed activities, decorating boil eggs as well as making some Easter Hats. The Easter bunny stopped by this afternoon while the children were having their afternoon tea (shh it was Eva and Lyndal but dont tell the children ) and left some yummy Easter eggs hidden in the yard. The children eagerly searched the yard, gathering up their finds and putting them in the basket to take home and share with their families. We hope that all our families have a wonderful and safe Easter break, making the most of this valuable family time at home Just a reminder that we are closed Good Friday and Easter Monday xoxo

22.01.2022 Wow, its hard to believe it’s Friday already. Where did the week go? We’ve had a great week together with lots of laughter some pasting and painting including ourselves and painting our noses red for Red Nose Day, singing and dancing, reading our favourite story ‘Monkey Puzzle’, threading, developing our numeracy and literacy skills as well as plenty of time outside in the fresh air - climbing, building, swinging and riding bikes.

21.01.2022 Happy Faces C.C.C and Kindegarten will be CLOSED on Monday 9th March 2020 for Labour Day long weekend. Have a lovely weekend!!!!Happy Faces C.C.C and Kindegarten will be CLOSED on Monday 9th March 2020 for Labour Day long weekend. Have a lovely weekend!!!!

19.01.2022 8th June - 12th June 2020 Although we had a shorter week this week due to the Queens Birthday our week we still had a full, busy week. We started off the week with the arrival of a new member to the Happy Faces Family as Stephanie, Daniel and Nikola welcomed their new baby girl - Kristina. Throughout the week the children in the kinder and junior kinder revisited our discussions with Seemore Safety on healthy practices such as hand washing (before we eat, after toileting, ...coughing, sneezing etc), keeping things like our drink bottles and lunch boxes clean on a daily basis, wearing a hat and sunscreen in the warmer months, eating a variety of healthy foods, drinking plenty of water, dental hygiene, the importance of rest and sleep and spending time outdoors. We talked about how all of these things keep our bodies and minds healthy and help to combat germs and virus that are present in the environment. We also spoke about what was happening in our community such as the coming and going of the police cars across the road at the police station and the fire truck that arrived one day also at the police station. There was also plenty of opportunities for exploring through art and craft such as painting leaves, decorating a box that were turning into a Fire Station and making Melting snowmen, exploring our environment and time outside. The children finished off the week with a cooking experience - one of our favourites, Fried rice where the children had the opportunity to participate in the preparation of the ingredients and to assist in the cooking of the meal. Just a reminder if families can please label their childrens personal items to avoid any confusion as to what belongs to who. See more

19.01.2022 Our week at Happy Faces - 11th to 15th May 2020. What a busy time weve had this week at Happy Faces. The children have been actively participating in a range of activities including another pyjama day (due to popular demand from the children), virtual story time, making a lovely collage to celebrate International nurses day, building enormous magnetic towers, singing and dancing, creating an amazing dinosaur out of recycled boxes and lots of time outside in the fresh air exercising our muscles, running and climbing. We hope everyone had as wonderful a week as we did and we look forward to sharing our adventures with you again next week.

17.01.2022 Weve been busy today getting prepared for next weeks Easter celebrations so the children have been participating in some Easter themed art and craft and weve also been reading Easter stories

16.01.2022 This week at Happy Faces 25th May - 29th May 2020 This week the older children have continued to look at the weather and have discussed that next week sees the start of winter. As previously mentioned we were going start looking at rain fall and have made a rain gauge with a recycled milk bottle that we have put outside to catch and measure the rain. So far this week there has been no rain to record so we will have to wait to next week, we also have a kite that were eag...er to take outside and fly but of course this depends on the weather to Throughout the week we have also been building some magnificiant magnet towers, having some rather loud fun playing, singing and dancing with the musical instruments, making chocolate crackles, exploring our numbers and letters and on Wednesday we celebrated Willows 3rd birthday. We had a fabulous day indulging in some ice cream cake and then we had a mini disco with the party lights and did some dancing. We hope Willow had an awesome birthday. Over last couple of weeks we have welcomed back some of the children that have been at home with their families over the past weeks. Its been really wonderful to see everyone and how much theyve grown. In the coming weeks were looking forward to seeing more children and families return as older siblings return to school and some parents return to work. In the meantime if youre still at home with your children have a look at some of the programs and ideas that weve shared in OWNA. Let us know if youre having any trouble accessing them.

13.01.2022 This is a challenging time for all of us and families may have noticed some behaviour changes and anxieties in their children. This is a great article that address anxiety that all of us may be feeling in this changing and uncertain time. Reach out if youd like to discuss this information further https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au//managing-covid-19-anxi

13.01.2022 Weve had a chock a block day today at Happy Faces full of lots of activities including painting, pasting (cutting for the older children), story time, dancing, cooking and most importantly our Pyjama day and special movie time this afternoon. It was wonderful to see the involvement from families and the excitement from the children to show off their pyjamas and dressing gowns.

13.01.2022 We hope that all our families have a wonderful and safe Easter break, making the most of this valuable family time at home Just a reminder that we are closed Good Friday and Easter Monday xoxo

12.01.2022 Easter at Happy Faces 2020

11.01.2022 What a busy day we’ve had today! All the busy little helpers ‘working’ with Naum, shovelling and scooping up the new delivery of tan bark and distributing it around the yard. An amazing effort in many shapes and forms by all the children working together as a team. This is a good opportunity for children to explore mathematics in daily activities. Some examples are: how many scoops to fill the wagon and is the wagon full/empty. Learning Outcome 4: Children are confident and... involved learners * 4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity. * 4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another. Learning Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators * 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.

11.01.2022 This is a challenging time for all of us and families may have noticed some behaviour changes and 'anxieties' in their children. This is a great article that address anxiety that all of us may be feeling in this changing and uncertain time. Reach out if you'd like to discuss this information further https://www.schn.health.nsw.gov.au//managing-covid-19-anxi

11.01.2022 Today we took advantage of the beautiful autumn day weve had, spending lots of time outside in the lovely fresh air. The children had a great time together, laughing, exploring, using their imagination playing a game of The floor is lava followed by lunch which was some delicious blue grenadier, home made wedges, tomato and cucumber

10.01.2022 A letter from the Deputy Premier https://archive.comms.educationupdates.vic.gov.au/

10.01.2022 1st June - 5th June 2020 What a busy and productive week weve had at Happy Faces, celebrating birthdays, recognising National Reconciliation Week, creating some wonderful art work, welcoming more friends back, enjoying our time interacting with each other (and some solitary time too) as well as exploring our environment. From 27th May - 3rd of June saw us recognise National Reconciliation week. National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our sh...ared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. To encourage the children to get involved we discussed our families, inclusion and participated in some indigenous inspired art work where we used natural earthy colours and sticks for painting. We also have our acknowledgement to country which is an act of respect for Australias Traditional Owners, and the continuing connection that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the land, sea, sky and waterways. On Thursday we also celebrated not one but two birthdays. Tais 4th birthday and Isabelles 3rd birthday. We had a big party with the kinder and junior kinder to celebrate. There was also lots of time spent outside. In the morning we discuss with the children the day of the week, what the date is, what the weather is and what clothes we should wear to go outside. Outdoor play is so important for us all year round, its vital for our growth and development, gives us the opportunity to stretch our muscles, breath fresh air and enjoy the freedom of space and best of all its fun. The only restriction usually to get outside is our clothing, so please remember families to send those jackets in (and if youve got them, a hat and gloves). Also remember to keep track of posts and messages in the app so youre up to date with what were up to at Happy Faces. See more

09.01.2022 Looking for something to help keep the kids entertained? Why not have a look at the virtual story time being offered by Mill Park Library

09.01.2022 17th - 21st August 2020 This week at Happy Faces was science week. We spent lots of time through the week trying out different experiments. The first experiment we tried was called instant ice. We placed two bottles filled with water in the freezer and took them out just before they started to freeze. We placed a couple of ice cubes in a bowl. Carefully pouring the water onto the ice cubes creating a column of frozen ice. The trick to this experiment is getting the water te...mperature right, cold enough to freeze but hasn’t quite frozen yet. This is an experiment we would like to try again as the water started to form crystals but there was no column of frozen ice. The next experiment we tried was walking water. Filling serval glasses with water and then placing a couple of drops of food colouring into the water, using a different colour for each glass. Using paper towel we placed one end into one glass and the other end in the next glass, till each glass was joined by the paper towel. Throughout the day we continued to look at the glasses noticing the coloured water had traveled all the way up the paper towel and back down into the other glass, mixing the colours to create new colours. Next we did the exploding bicarb bags. This is where you split vinegar and bicarb into separate compartments in a zip lock bag and shake to mix. When the vinegar and bicarb mix together it creates carbon dioxide, the bag blows up like a bubble and then pops. The last experiment we tried was the rainbow skittles experiment. Placing the skittles in a single row around the edge of a plate, and pouring warm water covering all the skittles. We all watched as a rainbow appeared on the plate. The colours ran out of the skittles and moved towards the middle creating a whirl of colours. This week we also celebrated two birthdays. On Thursday. Harnika turned 3 and on Friday, Melissa turned 1. Happy Birthday, and we hope you had a wonderful day

07.01.2022 Dear Families, Happy Faces Childcare Centre and Kindergarten understands that at this time there are so many industries already facing the prospect of uncertainty for the future. Our industry is also facing this with a dramatic decline in enrolments impacting hundreds of thousands of early childhood educators employment around the country. Our educators too are essential workers in the frontline working for families and children in need. Without them, how do the fireman, pol...ice, doctors, nurses, politicians, grocery store employees, and so many more who continue to support our country. When this is over, when you return to work, study, additional activities, we want to be here for you... we can only do that if we sustain our centres costs and retain our wonderful educators. Please speak to Eva/Lyndal, find out your options, BEFORE just pulling your children out. For anyone experiencing financial hardship there are a number of things in place from the government to help families and to keep your child/ren enrolled. Allowable absences have increased to ensure you can still be covered by CCS or ACCS whilst keeping your child at home until you feel its best they attend (please see the attached image for where to find this claim option in your MyGov account). See more

06.01.2022 Here are some screenshots of the latest email advice from the Department of Education in regards childcare centres staying open and the management of COVID 19

05.01.2022 Yesterday, the Victorian Government announced that, on the advice of the Victorian Chief Health Officer, regional and rural Victoria will move to Stage 3 restrictions and metropolitan Melbourne will move to Stage 4 restrictions, to slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). From Thursday, these requirements apply to all early childhood education and care (ECEC) services across all metropolitan Melbourne and rural and regional Victoria until at least Sunday 13 September. As w...e receive information about further restrictions we will update families as quickly as possible. Here is the most recent information that we have receive in regards to the education sector. https://archive.comms.educationupdates.vic.gov.au/

05.01.2022 Look what we made

05.01.2022 Pirate Day is an annual national day of dressing up to raise awareness for childhood brain cancer. It was great to see all the children getting involved and dressing up this morning. To celebrate we had a special pirate themed day with lots of activities. We made pirate hats and sail boats with fishing outside and water play. The children were lucky enough to have a pirate ship pinata filled with little surprises that they got to smash with their pirate swords.

04.01.2022 This week we have been focusing on Anzac Day and Anzac Day traditions at Happy Faces. The children have been involved in a joint Anzac mural where we have made a Poppy collage and used our hand prints to represent the field. The red poppies are a significant symbol for Anzac Day as they were the first flower to grow in Flanders Field following the war. Poppies also signify remembrance We have also been involved in making some Anzac biscuits, another tradition associated with Anzac Day. Outcome 2 - Community Children are connected to and contribute to their world

04.01.2022 A lovely message from the premier.. https://www.education.vic.gov.au//Letter%20from%20the%20Pr

03.01.2022 Our Week - 15th to 19th June 2020 This week at Happy Faces we welcome a new child to the babies room, Melissa and we also had a very excited Chloe return as well. Starting at a new centre or returning from a break from your regular routine can often see children display signs of separation anxiety from their parents. This is a very normal part of social and emotional development and behaviour and it is important that we work together to make the transition and settling proce...ss as smooth as possible. Some tips to help are: Where possible leave your child with a familiar educator, always say goodbye, and never sneak away and also try not to extend the separation period as it confuses the child if you keep coming back. This week has been filled with lots of awesome experiences. The kinders and junior kinders continued our discussions and interest in our emergency services - Police, Fire and Ambulance. Over the past weeks we have been observing the police cars coming and going from the police station and we have noticed the police helicopter flying over regularly. We have also noticed the Fire trucks visiting the police station with their sirens going as well as some ambulances pass by. To extend on this interest we completed our box emergency services station and created an emergency services hub in the home corner. The babies and toddlers enjoyed singing and dancing, painting and pasting, visiting the bigger kids in the yard and enjoying the slide, taking selfies and blowing lots of bubbles. We also spent lots of time outside this week and attempted to fly the kite (although not successfully) when we had some wind. To finish off the week the kinder and junior kinder children participated in a beans in a greenhouse experience where they have planted a bean and will watch the growing process. The greenhouse allows the children to see not only the sprout but the root system that is usually hidden in the dirt. Keep an eye out for progress updates. Monday 22nd June we will be recognising International make music day and Friday the 26th June is National Bring your dog to work day so we will be having a special furry visitor at Happy Faces, Caseys dog Rex. If anyone has any questions or concerns about Rex visiting please let us know. Just a reminder to please make sure your child has a jacket for when we venture outside and please remember to clearly label your childrens belongings. See more

01.01.2022 At Happy Faces we have many families that celebrate Orthodox Easter, which this year was from 16th April till the 19th April. On Thursday 16th April the children helped Denise, Lyndal and Casey to dye some hard boiled eggs Red, dying eggs red (usually on the Thursday before Easter - known as Holy Thursday) is an Orthodox Easter tradition. Dying the eggs Red is to represent the blood of Christ and then on Easter Sunday the eggs are cracked open to represent his resurrection and his new life. Activities like this are important for the children as they are able to learn about other cultures, their celebrations and traditions and their meanings. Outcome 2 - Children are connected with and contribute to their world, Children respond to diversity with respect.

01.01.2022 https://www.megaphone.org.au//don-t-abandon-victorian-educ