Ohana Early Learning in Coffs Harbour, New South Wales | Childcare service

Ohana Early Learning

Locality: Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

Phone: +61 2 6656 4664

Address: 13 Scarba St, Coffs CBD 2450 Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia

Website: http://www.ohanaelc.com.au

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• Childcare service
• Nursery

25.01.2022 What a beautiful morning to be outside in our natural surroundings. Today Laura implemented The Gruffalo Story by using props around our garden. The children become quite involved in retelling the story using the props. Not only did they retell the story but they used the props to look at big and small within their play. Children learning while playing and educators supporting their learning by setting up the environment to build on their current knowledge.

25.01.2022 STEM is an approach to learning and development that integrates the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Introducing STEM activities provides children with opportunities to develop key skills including problem solving, creativity and understanding how things work. As part of our STEM activity we gathered some pipes and bamboo poles added a few containers and tennis balls and the children decided to use the pipes to explore how the balls go though the pi...pes. Children used their spacial awareness to place the baskets for the balls to land into them. They also learned about how fast the balls go through the pipes and we discussed how we could modify the structure for the balls to go faster or slower. Children enhanced their communication skills interacting with one another and describing what was happening as well as taking turns and working cooperatively. See more

23.01.2022 A beautiful moment of two friends sharing an experience together while learning about what plants need to grow, and, how to care for living things in our environment.

23.01.2022 Today we finally got to use the fire-pit! We said Acknowledgement to Country and chatted about what we can cook on our fire. The older children were very excited and even our younger children sat safe distance from the fire with their educator to watch. There is something about a camp fire that draws people together enabling them to connect with each other. For those children who missed out, we will be lighting our fire-pit again so everyone gets to experience this activity.

23.01.2022 Over the last few weeks, we have taken the opportunity to look at our employment strategy and the way forward as we return to full occupancy. Today we are pleased to announce the recruitment of three additional trainees for our Coffs Harbour centres. Please welcome the appointment of: Kirsty Matthews, Scarba Street, commencing today.... Rhianna Cutmore, North Boambee starting on Wednesday. Abby Gordon, Emerald Beach starting next Monday. To read the full announcement click https://bit.ly/ohamf, this update includes our plans for returning all the hours for our educators who have been fantastic in their support for not only Ohana but for all families, without them we would not be here. So please join us in welcoming our new trainees thru their journey in early childhood.

23.01.2022 Over the last week we have been making Easter Baskets and yesterday we made Easter Hats with the children. This process gave us the time to talk about Easter with the children and what they will be doing this year.

23.01.2022 Ohanas Approach to Flatten the Curve Our Service is committed to protecting the health, safety and well-being of all children, employees and families by minimising the risk of COVID-19 exposure. We strictly adhere to the guidelines and advice provided by the Department of Health, Department of Education and Public Health Units and our service policies. This week we will be implementing some further strategies to reduce the opportunity for germs to spread. Please click on ...the attached link to read these changes in full. https://bit.ly/OhanaFTC

22.01.2022 What better way to enjoy the Australian outdoors and the beautiful sunshine than by spreading out the rug and having a picnic! Children mimicking real life, creating a picnic atmosphere and chatting while relaxing in the cosy nook of our yard.

22.01.2022 Our educator, Laura, received flowers from a family as appreciation for all the support that she has given them throughout their time in Ohana.

22.01.2022 One of our educators, Gabby set up an interest area around Anzac Day. This gave us an opportunity to discus what Anzac Day means while reading stories and looking at pictures. As a group, we talked about looking after each other and how these men and women worked to keep us safe and protect our country. Children amazed us with already having an idea about Anzac Day and what it is about. Thank you to our heroes from yesterday and those still fighting today to protect our freedom.

21.01.2022 This week in honour of World Environment Day and National Tree Day, Gabby brought in a small Eucalyptus tree for us to plant. We decided to plant it in a bigger pot to give our tree the space and time to grow bigger and stronger, whilst we decide on the perfect spot to plant it in our garden. As Gabby worked with the children she showed them the tree root system and talked about how the roots needed the bigger pot to continue to grow and support our tree. The children discussed what we need to do to help it grow strong and healthy, taking responsibility for watering the tree themselves.

21.01.2022 Children at our Ohana centre have been learning about recycling water. They experimented trying to catch water using various equipment and methods including building a dam in the sandpit. We have also investigated different ways of reusing our water through play.

20.01.2022 Two essential updates were sent out to our families today. The first update was sent as an SMS concerning the operation of the new childcare scheme within our centres, this can be accessed off the link within the text or click here to read http://bit.ly/OhaChildSch. The second is an important update on what we are implementing within the centre to ensure that all children, families and staff remain healthy and protected - essential reading for parents that are concerned about sending their children to care and what we are implementing to support you. bit.ly/OhanaFTC

20.01.2022 Our Bubble Cave children testing out the new bikes! Smiles all around!

19.01.2022 Our preschool children used ropes, twine and wool to create a large spider web in our outdoor play space. They weaved it around the trees and furniture creating a spider's play-space that enabled the children to explore and weave their way through the maze like spiders in a web. Needless to say this activity was the children's idea with educators supervising, supplying materials and watching the play evolve and take shape in the form of the web. This is an example of how creative children are in their thinking and their ability to replicate and incorporate something they see in nature into play.

19.01.2022 This week we have been building a Dinosaurs park in our sandpit with the assistance of the children. Today Gabby made a volcano by using the PVC pipes and the lava oozed out the top of the pipes. We asked the children what do we need to create a volcano and they replied Vinegar and carb soda in which we explained Bi-Carb soda. They sat in amazement as the when both chemicals met there was lave oozing out the top like a waterfall.

19.01.2022 Are you an Early Childhood Teacher looking for work? Ohana wants to hear from you! Click on the link below to apply. * Remuneration based on experience and performance * Professional development opportunities * Staff discounted childcare fees... https://www.seek.com.au/job/50639973

18.01.2022 STEM refers to the integrative exploration of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. This week we have set up a Science table and children became Scientists and Investigators. We conducted an experiment using water in jars and old textas. The children engaged in expanding their knowledge of mathematics through counting and measuring to fill up five jars with equal amounts of water before placing the old textas into the jars. Then they experimented with colour mix...ing by dipping a paper towel in the coloured water experiencing how the paper draws up the liquid. They also investigated how different colours are created by mixing colours together. Children showed they are capable learners and problem solvers working in partnership with their educator and each other to complete the experiment. They shared what they have learned with the younger children, educators and, most importantly, their families. See more

18.01.2022 Health and safety of children and families is of the upmost importance to us at Ohana. Our children with the encouragement of their families on arrival are using our hand sanitizers to clean hands before they enter and again on departure. Children are confident and involved learners while caring for their wellbeing. Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing.

17.01.2022 Our mud kitchen and our new outdoor bench is the perfect height for some sensory exploration for our little Bubble Cave children. They play alongside their friends in a caring supportive environment while exploring different textures such as bark, sand, leaves, liquid and experimenting with mixing these ingredients together in their imaginary play.

17.01.2022 Building and maintaining respective relationships with children and being present in their day is vital to their learning as children need to feel safe and secure with their educators, peers and other significant adults in their life.

16.01.2022 Music, the language of the soul, bringing these children together, building friendships and creating an atmosphere filled with laughter, fun and chit-chat. Children enjoy a sense of belonging, self-expression and creativity while expanding their literacy and music skills.

16.01.2022 The Gruffalo story is one of our favourite stories and today it came alive at Scarba Street. The children were all very involved in telling this story and sharing this play

15.01.2022 Learning through art and gaining knowledge of children's ideas as we investigate elements of the weather. We have been exploring lightning, discussing what it is and what it looks like. Children then created their own picture of lightning.

15.01.2022 This week, as part of our NAIDOC Week celebrations, our children have been singing Acknowledgment to Country and we discuss its significance. We also looked at parts of our local Gumbaynggirr country and its heritage including Mutton Bird Island enabling children to develop a connection with their community. We have read dreamtime stories from Dhanggati with our favourite being Dhulawang Girin (Rainbow Serpent) which we emulated through movement and performance.

14.01.2022 Our celabration Tree is playing an important role by celebrating our mums. The children sending their mums messages of love.

13.01.2022 Tooth Fairy visited our Centre last week from our locally based Fresh Dental Care centre. This visit was part of the Dental Health Week, which is the Australian Dental Associations major annual oral health promotion campaign with an aim to educate about the importance of maintaining good oral health. Children were attentive as the Dentist used a prop to demonstrate the three different techniques of brushing teeth and gums. They engaged in discussion on which food is good for your teeth and the food to try to avoid. But most of all, they loved dressing up as Dentists and patients and looked forward to the ride on the chair at their next visit to the dentist.

12.01.2022 This week our children have been busy preparing a card and a gift for their mums. Our preschool children also send video messages to their mums as this year due to the COVID-19 virus we cant bring our mums in for an afternoon tea. So to our mothers, grandmothers, aunties, the special person in our lives who care for our children we would like to wish you all a Happy Mothers Day.

11.01.2022 During outdoor play time, the older children noticed how the water in the black tub warmed up in the sun compared to the water in the blue tub in the shade. We are now exploring and investigating how the sun heats up our water and how this heat/energy is captured to generate solar power. On the other hand, the toddlers were captivated by the fluid properties of water and explored this by pouring, tipping and splashing.

10.01.2022 Today to follow along with our story of The Gruffalo we all came together to read the story using the book and props. We started off by looking at the title of the story and what this means along with the Author as one of our children asked who wrote the story of The Gruffalo.

09.01.2022 Babies first attachments are within their families and within other trusting relationships provide them with a secure base for exploration and learning. Educators who are attuned to childrens thoughts and feelings, support the development of a strong sense of wellbeing. They positively interact with the young child in their learning.

08.01.2022 The children asked if they could create a butterfly painting and what better place to create these beautiful paintings but outside. All children were given the opportunity to be creative; however, the Preschool children extended on their paintings by drawing around the colours to create a butterfly. The paintings looked amazing as they hung in the breeze outside to dry like butterflies drying their wings.

07.01.2022 Who doesnt love a cupcake Today we wanted to say thank you to all our educators and staff who have been working tirelessly over the past few months. Thanks to Sugar Plum Cakes and Desserts for these delicious treats, everyone loved them. Hardest decision was which flavour to choose?

06.01.2022 On Monday we had our very own puppet show as the children made sock puppets with Gabby then they created their own songs. They also gave their puppets names and we had Cranky and plush dog who delighted the crowds with their singing.

05.01.2022 We would like to wish all our families a Happy and safe Easter.

05.01.2022 Educators supporting childrens play through being there to guide them, give them the confidence they need to become independent learners. Our Outdoor environments support childrens imagination, which in turn supports their development. Our Preschool children used the bamboo poles as fishing rods and spent the afternoon fishing from their boat.

05.01.2022 Its amazing the different things children find to do in a sandpit! Today, our children got very creative with the strips of the palm leaves in our sandpit. What started off as tying knots using the leaves, ended up in making leaf figurines. Children were learning to think out of the box, explore, solve problems, construct and be creative. The activity extended indoors as children got busy cutting, gluing and dressing their figurines using craft materials.

04.01.2022 As part of an ongoing business review, we identified a need for more robust support at each of our centres. As a result, we have restructured some of our individual centre manager functions and the role they play in their centre. Alice Jessup has been appointed as the Group Centre Administrator. She will be working out of each of our Coffs centres in supporting the managers in their administrative functions. This will typically see Alice at each of the centres one day per wee...k. Then with our North Boambee manager due to take maternity leave later in 2020, Alice will be based at North Boambee to support the staff over the rest of the week In looking at what we were seeking to achieve with the restructure, we recognised that our managers have strong skills in childcare, after all, this is their underlying qualification and passion. What you will now experience is the centre manager working more in an educational role supporting and mentoring our educators to achieve greater consistency of care.

03.01.2022 Have you heard about the NEW Coffs Harbour local newspaper? Coffs Coast News of the Area will have its first edition fresh off the print and available on Friday, 31st July. facebook.com/coffsNOTA Ohana is proud to be supporting with a permanent advertising commitment for this much needed community resource!

03.01.2022 Our toddler room has really been enjoying the story and song 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt.' So, to change things up a bit, we have added some props to our play dough table so that the children can create their own rivers, snow storms, mud pits and patches of grass, and use these to retell the story in their own words. Creating and telling stories is an important part of early literacy skills and this experience gives them a chance to work on these skills in a fun and meaningful way.

03.01.2022 The Preschool children have been exploring different areas of Science during the National Science Week. In one of the activities they investigated and experienced making waves by spinning a tube in containers filled with water and sand in the outdoor kitchen.

02.01.2022 Just part of the way we are ensuring all our children and educators stay healthy. Our Educators go beyond the cleaning in these times, after every session they take the time to spray sanitise the rooms and the childrens resources for the next day. Combined with the ongoing health initiatives, including temperature checks on children three times throughout their day and our educators checking each other twice a day, we are remaining vigilant. We have introduced contactless si...gn in and out for our families and educators minimising contact with devices and handling, and we have re-introduced outdoor sleeping where possible at our centres including top to toe for social distancing. All visitors to our centre need to complete a health check audit. Just some of the ways were making childcare safer and more comfortable for our families

02.01.2022 We have extended our outdoor Mud Kitchen thanks to new resources arriving earlier this week. This is a wonderful play area to extend our sensory and imaginative play. We have quite a few aspiring chefs here!

02.01.2022 In deciding to bring all our bookings and enrolments processes back in-house, we would like to welcome Anne Cochrane to the Enrolment Specialist role. Based out of our Korora Administration office, Anne will be the new liaison person for all our centres in providing enrolment and onboarding of all new families. Anne is a Mum and has a child at our South Grafton centre, so this new role is very close to her heart. Please feel free to reach out to Anne on either 1300 956 200 or 0423 362 202 or via email [email protected].

01.01.2022 NEW - Sick Children Policy - Know Your Rights As we work through the new way of the world with COVID-19, it has become apparent when we have been talking to parents that there is a great deal of confusion with when a child is sick or becomes sick when in care. We believe this confusion exists, both from a parents perspective and with some of our educators. To address any confusion, we have created a new policy that specifically addresses the definition of when a child is sic...k in a childcare setting. The new policy is available from https://bit.ly/Ohaspol. This new policy draws on several pre-existing policies, but we are hoping this makes each situation a little more clear cut. In summary, the main areas we have noticed being misunderstood: A temperature of 38 degrees or above is recorded three times within thirty minutes; A runny nose, this needs to be a runny green nasal discharge; Vomiting, this requires exclusion from the care environment of 24-hours from the last episode; Vomiting & diarrhoea, this one is a 48-hour exclusion; All our staff are currently undertaking a refresher in this new policy within our professional development system so as we have a clear, consistent approach at each centre

01.01.2022 Great end to a week, going fishing and roasting marshmallows on a camp fire! The children have been taking trips out on the boat to catch fish, and roasting marshmallows around the fire. The younger children loved using the fishing rods to try and catch the magnetic fish whilst the older children enjoyed the social element of sitting back and relaxing around a fire (real or pretend!) Imaginative play such as this gives children the chance to explore ideas, work through challenges and make sense of the world around them.

01.01.2022 Our aim for our art space is to create an area where children can visit and revisit to complete their work. Our Artspace has allowed children to grow in independence as they create on their own. This space allows children to work in small groups, work independently, and we give them time to be creative. We have seen amazing work coming out of this area as children have created robots, ice cream shops along with many other pieces of art.