Goodstart Early Learning Kelso - Gilmour Street

This week, our children celebrated Reconciliation Week through storytelling, art, and cooking experiences.

We enjoyed reading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, exploring the beautiful artwork within them and creating our own artistic interpretations. Children learnt about Aboriginal symbols through games and creative activities.

Our cultural journey continued as we made Torres Strait Islander scones while learning about the significance of the Dhari (traditional headdress) and viewing Torres Strait Islander artwork. We also cooked Johnny Cakes using lemon myrtle, introducing the children to native bush tucker flavours.

Through these hands-on experiences, children developed a deeper appreciation for the rich cultures, histories, and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Yesterday our Pre Kindy and Preschool children enjoyed a wonderful excursion to the Bathurst Library to take part in National Simultaneous Storytime. Together with thousands of children across Australia, they shared the story Luna Roo in this special nationwide event celebrating the joy of books, literacy, and reading.

Today we celebrated the Cancer Council’s Biggest Morning Tea together as a service. The children came together in one classroom to enjoy a special morning tea and spend time connecting with their friends and educators.
Thank you to all our families for your generous donations. So far, we have raised $244.50 for the Cancer Council. If you would like to donate, please visit www.biggestmorningtea.com.au
We appreciate your kindness in helping support such an important cause.

This week the Preschool 2 children enjoyed a wonderful hands-on learning experience as they explored our nearby creek and discovered the many treasures nature has to offer. Walking through the water and using nets to search for small creatures helped the children develop confidence, balance, and coordination while engaging in active outdoor play. The children discovered one tadpole and nine guppies, sparking curiosity about living things, habitats, and the natural environment, while learning the importance of caring for wildlife. They also found wild mint, creating a sensory learning opportunity as they explored different smells and textures in nature. Experiences like these show how nature becomes a second classroom, where children can learn, explore, and grow through hands-on discovery and meaningful connections with the world around them.

Congratulations to our Preschool 1 Room who received Highly Commended for their Waste 2 Art project 'A Tale of Two Oceans'

If you would like to view and cast a people's choice vote for your favourite artwork you can head to BMEC (Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Center) From today untill Wednesday 6th May, 10 to 3pm.

Well done also to Nursery, Toddlers and Preschool 2 on their amazing efforts.

This week, the children at Goodstart Kelso worked collaboratively to create a wreath, which was proudly placed at the ANZAC Memorial today. Throughout the week the children learned about the meaning of ANZAC Day through stories and group learning, using this as an opportunity to discuss remembrance, respect, and gratitude for the soldiers who served and sacrificed for our country.

Each year, our centre proudly enters the local Waste to Art competition run by our local council. It provides a valuable opportunity to extend children’s knowledge and understanding of sustainable practices through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences. This year’s theme, “Shrink Your Footprint,” encourages us to reflect on how our everyday choices impact the environment. Each room's artwork represents the idea that the actions we take today directly shape the future of our children and the world they will inherit. Through creativity and the use of recycled materials, we aim to inspire awareness, responsibility, and a commitment to caring for our planet. The requirement this year was each artwork had to be shoebox size or smaller and made entirely out of recycled materials.

This week we have been celebrating Nature Play Week at our centre! Throughout the week, the children engaged in meaningful, hands-on experiences that deepened their connection with the natural world. The Toddlers enjoyed painting banksias and were fascinated watching stick insects, while both our Nursery and Toddler children explored sensory tubs filled with natural loose parts, discovering a range of textures. Across the centre, children used natural materials as inspiration for creative artworks, took part in exciting nature treasure hunts, and built an appreciation for the environment. Our Preschool children ventured out on a local nature walk where they discovered a variety of animals and explored local flora and fauna, and our Pre-Kindy children were especially engaged learning about bee hives and how honey is made. It was a week full of curiosity, creativity, and connection with nature.

As part of our ongoing commitment to sustainability and creativity, our Preschool children recently began their annual Waste to Art project with the help of local artist Fiona Howle.

This special project encourages children to explore the importance of recycling, reusing, and repurposing materials to reduce waste, while also expressing themselves through art. Fiona brought along a wonderful collection of recycled loose parts, which immediately sparked the children’s curiosity and imagination.

Using the much-loved story The Very Hungry Caterpillar as inspiration, the children created a variety of insects and bugs. They carefully selected different materials, experimenting with textures, shapes, and colours to bring their ideas to life. It was fantastic to see their creativity shine as they transformed everyday recycled items into unique artworks.

The experience not only supported their artistic development but also helped deepen their understanding of caring for the environment. The children are excited to continue working on their creations and to be part of this meaningful annual competition.