Choklits Child Care Croydon

🌳 Exploring the Great Outdoors at Bush Kinder at Choklits 🌿

We believe that some of the best learning happens outside the classroom. That’s why our Bush Kinder program is such a special part of our curriculum! Each week, our kindergarten children venture into the great outdoors, where they connect with nature, explore their surroundings, and learn through hands-on experiences in the natural world.

Bush Kinder provides children with the opportunity to engage with nature in a meaningful way. As they explore the environment around them—climbing trees, digging in the dirt, and observing wildlife—they develop a deeper understanding of the world and their place within it. These experiences foster resilience, creativity, and a sense of adventure.

In Bush Kinder, every outing is an opportunity for learning:
🌼 Physical Development: Climbing, running, and balancing on uneven terrain help children build strength, coordination, and gross motor skills.
🌼 Social Skills: Working together to build shelters or navigate trails encourages teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
🌼 Environmental Awareness: Observing plants and animals in their natural habitats teaches children about biodiversity and the importance of caring for the environment.

Thank you for being part of our nature-loving Choklits community! 🌳

🌿 Bush Kinder at Choklits Croydon! 🌿

We love Bush Kinder at Choklits, an outdoor learning experience that immerses children in nature. This program offers a wealth of benefits for children under 6 and aligns beautifully with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

🌼 Emotional and Social Growth 🌼

Bush Kinder helps children develop Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity. By exploring natural environments, children build confidence and resilience. Working together in nature fosters teamwork, cooperation, and a sense of belonging within the group.

🌳 Cognitive and Language Development 🌳

Our Bush Kinder program supports Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners. Children engage in hands-on exploration, making discoveries and asking questions about the natural world. These experiences enhance their vocabulary and understanding of scientific concepts, aligning with Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators.

🍂 Physical Activity and Well-being 🍂

Bush Kinder promotes Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being. The outdoor setting encourages physical activity, from climbing and running to balancing on logs and navigating uneven terrain. These activities help develop gross motor skills and physical coordination, while the fresh air and open space boost overall well-being.

🌿 Connection to Nature 🌿

Participating in Bush Kinder nurtures Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. Children develop a deep appreciation for the environment as they learn about local plants, animals, and ecosystems. This connection fosters a sense of stewardship and responsibility towards nature.

At Choklits, our Bush Kinder program is designed to inspire curiosity, foster a love for the outdoors, and support holistic development. We even stop by local playgrounds for some fun when time permits! 🍃

🌱 The Benefits of Gardening for Children 🌱

At Choklits, we believe in the magic of hands-on experiences for young learners. Gardening is one such activity that offers countless benefits for children under 6, perfectly aligning with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF).

🌼 Emotional and Social Growth 🌼

Gardening helps children develop Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity. Working together in the garden fosters teamwork and collaboration, building a sense of community. It also teaches patience and responsibility as children care for their plants over time.

🌿 Cognitive and Language Development 🌿

Through gardening, children explore Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners. They ask questions, make observations, and learn about plant life cycles, which enhances their vocabulary and scientific understanding. Discussing different plants and their needs also supports Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators.

🍅 Physical Activity and Well-being 🍅

Gardening is a fantastic way to promote Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of well-being. Digging, planting, and watering plants involve physical activity, which helps develop fine and gross motor skills. Plus, being outdoors and engaging with nature reduces stress and boosts mood.

🌳 Connection to Nature 🌳

Gardening nurtures Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world. It instills a love and respect for nature, fostering environmental awareness. Children learn about sustainability and the importance of caring for our planet.

At Choklits, we integrate gardening into our experiences to support holistic growth and development🌻

A huge congratulations to Choklits Area Manager Deb who graduated from her Masters of Education last night!

We all feel very lucky to have Deb on the Choklits Team as she is a great example of a commitment to continuous improvement and learning ⭐

It's also her birthday so it's a double celebration! 🎁 🎉

Well done Deb, we are super proud of you and thank you for everything you do at Choklits.

And yes, that's a graduation teddy bear 🧸

Congratulations to Elizabeth, Stephen and Xander from Choklits Croydon who are the 2024 Choklits Footy Tipping Competition Champions! 🏆🎉

With an amazing display of footy knowledge, they're taking home an epic 12-month family adventure: a Gold Merlin Annual Pass for 2 adults and 2 children, valued at over $320!

🌟 This pass includes access to incredible attractions like SEA LIFE Aquariums, LEGOLAND, and more across Australia and New Zealand, along with exclusive member benefits.

Well done and enjoy your adventures! 🏉

🌸 Exploring the World of Flowers at Choklits 🌸

We believe that learning about the natural world is an essential part of every child's development. 🌼

Why Flowers Matter in Early Learning:

Flowers are more than just beautiful plants; they are a gateway to understanding the cycles of nature, the importance of caring for our environment, and the wonders of growth and change. By exploring flowers, children learn to appreciate the beauty of the world around them and develop a deeper connection to nature.

Flowers offer a wonderful opportunity for children to connect with nature, explore their environment, and develop a sense of wonder. According to the EYLF, Outcome 2 emphasizes that children should become connected with and contribute to their world. Learning about flowers helps children appreciate the beauty of nature, understand the role of plants in our ecosystem, and recognise the importance of caring for living things.

Any natural resources, ideas or concepts can help open up these learning path ways, the only limit on our children's learning is our own imaginations!

Consider planting a small garden, going on a nature walk to observe flowers in the neighbourhood, or simply taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of flowers together. These simple activities can deepen your child's connection to the world around them and foster a lifelong love of nature.

Thank you for being a part of our Choklits community 🌼

🏅 Inspired by the Olympics: Archery Fun at Choklits! 🎯

At Choklits Croydon, the recent excitement of the Olympics sparked our imaginations, leading to a few weeks filled with creativity, movement, and a touch of friendly competition! Inspired by the Olympic archers, our children have been exploring the world of archery in a fun and safe way, blending art, physical activity, and teamwork.

Creating Our Own Archery Targets

Our Olympic adventure began with a creative session where the children painted their own archery targets. Using bright colors and bold designs, each child contributed to making a vibrant, eye-catching target. This activity was not only fun but also supported the development of fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. As the children painted, they discussed the Olympics and the different sports they’ve seen, making connections between their own experiences and those of the athletes they admire.

Archery Practice with a Twist!

With our beautiful targets ready, it was time for archery practice—but with a Choklits twist! Instead of traditional arrows, we used elastic powered kites as our “arrows.” The children loved aiming their kites at the targets and seeing how close they could get. This playful activity was a great way to build gross motor skills, balance, and coordination, all while having a blast.

The children also practiced taking turns and cheering each other on, learning about the importance of encouragement and teamwork. Whether their kites hit the target or flew wide, the focus was on fun and participation—just like in the Olympics, where the spirit of the games is all about coming together and doing your best.

This Olympic-inspired activity aligned with the Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF), supporting key outcomes:

Outcome 3: Children Have a Strong Sense of Wellbeing

Engaging in physical activities like our archery practice promotes children’s physical health and wellbeing. The excitement of aiming and launching their kites encouraged the children to move with confidence, developing their strength and coordination in a joyful, supportive environment 🏅

🚀 Exploring Space and Robots 🚀

At Choklits, we are always seeking new and exciting ways to inspire curiosity and learning in our children. Recently, we had the incredible opportunity to host a special space-themed incursion that took our young explorers on an unforgettable journey beyond our planet. A special thanks to the Melbourne Museum for facilitating the experience.

A Journey to Space: What We Learned

During this 60-minute session, our children embarked on an exciting adventure into the world of space exploration. The session began with an exploration of how we get to space, focusing on the role of rockets. The children were thrilled to learn about the powerful technology that launches astronauts into space and how these amazing machines work.

Next, they participated in astronaut training activities that challenged them to think about what it’s like to live in space. This hands-on experience allowed them to consider the unique challenges astronauts face, such as moving in a weightless environment and working in space suits. The children’s imaginations were sparked as they learned about the upcoming NASA Artemis mission, which aims to set up a moon base as a stepping stone to Mars!

This exciting program aligns with several key outcomes of the Early Years Learning Framework, including Outcome 4: Children Are Confident & Involved Learners

By engaging in this space-themed incursion, the children were encouraged to think critically and creatively about the world beyond Earth. The activities were designed to foster their natural curiosity and inspire them to ask questions, make predictions, and explore new ideas. These experiences helped the children develop confidence in their ability to learn and understand complex concepts, such as space travel and living on other planets.

The workshop concluded with an interactive activity where the children had the chance to explore robots. They imagined themselves as mission controllers, programming a rover robot to navigate the classroom in search of a space rock. This hands-on experience not only reinforced their learning but also allowed them to apply problem-solving skills and work collaboratively.

💌 And our letters are in the hands of Australia Post!

One of the benefits of the early learning environment is the chance to explore the wonderful world of letter writing with your friends! ✍️

As part of this recent adventure, each child penned a letter, practising their writing skills and expressing their creativity. This activity aligns perfectly with the Early Years Learning Framework, particularly in developing communication skills and understanding the wider world around them. 🌐

Writing letters isn’t just about literacy; it's about patience, anticipation, and the joy of receiving something tangible in our digital age. It teaches valuable lessons in empathy and thoughtfulness, as the children ponder what to share and how to make their recipients smile. 😊

It also gives children valuable experience in the real world. Leaving the Choklits grounds, heading to the Post Office, buying stamps and sending our letters on their way is quite the experience!

We're now taking guesses, how long will these letters take to get to our mailboxes at home?

Our amazing educator Amanda has been crowned a roller derby champion after her team "The Royals" won division 3 at The Great Southern Slam Roller Derby Tournament in Adelaide last weekend! 👑👑

Congratulations to Amanda and The Royals for their amazing win!