Little Village Early Learning

To our Little Village families, children and communities, today our wonderful Little Village centres in Buderim and Bridgeman Downs will become a part of the About Children family.
Little Village was developed by our three families with a vision to create a childcare centre that they would be proud to send their own grandchildren to.
After seven years on this wonderful journey, we now find ourselves at the stage of life to be slowing down, considering retirement, and spending more time with our growing families.
Writing this message fills us with a range of emotions. We cannot thank our educators, support staff, families, children and communities enough.
We’re truly excited for Little Village’s future under the Only About Children umbrella. We look forward to stepping onto the other side of the fence as Grandparents, watching our grandchildren in their early childhood education journey.
This is not a goodbye, rather a ‘see you soon'.
Sending best wishes for 2022 from our families to yours.
The Macleod, Graham and George families.

Hi families, as the numbers of Covid-19 cases and contacts grow in the community, we are sharing the latest Protocol by the government.
We appreciate your working alongside us to keep our children, families and Educators safe.

www.health.gov.au

"Have yourself a merry little Christmas, let your heart be light."
Thank you to our Little Village community for supporting us to build a community which respects childhood as a time to explore, create and be joyful.
We hope that you are able to have your family and friends close to enjoy your Christmas traditions or create new ones. All the best for the holiday season!

Did you hear about the changes to CCS for families? These have been brought forward to help families by reducing out-of-pocket costs which means more parents, particularly mothers, can return to work or take on more hours if they choose to.

- From 10 December 2021, the Government is removing the annual cap for all families who get CCS.
- From 7 March 2022, families with more than one child in care will get a higher subsidy.

Families may like to consider these changes as they confirm their bookings for next year. If you would like to reserve an extra day or start a sibling earlier than planned, please advise our admin team.
Current families have been asked to confirm their bookings by the end of October so we can begin to offer new families places in November.

Our helpful admin team is happy to assist you with any enquiries.

Higher CCS for multiple children and removal of annual cap - Department of Education, Skills and Employment, Australian Government We’re making changes to the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) to help families who currently pay the most and experience the biggest barriers to participation in work.

Little Village Buderim is currently seeking casual Educators to join our team. If you are looking for a flexible role that supports your career and your lifestyle please apply via Seek;
https://www.seek.com.au/job/53843415

Attention all families: Queensland Local Government Areas 3-day lockdown.
As you would be aware, the Qld Premier has today announced we will be entering a three-day lockdown, from 4pm Saturday 31 July 2021 until 4pm Tuesday 3 August 2021. This includes the Sunshine Coast Region.
Anyone who has been in these local government areas is expected to stay at home unless for an essential purpose.
As directed by the Education Department, Little Village will be open to provide care for children of essential workers. If you are able to stay at home and self-isolate, we encourage you to do this.
Please check your Xplor notifications for more information as it is available.
We appreciate families' support during these times in protecting our children's wellbeing!
To learn more: https://www.covid19.qld.gov.au/government-actions/roadmap-to-easing-queenslands-restrictions

https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/current-status/public-health-directions/restrictions-impacted-areas

Restrictions for Impacted Areas – South East Queensland From 4pm Saturday 31 July 2021 to 4pm Tuesday 3 August 2021, people in South-East Queensland will be required to stay at home except for essential reasons.

This week we celebrate Naidoc week, with this year's theme – Heal Country! This calls for all of us to continue to seek greater protections for our lands, our waters, our sacred sites and our cultural heritage from exploitation, desecration, and destruction.

NAIDOC 2021 invites the nation to embrace First Nations’ cultural knowledge and understanding of Country as part of Australia's national heritage and equally respect the culture and values of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islanders as they do the cultures and values of all Australians.

https://www.naidoc.org.au/

Following the Qld Government directive, face masks are required to be worn in indoor spaces from tomorrow (29/6/21) in QLD. We are requiring that all Little Village visitors and families (over the age of 12) wear a mask when entering or being in the centre.
Please talk with your children about why we wear masks, so they will not find this distressing.

The following key actions will prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• stay home if sick or have flu-like symptoms
• get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms
• check the contact tracing website to see if you have been in a hotspot
• stay 1.5 metres away from other people
• wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser
• if able, drop off and pick up without extra family members or visitors

Once again, thank you for your cooperation

Little Village Buderim is currently looking for a highly motivated and inspiring Chef or Cook who is passionate about providing nutritious and wholesome food to young children. This is the perfect job for a chef who seeking a work-life balance, a flexible Monday-Friday 7.5 hr day.
Apply via Seek or email [email protected]. To learn more:
https://www.seek.com.au/job/52181737learn more

Little Village Buderim is holding a fundraising Mother's Day Raffle to provide support for Gemma & Brendan Schmidt as their son, Raef, undergoes treatment for Childhood Leukaemia.
We have almost 30 prizes on offer for our Raffle, including gym memberships, a family pass to Australia Zoo, yoga and dance classes, restaurant and cafe vouchers, health and beauty products, and treatments, and more!
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased in Reception or can be added to your account. The Raffle will be drawn on the 10th of May. For a full list of prizes and terms and conditions, please visit our reception.
Thank you to all the families and businesses who have kindly donated such wonderful raffle prizes.

Following the Qld Government directive, face masks are required to be worn in indoor spaces from 5pm today in QLD. We are requiring that all Little Village visitors and families (over the age of 12) wear a mask when entering or being in the centre. (in both Buderim and Bridgeman Downs)

Please talk with your children about why we wear masks, so they will not find this distressing. Educators, will not be required to wear masks when communicating with children.

The following key actions will prevent the spread of COVID-19:
• stay home if sick or have flu-like symptoms
• get tested if you have any COVID-19 symptoms, no matter how mild
• stay 1.5 metres away from other people — think two big steps
• wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser

Once again, thank you for your cooperation. Please click on the link to learn more about mask-wearing. https://www.qld.gov.au/health/conditions/health-alerts/coronavirus-covid-19/protect-yourself-others/face-masks

Can you help support one of our Little Village families?
You may have read in the Sunshine Coast Daily today about seven-year-old Raef Schmidt was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the weekend after coming down with symptoms of what was first thought to be a virus.
He is now in intensive care in a children's hospital in Brisbane receiving intense chemotherapy in a bid to have him in remission in the next two months.
His parents, Brendan and Gemma Schmidt are grappling with the logistics as Gemma stays in Brisbane with Raef while Brendan juggles work and caring for their other two children, Karson, 6 and Romy, 2.
Raef's aunt, Jess Schmidt, said the diagnosis had come as a shock. She said Raef was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital after going off his food, dropping a bit of weight and feeling lethargic. She said they initially thought he had a virus but medical staff had triaged him as a high priority, initially suspecting meningococcal or meningitis.
Raef has started an eight-week intensive chemotherapy course and then ongoing treatment for the next two years. Ms. Schmidt said her brother and his wife were "really struggling" as they came to grips with the sudden change in their lives.
A fundraiser has started to help the young family deal with any time off needed, added fuel, accommodation, hospital and other expenses they may face.
To donate, click here. https://ca.gofundme.com/f/raising-money-for-raef-schmidt-his-family
Our thoughts and well wishes are with the Schmidt family during this challenging time.

Lets all help Raef Schmidt & his family, organized by Jeremy Nudd To all of our amazing friends, family and anyone else this may reach..... We are … Jeremy Nudd needs your support for Lets all help Raef Schmidt & his family