Little Star Educare Centre

Little Star Educare Centre 🌟Where little stars shine the brightest! Huge, meadow-like, safe playground. Qualified and experienced primary school teacher for Grade R. Competitive fees.

Through play, creativity and care, we empower children every day to discover the magic of learning.🎨📚

💛Feel free to WhatsApp us:
0796034778

20/07/2026

Even when the school term ended, the work went on as the Big Stars were hard at work prepping for a bright start into the new term! A big shout out to our staff who put in extra hours to ensure a dazzling school for the new term!

22/06/2026

THE PENNYWHISTLE POST

Keeping Our Children Safe Online:
A Straight Talk on Internet Safety by Sev Purcell

We are living in a time when technology offers wonderful opportunities for learning and connection. Our children are growing up in an almost fully digital world that brings real benefits, but it also brings real risks.

The sad truth is that some people use online platforms to exploit and harm children rather than to educate or entertain them. While laws and safety systems exist, they are not perfect and shouldn’t be relied on. That is why we, as parents and teachers, remain our children’s most important line of defence.

Age restrictions on websites and apps are not enough on their own. Children can and do find ways around them, and those with bad intentions (let’s call them predators) know how to gain children’s trust. Any app or game that allows strangers to contact your young child should be approached with great caution. For preschool children, the safest approach is to avoid online games that involve chatting or playing with people they do not know in real life. This includes platforms such as Roblox, as well as shows like The Amazing Digital Circus and Happy Tree Friends, which are popular with older children but contain themes and content that are not appropriate for preschoolers.

Even platforms specifically designed for children have had problems in the past. Several years ago, in 2019, some parents and a paediatrician discovered suicide-method instructions hidden inside children’s cartoons on YouTube Kids. While companies have improved their systems since then, these incidents remind us that we cannot assume any online space is automatically safe.

You may have heard of two important protections: COPPA and CSAM. COPPA is a law that requires websites and apps to get parental permission before collecting personal information from children under 13. CSAM stands for child sexual abuse material, and major platforms are required to detect, remove and report it. These measures help, but they are not foolproof. Inappropriate content can still slip through, which is why parental involvement remains essential.

The most effective protection is active, realistic supervision. Have clear family rules about screen time and stick to them. For young children, keep devices in shared family spaces, disable voice chat and text-messaging features where possible, and regularly check what they are watching or playing. Talk to your children in simple, age-appropriate ways about what to do if something online makes them feel uncomfortable. And remember: you don’t have to allow it just because “other children are doing it”.

Be mindful when handing over your phone to your young one to play with. Unrestricted access to your YouTube or social media accounts (such as Snapchat, and others) can expose them to unsuitable content.

By staying informed and involved, we give our preschoolers the best chance of enjoying the good parts of the online world while staying protected from the dangers. Technology is here to stay, and we have to approach it with our eyes open.

Here are some very good TEDTalks and YouTube videos that you may find helpful:

• Online safety for children by Emma Ackley, TEDTalk, 5 min.
https://youtu.be/-5GPdcJV0Ns?si=MxA7uHH0XiZ4cGRx

• Protecting our children from online predators by Sabrina Stratford, TEDTalk, 10 min.
https://youtu.be/kvEO1QQ2mVY?si=1uAiqnC7ClMf194J

• How To Talk To Your Child About Internet Safety by Nicholeen Peck, YouTube, 11 min.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oreUWSuYmZs

• Internet safety for children by Elza Dunkels, TEDx, 10 min.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N7JTTvxm_A

Aunty Sev

22/06/2026

THE PENNYWHISTLE POST

Healthy Eating Starts at Home
Practical ideas for balanced meals, positive role modelling, and happy mealtimes
- Nikita Xavier

We all want our little ones to grow up smart, strong and healthy. A good, balanced diet gives children the nutrients they need to build strong bones and muscles, support healthy brain development, and keep their immune systems working well. A good diet also helps them to concentrate well and play happily throughout the day. Getting into good eating habits early on can make a real difference to their health later in life too.

Here are some simple, practical ways you can encourage healthy eating at home:

1. Offer a variety of nutritious foods.
Include plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, dairy and protein-rich foods in meals and snacks. The more often your child sees and tastes different and nutritious foods, the more likely they are to enjoy trying new things.

2. Be a positive role model.
Children learn so much by watching what we do as parents. When you choose and enjoy healthy foods yourself, your child is far more likely to do the same.

3. Keep regular meal and snack times.
A steady routine helps your child tune into their own hunger and fullness signals which reduces the need to snack all the time.

4. Make water the go-to drink.
Offer water regularly and keep sugary drinks to a minimum. Too many sweet drinks can affect teeth and overall nutrition.

5. Let your child help in the kitchen.
Simple jobs like washing fruit, stirring ingredients or setting the table can make healthy food feel more exciting and increase the chance they’ll actually try it.

6. Keep mealtimes relaxed and enjoyable.
Eat together as a family when you can. Mealtimes are a lovely chance to chat and connect. Have fun at meal times and try to avoid focusing on how much is being eaten.

7. Check the nutrition labels when you shop.
Take a moment to look at the nutrition information on packaged foods, especially the sugar content. Many snacks and drinks aimed at children contain more sugar than you might expect, and keeping an eye on this can help protect their teeth, energy levels and long-term health.

Healthy eating doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s about the small, consistent things we do every day that enable our children to build a positive relationship with food. By making a few gentle changes at home, you’re giving your child a wonderful head start towards a lifetime of good health.

Here are four YouTube videos and Ted Talks which will help you:

1. Jamie Oliver: Teach every child about food (TED Talk, 2010)

www.ted.com

Teach every child about food

Sharing powerful stories from his anti-obesity project in Huntington, West Virginia -- and a shocking image of the sugar we eat -- TED Prize winner Jamie Oliver makes the case for an all-out assault on our ignorance of food.

🔗 https://www.ted.com/talks/jamie_oliver_teach_every_child_about_food

2. Sam Kass: Want kids to learn well? Feed them well (TED Talk, 2015)

www.ted.com

Want kids to learn well? Feed them well

What can we expect our kids to learn if they're hungry or eating diets full of sugar and empty of nutrients? Former White House Chef and food policymaker Sam Kass discusses the role schools can play in nourishing students' bodies in addition to their minds.

🔗 https://www.ted.com/talks/sam_kass_want_kids_to_learn_well_feed_them_well

3. Jill Castle: The Nutrition Prescription for Healthier Kids (TEDx Talk, 2017)

www.youtube.com

The Nutrition Prescription for Healthier Kids | Jill Castle | TEDxDanbury

One of our nation's leading childhood nutrition experts, registered dietitian Jill Castle explains the misconceptions people have about feeding their children...

🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFpHZQq0qDQ

4. Jaya Sarin Pradhan: How to get kids comfortable with nutritious eating (TEDx Talk, recent)

www.youtube.com

How to get kids comfortable with nutritious eating | Jaya Sarin Pradhan | TEDxHarvard Square

What if the key to healthier eating wasn’t found in textbooks, policy papers, or decades of nutrition research but in the curiosity, creativity, and honesty ...

🔗 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdfvZTuWxCU

Aunty Nikita

09/06/2026

THE PENNYWHISTLE POST

"No."
Why a Loving "No" is One of the Kindest Things We Can Say To Our Children

Children do not grow up in a vacuum (as Aunty Nikita reminded us so well in last week’s Pennywhistle Post), and as I get older, I find myself increasingly concerned, both as a principal and as a father who raised three children of his own: more and more little ones seem to have little or no clear understanding of boundaries. In a world that too often celebrates an “anything goes”, overly permissive and rather characterless approach to parenting, it is worth remembering this old truth: real love and real discipline go hand in hand.

Saying “no” when you mean no, and always meaning what you say, is not harshness. It is one of the kindest things we can do for our children. A calm, firm “no” teaches them that the world has limits, that not every wish can be granted, and that safety, good behaviour and good manners truly matter.

Closely related to “no” is that old parental standby: “Because I said so!” Notice the word “I”. We should always speak to our children in the first person and never refer to ourselves in the third person (“Mommy says…”). Never defer your authority. Your child needs to know exactly who is in charge. You are. As the parent, you are the one who sees the bigger picture. Your authority exists for their protection and good. This is not a democracy, and children are not your peers. They feel safest when they know a steady, loving adult is calmly in charge. That said, saying 'Because I said so!' is not the end of the argument. It is, rather, the starting point for teaching your child the 'yes' inside the 'no'. I draw your attention to the second YouTube video below.

Of course, young children will sometimes test a perfectly reasonable “no”. When that happens, stay calm, hold the boundary kindly but firmly, and follow through with a simple, age-appropriate consequence. There is no need for long explanations or arguments in the heat of the moment. A quiet “I’ve said no, and that is final,” followed by removing the child from the situation or withdrawing a small privilege, is often enough. Consistency and kindness are the key. Your child may not like it at the time, but they will learn that your word can be trusted.

When the rules and expectations at home and at school support each other, our children feel secure and they flourish. A simple “no” spoken with love today can spare them far greater struggles tomorrow.

Know this: discipline is not the opposite of love. Done well, it is one of the deepest expressions of love we can give our children.

For a bit of extra inspiration, here are three helpful videos well worth a quick watch:

• The Power of ‘No’: A Guide for Parents – clear, practical advice on why saying no is important and how to do it effectively:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=274sZ779ZyI

• Why Good Parents Say No Even When It Hurts – a straightforward and honest discussion on why saying “no” is one of the most loving things we can do for our children:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SJu-Xr87l2A

• Strategies for Managing Defiance in Children – useful, calm ideas for handling those moments when your child pushes back against a reasonable “no”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gQkPmpuDtM

Philip King

09/06/2026

THE PENNYWHISTLE POST

Keeping Our Children Safe Online:
A Straight Talk on Internet Safety by Sev Purcell

We are living in a time when technology offers wonderful opportunities for learning and connection. Our children are growing up in an almost fully digital world that brings real benefits, but it also brings real risks.

The sad truth is that some people use online platforms to exploit and harm children rather than to educate or entertain them. While laws and safety systems exist, they are not perfect and shouldn’t be relied on. That is why we, as parents and teachers, remain our children’s most important line of defence.

Age restrictions on websites and apps are not enough on their own. Children can and do find ways around them, and those with bad intentions (let’s call them predators) know how to gain children’s trust. Any app or game that allows strangers to contact your young child should be approached with great caution. For preschool children, the safest approach is to avoid online games that involve chatting or playing with people they do not know in real life. This includes platforms such as Roblox, as well as shows like The Amazing Digital Circus and Happy Tree Friends, which are popular with older children but contain themes and content that are not appropriate for preschoolers.

Even platforms specifically designed for children have had problems in the past. Several years ago, in 2019, some parents and a paediatrician discovered suicide-method instructions hidden inside children’s cartoons on YouTube Kids. While companies have improved their systems since then, these incidents remind us that we cannot assume any online space is automatically safe.

You may have heard of two important protections: COPPA and CSAM. COPPA is a law that requires websites and apps to get parental permission before collecting personal information from children under 13. CSAM stands for child sexual abuse material, and major platforms are required to detect, remove and report it. These measures help, but they are not foolproof. Inappropriate content can still slip through, which is why parental involvement remains essential.

The most effective protection is active, realistic supervision. Have clear family rules about screen time and stick to them. For young children, keep devices in shared family spaces, disable voice chat and text-messaging features where possible, and regularly check what they are watching or playing. Talk to your children in simple, age-appropriate ways about what to do if something online makes them feel uncomfortable. And remember: you don’t have to allow it just because “other children are doing it”.

Be mindful when handing over your phone to your young one to play with. Unrestricted access to your YouTube or social media accounts (such as Snapchat, and others) can expose them to unsuitable content.

By staying informed and involved, we give our preschoolers the best chance of enjoying the good parts of the online world while staying protected from the dangers. Technology is here to stay, and we have to approach it with our eyes open.

Here are some very good TEDTalks and YouTube videos that you may find helpful:

• Online safety for children by Emma Ackley, TEDTalk, 5 min.
https://youtu.be/-5GPdcJV0Ns?si=MxA7uHH0XiZ4cGRx

• Protecting our children from online predators by Sabrina Stratford, TEDTalk, 10 min.
https://youtu.be/kvEO1QQ2mVY?si=1uAiqnC7ClMf194J

• How To Talk To Your Child About Internet Safety by Nicholeen Peck, YouTube, 11 min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oreUWSuYmZs

• Internet safety for children by Elza Dunkels, TEDx, 10 min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N7JTTvxm_A

Aunty Sev

Come to school dressed in South African sporting heroes colours on Thursday 11 June to support our soccer champions!
09/06/2026

Come to school dressed in South African sporting heroes colours on Thursday 11 June to support our soccer champions!

This week we said "Hello!" to June! As the days get colder and shorter, we keep ourselves alive in anticipation for upco...
06/06/2026

This week we said "Hello!" to June! As the days get colder and shorter, we keep ourselves alive in anticipation for upcoming Father's Day fun! The little ones will be working very hard here at Little Star Educare Centre to produce only the best of masterpieces for their loving fathers. ✨

31/05/2026

The Last of Autumn Fun! Our warm sunny days are officially coming to an end, so we'd love to take it as an opportunity to reflect on all the learning and growth our Little Stars have experienced this Autumn. Now we're excitedly preparing for the Winter fun to begin!

This Summer has undoubtedly been too hot to handle at times, so we at Little Star are truly excited for the Autumnal Equ...
17/03/2026

This Summer has undoubtedly been too hot to handle at times, so we at Little Star are truly excited for the Autumnal Equinox happening on Friday! 🍂

As the Sun crosses the equator, days will begin to cool and shorten so that day and night are both roughly 12 hours long! This much needed break from the extreme heat we've faced in February will last about 90 days.

The full moon closest to the autumnal equinox is known as the Harvest Moon. This year's Harvest Moon was on the 3rd of March.

The Autumnal Equinox is a time for festivals worldwide, such as the Japanese tradition of Higan, which commemorates loved ones. In China and Vietnam, it is celebrated with the Moon Festival and moon cakes! Here in South Africa, it marks the preparations for Easter (even though stores seem to prepare in Feb!)🐇

Address

24 Riverside Road
Amanzimtoti
4126

Opening Hours

Monday 07:00 - 17:30
Tuesday 07:00 - 17:30
Wednesday 07:00 - 17:30
Thursday 07:00 - 17:30
Friday 07:00 - 17:30

Telephone

+27796034778

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