Why not check out:

• http://www.dialanangel.com/
• http://www.findababysitter.com.au/

You can search in the privacy of your own home for the nanny or babysitter of yours and your child’s dreams.

Please make sure you check references and qualifications. Remember this is the person that will be caring for your pride and joy so make sure you both fit.

Good Luck and happy searching!!!

That’s right its Childcare!!

Let’s start the new year with a bang! What are you waiting for?

We all know that children are our future so why not do your bit to help nurture and discover with the minds and bodies of tomorrow

We here at Atkinson Training and Development offer a variety of courses within the childcare field:

We offer courses face to face, correspondance and even a blended delivery of both, traineeships, RPL, University Mentoring and even consultancy. We pride ourselves on catering for each learners individual needs and strengths

If thats not enough we also run workshops to update your knowledge and skills. It’s a great way to meet and chat with people from our industry

So give us a call or email to arrange a time to come visit us, we have two colleges, one in Newcastle  and the other in Maitland, Travel is not an issue as we are within walking distance from trains and buses

Contact details: admin@atkinsontraining.com or 49261 092

Come on and join the fun 

This will include workshops to attend and even college open days!

If you would like to host a workshop at your childcare centre please contact atkinsontraining.com.au or 49261 092 to enquire or make a booking

She says quote:

The Hon Kate Ellis MP

 Minister for Early Childhood Education,

Child Care and Youth

Minister for Sport

I am pleased to announce that the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) have agreed to a new National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care, that will deliver:

•

lower staff-to-child ratios so each carer has more time to spend with each individual child

•

new qualification requirements for all early childhood education workers so staff can lead play and activities that children learn and develop

•

a new transparent quality ratings system, which will allow families to easily compare the quality on offer at different child care services so you can make informed decisions about the best care for your child, and

•

a new national body between the Australian Government and the states and territories to oversee the new standards

These changes build on the Rudd Government’s commitment to accessible, affordable and high quality care and will help give all Australian children the best start to life. The Rudd Government will also invest $13.1 billion over the next four years to help families with the cost of child care.

For further information on the National Quality Framework I encourage you to visit

www.mychild.gov.au

Thank you again for your support and for bringing your concerns on this important issue to my attention.

Yours sincerely

Please check out the webpage www.mychlid.gov.au

Keep up the great work!!

Cheers Nic

Wishing you all a very Happy and Safe Christmas and New Year

Looking forward to moving together towards a common goal in 2010

Our office will be closed from Christmas Eve the 24th til Monday the 5th of January 2010

Merry Christmas Everyone, Hope Santa finds you well and surrounded by loved ones this year

Our organisation was fully compliant in our VETAB audit and are moving to the new childcare packages at the start of next year, which means for you the learner more upto date information, skilled and passionate trainers all within a highly recognised Training Organisation

Enrol now for 2010 full-time courses

• CHC30708 Certificate III and
• CHC50908 Diploma of Children services 

Great Work Team!!!

Keep up the excellent work

There are many, many gifts, treasures and toys out and about this Christmas. Please ensure that you buy toys that are age appropriate, and to make sure that there is a safety rating.

Check over your loved ones gifts, are they safe? Are there any small parts that your younger child could swallow?

Sure it may be a bargin, it may save you $10 at the register but buying faulty, unsafe or inappropiate toys and gifts can cost alot more. 

Be safe this Christmas and Happy Shopping

Remember that toys and gifts wont last a lifetime, but the time you all spend together will forever be treasured, go on make some memories with your loved ones

Hands up for Quality – a win for young children at COAG!

A thank you message from Margaret Young, ECA National President

Thank you to all our members, subscribers and everyone who supported the Hands Up for Quality Campaign!

At the Council of Australian Governments on Monday, our voice was heard and there has been a real win for children! Thank you for your incredible efforts in achieving this outcome.

We have all done so well . . .

• more than 1,200 ‘Hands Up for quality’ e-cards were sent to Premiers and Chief Ministers and copied to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister Kate Ellis, many of them sharing personal experiences
• more than 50 organisations quickly signed up to a statement of support delivered to the Prime Minster and Heads of Government pre-COAG on Friday 4 December, as well as a lot of individual lobbying from your own organisations
• ECA directly lobbied ministers and senior political advisors nationally and at state level, arguing for commitment to high quality evidence based goals with regard to ratios and qualifications and staged implementation to make progress achievable for services and states that have further to go.

Read Margaret’s full message and learn about the agreed outcomes

Early Days is a National Government Initiative developed by the Early Days Collaboration (which is a partnerships of different organisations with expertise in Autism and parents) Parenting Research Centre is the National Coordinator of Early Days

Early Days provide workshops for parents and carers of young chidren within the ASD for FREE!!! Yes you heard me right for FREE. Their workshops include practical strategies to help with everyday life, they are linked with your local support services and all trainers are professional with experience in ASD

To find out more information please contact www.earlydays.net.au or freecall 1800 334 155

Early Intervention works and im so glad that there are dedicated people and programs here to help!

• Hoses are great fun, but remember the water restrictions so why not use a soaker hose. It is alot more fun to run through, it will water your grass as the children play and its less of a dent in your back pocket too
• Shopping centres are great, many of them have children’s playgrounds indoors, which are air conditioned. You could all go for a play, pick up some snacks for dinner and a cuppa!!
•  Why not freeze juice and fruit into iceblocks, this is a great treat the children can help you make and enjoy eating as a healthy snack, but remember to brush your teeth afterwards (fruit jouse is made up of acids and this will break down the enamel on your teeth)
• Bathtime, baths dont just have to be to get clean, you can fill up the bath half way and include tonnes of toys to play with, maybe even wash dolls clothes or the trucks.
• If you have a sandpit (please ensure it is under shade of some sort) wet the sand, or include a bucket of water (must be supervised at all times) hours of enjoyment.

Please remember if you are out in the sun

• Apply and re-apply suncream not only to yourself but to your children  
• Drink lots of water
• Keep in the shade

Have fun this summer if you do go to the beach, supervise your children the lifegaurds are not personal babysitters, and please swim between the flags

If your child complains of a headache good chances they are dehydrated, firstly ask them to drink plenty of water, keep in the cool and monitor (instead of reaching straight for the medications)

Enjoy your summer!!