Lindfield Activity Centre
Term 2 Newsletter
President’s Reflection
I am very proud of the efforts Dale, Elyse
and the Educational Team have taken to
improve the centres performance, and
look forward to the upcoming exciting
new activities and events. This is your
community centre operated by the
community; so if you have an idea or
would like to lead or participate in an
activity please do not hesitate to contact
the centre.
James O’Hehir
Educational Leader’s
Reflection
Term 1 was an exciting time for me in my
new role. I have got to know the National
Quality Framework and My Time, Our
Place very well through researching fun
and engaging activities to program into
our daily routine. Alongside staff I have
also helped to create a new menu and
documentation process for measuring
children’s wellbeing at the service. I look
forward to another great term!
Elyse Johnson
Educator’s Reflection
Term 1 was a fantastic start to the year. It
has seen great improvements to the
menu and afternoon activities, which has
given the children more variety to their
daily routine. The current and future
changes will make LAC an exciting place to
be in Term 2 for both staff and kids.
Daniel Cutting
Volume 1 Issue 1
Term 1 Overview
In the spirit of the New Year, Lindfield Activity Centre has
decided to make a few very important changes to the way we
operate this Term. Our primary aim is to make the centre a
more fun, engaging and inclusive place for children and
families who use this service.
In terms of activities, this term we have created a new arts
and crafts program where we provide children with craft
activities at least once a week, which are aligned with the
weekly theme in the program.
We are also working towards programming more structured,
interactive and inclusive sports and games into the daily
routine alongside free play. Along with this, we have created a
new Kindergarten area on Level 2, as we recognize the
emotional and social importance of creating strong
relationships in the first years of school.
We have also begun implementing some much-anticipated
changes to our menu. Healthier options are now more widely
available for breakfast and afternoon tea. These changes were
made in line with Healthy Eating guidelines for OSHC centres.
The creation of a LAC website is underway with the aim of
creating a stronger communication platform for parents and
the community.
Finally, starting this Term our Environmental Sustainability
program will be commencing with the establishment of a herb
and veggie garden and worm farm. The aim is to make children
more aware of environmental sustainability and the small
steps they can take to make the LPS community greener.
Issue #: [Date]
The National Quality Standard
The National Quality Standard sets a new National
benchmark for the quality of education and care
services. The National Quality Standard is divided into
seven Quality Areas:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Educational program and practice
Children’s health and safety
Physical environment
Staffing arrangements
Relationships with children
Collaborative partnerships with families and
communities
7. Leadership and service management.
The National Quality Standard aims to promote:
-
The safety, health and wellbeing of children
A focus on achieving outcomes for children
through high-quality educational programs
-
Families’ understanding of what distinguishes
a quality service.
You will see information about the NQF and NQS
on the wall behind Dale’s desk. For more
information visit: http://www.acecqa.gov.au
Dolor Sit Amet
Changes underway at LAC
Updating the Centre’s Policies and Procedures
We are currently updating the Policies and Procedures for
the Centre in line with the new Education and Care Services
National Law and Regulations. We anticipate these changes
will be finalised by the end of Term 2.
LAC website development
We are in the process of creating a LAC website to enable
greater communication with parents and the community.
The website will provide information on the operation of the
centre, enrollment, programming, operating information
and the NQF. If you have any recommendations for website
development please let us know!
Document Tray
A document tray will soon be placed next to the sign-in
sheets with any relevant information for parents as well as
Enrollment forms, Authorization forms, Tutorial and
Activities forms and medical management plans. Please
check this on a regular basis to stay up to date.
Technology
We have recently upgraded our technology suite to enable
more effective planning and operation. Staff will be using
iPads to document and observe activities in line with the
requirements outlined in the National Quality Framework.
The iMac is now used by Staff to plan the program and for
general administrative tasks.
The changing role of Staff at LAC
“The changes to Lindfield Activity Centre have had
a really positive effect on all of Year 6 and other
Years too. K-2 being separated from 3-6 makes
meal times faster, giving us more time to play and
all the new equipment makes playing even better.
Making Meeting outside speeds everything up,
even if it is a little loud sometimes. Also the tables
and chairs outside mean that more people can sit
on them instead of the ground.
The changes at LAC have done everything to make
the kid’s afternoon more fun. I know that you will
agree that the changes to LAC get everyone’s smile
of approval.” 
Under the National Quality Framework staff are now defined
as Educators. Educators are practitioners whose primary
function in Australian school aged care settings is to plan and
implement programs that support children’s learning and
development.
As part of this role Educators are required to assess and
reflect children’s wellbeing and how this is achieved. You will
see this in practice through the everyday interactions we
have with children, as well as the writing of observations to
help us measure each child’s wellbeing in the centre.
The visual displays on the iMac, the Blackboard and the
various displays on the walls are a medium for Educators to
reflect with Parents and children on the activities children
have been engaging with.
If you have any queries about this process please feel free to
speak with Elyse Johnson the Educational Leader at the
Centre or any other member of staff.
Claudia Elbourne- Year 6
2
Issue #: [Date]
Dolor Sit Amet
Programming
You will notice that each week at LAC
will be focused around a particular
theme. This will reflect the questions
we ask children each day on the
blackboard, the crafts we do and even
the structured activities.
Special Programs
As part of our program we aim to have at least two Special
Programs to come to the centre each Term. This is aimed at being
both educational and fun.
For example, on Friday in Week 2 we are having the Taronga
Zoomobile visit the centre to teach the children about Aboriginal
Dreamtime stories in an interactive way through the use of native
Australian animals. This is part of our theme for the next week on
learning more about Indigenous culture. Through this we aim to
foster a greater respect for and knowledge of Australia’s
Indigenous population, the history of our area and Australian native
animals.
Art and craft will be programmed at
least twice a week to give children the
ability to express themselves
creatively. Colouring-in is also
available daily, along with plain paper
and crayons for drawing.
Sport and physical activity has always
been an integral part of the LAC
experience. However, we are aiming
to make more structured group
activities available for children who
wish to participate along with free
play.
Cooking will also be available as a
structured activity at least twice a
week. Children are taught about
nutrition, cooking techniques and
good hygiene practices in the kitchen.
Kindy Zone
My Time, Our Place
The Kindy zone is a new space for
Kindergarten children to use play
equipment in structured activities and
through free play. This space is aimed
at helping children make friendships in
their first year at school. Other children
are encouraged to join in with Kindy’s,
but not to dominate the space.
At LAC our program is structured to
meet the Learning Outcomes in My
Time, Our Place the Framework for
School Aged Care. This encourages
children’s engagement in a range
of play and leisure experiences that
allow them to feel happy, safe and
relaxed, and to interact with
friends, practice social skills, solve
problems, try new experiences,
and learn life skills.
3
Issue #: [Date]
Dolor Sit Amet
Changes to the Menu
This Term the Staff reviewed the current menu and decided that we needed to
make a few changes to provide more healthy options. At breakfast children
now have the option of choosing from three cereals (Wheat Bix, Rice Bubbles
& Corn Flakes) as well as our usual selection of toast and milo. Pancakes are
also provided once a week as a special treat.
Breakfast time at LAC
“Every time my friends and I walk into the
Centre we love looking at the amazing
designs on the blackboards. Afterwards we
have some healthy fruit and sandwiches.
Then we go play or do some of the awesome
craft, which is now happening more often.
We think the Centre has changed back and
better than ever!”
Lucy Johnston- Year 5
We are also introducing a few new afternoon snacks such as jaffles, mini
muffins and anzac cookies to give children a more balanced assortment of
foods.
This decision was made in line with Health Eating guidelines for OSHC centres
as well as the opinions of children who attend the centre.
A note on allergies and dietary requirements: please make sure you notify Dale
of any allergies and dietary requirements your child may have so that we can
make efforts not to serve such food on days your child is attending the service.
It is advised that if your child has a severe allergy or special dietary requirement
that you provide the Centre with a dietary plan, or alternatively we can create
one with you.
New Staff
You will have noticed we have a few new Staff at LAC
this term. Here is a little information about them:
Leon is studying Commerce & Psychology at
Macquarie University. In his spare time he likes
drawing and listening to music. At LAC Leon loves
doing craft and playing games with the kids.
Caitlin is studying a Bachelor of Media at UNSW. In
her spare time she loves playing Netball &
photography. At LAC she loves playing games on
Level 3.
Andrew is studying Medical Science at UNSW. He
enjoys surfing and has jumped out of a plane on
purpose. He loves teaching the kids to play pool, and
playing handball of course.
Lachlan is studying Commerce and Arts at Macquarie.
He loves watching and playing sport, so its only
natural that he enjoys playing handball with the kids
and colouring in.
Scott is studying a Bachelor of Science majoring in
Chemistry at the University of Sydney. In his spare
time he enjoys playing video games. At LAC he loves
playing handball and tip with the kids.
Useful Links
My Time, Our Place
http://www.mytimeourplace.com.au/index.html
ACECQA
http://www.acecqa.gov.au/
Child Australia
https://www.childaustralia.org.au/
Australian Dietary Guidelines
http://www.eatforhealth.gov.au/
ASCIA- Allergy Information & Resources
http://www.allergy.org.au/
If you would like any information regarding the
Centre, or would like to be involved in the
Management Committee please contactlacentre@outlook.com.