That’s a wrap!
Wow, it’s hard to believe that another year is finishing up. 2021 was another unpredictable year that we all experienced. Although it was unpredictable, we hope it also provided us with many learning opportunities and growth as individuals, as families, as a team and as a community.
For the team at ORCELC, we learnt to think differently, we continued to learn new skills and be adaptable, and most importantly it instilled resilience in ourselves and our children. It hasn’t been an easy journey for everyone, but hopefully you are able to reflect and find some positives out of the past two years.
The next week and a bit we have fun Christmas activities for the children to enjoy so keep a look out on story park for pics.
May 2022 bring families back into the centre celebrating with us all, may our adventures expand outside these four walls and most importantly, we all have a relaxing and safe Christmas and New Year.
Highlights for 2021
- We reached an occupancy of 97% for LDC
- We have over 250 families enrolled in LDC or Kinder
- 84 children graduated kinder
- Kirsty and Bec D celebrated becoming mums again, with a few more educators expecting in 2022
- Vicki is getting married on the 18th December, with 2 other educators getting married in 2022
- Mary celebrated 5 years of employment at Y Whittlesea.
- Rosa and Beck won Individual awards
- ORCELC winning the circle of excellence team award for 2022
Graduation celebrations
This year we had over 80 children graduate from Sessional or LDC kindergarten programs. The children were presented with the certificates and sang a few songs that they selected. All families have been giving the opportunity to take home a gown to take family photos.
Families will receive the link very shortly, so families can sit down together to enjoy the celebration of your little one.
Once again, we say farewell to many families who will be departing the hallways of ORCELC as one of the inaugural enrolled families back in 2017. We thank you and wish all families who will be ceasing their journey at Orchard Road all the very best for the future. We hope to see you all again very soon around the community, or perhaps when you return with another child!
Myer windows competition
Once again, we held our “Myer’s” window competition. All rooms were inspired by a Christmas book to create a masterpiece on their windows. The team yet again has gone above and beyond with their creations this year.
Changes for 2022
Next year we will see some of our room names change and locations of our rooms. In 2022 we will have the following rooms:
Nursey – As is -12 children per day – 4 educators
Hungry Caterpillar – Located in the current Little Caterpillar room – 12 children a day- 4 educators
Cosy Cocoon – Located in the current Hungry Caterpillar room – 12 children a day – 4 educators
Busy Butterfly – Located in the current Cosy Cocoon room – 22 children a day – 4 educators
*3 Year old LDC Kinder – Located in current Busy Butterfly room – 1 ECT +2 educators
*4 year old LDC Kinder – Located in current Orchard room – 1 ECT +2 educators
* 3 & 4 year old LDC kinder is funded for 2022. Families who are requiring a LDC kinder program will be allocated to one of these rooms. Families who will be utilising 3 or 4 year old sessional kinder but requiring LDC on the same days as kinder or other days your child will be placed in the Busy butterfly room.
Orientations have commenced for children moving rooms in 2022. They have currently moved up with their peers to be able to explore their new environments.
Return procedures in 2022
We will be returning on Monday 10th of January 2022.
Fees will resume for families from this day. If families will be absent, please email the centre of your child’s absent period. School aged children will return for a short period, Vicki has already arranged this with families who indicated they need care prior to school or sessional kinder commencing.
Enrolment forms – All families should have by now completed your child’s enrolment form for 2022. If you are yet to complete this, please do so prior to the 23rd of December 2021. If you are having issues with completing this or the link has expired, please email orchardroad@ymca.org.au
Completing this form also requires families to update your child’s immunisation record from Medicare and any other relevant documentation – allergy plans, court order.
Fees – The direct debit process will continue to occur of the 2-week centre closure. If your account is up to date payments will not be debited. Depending on your cycle of payment (reminder all families you pay 1 week in advance) a payment may also be deducted. If you wish for the service to pause your payment over the Christmas break, then please contact orchardroad@ymca.org.au.
Please refer to previous emails regarding increase of fees in 2022.
Entering the building in 2022 – For the first week back at this stage families will still not be able to enter the building. Currently we are still on the advice from DET and our COVID safe plan. We are hoping and working towards everyone re entering the service in 2022, however for the first week back we will remain as we are for 2021. Families not entering the licensed space.
Bookings for 2022 – We have limited vacancies in particular rooms and certain rooms are already at capacity. If you believe you need to amend or cease your booking, please see Beck or Vicki immediately.
What to bring – On the first day back, all children need to ensure they have a sun hat, water/milk bottle, nappies and comfort items. All clearly labelled. Any child with a medical condition that require medication you must ensure your child’s medication plan has been renewed (from 1st of January to ensure validation for 12motns) prior to returning to care and that your child medication is pharmaceutical labelled. This includes sun cream, bottom cream, etc., to have a pharmaceutical label. For Y Whittlesea, seeking all medication and non-prescribed creams in 2022 MUST be labelled correctly from a pharmacist. Families who don’t provide this children will not be able to stay at the service that day.