MCCC Committee Newsletter
November 2013
From the President
A warm welcome to all families, particularly those new to the Centre. I was pleased to be re-elected as your President at the AGM in October, and I look forward to continuing the work we have been doing throughout the year. We are delighted to welcome Claire Bulbul, Carly Moulang, Andy Ruddock and Katie Wyatt as new members to the Committee. We wish outgoing members Amanda Robertson and Helen Whiteside all the best as their children transition to school.
As we are a parent committee-managed centre we believe it is important to let you, the families we represent, know what we have been up to and what we are planning to do.
My fortnightly (and ad hoc) meetings with the Centre Director continue, where we discuss and manage ongoing operational decisions. I am hoping that during 2014 we can move beyond mostly operational issues and develop a more strategic approach that specifically supports the management team and makes their jobs easier.
As you would be aware, after the storm on 17 October we experienced damage to the external area and now have a situation where some of our outdoor space is unable to be used. We are in discussions with Monash about this, but currently there is no estimated time for the works to take place.
Another significant activity that has been undertaken over the last few months has been the licence agreement with Monash. We are all hopeful that the agreement will be signed before year end. As part of this agreement staff of the Centre are now considered affiliate staff of the university. This gives them access to the library, medical services, the gym and carparking amongst other benefits. The university has now also committed to absorbing most of the maintenance costs and will paint the building on an as-needs basis (rather than every 7 years). Monash have also committed to the professional development day. We are very excited by these outcomes and they represent a significant step forward in the relationship between Monash and the Centre.
As always we welcome your input and I am only too happy to answer any queries you might have. Any parent is welcome to attend any of our committee meetings, which will be starting again in January. I wish you all a happy and healthy festive season.
Erica Brady,
President of MCCC Parent Management Committee
What's on the agenda this month?
- MCCC Constitution
- Renewal of licence agreement with Monash
- End of year celebrations
- Storm damage to external area
- Introduction of donation facility to benefit the Centre
MEET THE COMMITTEE
Erica Brady - President
Being on the committee gives me a great opportunity to
be involved with the people who have so much influence
in my child’s life (Meg - kinder). I feel privileged in being able to share the skills I have to help create a great centre for everyone. As President I am involved in nearly every aspect of the centre, the most rewarding element for me being my regular chats with Ruki.
Helen Vu - Treasurer
Being a member of the committee gives me an opportunity to support the hard‐working staff of MCCC and families by ensuring the financial viability of the centre that is valued by all. I cherish the greater involvement in the centre that is my lovely daughter’s (Chelsea - toddler room) second home and extended family.
Dinah Humphries - Secretary
Iggy Kosny
We started at the centre shortly ater moving to Melbourne from Toronto, Canada in January 2012. We were welcomed very warmly by everyone at the centre and the kids (Amelia ‐ kinder, Oliver ‐ toddler room) settled in beautifully ‐ I think they are even picking up Aussie accents (my husband is Australian so he's quite pleased). I participated a bit more in centre activities while on maternity leave but once I went back to work it was difficult, so I was looking for a new way to get involved… and the parents' committee was a great option. I look forward to meeting more parents this coming year and seeing you at all of our centre events!
Claire Bulbul
Rachel Saffer
When the opportunity came up to be part of this committee and work on a committee newsletter, I jumped at the chance. I feel it is important to be involved in the care our children receive, if at all possible. This committee and the centre management and staff are wonderful, and it has been a pleasure to watch my daughter’s (Emma - toddler room) enthusiasm, confidence and cognitive and physical development grow so naturally through her engagement in the wide range of activities offered by the centre.
Carly Moulang
Katie Wyatt
Andy Ruddock
I'm Senior Lecturer in Communications and Media Studies at Monash. I teach and write about the social influence of the media. More importantly, I'm Zhenni's dad. I'm originally from England, and Jian, my partner, is from China. We enrolled Zhenni, now in the toddler room, at the centre when she was just 6 months old. I'm embarrassed to say that I had no idea how important early education was until I saw Zhenni blossom under the expert care of the educators. We all love coming to the centre, and I'm happy to have this opportunity to participate in such a valuable resource.
Glenn Melvin
ART CARD FUNDRAISER
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know… that the Centre has an Active Play Healthy Lifestyle Policy? This policy discusses many aspects of promoting a healthy lifestyle to children and families within the curriculum at the service. This includes:
- considering the use of “screen time” as a teaching resource for children’s learning within the educational program, and limiting children’s access to “screen time” to 10 minutes per child per day at the Centre
- providing information for families to encourage them to closely supervise their child’s computer/screen usage
- acting as positive role models by engaging in physical activity and modelling healthy life choices
- providing age-appropriate traffic safety education, including pedestrian and passenger safety to both children and families at the Centre.
This policy also includes the following responsibilities for families:
- encouraging children to exercise by engaging in active play, and walking or riding a bike to the Centre, where appropriate
- discussing appropriate road traffic safety and car safety practices, and role-modelling this behaviour en route to and from the Centre.
Do you take the opportunity to discuss road safety with your child on the way to childcare? There are so many opportunities to support children's learning in conjunction with what is happening in the Centre.
If you have any input, ideas or queries about the policies of the Centre, please contact our Secretary (Dinah) or Rukmini.
Wanting to give back to the Centre?
Monash Caulfield Childcare Centre can now accept tax deductible donations from individuals for the benefit of our Centre. As a not-for-profit Centre, your support will allow us to purchase new play equipment, books, toys, etc that would not be possible otherwise.
If you would like to give back to the Centre, donations (paid by credit card) can be made at this link:
http://community.monash.edu.au/caulfieldchildcare
We thank you for your support.
RECENT EVENTS
Miniature Railway Social Event
Working Bee
Thank you to all the parents who were able to assist at the Working Bee on Saturday 16th November.
A huge amount of work was done, and the majority of the tasks/jobs/repairs in the list were completed. Everyone was very enthusiastic about the day, and everyone worked well together. It was a good sight to see, particularly as this was the first time for some of us parents. Thank you also to Nami for keeping us all well fed on the day.
A big thanks to James Wong for coordinating the working bee. We really appreciate all his time and effort!
AGM
Thank you to everyone who attended and reported at the AGM on Tuesday 15th October. It was wonderful to welcome some new people to the Committee, but also sad to farewell some outgoing members. A warm welcome to Claire Bulbul, Carly Moulang, Andy Ruddock and Katie Wyatt.
UPCOMING EVENTS
End of Year Party
Come to the year-end summer party for a ROAAAAAARING GOOD TIME!
Music! Entertainment! Face painting! Dancing! Yummy Food!
Come dressed as your favorite animal and celebrate another great year at the MCCC!
$20 per family.
Sign-up sheet will be available in the foyer.
Friday, Dec 13, 2013, 05:30 PM
22-24 Derby Road, Caulfield East, Victoria, Australia
Party helpers needed
Happy Holidays!
The Centre closes on Friday 20th December and will be back open on Tuesday 7th January.
Monash Caulfield Child Care Centre Parent Management Committee
Email: dinah@flowerpotproductions.com.au
Website: http://monashcaulfieldchildcare.vpweb.com.au/
Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=Monash%20Child%20Care%2C%20Derby%20Road%2C%20Caulfield%20East%2C%20Victoria%2C%20Australia&hl=en
Phone: 03 9903 2366