News
Emotional Wellbeing in Children
Today, there are Professionals on hand that work closely with Parents and Child Care Centres to bring out the best in our kids. We talk with Sally Gage from Highly Sensitive Kids who is a Counsellor, Teacher, Author, and Mother about her role working with children. Sally is a specialist counsellor with a passionate interest in the emotional development of young children, ‘the families I work with have children who seem ‘different,’ more reactive, more easily upset, more affected by everything in their environment’. Statistics show most Directors will have a couple of children like this in every group. Until recently, the approach taken with a sensitive child was to either ignore the child’s disposition or to take a medical approach. ‘I encourage as a first step, a temperament approach rather than rushing into the medicalised model of diagnosis and disorders. This way unnecessary angst, expense and labels can be avoided’. Research demonstrates that 15-20% of children have what is termed a Highly Sensitive nervous system. The research term is Sensory Processing Sensitivity. It is genetically determined however environment, like many aspects of early childhood, plays a large part in its expression. High Sensitivity is considered normal but being a minority is often misunderstood. It isn’t well known in Australia as most research and discussion takes place in Europe and USA. It is not Autism, Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, or Asperger’s however at times there are similarities. There are three parts to High Sensitivity The child reads and takes in MORE of the environment through all senses. This doesn’t mean the actual senses are better but they perceive more. They then process this information more thoroughly in the brain- analysis, interpret and try to make sense of all experiences. Finally, they have stronger emotional reactions - They can be so happy they could burst or so worried it becomes difficult to function. A research validated checklist can be found at www.highlysensitivekids.com.au. This is a tool to assist in recognising the sensitive temperament. The biggest problem for highly sensitive children is overstimulation. When parents understand how their child experiences the world and modify their expectations and interactions a wonderful deep connection can develop. Daily family life becomes less stressful for all which then feeds in to improved self-esteem and resilience for the highly sensitive child. For the children in your care that have sensitivity, Sally comes highly recommended and offers mentoring in person or via Skye. The program promotes a tailored strategy for each child to improve emotional wellbeing. SALLY GAGE - B. ED. DIP. COUNS. 0478 305 843 • sally@highlysensitivekids.com.au www.highlysensitivekids.com.au
Learn more
The New Face of Prestige Childcare
There is a new breed of childcare centre emerging, and they are highly sort after. We speak with owner Jane Matthews from Sage Education and Childcare located in Canberra’s CBD. This is an exceptional centre! ‘We have a vision that our centre will be unique and at the forefront of the industry. This is our foundation’. Too true, with services you find in a hotel, it certainly gets your attention. Having owned and operated childcare centres previously on the south coast, the couple saw a gap in Canberra's prestige childcare market. Hats off to Jane and Stephen Matthews as they have stepped it up and delivered a multi-million dollar facility that meets the ‘Prestige’ Label they were seeking. Let me indulge you in a few of their premium services. The doorman service brings peace to morning drop off. Instead of haggling for a park and juggling babies, toddlers and bags in a carpark, drop off is a breeze as a team member meets you curb side to escort your child in. If you do come in with your child, parents can grab their morning coffee from a barista during signing in. They have a hatted chef serving restaurant quality food including kale, gnocchi, salmon, lamb ragu and quinoa. Chef Josh Tyler uses BurraBee Farm produce and sources from the garden beds lining the building. No need to be envious of your child’s lunch as they offer a take home service at a fee, so you can have your dinner ready for pick up when you collect your child. ‘As working parents ourselves, we understand the importance of work/life balance and the integral role childcare can play in this area. With this in mind we have designed our service not only on convenience for families, but also upholding high expectations in all aspects of our service’. The jaw dropping facilities is just the icing, because any parent will testify, the Sage team are just as focused with the developmental and educational outcomes for the children attending. Jane and Stephen have thought of everything. I am delighted to add that high expectations also means incredibly approachable and friendly. One could imagine a centre of this standard to be elitist or hoyty-toyty, but instead a beautiful team of down to earth carers and staff. Thank you to Jane and the team at Sage for their time
Learn more
Linen Solutions for Family Day Care
Family day care is wonderful. Parents come to you looking for a more intimate caring arrangement and are more likely to bring the items you ask for. We love hearing from FDC providers, especially when they have kids are on their laps as they order linen. Kids feel special in choosing their preferred colour, and get excited when it gets delivered. CASE STUDY - Birrell Street Childcares in Bondi Junction orders a Deluxe Pack that includes a sheet set, blanket, bag, pen & bucket hat.
Learn more