Congratulations to Xavier B and his family on the birth of baby sister Harper and to Zara C and her family on the arrival of baby sister Olivia.

Welcome to Term Two!  I hope you were all able to enjoy your ‘home Easter’.  Those children who have resumed preschool this week have enjoyed catching up with their preschool friends and educators. Library and music will go ahead as usual for the term so do not forgot your library bag each Wednesday. For those of you who are at home, thank you for the photos, pictures, videos and mail you have sent.  Keep an eye on your mailbox over the next week. The photos included are some of the activities children have engaged in at the ELC and during the holidays which could be implemented at home.  We would LOVE for you to record yourself, a family member or a friend reading a story for us to share with the children.  Alternatively why not send us a video of a puppet show, a dance, cooking, a science experiment, introducing your pet, playing an instrument or your child saying a hello?  Photos and posted items are also welcome.

Covid-19 adjustments

St Jude’s ELC will remain open unless advised otherwise by the health authorities. I will email you if the centre is advised to close.  The same hygiene measures and adjustments that were implemented last term will remain in place:

-Birthday and other celebrations - if you are sending food in for the class to help celebrate an occasion, it needs to be pre-packaged and have ingredients listed (still in packaging)

-No fruit shop

-Pick up from 2:50-3pm from Preschool Program. Your child and a staff member will meet you at the back gate. Please ensure you are social distancing whilst waiting for your child.

-Children and staff to wash hands with soap on arrival

-Keep children at home when they are unwell

Further to this:

<-Dress ups and cushions have been removed from classrooms

<!-All of our educators have completed the Department of Health’s Covid-19 training

<!-No food will be provided during After School Care

<!-Staff will sign your child in and out on the IPad

<!-Children will spend as much time outside as possible.  Please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather.

<-Cooking will not be included in any programs

Families who are unsure about sending their children to the ELC are encouraged to contact the 24/7 National Coronavirus Health Information Line 1800020080. Catholic Education have information for families on the Catholic Education website: COVID-19 information and resources page.

Drop off and pickup - Due to social distancing and to minimise the spread of germs, we have adjusted our pick up and drop off routines.  Families and carers are required to wait at the preschool gate until 9am when a staff member will welcome your child in.  Families and carers will need to say goodbye at the gate.  From 2:50 each afternoon a staff member will be at the gate to dismiss your child to you when you arrive.  When weather permits, note pockets will be hung on the preschool fence next to the gate.  For children attending Seahorse programs (before and after school care) a staff member will greet you at the sunroom door.  Thank you all for your understanding.