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| Wishing you a happy end to 2008 |
Our eNewsletter This is our last eNewsletter for 2008. Fortnightly 'sends' will start again from February 6. You can invite other playgroup members to receive our eNewsletters by following the link at the bottom of this page. Or simply ask your fellow playgroupers to supply an email address when they complete their membership details early in 2009 - don't forget our eNews not only contains the latest playgroup news there are regular advertisers and prize giveaways too!
Grant news Congratulations to Hamersley Playgroup which received a Lotterywest grant of $9352 earlier in the year for new toys, puzzles and playgroup equipment. A Hamersley playgroup member told us: "Our toy store room is now filled almost to overflowing, giving our children a great selection of quality play experiences." Click here for more information on grants for your playgroup. Intergenerational Playgroups Have you discovered the benefits of Intergenerational Playgroups? Click here for more information.
End of year thank you We wish you a very special, safe holiday season and a happy New Year and we hope to see you back in 2009. (Don't forget our office will be closed from Friday 19 December 2008 and will re-open at 9am on Monday 19 January 2009.) For those families graduating and moving on to kindergarten in 2009 - we wish you all the very best and hope you leave playgroup with fond memories! There are many ways you can stay involved with Playgroup WA after your children graduate - call Tracy on 1800 171 882 and ask for more information on our volunteering opportunities in 2009! Tips to end the year on a high As the playgroup year comes to an end it might be timely to do a bit of housekeeping to make the return to playgroup less stressful for the committee and even more enjoyable for all families! Here are some tips to help make the most of the last few playgroup weeks of the year: Ask session leaders (or a volunteer) to ask all playgroup families if they will be returning to playgroup in 2009. If you find your numbers are dwindling - seek help now and call our Hotline on 1800 171 882 and talk to one of our Development Officers who can help you with promotional ideas. If you're an incorporated playgroup and you have yet to hold your AGM - start planning now. See your playgroup manual for AGM tips or speak with one of our Development Officers for additional support. Start gathering support for committee member roles for the 2009 year! (Don't forget to contact our office for a committee handover pack designed to make the transition for new committee members easier.) Discuss whether your playgroup will celebrate Christmas - an end-of-year party can be great fun without the need for presents/special festive foods, decorations and someone dressing as a Christmas character. Plan a 'busy bee' to clean the playgroup toys, meeting room and play area (throw out any broken items/toys, label shelves and do a 'quick' stock take so the new year starts on a high).
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| National Playgroup Week 2009 - Major Sponsor Announced |
Playgroup Australia is delighted to announce Tyres & More as the major national sponsor for next year’s National Playgroup Week (22-28 March). This is the 2nd year that Tyres & More have sponsored the week and we are excited to have their support again for 2009. Stay tuned for more news about the week, including ways for local event organisers to get involved in this Australia wide week of celebration. Click here for more info. Tyres & More makes car care child’s play with 73 stores Australia-wide to cater for the needs families and their cars. When you bring your car to Tyres & More you can also bring your children. Most showrooms have play tables and toys to keep little ones occupied while your car is being looked at. Tyres & More is Australia’s largest network of trained child restraint fitters, they can install a new restraint for $35 or simply check your existing one. Tyres & More are tyre specialists. To keep your family safe they can recommend the right tyre from the easy to understand Yokohama range. Or you can choose your own tyre at http://www.tyresandmore.com.au/ in just “4 Easy Steps”. To keep the maintenance of your car under one roof, many Tyres & More stores can also perform log book servicing. That’s why we say “Tyres & More makes car care child’s play”. |
| Toddlerfest returns to Scitech |
Last time it was so popular, there was pram gridlock! This time all the fantastic activities, performances and information are back for an extended two weeks. Toddlerfest returns with more space and time to crawl, build, explore, touch, squeeze, create and learn. Parents can get information about children’s development, learning through play, health, nutrition and activities to do at home. Toddlerfest brings the whole community together with support from Ngala, Playgroup WA and Kidsafe. Scitech is where kid’s brains go to play. Don’t miss out on this special program. Group bookings are essential and can be made through Scitech’s booking office on 9215 0740 or click here. |
| Holiday Safety - Stay Safe this Summer |
Water activities, travel, festive celebrations and new toys are what make holidays and summer-time so exciting for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, these factors are also what can increase children’s risk of injury. During summer 2007-2008, 2926 children attended the PMH emergency department with an injury. This is 43 more than during the same period the previous year. The good news is that most of these injuries can be prevented. Kidsafe WA's Summer Safety Campaign started earlier this month and the organisation is offering Holiday Safety educational sessions and presentations to groups on request - for information on the Summer Safety Campaign, or to enquire about having Kidsafe run an education session or presentation, contact Kidsafe WA on (08) 93408509 , email or click here to be redirected to its website. Here are a few safety tips for the summer months (visit the Kidsafe website for more holiday tips): Always supervise children when in and around water. Children under 5 have the highest risk of drowning. Most occur when they are playing near water. Children can get into water quickly and silently without parents being aware. Older children are most likely to drown when swimming in a river, lake, ocean or other open body of water. They may be comfortable swimming in a pool but not understand the risks in other types of water. Don't neglect the supervision of small children during family gatherings and holiday parties. Consider hiring a sitter or designating a family member to be responsible for small children at all times. Festive decorations can cause a number of injuries to children such as choking and suffocation, electrical burns and cutting/piercing injuries. Ensure that decorations are out of reach of small children. Be sure to use appropriate car seats and seat belts for your child’s weight and age. If you are borrowing someone else’s car, arrange ahead of time to borrow or rent the appropriate car seat for your child.
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| The Play Room |
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Phone:
Freecall 1800 171 882
(08) 9228 8088 |
Fax:
(08) 9228 3203 |
Street Address:
1-3 Woodville Lane
North Perth WA 6006 |
Postal Address:
PO Box 61
North Perth WA 6906 |
Email:
hotline@playgroupwa.com.au |
Web:
www.playgroupwa.com.au |
| Giveaway: recipes for fussy eaters |
As most parents know, it is common for children to develop fussy eating habits at some stage throughout their development. Australian authors Jo Fiedler and Greg Knagge have produced two books to help parents of fussy eaters. Cauliflower Conspiracy, Advice and Recipes for Parents of Fussy Eaters (RRP $29.95) by Jo Fiedler is filled with strategies and healthy recipes to help encourage children to eat healthier. I Only Like Toast by Greg Knagge and Jo Fiedler (RRP $16.95) is a delightful children's book that tells the story of a little girl with a big attitude who is determined not to try any food other than toast. The book is designed to help parents and children talk about the importance of healthy eating away from the dinner table. If you would like to win a twin pack of these two titles, simply email your name, address and Playgroup WA membership number to us by 10am Friday 12 December - please note, only winners will be contacted. For more information about these books click here or ask at your local bookstore. |
| Giveaway: MikyB |
MikyB has unveiled its latest range of Rash Shirts for summer with a number of Long Sleeve rash shirt designs (usually really hard to find) now available. The rash vests range in sizes from 0-1 to 8-9 and are priced from $28. Click here to view the full range. We have four prize packs to giveaway - consisting of one rash shirt of the winner's choice plus a Wiggles SPF30+ Sun Family Sun lotion (valued at $41.95 each). For a chance to win one, simply email your name, address and Playgroup WA membership number to us by 10am Friday 12 December - please note, only winners will be contacted. |
| Movie Masters - Tales of Despereaux |
Would you like to be one of the first families in the State to see the new family animation Tales of Despereaux coming to cinemas January 8? Movie details: Once upon a time, in the faraway kingdom of Dor, a terrible accident has caused the sunlight to disappear and the world has become dreary gray. Until Despereaux Tilling is born. A brave and virtuous mouse, Despereaux is simply too big for his small world. Though tiny, wheezy and saddled with comically oversized ears, Despereaux refuses to live a life of weakness and fear. So begins an epic tale of bravery, forgiveness and redemption in which one tiny creature will teach a kingdom that what you look like doesn’t equal what you are. Featuring the voice talent of: Sigourney Weaver, Tracy Ullman, Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, Stanley Tucci, William H Macy, Kevin Kline, Robbie Coltrane and Emma Watson. We have 10 double passes to a preview screening of the movie at Grand Cinemas Warwick on Sunday January 4. For a chance to win a pass, simply email your name, address and Playgroup WA membership number to us by 10am Friday 12 December - please note, only winners will be contacted. |
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