Welcome back!
For some, the Christmas holiday season is almost a distant reminder as our older children head back to school. At Playgroup NSW we are back on deck planning some great opportunities for members, sourcing new and wonderful resources, and focusing on providing the best and up-to-date information.This is the first of our monthly newsletters with information, activities, promotions and the popular giveaway section.
All the best for 2009 and we will look forward to hearing how wonderful your playgroup is.
World’s Biggest Playgroup bigger and better for 2009.
Were you one of the estimated 15,000 children and adults that came together last year at one of the more than 60 events Australia-wide to experience the World’s Biggest Playgroup? If you did, then you would know what a great day it is for all the family.
And if you haven’t yet experienced this fun event then hopefully you’ll join us this March 25.
The main event will again be held at Holroyd Gardens close to Parramatta in Sydney.
Last year the 3000 strong crowd enjoyed a wide range of activities and entertainment.
More than 100 playgroups from as far a field as the Blue Mountains, the Illawarra and the Northern Beaches brought their picnics and their sunhats and spent the day playing singing and generally just having a great time.
This year there will be more activities, more food options and more fun for everyone involved.
Win $1,000 for Your Playgroup competition.
We are especially fortunate to welcome back our State Sponsor Volvo this year with the popular Win $1,000 for Your Playgroup competition and additional prizes of miniature Volvo ride-on cars and Win a Volvo for the Weekend competition.
Many thanks to all of these companies for their generous support of this great day.
Playgroups and volunteers wishing to host a National Playgroup Week event can register by contacting Playgroup NSW on 1800 171 882 or email Jode at jmartin@playgroupnsw.com.au
Volvo driving prizes for National Playgroup Week.
Volvo joins us again this year to celebrate National Playgroup Week with some fantastic prizes to be won on the day.
$1000 is up for grabs for your own Playgroup as well as the chance to take a fabulous Volvo home for the weekend and a fun interactive road safety play area for the kids to enjoy.
Last year’s cash winner Milton Playgroup on the South Coast were able to help renovate their play area with great results.
So for your chance to win, enter on the day at the Volvo stand or click here. Good luck!
Thanks Volvo! We really appreciate your generous support!
Free eye testing for 4 year olds.
StEPS is the Statewide Eyesight Preschool Screening program, a NSW Health initiative offering all four year old children free vision screening.Children rarely complain of eye problems, may not realise they can’t see well or may have poor vision in only one eye.
Children’s eyes may look OK and parents or carers might think that their child can see well but some children might still have a vision problem
The only way to tell if there is a vision problem is to have the child’s vision tested one eye at a time.
The earlier the problem is detected and treated, the better the vision outcome.
Your local Area Health Service will target preschools, playgroups and child care centres to offer all four year old children free vision screening.
You can also have your child’s vision screened through your local Child & Family Health Service.
The StEPS program is a vision screening program and does not offer a full diagnostic assessment.
If you have any concerns about your child’s vision you are recommended to have your child’s vision tested fully by an eye health professional.
New Literacy and Numeracy cards teaching young children.
Free Early Childhood Literacy and Numeracy Cards will be sent to every Playgroup NSW member next week. Keep an eye on the letterbox for your set! The cards were developed to help support young children in learning to read, write and do math.The cards are the result of careful research into how young children learn and show how literacy and numeracy are developed through simple family activities and how these link to later learning at school.
Each card has a photo showing families involved in everyday interactions and a key literacy or numeracy message at the top. On the back of each is a description of what children and adults might say and do.
This is a high quality, innovative early childhood resource to nurture and support the early literacy and numeracy development of children from birth to five years.
You can access more of these resources, as well as others via the website www.dest.gov.au
Playgroup NSW welcomes Love Living partnership.
In a new fundraising partnership, Love Living joins Playgroup NSW in a new and exciting venture for 2009.
The online home shopping service is offering a minimum of 20 per cent of sales back to PlaygroupNSW from each order to support member resources and activities.
Go to the Playgroup NSW website, click on the LoveLiving banner and follow the prompts. There is a wonderful catalogue of products to choose from.
Members will receive a sample catalogue with a samll selection of quality products.
Happy shopping!
And to give you some free retail therapy right now because we know you love it, enter the giveaway to win 2 colourful container sets valued at $29.90. Entries close 27 February 2009.
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Fab 5! A FREE gift you can't live without! |
The perfect solution for heating and eating, these colourful airtight containers make meal times fun. With vented lids to allow steam to escape when reheating pre cooked food, you'll enjoy a splatter free microwave! Also safe for the freezer and dishwasher, the set of 5 measure 8cm, 9.5cm, 12.5cm, 15cm and 18cm in diametre.
Crayola Australia sponsors Playgroups NSW.
Crayola Australia is extremely proud to be working with Playgroup NSW in 2009. Having supplied children's product around the world for over 100 years, they appreciate the importance of early childhood development and applaud the work done by Playgroup Associations nationally.
Crayola look forward to working toward a common goal, the continued success of Playgroups around the country.
Thank you Crayola for your ongoing commitment and dedication to families with children 0-5 years, and looks forward to the years ahead with Crayola.
Winner of Aspen Parks accommodation prize.
Thank you to everyone who renewed their membership by the end of the last year. All the names went in to a draw to win a wonderful Aspen Parks accommodation package kindly brought to us by Holidays with Kids, Australia’s favourite family travel magazine. You can find the latest issue at newsagents or check out the website www.holidayswithkids.com.au for inspirational family holiday ideas.
And the lucky winner is…Gill Brown of Leichhardt Macauley Playgroup.
Haven't renewed your membership?
Click on the banner below to renew your membership and receive a free Imagination Movers DVD which has been kindly donated by our friends at Disney.
GIVEAWAY: Wilds Aussies Looking for a Numbat DVD
The Wild Aussies Looking For a Numbat DVD will capture the imagination of all ages and is a uniquely Australian way to learn how every little Aussies can make a positive difference.
Join in by singing and dancing your way around the great brown land as they go in search of the Mysterious Numbat.
Enter the giveaway for your chance to win one of 5 Wild Aussies DVDs. Entries close 27 February 2009. For more information check out the website www.wildaussies.com.au
Giveaway: Captain Bandanna
GIVEAWAY: Captain Bandanna Just Imagine CD
We know you will enjoy the ride! They will transport your children on delightful adventures and have them singing and dancing along in no time.
Enter the giveaway for your chance to win one of 5 CDs. Entries close 27 February 2009. For further information check out the website. www.captainbandanna.com.au