Goodstart Early Learning Barton, ACT

World Picnic Day is a wonderful reminder to slow down, enjoy the outdoors, and spend quality time together.

Whether it's a picnic in the park, a backyard snack, or a simple morning tea outside, sharing food and conversations in nature creates meaningful memories for children and families.

Families can celebrate at home by packing a picnic basket, exploring a local park, reading a favourite book outdoors, or enjoying a meal together in the fresh air.

Sometimes the simplest moments become the most memorable ones.

We are passionate about creating a nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to learn through play, build friendships, and grow with confidence.

We are so grateful to be part of your family's journey and to watch your little ones thrive every day.

Our new Winter Dressing Station is helping children build independence and confidence as they learn to manage their own jackets and shoes. Through discussions about winter clothing and hands-on practice, the children are developing important self-help skills and taking greater responsibility for their belongings.

It has been wonderful to see children placing their jackets and shoes away after outdoor play and confidently asking for help when needed.

Extending this learning at home:
Families can support this learning by encouraging children to practise putting on jackets and shoes and packing away their belongings independently.

The children enjoyed bringing our Hungry Caterpillar story to life through a hands-on learning experience. They explored the foods the caterpillar ate throughout the week and took turns feeding the caterpillar using food cards.

As the children counted, compared quantities, and followed the sequence of days, they were developing important early numeracy skills while building confidence in group learning and turn-taking.

Extending this learning at home:
Families can support this learning by reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar, counting objects together, and talking about the days of the week during daily routines.

The children planted their bean seed experiments using autumn leaves as natural compost and explored what plants need to grow. As they compared the different seeds, they noticed that some had grown more than others, encouraging conversations about observation, growth, and cause and effect.

The planter has been placed near the window so the children can continue watching and documenting the changes as their seeds grow.

Extending this learning at home:
Families can plant seeds together and encourage children to observe and talk about the changes they see each day.

Our oceans are home to amazing plants and animals, and they play an important role in keeping our planet healthy.

World Ocean Day is a wonderful opportunity to help children learn about caring for the environment and protecting the life beneath the waves. Through simple everyday actions, we can all make a difference.

Extending this learning at home:
By reading ocean-themed books, talking about marine animals, reducing single-use plastics, or visiting a local beach, lake, or waterway and discussing how we can help keep it clean.

Wishing everyone a relaxing and enjoyable King's Birthday long weekend.

Whether you're spending time with family, catching up with friends, exploring Canberra, or simply taking a well-earned break, we hope the weekend brings you plenty of moments to recharge.

Please note that our centre will be closed for the public holiday and will reopen as usual the following day.

World Environment Day is a wonderful opportunity to encourage children to care for the world around them and learn how small actions can make a big difference.

At our centre, we support children in developing respect and appreciation for nature through everyday experiences such as recycling, caring for plants, saving water, and exploring the outdoor environment.

Extend this learning at home:
By going on a nature walk, planting something together, or talking about simple ways to care for our planet.

Together, we can help create a cleaner, greener future for everyone.

Our preschool children explored hand washing and wellbeing through doctor and nurse role play. As they cared for patients, dressed up, and discussed how germs spread, the children built a deeper understanding of why hand washing is important.

The children also created “model hands” using gloves, drew germs on them, and practised step-by-step hand washing routines to wash the germs away. This hands-on experience supported communication, critical thinking, independence, and self-care skills.

Extending this learning at home:
Families can support this learning by practising hand washing routines together, singing hand washing songs, or setting up simple doctor role play experiences at home.

The children explored shapes, colours, and textures using recycled cardboard, sticky contact paper, and colourful collage materials. They enjoyed naming shapes, counting sides, recognising colours, and feeling the different textures while strengthening their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination through hands-on play.

This experience encouraged creativity, problem-solving, and sensory exploration while building on the children’s growing interest in sustainability.

Extending this learning at home:
Families can encourage this learning by creating simple collage activities with recycled materials, exploring shapes around the home, or talking about colours and textures together during everyday play.