First Five Early Learning Reservoir

This month we were delighted to welcome the wonderful team from Your Community Health Smile Squad for our annual dental visits with our 3 and 4-year-old Kindergarten children.

As part of this free community health initiative, families were offered dental checks to support their children’s oral health and wellbeing. The Smile Squad team made the experience engaging and positive, helping children feel comfortable and confident during their visit.

Children enjoyed listening to a story, learning about foods that help keep our teeth healthy, and exploring the best ways to brush and care for their teeth. These valuable experiences support children to develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime.

A big thank you to the Your Community Health Smile Squad team for partnering with us and helping to promote healthy smiles in our community!

Links to the National Quality Framework:
NQS Quality Area 2 – Children’s Health and Safety
Standard 2.1: Each child’s health and physical activity is supported and promoted.

Child Safe Standards
Standard 4: Families and communities are informed and involved in promoting child safety and wellbeing.
This partnership with families and community health professionals supports children’s wellbeing through access to preventative health services and education.

This week at First Five Early Learning Reservoir, we came together to celebrate National Reconciliation Week through meaningful experiences that encouraged connection, reflection and action ❤️💛🖤💙💚🤍

Our families and community embraced the All In for Reconciliation theme by contributing to an interactive pledge wall, sharing their commitments towards reconciliation and helping create a powerful visual display of collective action.
Casey, our Educational Leader, facilitated a service-wide Acknowledgement of Country, inviting children and educators to connect with Country through the sensory experience of exploring gum leaves—feeling their texture, noticing their scent and observing their unique features. Children also engaged with First Nations stories and perspectives through a video of Aunty Joy Murphy sharing the story of Bunjil the Eagle, and a virtual story time featuring Adam Goodes reading Walk With Us.

A key focus throughout the week was privileging First Nations voices and ensuring our learning experiences were informed by authentic resources created by First Nations people and local Elders.

Our family book nook was also transformed into a special display of First Nations books and resources, providing opportunities for ongoing conversations, learning and connection.

We thank our children, families and educators for being All In for Reconciliation and for continuing the journey of listening, learning and walking together.

NQS: Quality Area 1 – Educational Program and Practice, Element 1.1.2: Child-centred – Each child's current knowledge, strengths, ideas, culture, abilities and interests are the foundation of the program.
Child Safe Standards: Standard 1 – Organisations establish a culturally safe environment in which the diverse and unique identities and experiences of Aboriginal children and young people are respected and valued.

First Five Early Learning Reservoir offers families all day and all weather play for children in our indoor and outdoor playgrounds. No matter the weather or time of day children are afforded the choice of all day, outdoor play.

The design of playgrounds matters for children’s development and learning. Key components in the design of playgrounds for young children include fixed equipment, open space, portable equipment, natural or native elements and elements of risk.

Sandpits, slides, forts and swings are examples of fixed equipment which cater to the developmental and play needs of children using the playground. For children, fixed equipment signals that children play here due to familiarity and prior experience with common playground features. Fixed equipment provides repeated opportunity to master skills and becomes the anchor from which children explore the larger playground space and more open-ended play opportunities over time.

To learn more please visit out website or contact our centre team.
[email protected] or call 9088 6216

Wearing blue, standing together with our community, and helping shine a light on Neurofibromatosis this May 💙💚

Our team proudly wore blue today, to support NF Awareness Month. We are proud to support and recognise the families and children in our service and community who experience, or care for someone who experiences, Neurofibromatosis. We hope to be able to raise funds to support the work of NFA and their advocacy in reducing the complexities of accessing care, treatment, support for children, parents and families.

Together, we’re helping bring conversations, understanding, and support for the thousands of children and families impacted by NF.

Did you know? Neurofibromatosis (NF) affects 1 in 2,500 people worldwide — yet many people have never heard of it. Raising awareness helps drive understanding, support, and research.

If you’d like to support our fundraiser or learn more, visit:
https://www.nfawarenessmonth.com.au/fundraise/first-five-reservoir

familypartnerships

Throughout Term 2, children have continued engaging with music teachers Matt and Billie from .minds_ through interactive songs, rhythm exploration, movement, and sensory-based musical activities specifically designed for each age group.

It has been wonderful to see the Nursery and Toddler 1 children actively participating and developing confidence through these engaging learning experiences. ✨

Music in early childhood plays an important role in supporting:
• Language and communication development
• Memory, listening, and concentration skills
• Coordination and physical movement
• Emotional expression and self-confidence
• Social connection and collaborative learning

We value the opportunity to provide meaningful programs that support children’s learning and development through creative, play-based learning experiences

Links to the National Quality Standard (NQS):
• QA1 – Educational Program and Practice: Children engage in stimulating, responsive and meaningful learning experiences that enhance their development and wellbeing.
• QA5 – Relationships with Children: Positive interactions and collaborative experiences support children’s confidence, wellbeing and sense of belonging.