The Bambini room has welcomed some new friends this term, and we are amazed at how well they have settled into care. We always strive to create a loving and caring environment where all children feel a sense of belonging. We often incorporate the children’s cultures into our daily practice and program, encouraging their identities and sharing these experiences with all the children. This term we have been speaking a lot of Afrikaans – educators are learning some new words! The children have played with boats in water, a tradition from the Pacific Islander culture, and sung many different songs, including Aboriginal and Wiggles’ “Have a Good Day” (Kia Pai To Ra, a traditional song from the Maori culture).

We are all enjoying the beautiful Christmas season, reading Christmas stories to the children and singing Christmas songs. We have read the Nativity story with the children a few times, and they have played with a baby doll “Jesus”. The children took turns holding the baby “Jesus” doll, rocking it or patting it. The children have enjoyed doing craft activities for their families, playfully spreading paint about on a recycled Woolworths bag to create Christmas gift bags. On December 5th, SCBC Childcare will be hosting our Christmas party. We are all looking forward to having all the families come together for this event. The children and educators have been practising a special Christmas song to share with their families.

Other special events we have celebrated this term in Bambini are Children’s Week/Grandparents’ Week. We hosted a special afternoon picnic for the families, featuring a variety of fun activities. In our room, the children coloured in apple pictures with the words “Love you to the core” to give to their grandparents. For Mental Health Day, the children played with little sponges and water, reaching for them and squeezing out the water.  This is a modified activity designed to meet the needs of the children and provide them with a sensory play-based experience that encourages self-regulation. On Remembrance Day, the children dripped red water paint onto tissue paper flowers to create poppies. During Recycling Week, we made use of some recycled items from the Studio, providing these to the children to play with in the sandpit.

Term 4 and 2025 have flown by so fast! A highlight in the Bambini room for the year has been the relationships that we have formed in the room – with each other and with the children. Seeing the children respond to a sense of belonging and feeling loved, as evidenced by how well they have all settled and how they experience peace and joy each day in care.  It is a joy and a privilege to nurture their growth and learning, fostering their emotional wellbeing, and then watching as they explore the world around them and connect with one another.

Another blessed term with Bambini, surrounded by these beautiful little children.

Mrs Angela Drennan
Bambini Room Curriculum Leader