What an exciting week of refreshing rain and threatening floods. Throughout it all, God has provided all that we have needed. We're grateful that all educators and children were safe throughout this weather event, and thank God for a quiet start to our week. 

On Monday we will welcome Life Education for our first Healthy Harold session - Body Boundaries. As previously mentioned, this session has been particularly chosen as Educators and parents are seeking to develop children's understanding of safe touch and appropriate personal boundaries. For more information on this session, please scan the QR code on the posters displayed in our foyer, or take a look online. If you have any concerns regarding the content or delivery of this session, please contact us directly. 

March is a wonderful month to care for our environment. We invite you to partner with us in recognising National Ride 2 School Day and Earth Hour. I watch in admiration each week as a couple of our parents and their children ride to ELC! Why not consider taking this opportunity to ride to school also? If riding to school isn't possible for your family, consider instead 'switching off' for Earth Hour on March 28. It's a wonderful opportunity to quiet screens and technology, and instead spend quality time together as a family. Please see the links below for further information on these national events. 

Finally, enjoy this week's article on Why Children Need Repetition. My children request the same two songs be sung at bedtime each and every night. At times, I long for change and wish they'd ask for a different song just this once! But, as you'll read below, repetition is so important in children's learning and development. We hope this article serves as an encouragement to any weary parents reading 'Dear Zoo' to their children for the hundredth time this week! 

Praying God's blessing upon all children, families and Educators at CCC ELC this week, 

Emma Kubler 

Centre Director 

Our Vacation Care program offers children a safe, caring, and engaging environment during the school holidays. Led by our dedicated educators, the program includes a range of fun and creative activities designed to help children connect, explore, and enjoy their time together. With flexible hours to support busy families, Vacation Care is a great holiday option. Reach out to our team today to secure your child’s place.

[email protected]

 (07) 5483 9517

Items to Bring Every Day - ALL labelled with your child's name:

• Cot-sized sheet x2
• Hat
• Water bottle
• 3 sets of spare clothes and small towel (hand towel size)

Tuckshop can be ordered through the Flexischools app. Download the app and follow the prompts. 

Miss T was flooded out of ELC this Tuesday. We look forward to having her back with us next week for a delicious and fun cooking experience! Please see below for a fun recipe to try at home: 

GREEK YOGHURT CHOC CHIP MUFFINS 

PREP 10 min | COOK 20 min | SERVES 12-15 

INGREDIENTS 

2.5 cups plain flour 

1 tbs baking powder 

½ tsp baking soda 

½ tsp salt 

⅓ cup sugar 

2 eggs, lightly whisked 

⅔ cup un-flavoured oil, 

1 cup Greek yogurt,  

¼ cup milk, (¼ to ½ cup) 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1.5 Cup choc chips 

METHOD 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180 C, line a muffin pan with muffin liners. Spray lightly with oil. 

2. Combine the dry ingredients in a large bowl. 

3. Combine the wet ingredients in a jug or smaller bowl. 

4. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix with a wooden spoon until just combined (a few lumps are fine. Don’t overmix). Add a little more milk if necessary (the mixture will be quite thick but it shouldn't be dry).  

5. Gently fold the chocolate chips into the batter. 

6. Spoon the batter into the muffin cases (you can fill almost to the top) and bake for 17 to 25 minutes. 

7. After 17 minutes keep checking every couple of minutes. A skewer pushed into the centre of the muffin should come out without raw batter on it, and the muffins should be nicely golden brown. 

  Let cool completely on a wire rack before eating so that the muffin cases don’t stick. Reheat for 15 seconds in the microwave after peeling off the muffin case if you’d like to enjoy a muffin warm! Enjoy x 

Find this recipe and more at Scrummy Lane 

What an exciting time it has been in the ELC as we dive deep into our community connections and involvement! 

The centre received its first “Story Book Delivery” from the Gympie Library, bringing some fresh stories and plenty of smiles to all of our children. This has been an amazing collaboration that will continue to take place at the beginning of each month. 

We also welcomed our first parent careers visitor to share with the children, Chloe from Heritage Bank. This was a great experience for the children to learn more about money and we extend our biggest thanks to Chloe for coming to share. 

Coming up we have our 2 of our 4 Healthy Harold visits on the 16th and 30th of March for our Kindergarten children focusing on Body Boundaries and Navigating Big Feelings. 

I can’t wait to show what collaborations from our community we are working on. If you have any questions, a suggestion or wish to be a parent career visitor sharing your passion please let us know! 

Emily Howell 

Community Collaborator CCC ELC 

If you’ve ever read the same book for the tenth time in a row, played the same game again and again, or followed the exact same bedtime routine night after night, you’re not alone. Repetition is a natural and important part of early childhood and while it can feel exhausting for adults, it plays a powerful role in how young children learn and feel safe in the world. 

For young children, repetition builds understanding. Each time a child hears the same story, sings the same song, or repeats a familiar routine, their brain is strengthening connections. They begin to notice new details, predict what comes next, and make sense of the world around them. This repetition supports memory, language development, and confidence, helping children feel capable and secure. 

Repetition also supports emotional regulation. Familiar activities and routines create a sense of predictability, which helps children feel calm and safe. When children know what to expect, their nervous system can relax. This is especially important during times of change, growth, or emotional development. A familiar book, song, or routine can be deeply comforting, helping children manage big feelings and transitions. 

You may notice that children often repeat activities during periods of rapid development or emotional change. This is not a sign that they are stuck it’s a sign that they are practising. Just as adults rehearse skills to build confidence, children use repetition to master new ideas and experiences. Saying the same words, playing the same game, or following the same steps helps children process information and gain control over their environment. 

For families, repetition can sometimes feel frustrating or boring. However, small shifts in perspective can help. Rather than seeing repetition as something to endure, it can be viewed as a window into what your child is working hard to understand. Joining in, observing, or gently extending play can support learning while still honouring your child’s need for familiarity. 

Repetition does not mean a lack of creativity. In fact, once children feel confident with a familiar activity, they often begin to add their own ideas changing characters in a story, altering the rules of a game, or exploring new ways to play. These small changes show growing confidence and imagination built on a strong foundation of familiarity. 

At early learning settings, educators intentionally use repetition through routines, songs, and experiences to support children’s learning and wellbeing. At home, families can support this by allowing favourite books, routines, and activities to be revisited as often as children need. 

So, the next time your child asks for “that one again,” remember that repetition is meaningful work. It’s how children learn, regulate, and build confidence — one familiar moment at a time. 

• Play Friends, a playgroup aimed at Mums and Pre-school aged children, will soon be starting. Please stay tuned for more information. Flyers will be available at the ELC and College in coming weeks. 

• Healthy Harold visits Kindy - Monday 16th March

• Healthy Harold visits Kindy Again - Monday 30th March

• School Holiday Discount Reminder 

  If your child will not be attending the Early Learning Centre during the school holidays, please notify Reception as soon as possible, or at least two weeks in advance, to receive a 30% discount on fees. 

  School Holiday Dates: 
  Term 1 concludes: 2 April 
  Term 2 commences: Monday 20 April 

  Please email Reception to confirm your child’s absence. 

• EARTH HOUR – MARCH 28 

  Earth Hour is a great opportunity to slow down and spend time together. Children can learn about saving energy and looking after the environment in simple, meaningful ways. Earth hour doesn’t have to just be one day a year, make it a weekly or monthly thing. Switch off more often and read a book or play a game via candle light.  Learn more here 

  NATIONAL RIDE ‘2’ SCHOOL DAY – MARCH 20 

  Join more than 350,000 children across the nation and ride, walk, scoot and skate to pre-school or daycare today. National ride ‘2’ school day promotes healthy habits, active lifestyles, and safer, more sustainable ways to travel within our communities. It also helps children learn important road safety skills, including Wearing helmets, following road rules and being aware of others when travelling. Let’s celebrate active travel and the positive impact it has on children’s health and the environment. Find out more here