Newsletter | August 2025
What’s On This Month
Key Dates
4th August | National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day
7th August | Jeans for Genes Day
9th August | International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
16th - 23rd August | Children’s Book Week
21st August | Daffodil Day
28th August | Red Nose Day
Recipe | Banana Choc Chip Muffins
Total Time 35 Minutes | Serves 12
Ingredients
3/4 cup (190 ml) butter
2 1/2 cups (375 grams) plain flour
1 1/4 cups (260 grams) dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
pinch of salt
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) greek (or natural) yoghurt
2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste (or extract)
2 bananas, mashed
1 1/2 cups (260 grams) dark chocolate chips
3 tablespoons caster sugar (or demerara sugar)
1 tablespoon cinnamon, ground
Method
Preheat oven to 200 C and line a muffin tin with 12 papers. Set aside.
Place the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat and cook until the butter is melted, foaming and turned brown and smells nutty. Set aside to cool slightly.
Place the flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, bicarb soda and salt into a bowl and whisk to combine creating a well in the centre. Set aside.
In a separate bowl place the brown butter, eggs, yoghurt, vanilla and mashed bananas and whisk to combine.
Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry and using a wooden spoon stir until just combined. Do not over mix.
Gently fold through the chocolate chips.
Evenly divide the mixture between the prepared muffin tins.
Place the caster sugar and cinnamon into a small bowl and stir to combine.
Sprinkle each muffin with a little cinnamon sugar.
Bake muffins for 15-20 minutes or until golden and when a skewer inserted removes cleanly.
Source: Image & recipe ‘My lovely lunchbox'
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Email us at contact@kidsfamilydaycare.com
Noteworthy
Safe Sleep Risk Assessment Review
At KIDS Family Day Care, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and care. We are currently reviewing our Safe Sleep and Rest Risk Assessments to ensure they reflect current best practices and support the well-being of every child.
As part of this process, families will receive an updated copy of the Sleep and Rest Risk Assessment within the next few weeks if you haven’t already. We encourage all parents and carers to review the document and share any feedback. Your input is valuable in helping us continue to provide safe, nurturing environments for children to rest and sleep.
Child Safety Update
We’ve recently sent an important update to all families and educators outlining our ongoing commitment to child safety and the steps we’re taking to strengthen our practices. This comes in response to recent sector-wide concerns and new national regulatory changes.
In summary:
We are undertaking a full review of all policies and procedures, and families will be invited to provide feedback.
New safety measures include enhanced screening, detailed risk assessments, and clear communication about residents at each care residence.
From 1 September 2025, new regulations will require stricter timeframes for reporting serious incidents and policies around digital safety.
From 1 January 2026, updates to the National Quality Standard will place even greater emphasis on child safety.
Please check your inbox for the full email. If you haven’t received it, contact our office so we can resend it.
How Parent screen Time Shapes Childhood
We all do it—check our phones while waiting for dinner, scroll through emails on the couch, or sneak a quick glance at a message during story time. Technology has become part of everyday life, but new research reminds us that our children are watching—and learning—how we use it.
In 2025, Australians are spending an average of over 6 hours per day in front of screens. While this includes work and essential online tasks, much of it overlaps with family time. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than one in five children aged 5–14 are spending 20 hours or more per week on screen-based activities. And it’s not just about kids on iPads, the average Aussie parent clocks around 5.8 hours of screen time daily, often during hours their children are present.
But here’s the key: children, particularly those under 10, don’t just watch screens—they watch us. Whether it’s checking the weather or scrolling through social media, our digital habits teach children what is “normal” in everyday life.
What You Can Do
Here are some simple ways to reduce techno-ference and create stronger connections at home:
Create phone-free moments during the day, like mealtimes, school pickups, or bedtime routines. These pockets of connection become meaningful rituals for children.
Use "Do Not Disturb" features or app timers to limit interruptions during quality time with your child.
Narrate your own screen use. If you’re checking the weather or replying to a message, say so. “I’m just checking the weather for tomorrow’s picnic, then I’ll be right with you.” It helps children distinguish between purposeful and passive screen time.
Designate a screen spot. Try to keep screens in one area of the house instead of having them everywhere—this reinforces the idea that not all moments need digital company.
Engage with your child’s screen time. If they’re watching something, watch with them when you can, ask questions, and turn it into a conversation. Shared viewing can still be connecting.
Sustainability
Think Twice Before Shopping
Before hitting “add to cart” or heading to the shops, take a moment to pause and think twice—do you really need something new? Sustainable living starts with mindful choices, and that includes resisting the urge to buy out of habit or convenience. Instead, consider borrowing, swapping, repairing, or repurposing what you already have.
Every item we choose not to purchase helps reduce waste, save resources, and lessen our environmental impact. Small changes in how we shop can lead to big shifts for a healthier planet. Choosing quality over quantity and supporting second-hand or local options when you do need something can also make a meaningful difference. Let’s rethink our habits and embrace a more conscious way to consume.
Educator of The Month
Congratulations to …
Bahira Darougheh
Blackburn
Coordinator: Manju Pathak
Bahira has an environment that is respectful, open, and welcoming. It provides all children and families a nurturing and safe place to be, to ‘play to learn’, and to make friends.
Bahira instills the spirit of love, patience, generosity, and courage in children. Her professionalism has shown significant improvement in children’s ability to express themselves. Children feel a sense of belonging, happiness, and comfort in her home environment. She provides a friendly atmosphere for the children where they can learn and grow by creating an environment where learning and other fun activities are easy and fun for young children.
Her Relationship with families is valuable and satisfying, and she works in partnership to support children's learning. She is always seeking opportunities to talk with families and share information about their child, so she can build
trusting relationships with children and families. She has been very reliable and competent in her paperwork and has excellent time management skills.
Keep up the good work, Bahira!
Books we Love
Our Top Picks
squeegee Art
What you will need:
Paints (small squeeze bottles)
Squeegee
Paper
Instructions:
Lay down some newspaper or a paint mat under where you will be creating.
Fill each small squeeze bottle with paint.
Squeeze the bottle to make a few dots and dashes on the page. Then scrape the squeegee across the marks to reveal your creation.