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Using Recycled Materials for Creative Art Projects

Using Recycled Materials for Creative Art Projects

by | Jul 18, 2025 | Childcare Advice

At Sorella, we believe art should be accessible, sustainable, and inspiring. One of the best ways to encourage creativity and environmental awareness is by using recycled materials in art projects. It not only reduces waste but also helps children see the potential in everyday items.

Recycled art encourages imaginative thinking. When a paper roll becomes a telescope, or a cardboard box transforms into a puppet theatre, children are actively problem-solving and exploring different ways to represent their ideas. These open-ended experiences support flexible thinking and creative confidence.

At Sorella, we provide a wide range of clean, safe materials—cardboard, fabric scraps, bottle caps, magazines, string, and natural items like leaves or sticks. These materials allow children to design freely, experiment with textures, and combine materials in new and interesting ways.

Families can create a “reuse station” at home with boxes or bins for different materials. Encourage your child to sort items by shape, size, or texture, and let them take the lead in deciding what to create. Whether it’s robots, collages, or mobiles, the goal is exploration, not perfection.

Creating art from recycled items also promotes discussions around sustainability. Talk with your child about where materials come from, how items can be reused, and why caring for the planet matters. These conversations help build respect for the environment from a young age.

Art is also a wonderful way to connect as a family. Set aside time each week for a shared art project. You might build something together, make a mural, or simply sit side by side and create your own pieces. These moments foster connection, communication, and a shared appreciation for creativity.

At Sorella, we see art as an expressive language—one where every child has something to say. Recycled materials provide a flexible, affordable, and environmentally conscious way for children to explore their imagination and ideas.

Through creative reuse, we’re not only nurturing young artists but also encouraging future caretakers of the world.

Baby Routines. Helping Your Little One Feel Calm and Settled

Baby Routines. Helping Your Little One Feel Calm and Settled

by | Jul 4, 2025 | Childcare Advice

When it comes to caring for babies, routines can be incredibly comforting for babies and for parents too. Whether you’re at home or starting childcare for the first time, finding a rhythm that works for your baby can help everyone feel more settled.

Babies don’t always follow the clock, but they do respond to patterns. Having consistent times for feeding, naps and play can help your baby feel secure and know what to expect. Even small rituals, like singing a song before sleep or offering a cuddle after feeds, can make a big difference.

If you’re starting care, it can help to talk to the team about what your baby is used to at home. Sharing information like when they usually nap, how they prefer to be settled, or if they have a special comfort item can support a smoother transition.

Feeding is another part of the day where consistency is key. Whether your baby is breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, or starting solids, staying in touch with your centre can help keep things on track.

And remember, routines don’t have to be perfect. Flexibility is just as important as predictability, especially as your baby grows and their needs change.

At Sorella Early Learning, we understand how much love and care goes into creating a routine that works for your family. If you’re looking for baby care advice or preparing to start care, we’re here to help make the process feel a little more reassuring.

Nature-Inspired Winter Activities Near Sorella

Nature-Inspired Winter Activities Near Sorella

by | Jul 4, 2025 | Childcare Advice

The winter holidays are a wonderful time to encourage meaningful family time, especially through nature-inspired play. At Sorella Early Learning Centre, we believe that connecting with the natural world helps children develop curiosity, confidence, and calm, perfect ingredients for a joyful school break.

Even with cooler weather, local parks and gardens offer fantastic learning opportunities. Try planning a “nature bingo” walk with your child. Create a list of things to spot: a bird’s nest, a round rock, something yellow, or a tree that’s lost its leaves. This playful challenge supports observational skills and turns an ordinary outing into a purposeful activity.

Back at home, bring nature indoors. Set up a mini nature table where your child can display their finds—sticks, leaves, shells, or seed pods. Include a magnifying glass and some drawing materials so they can take a closer look and record what they see. This supports early science skills and helps children feel proud of their discoveries.

You can also incorporate nature into everyday family routines. Make pine-scented playdough, brew herbal tea together, or read books about winter animals and how they adapt to the season. Ask your child what they notice about how nature changes in colder months.

If you’re looking for a creative twist, use natural materials to make your own puzzles or artworks. Try leaf rubbing with crayons, building a sculpture from twigs and clay, or pressing flowers between books to use in handmade cards.

At Sorella, we believe children are active participants in their own learning. Nature offers endless possibilities for open-ended exploration and creative play. This winter, we encourage families to take the time to pause, look closely, and enjoy the peaceful pace of the season.

Let the outdoors inspire your holidays—and turn everyday moments into something meaningful and fun.

How Early Learning Centres Connect with the Local Community

How Early Learning Centres Connect with the Local Community

by | Jun 18, 2025 | Childcare Advice

At Sorella Early Learning, we believe that early childhood is not only a time for growth and discovery but also a time for building relationships with each other, with families, and with the wider community. When children feel connected to the people and places around them, their sense of belonging and confidence grows.

Community connections are a powerful part of our approach to early education. They help create a rich and supportive learning environment where children can see themselves as valued members of a larger world. These experiences also promote empathy, cultural understanding, and a strong foundation for lifelong citizenship.

Community Engagement in Early Learning

At Sorella, we actively seek opportunities to connect our learning environment with the community beyond our centre walls. Whether we are exploring local stories, participating in community initiatives, or inviting members of the community to share their knowledge and experiences, we aim to create real and meaningful links that enrich children’s learning.

These connections help children develop a broader understanding of the world and their place within it. They learn that communities are made up of diverse people, cultures, and contributions, and that they, too, have something important to offer.

A Place of Belonging for Every Child

We know that when children feel seen and valued, they thrive. That’s why we take great care in creating an inclusive environment where every family’s background, culture, and identity is celebrated. At Sorella, we work in partnership with families to highlight cultural traditions, family values, and local knowledge. These shared experiences foster mutual respect and help build a strong sense of belonging for all.

Our centre becomes more than a place of care and education. It becomes a hub of connection, where children, families, and the community come together to learn and grow.

Building Foundations for the Future

The early years are a critical time for shaping how children see themselves and others. Through consistent and meaningful community engagement, we help children develop important life skills such as kindness, respect, responsibility, and cooperation. They begin to understand what it means to be part of a community and how their actions can have a positive impact.

Research from the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) shows that strong community connections contribute to better outcomes for children, including improved wellbeing, resilience, and a deeper sense of identity.

At Sorella, we are proud to be part of a supportive and vibrant community. By fostering strong relationships and meaningful engagement, we help children develop not only knowledge and confidence, but also a compassionate sense of connection that will guide them well beyond their early years.

Because when children grow in a community that values them, they grow with strength, purpose and heart.

 

Outdoor Activities That Encourage Exploration and Learning

Outdoor Activities That Encourage Exploration and Learning

by | Jun 4, 2025 | Childcare Advice

At Sorella, we view the outdoors as an extension of our classroom — a place where learning comes alive through movement, discovery, and nature-based inquiry. Our outdoor spaces are carefully designed to support physical, social, and cognitive development while allowing children to build a lifelong connection with the natural world.

We provide a wide variety of open-ended outdoor activities: obstacle courses made from natural materials, gardening projects, mud kitchens, and sensory walks. These experiences develop gross motor skills, coordination, resilience, and creativity. According to the Australian Department of Health, outdoor play supports not only physical fitness but also mental health and emotional wellbeing. Hence, at Sorella, we treat the outdoors a space where children can take risks, explore their environment, and build confidence in their own abilities. It’s all part of our commitment to nurturing curious, capable and connected little learners.

Children at Sorella are encouraged to explore the environment with all their senses — smelling herbs in the garden, observing insects, or collecting leaves and rocks. These real-world encounters promote curiosity, language development, and early science understanding.

Outdoor time also provides valuable social learning opportunities. Children collaborate, negotiate, and problem-solve as they build forts, role-play, or take turns on climbing equipment. Educators facilitate these interactions with guiding questions and support strategies that foster confidence and cooperation.

We invite families to continue this learning at home — through nature walks, backyard projects, or even picnics in the park. By embracing outdoor exploration, we create joyful, meaningful learning experiences that enrich every child’s development — naturally.

 How to Create a Mother’s Day Memory Jar with Your Children

 How to Create a Mother’s Day Memory Jar with Your Children

by | May 18, 2025 | Childcare Advice

Looking for a Mother’s Day idea that’s heartfelt, lasting and easy for little ones to be part of? A Memory Jar ticks all the boxes.

It’s a simple, meaningful gift that gives children a chance to reflect on what makes their mum (or grandma, or carer) so special — and it’s something Mum can treasure forever.

Here’s how to create your own Mother’s Day Memory Jar at home or in the classroom.

What You’ll Need:

  • A clean jar (recycled jam jars work beautifully)
  • Paper or card cut into small strips
  • Crayons, pencils or markers
  • Ribbon, stickers, or anything your child would like to decorate with

Step 1: Decorate the Jar

Let your child get creative decorating the outside. They might draw pictures, add stickers, or use ribbon and fabric scraps to make it extra special.

You could write a label that says:

  • “Mum’s Memory Jar”
  • “Things I Love About Mum”
  • “Special Moments with Mum”

Step 2: Fill It with Love

Help your child come up with a handful of memories, compliments or kind thoughts to write down. These can be super simple — what matters most is that they’re genuine.

Some ideas to get them started:

  • “I love it when you read me books.”
  • “You make the best spaghetti.”
  • “You give the best hugs.”
  • “Remember when we went to the beach and got ice cream?”

If your child isn’t writing yet, you can write their words down for them and let them draw a little picture on each note.

Step 3: Gift It on Mother’s Day

Once the jar is full, pop the lid on and present it to Mum on Mother’s Day. You could add a small tag with a message like:
“Open one whenever you need a smile.”

It’s a beautiful gift that Mum can turn to again and again — perfect for those days when she needs a little reminder of just how loved she is.

At Sorella, we’re all about creating meaningful moments that children and families will remember. A memory jar is one of those special little projects that brings big feelings of joy, gratitude and love.

Happy Mother’s Day to all our amazing mums and mother figures — thank you for everything you do.