BIG and colourful signage outside Creative Garden in Wallan aims to bring smiles to the faces of passers-by, with a message ‘We’re all in this together’ for all to see.
Creating the sign had a positive impact on both the children and staff at the childcare, according to assistant centre manager Alana Olivieri.
“Childhood is a time for happiness and joy, and seeing the rainbow as they come to the centre each day, sparks them up,” Ms Olivieri said.
“They don’t need the weight of the world on their little shoulders, and the rainbow and ribbons put a smile on their faces when they arrive each morning.
“They had a lot of fun making the rainbow sign and the message ‘we’re all in this together’, was a heartfelt reminder of how we will all get through these difficult times.”
The eye-catching sign isn’t the only way the childcare is playing its part, as it aims to spread kindness throughout the community in many ways.
The children and staff of the Wallan childcare crafted the sign as part of an initiative by G8 Education, a national early childhood education provider, which aims to show care and concern for others during COVID-19.
The kindness initiative began with a handful of centres, and has reached 476 childcare educations centres throughout Australia, and is seeking ways to help children deal with the pandemic.
By creating these signs, children have the opportunity to do their part in spreading happiness to the wider community.
Children and their families have also been encouraged to perform random acts of kindness in the community and help those around them who are less fortunate.
The Creative Garden also has a community pantry which has come to the aid of many struggling families in the community, as the centre chef uses excess food to cook meals for busy parents who may not have time to cook – healthcare and emergency service workers.
“Many of our parents are frontline workers just like us and so this is quite a busy and stressful time for them,” Ms Olivieri said.
“For those families who are self-isolating, we have been making up activity packs with chalks to encourage the children to join us in our rainbow making from home.”
Centre manager Jacinta Lee said Creative Garden educators and teachers had also ensured children understood the appropriate hygiene practises to make for a safe environment at the centre.
