Mahurangimatters 1 June 2012 | AGES 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS HOURS: 8.30AM - 3.30PM HALF DAY OR FULL DAY SESSIONS Qualified caring staff who support and extend your child’s interests Quality education in a friendly, fun loving family environment Phone: Carmel 422 6516 or visit us at 5 Seatoun Avenue, Leigh www.leighpreschool.blogspot.com Excellent staff ratios Special offers available Spacious outdoor area 20 hours ECE competitive fees PRESCHOOL, INC. L E I G H C O M M U N I T Y baby talk INFANTS FEATURE We’ve got your child’s health covered at MANGAWHAI VILLAGE 09 4314 070 Remedies for: • colic • reflux • digestive problems • teething • nappy rash • eczema • colds, flus and coughs Join us on facebook Kakariki-The-Health-Store Scouts collect for Starship Scouts in the Mahurangi area have joined a nationwide campaign to support The Starship Foundation. Under the banner ‘kids helping kids’, the scouts are collecting old mobile phones for recycling. Funds raised from the Lets Mobilize campaign directly benefit Starship’s 24/7 national air ambulance service. The funds will also help Scouts NZ deliver safe and adventurous programmes for its 15,000 members. Mobile phones for scouts can be left at Nosh in Matakana, McDonald Adams Optometrists in Warkworth or the Mahurangi Matters office in Neville Street, Warkworth. Temperature check Keeping babies warm in winter can often be a juggling act trying to find the right balance between the nursery’s temperature, the cot bedding and bub’s clothing. Even if a baby’s hands and feet feel cold, this isn’t a true indication of their body temperature. To quickly check if a baby is warm enough, slip two fingers down the back of their neck. If a baby’s back is warm, this indicates they are warm enough. According to Plunket, a normal body temp for a baby is between 36.4 and 37.4C. Anything below or above is indicative of a cold or overheated baby. Source: plunket.org.nz Briefs Education experts say teaching children about the environment from an early age can lead to long-term changes in behaviour and attitudes. University of Waikato’s education researcher Dr Chris Eames says that although little study has been done in this area, recent work indicates it does have an impact and parents report changed behaviour and awareness at home. He says environmental education is aimed at developing understanding and awareness of environmental issues, and skills for taking action. “In NZ, the Government guidelines on the delivery of environmental education were produced in 1999 and it is now a standard part of the curriculum for all NZ schools,” he says. The Enviroschools programme has been operating since 2002 and is offered in more than 800 schools. Dr Eames says the main benefits of the programme include development of student knowledge about environmental and sustainability issues, empowerment of students to take action, transfer of this learning to the students’ homes, and environmental improvements to schools and their communities. He says the programme provides students with a sense of making a difference for their futures. Environmental messages best delivered young The Year 2 Syndicate from Warkworth Primary recently held a science trip to the Omaha Spit to see the NZ dotterels flocking and to learn about how the community can make a difference to the bird’s survival. Three members of the Omaha Shorebird Society, Sharon Kast, Joanne McPhee and Marie Ward, showed the children some examples of stuffed predators that could harm the birds or their eggs, and the traps used to control predators. The children then had to try to spot some dotterel eggs camouflaged in the sand to look like a real nest. Teacher Suzanne Maddox said there was great excitement when the children found them. “They now know not to play or picnic near their nests and how dropping rubbish attracts predators,” she said. 21
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Mahurangimatters 1 June 2012 | 29
AGES 6 MONTHS TO 5 YEARS
HOURS: 8.30AM - 3.30PM
HALF DAY OR FULL DAY SESSIONS
Qualified caring staff who support and extend your child’s interests
Quality education in a friendly, fun loving family environmentPhone: Carmel 422 6516
or visit us at 5 Seatoun Avenue, Leighwww.leighpreschool.blogspot.com
Excellent staff ratiosSpecial offers availableSpacious outdoor area
Scouts collect for StarshipScouts in the Mahurangi area have joined a nationwide campaign to support The Starship Foundation. Under the banner ‘kids helping kids’, the scouts are collecting old mobile phones for recycling. Funds raised from the Lets Mobilize campaign directly benefit Starship’s 24/7 national air ambulance service. The funds will also help Scouts NZ deliver safe and adventurous programmes for its 15,000 members. Mobile phones for scouts can be left at Nosh in Matakana, McDonald Adams Optometrists in Warkworth or the Mahurangi Matters office in Neville Street, Warkworth.
Temperature checkKeeping babies warm in winter can often be a juggling act trying to find the right balance between the nursery’s temperature, the cot bedding and bub’s clothing. Even if a baby’s hands and feet feel cold, this isn’t a true indication of their body temperature. To quickly check if a baby is warm enough, slip two fingers down the back of their neck. If a baby’s back is warm, this indicates they are warm enough. According to Plunket, a normal body temp for a baby is between 36.4 and 37.4C. Anything below or above is indicative of a cold or overheated baby. Source: plunket.org.nz
BriefsEducation experts say teaching children about the environment from an early age can lead to long-term changes in behaviour and attitudes.University of Waikato’s education researcher Dr Chris Eames says that although little study has been done in this area, recent work indicates it does have an impact and parents report changed behaviour and awareness at home. He says environmental education is aimed at developing understanding and awareness of environmental issues, and skills for taking action. “In NZ, the Government guidelines on the delivery of environmental education were produced in 1999 and it is now a standard part of the curriculum for all NZ schools,” he says. The Enviroschools programme has been operating since 2002 and is offered in more than 800 schools.Dr Eames says the main benefits of the programme include development of student knowledge about environmental and sustainability issues, empowerment of students to take action, transfer of this learning to the students’ homes, and environmental improvements to schools and their communities.He says the programme provides students with a sense of making a difference for their futures.
Environmental messages best delivered young
The Year 2 Syndicate from Warkworth Primary recently held a science trip to the Omaha Spit to see the NZ dotterels flocking and to learn about how the community can make a difference to the bird’s survival. Three members of the Omaha Shorebird Society, Sharon Kast, Joanne McPhee and Marie Ward, showed the children some examples of stuffed predators that could harm the birds or their eggs, and the traps used to control predators. The children then had to try to spot some dotterel eggs camouflaged in the sand to look like a real nest. Teacher Suzanne Maddox said there was great excitement when the children found them. “They now know not to play or picnic near their nests and how dropping rubbish attracts predators,” she said.
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| Mahurangimatters 1 June 20123022
For all appointments phone 09 422 6871
Milford Eye ClinicWarkworth Branch
Affiliated Southern Cross Healthcare provider
Serving the eye needs of North Shore and Rodney for over 30 years
Purpose-built eye consulting rooms in Warkworth. Surgery available at Rodney Surgical Centre or
Shore Surgery, Milford, as appropriate. For your convenience consultations available at
Milford, Red Beach and Warkworth.
• Dr Michael Fisk • Dr Brian Sloan • Dr Jo Koppens• Dr Nadeem Ahmad • Dr David Squirrell • Dr Rasha Altaie
• Milford Eye Clinic, 181 Shakespeare Road, Milford • Coastcare, Red Beach Shopping Centre, Red Beach• Warkworth, Unit 3, Warkworth Health Centre, Cnr Alnwick & Percy Streets, Warkworth
Is that 4-year-old school-ready?Want to give them a head start?
Why not give them the Smart Start!Or are you searching for that
special place for your precious baby?With beautiful centres in Warkworth and Wellsford and fabulous in-home
educarers throughout Rodney,we can meet all your childcare needs.
Warkworth 425 8730 Wellsford 423 8246 In Home Educare 0800 5437 787
Find out what makes us special - check us out today!www.kowhaikids.co.nz or find us on facebook
Sticky Fudge + Eco Punk Kids clothing + 3intheBed PJ’s
+ colourful buntings, book bags, cushions, handmade dolls
winter hoursthur-sun 11am-4pm
INFANTS FEATURE
baby talk
Early detection of vision problems in children not only reduces the risk of any serious life-long implications, it is also essential to a child’s early learning capabilities.Milford Eye Clinic paediatric ophthalmologist Dr Rasha Altaie, who holds clinics in Warkworth, says poor vision left untreated can have a serious impact on a child’s performance in school, sports and other areas of their life.“Most children will have their eyes checked by Plunket before they start school,” she says. “However, there are a few warning signs that a child might be having problems and require a complete eye examination earlier.“One of the most common problems is amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye. It is a reduction in vision in an eye that is otherwise physically normal. Amblyopia is the most common cause of vision loss in children and is found in as many as five to seven percent of school-aged children.”Dr Altaie says the critical period in the development of amblyopia begins within the first weeks of life and lasts until a child is about eight to 10 years of age. “This is also the period during which amblyopia may be reversed by treating the cause and stimulating visual development. The younger the child receives treatment, the better.”
Early eye checks worthwhile
Another common problem where early detection is crucial is strabismus, a misalignment of the eyes. Around four percent of children under six years of age suffer from strabismus. The appearance of a white pupil is one of the most urgent signs that a child has to be seen as soon as possible. A white pupil often indicates changes in the lens of the eye, such as cataract, or changes at the back of the eye.Dr Altaie says other symptoms such as acute pink/red eyes, watery, itchy, sticky and light-sensitive eyes also need attention. “A droopy lid, especially if it is blocking the pupil, can also affect vision and lead to a permanent reduction in vision. If you think your child has a problem with their eyes don’t hesitate to get them seen by a specialist. A referral from your GP, optometrist or Plunket nurse is welcomed, but not always required.”
Where learning and discovery are nurtured by nature
FREE pregnancy tests Prenatal classes, birth venue & post-natal stay Own room in peaceful rural surroundings Excellent equipment and atmosphere Water birth a speciality Midwives on call at all times, and as backup for your caregiver (LMC) Full post-natal hospital stay 24 hour Registered Nurses / Midwives to care for you and your baby You can transfer from your birth hospital within 12 hours of normal birth or 24 hours following a Caesarian
Available to all women and their caregivers
For further information talk to your LMC/Midwife or Warkworth Birth Centre
Phone 09 425 820156 View Road, Warkworth
www.warkworthbirthcentre.co.nz
INFANTS FEATURE
baby talk
Family holidays are something to cherish, but travelling with children can also have its challenges.Matakana’s Gaye Miller, the author of Where Shall We Take the Kids, a family-friendly guide to destinations and activities in NZ, says good planning is the key to success.“One common mistake that parents make, particularly the parent who is not the primary carer, is to over-estimate how far you can travel with children on board,” she says.“For under fives, in particular, you really need to stop every couple of hours so they can stretch their legs.“Knowing where good toilets are located along the route you’re taking and having a store of gingernut biscuits on hand for any car sickness cases are also a good idea. I find talking to other parents who have similarly aged children is always a good source of information.”Gaye says it was her experience as a mother of four that launched her into the “kids-friendly” business. Her first venture was the kidsfriendlynz website which morphed into kidsfriendlytravel about two years ago.“I was accepted into Auckland University’s Icehouse programme, which provides business growth
Gaye Miller says stress-free holidays with kids are possible.
Planning takes panic out of family holidays
programmes for small and medium enterprises. Through that 12-month process, the travel side of business emerged as the area that held the most potential for growth.”The site attracts about 14,000 unique users a month and Gaye is currently working on incorporating the concept of a holidays saving incentive scheme.
She says NZ is far more kids friendly than it is often given credit for but one improvement she would dearly loved to see introduced is a family pass that includes three or more children.“Many families have three children and even if you only have two, one of them often invites a friend along. Restricting family passes to two adults and two children just adds to the cost of the outing.”The key elements of being kids friendly are pricing, good bathrooms with change tables and spaces which cater specifically for under fives. Pushchair hire is a bonus. In terms of accommodation, it needs to be quiet with activities in the grounds such as playgrounds and swimming pools.
GiveawayMahurangi Matters has a copy of Where Shall We Take the Kids? to give away. Write your names and a daytime phone number on the back of an envelope and post to: Where Shall We Take the Kids? Competition, PO Box 701, Warkworth. Competition closes on June 12. Alternatively, enter by sending us a private message marked ‘Where Shall We Take the Kids’ on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/mahurangimatters).
When it comes to choosing nappies, there are many factors to consider. Cost, convenience and reliability are usually the biggies, but more parents are questioning the effect that nappies have on their baby’s health and on the environment.Studies have found that it takes as much energy to produce one disposable nawppy as it does to wash a cloth nappy 200 times. It takes 1.3 million trees a year to produce disposable nappies for babies in NZ and one cup of crude oil per nappy is required to produce the outer plastic.Disposable nappies will take an estimated 500 years to decompose in landfill and can harbour up to 100 different types of virus including live poliovirus from vaccines.While there have been no long-term studies into the effects on the skin from the constant exposure to the polyacralyte super-absorbent gels found in most disposable nappies, those same gels were deemed unsafe and removed from tampons in 1985. Info: www.greens.org.nz
Parents query nappy choices
Elizabeth St, Warkworth09 425 7246
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-2pm
babyweargorgeous
| Mahurangimatters 1 June 20123224
Gents $15Ladies $20Kids $10BYO COLOUR
Professional and
Affordable
Open Monday - Saturday • No appointment necessary 334 Mahurangi East Road, Snells Beach • Phone 425 4142
Family Hair Cutting Deal
only $55Mum, dad & 2 kids
Peace of mind for you... and an opportunity for your child to...
LIFE Childcare Centre is a stimulating, fun environment where our programme and Christian character focus provides opportunities for
children to develop a life-long love of learning.
We offer a safe, nurturing, predictable and stimulating environment for children ages one to five years old.
We value children’s play as their work as they develop the foundation skills for learning.
To enrol or for further information phone us on (09) 425 4305 or visit us at 20 Goodall Rd, Snells Beach
Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
(formerly KidzWay)
Peace of mind for you... and an opportunity for your child to...
LIFE Childcare Centre is a stimulating, fun environment where our programme and Christian character focus provides opportunities for
children to develop a life-long love of learning.
We offer a safe, nurturing, predictable and stimulating environment for children ages one to five years old.
We value children’s play as their work as they develop the foundation skills for learning.
To enrol or for further information phone us on (09) 425 4305 or visit us at 20 Goodall Rd, Snells Beach
Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm
(formerly KidzWay)
Friday morningsScout Den
Shoesmith StreetWarkworth
Preschool Gymnastics
Tiny Tumblers
Contact Pauline 425 7905
If you would like an enrolment application, or have any questions please contact:
• Educational, fun & caring environment• WINZ & 20 hour ECE subsidies available• “Getting Ready for School” Programme for children 3+ years• Healthy and nutritious meals provided• Limited spaces available – enrol now!
Call now to discuss your requirements 09 422 9401 Mobile: 021 679 301 • Email: [email protected]
WE CURRENTLY HAVE VACANCIES
INFANTS FEATURE
baby talk
An average of 22 New Zealand children are admitted to hospital every day with unintentional injuries or accidents.For young children, aged from birth to four years, most of these injuries happen at home.Safekids NZ director Ann Weaver says young children are injured more at home because they spend more time there. This is why keeping a safe home environment where children can grow and learn is important.One strategy Safekids suggests is to take a small child’s point of view. “Get down on your elbows and knees, and see what they see,” Ann says. “Is there a toy on an unsecured bookcase or lighters, matches or button batteries lying around? Are there medicines or household chemicals they can reach?”The following are some tips to keep kids safe: y Secure heavy furniture and appliances using a safety device. If kids see colourful objects, food, drinks or toys on top of ovens, TVs, book shelves and dishwashers, they may try to climb them.
y Store matches and lighters in a safe place and teach kids to bring you any matches and lighters they find. Make sure your smoke alarms are working.
y It takes as little as two hours to cause severe burns once a coin-sized lithium battery has been swallowed by a child. Search your home for gadgets that may contain coin lithium batteries including TV remotes, singing cards and toys. Secure the battery-controlled devices and keep them out of sight and reach of children, and keep loose batteries locked away.
y It’s a good idea to have your heating devices checked before using them. Teach kids the ‘Keep a metre from the heater’ rule. If the child is very young, use a safety guard. Also, watch out for kids when consuming hot liquids.
y Know the fire-risk labels for children’s nightwear. Red means the garment is a high fire risk and more suitable for summer wear; orange is a warning to choose close-fitting options; white means the garment is a lower fire risk.
y Remember the S.A.F.E. rule against poisoning. Store all medicines and chemicals out of children’s sight and reach; Ask your pharmacist for safety caps on medicines; Follow the dose instructions from your doctor or pharmacist; and Ensure you follow safety instructions on medicines, chemicals and cleaners.
Info: www.safekids.org.nz
Precautions keep kids safe
keeping birth naturalKate Rankin - Midwife
Warkworth Health Shop Fridays 10am-5pmWellsford Medical Centre Wednesdays ALL DAY
All courses free of charge, free childminding is available if you request it when you enrol with child’s name & age. For more information or to enrol please call Homebuilders
TERM 2 FREE COURSES – PLEASE ENROL AS PLACES ARE LIMITED
Stocking Your Pantry & Plan a Week’s Menu – Eat well from basic ingredients. Join us for Devonshire tea and help create a variety of dishes using two basic sauces – Bolognese and béchamel. Try Chris’s lasagne with her secret sauce, bacon & potato bake, cheesy tuna pasta, nachos and more plus a quick dessert.Thursday 7th June 9.30 – 12.30 at the Warkworth Methodist Church Hall.Adapting Some Favourite Recipes – Try Chris’s delicious chicken noodle soup for fussy eaters, curry in a hurry (not too hot for all the family to enjoy) and finish with a baked cheesecake with a fruity topping. These are versatile, economic and nutritious meals using seasonal produce and varied meats on specials.Thursday 14th June 9.30-12.30 at the Warkworth Methodist Church Hall.
At kindy, your child will benefit from inviting outdoor areas, rich literary, numeracy & technology experiences and well resourced environments.
Hazelmere StreetWellsford
09 423 8281
36 Insley StreetMangawhai
09 431 4333
15 Hamatana RoadSnells Beach
09 425 6330
• Offering all day and sessional services
• Qualified and registered teachers
• 20 hours ECE available for 2-5 year olds
• Safe and enriching learning environments
Phone or visit us today!0800 4 KINDY • www.aka.org.nz
Mummy & Me Coffee & PlayFridays 10am - 11.30am, Totara Park Hall, Warkworth
Plunket Baby CompetitionEnter at Kodak Warkworth during the month of June.
Plunket NurseIf you haven’t heard from your Plunket nurse by 5 weeks, phone Christine 09 425 8740.
Money raised from this year’s Warkworth Plunket Baby Photo competition will be used to fund a post-natal depression support group for the area.Warkworth Plunket president Angela Brangwynne says there is a need for this kind of service in the community.“Post-natal depression affects about 13 percent of new mothers and can occur at any time during the first year after birth,” she says. “While we are still in the planning stages, we hope to have the group up and running by August. It is likely to meet on a weekly basis at the Women’s Centre.” Angela says all funds raised from the annual competition go towards Warkworth Plunket projects.“Last year was our most successful year, with 120 entries raising more than $2000.”The competition is open to all children under five years, as at June 1, this year.Categories include ‘cutest baby’ and ‘most creative photo’, both judged by
Plunket baby comp on again
Population growth slowsA combination of fewer births, more deaths, and more people leaving NZ has resulted in the country’s lowest population growth in 11 years. The population of NZ was at 4,430,400 as of March 31. While the population grew by 0.6 percent (27,700) in the last year, it is the lowest for a March year since 2001, when the population increased 0.5 percent (21,000). Source: stats.govt.nz
Colin Stables from Kodak Warkworth; and ‘most votes’, as voted by the community. There will be prizes for first, second and third in each category. The photos will be displayed at Warkworth New World from July 2 to 15, and the winners will be announced on July 16 and displayed at Kodak Warkworth for the week.Kodak Warkworth is collecting photos from June 4 to 30 and entry is $5. Photos can be emailed to: [email protected] and payment must be made within three days of entering. Photos can also be delivered in person.Info: Angela Brangwynne at [email protected] or visit facebook.com/WarkworthPlunket
