Tomorrow Today says thank you to volunteers during Volunteer Week

Freya Lucas

May 24, 2023

Save

Tomorrow Today used the occasion of National Volunteer Week (May 15-21) to acknowledge the work of its volunteers, who enable the foundation to deliver programs such as Kinder Pals and Connect9.

Kinder Pals is a program for children in preschool settings who need additional support to build literacy and numeracy skills. Volunteers work with children one on one or in small groups, reading stories, describing pictures, and promoting rich conversation.

Cathay Bridgefoot is one of the volunteers in the program, and has lived in the Benalla community all her life, with many in the community knowing her from working in local business Stolz Furnishings.

“I worked for Stolz for many, many years but when I finished up there completely, I realised I had some time and I wanted to put back into my local community. When I saw an article looking for volunteers with Tomorrow Today, I called to find out more about what they needed and how I could help,” she shared.

As part of the program, she makes regular visits to Gum Nuts Resort Childcare Centre twice a week to help with the three-year-old and four-year-old kinder groups.

“Sometimes I take a book in from home. I might read to the children in small groups and then we talk about the story, or the pictures or the children might ask me questions. Sometimes I might do other activities with them,” she explained.

“I really enjoy being a Kinder Pal, there is never a dull moment! Seeing things through the children’s eyes, listening to their conversations and sharing some laughter, it’s just a joy.”

Tomorrow Today is welcoming new volunteers for its Kinder Pals program and other programs to support children. For more information, please see here.

Don’t miss a thing

NSW Early Learning Commission conducts 220 unannounced visits

More than 100 regulatory officers conducted unannounced inspections at over 220 early learning services in a single-day compliance operation, as the NSW Early Learning Commission intensifies oversight across the sector.

Failing the Most Vulnerable: Two WA Childcare Providers Penalised Over Supervision Breaches

In February the Western Australian State Administrative Tribunal handled two separate disciplinary proceedings brought by the CEO of the Department of Communities against out-of-school-hours care (OSHC) providers. Both cases highlight critical failures in active supervision, particularly concerning highly vulnerable children diagnosed with autism who managed to wander away from their respective services unnoticed.

Keeping children safe with one simple lesson

Water safety remains at the forefront of national concern, as drowning continues to be the leading cause of accidental death for children aged 0-4.

Prime childcare and medical investment opportunity hits the market in Thornhill Park

A permit-approved early learning and medical asset in Melbourne’s west is set to test investor appetite for secure income, long-term leases and value-add potential in a high-growth corridor.

Workforce planning in ECEC: from compliance requirement to strategic advantage