After a cold, wet, and miserable winter that had many of us fighting off colds and flu we have made it to spring. The children are finally recovering from the daylight savings time change and we are all looking forward to sunny warm weather, which we have had a taste of over the past few days. Warmer weather gives us many opportunities at school to experience the natural world around us and even to bring it indoors. This week for group time we “planted” some Daffodil bulbs in glass pebbles and water. The “forcing” of these bulbs indoors this way will allow the children to witness day to day their progress and even see the roots as they grow downward through the pebbles.
We also completed our licensing renewal visit this week and once the weather warms and needed painting can be completed outdoors our re-licensing will be issued without any lapse in services.
On Saturday, April 10th, we will once again be welcoming the Maplewood Fire department as they come to offer first aid and CPR class for staff and interested parents. Any parents that are interested need to sign up as space will be limited.
Now that fall is officially here there will be lots of great things to talk about. The children have been taking notice of all the changes happening as we transition into fall: temperature and weather, leaves changing and falling off trees, squirrels gathering walnuts, and the need to wear warmer clothes. Please be sure your child’s cubbie is stocked with extra clothes appropriate to the weather and that they come prepared to play outdoors with a jacket or whatever they need to be comfortable outdoors.
Traditionally fall is the time of harvest as families would harvest fall crops and store them for the long winter ahead. Apples, pumpkins and squash are just a few things that are plentiful this time of year. The children will have opportunities this month to compare these different fruits and vegetables, cook with them and taste them. Pumpkin pie, applesauce, and baked squash are just a few things we will be making as a class. On Friday October 16th we will be having a scheduled “Show and Share” day. We would like the children to bring in something that reminds them of fall. Be creative, what do you think of when you think of fall? This is a great opportunity to have a discussion with your child about what fall means to you.
As in the past we have been invited to bring the children Trick or Treating to the Sunnen Business Park on Friday October 30th. We would love to have some parents accompany us. Let us know if you would like to join the group. We will be leaving school by 9:30 and returning by 11:30.
Parents can now access ordering online or return orders to school with a check, made payable to Scholastic. Orders will still be delivered to school. All online orders earn the class a free book. All orders are due by Wednesday, 10/07.
REMINDERS FOR PARENTS
- With children walking to cars in the parking lot they sometimes have been known to stray from the sight of their supervising adult. Please observe caution when driving into the parking lot by taking it slow and watching out for our precious young ones!!
- Tuition is due on Friday for the following week. Late fees will be accessed if not paid by closing on Tuesday.
- Please remember that the health policies outlined in your parent handbook are also State Licensing Guidelines meant to help insure the health and safety of all the children and staff. With all the press about the upcoming flu season please be extra observant of your child’s wellness or lack thereof and keep them home if there is any possibility that they are contagious. This will help to safe guard the children and keep the staff healthy so they do not miss time due to illness.
As we plan each day’s activities and experiences we keep in mind many things; individual development, likes, dislikes, strengths, weaknesses, age and cultural background. When we plan activities that correspond to the children’s interests the information is more meaningful to them. There are many tools we use in planning for children. One important tool is Missouri’s Early Childhood Standards which were developed by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education: Missouri Early Childhood Standards. These outline in an easy to understand format what children need to know when entering Kindergarten. They are organized into different areas of development: Literacy, Math, Social/Emotional, Science, and Physical Growth, Health and Safety. Each has a teacher’s guide and a parent ‘s guide.
Have you ever wondered what that piece of paper covered in paint really is and why your child did it? During this time of development children learn through their senses. They will often make what we might consider a “mess” in an attempt to explore and make sense of their world. Most of the art done at school is planned keeping this in mind. For children the PROCESS IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE PRODUCT. This means simply that the act of mixing materials and seeing them change is more meaningful for a child than making that perfect picture. So as a parent what can you do to reinforce this learning? When that picture comes home, have a conversation with them. “Wow, Look at all the colors you used!” , ” Can you tell me how you made this?”, ” I can tell you worked really worked hard on this!” Giving your child a special place to display their art work also helps them to take pride in the work they’ve done and see that you are proud as well.
Home Away From Home is starting a sister company is Bourbon MO, we will be similar in size to HAFH offering care for 6 week to 6 year olds. Check back soon for more information. Or call 314-644-2425 Ask for Ann or Abbie.
Hello again- I would like to have another family field trip to Suson park and farm. On May 2nd, I would like to meet families at the park to look around the Farm, play on the playground and read a story. Please sign up by the front door. Specific details will be posted the week before the trip. Thanks hope to see you there. – Ms Abbie
Parents- Please Check your cubby for a reminder about you assigned conference time. Thanks – Ms. Abbie
Dear Parents- I would like to meet you at the science center on March 7th. The week prior and after that weekend we will be talking about dinosaurs in our classroom. I think that this would be a great chance for the children to see what they are learning about and be able to see their friends outside of the classroom. Please let me know if you can join us.
Thanks to all the parents who brought things in for Valentines Day. I was told that all of the kids had fun.
Dear Parents, Over the next two to three weeks we will be talking about Arctic animals. I have made a take home bag for our over 2 year old friends to take home. It is filled with 2 books a stuffed animal and an activity. If your family would like to participate and take the bag home please tell me or write your name on a piece of paper and put it in the tuiton box. Please do not feel pressured in to taking it home, I just wanted the oppurtunity to be avaliable. Have a great week and if you have any questions let me know. Thanks – Ms. Abbie
Home Away From Home
Child Care
January 2009 Newsletter
Happy New Year! I hope that everyone had a good
holiday season and best wishes on the New Year.
These past few weeks we have been talking about winter after we will be transitioning in to bears and other winter animals.
Even though the weather in St. Louis is very unpredictable it leads to many teachable moments.
As many of you know we now have a web-site if you have not visited it please do so at
Homeawayfromhomechildcarecenter.com, I try to post important things and newsletters as the weeks move on.
As a reminder we need hats and gloves and winter coats to go outside, state licensing requires outside time so please make sure that your child comes prepared.
I am still working on putting together the family tradition cookbook thank you to everyone who sent in recipes.
Wish List : Clear tubs with lids
A barn for the block area (ours broke) Post it notes
One last thing: we are looking at doing parent teacher conferences at the end of March watch out for reminders as the time gets closer.
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