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| Stay & Play Newsletter |
Fostering communication between families and staff
June 2008 |
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Greetings!
Summer is right around the corner and we are excited! We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter. Stay & Play truly values communication between our program and families. We hope that this newsletter can continue to keep communication lines open and families aware of what our program is accomplishing. |
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Stay & Play Changes
I am writing to inform you about some upcoming changes in our childcare programming, relating primarily to our shift toward full-time care and a reduction in our part-time care. These changes are partly financial and partly philosophical.
Experience has taught us that any model of childcare will at best operate with a thin margin of profit, a goal which we have not been able to achieve by offering part-time childcare. To date, the HUB has subsidized the cost of providing Stay & Play's wonderful services, but cannot do so in the long-term.
I have discussed with the board of directors and executive director ways to assure that Stay & Play will break even, financially, while sustaining and even enhancing the high quality of programming that families have come to trust and love. I have made the following recommendations, which they have approved:
- Stay & Play will increase the number of its full time children.
- Part-time childcare will still be available, but with less flexibility.
- Starting in the fall, we will be using a preschool curriculum for our children who are between the ages of 3½ and 5 years old. Currently enrolled children will have the opportunity to stay with us while they take that important next step in their preparation for entry into kindergarten.
- Our fee structure will stay the same, with no increases for full or part-time care.
This program shift will offer significant benefits to our Stay & Play families:
- Children will be able to come to the program with a more predictable routine to their day.
- There will be a more constant group of children. This will help in building relationships with peers.
- Families will have more opportunities to communicate with staff.
- Staff will be able to plan their curriculum more efficiently and make even stronger relationships with children and families.
- Staff will have more opportunities for keeping up to date on research and best practices.
Of course, some elements of Stay & Play will remain very much the same.
We will continue to have the childcare staff that you have come to know and trust. We will continue to focus on each individual's needs. Children will still have the opportunity for leadership and peer relationships with a mixed age group setting. Our popular biannual parent conferences will continue. We will continue to share program, child development, and parenting information with you through our newsletter.
These changes will be effective July, 1, 2008 and I am quite confident that they will be beneficial to your children and will make the program financially self-sufficient. Although these are exciting developments for us, I recognize with regret that they may not suit everyone's needs. We hope that these changes will ultimately benefit most of our families, while meeting our need to keep the program strong and viable and we will do all we can to assist those families who need other childcare arrangements. |
| Important Dates
Mark your calendars
June 15th- Father's Day!
June 18th- End of Year celebration (see details)
June 27th- Camping Day (see Program News) | |
Calling All Parents!
Parent Board Recruitment
Early education programs rely heavily on staff and parents working together to make the program the best for the children.
We are hoping that parents will rally together to help Stay & Play with some fundamental aspects of programming.
Our goal is to form a group of parents who will assist in:
- fundraising
- recruiting volunteers
- program projects
- program policies
- event planning
- volunteering in the program
- small maintenence
If you are interested in becoming a member of our Parent Board please contact Taryn Lytle (Kailey & Ashlyn's mom) at: tlytle@hubfamilies.org |
 Pique Their Interests... Naturally!by Bethe Almeras
One of the best things about getting outside is that there is something for everyone. No matter what time of year or where you live, you can always find something fun and interesting to do outdoors.
While encouraging your children to try new activities and have new experiences is important, you can also appeal to their natural interests. Nobody knows your child better than you, so think about what they enjoy and then try to match it to outdoor activities and skills that they can develop. You'll hear a lot less "I'm bored!" and a lot more "Can I go outside?"
Here are a few ideas matched to your child's interests. Of course, there are lots more -- just look outside for a little inspiration.
Full Article:
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Program News
Incredible Insects
 We are continuing our study of animals. We are moving to a new category- insects! The children will become aware of the differences in number of legs, body parts, and ways insects move. Some learning experiences planned include:
- singing insect songs
- manipulating and observing worms in a compost home
- creating insects out of a variety of materials
- fun insect cooking and snack activities
We will finish off the month talking about camping- a fun family tradition. On June 27th we will have a camping day. Please bring in a child sized sleeping bags and flashlights. |
End of the Year Celebration
Ice Cream Social!!
Join us to celebrate all of your children's hard work. Enjoy ice cream while watching a end of the year slide show, looking a photo albums & participating in small group games and art activities.
June 18th 5:30-6:30
(rain date June 19th) | |
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Garden Project Continues
The children chose to grow carrots, lettuce, flowers, watermelon, celery, cucumbers, peas and strawberries. The teachers decided to grow tomatoes and basil. First the group dug and mixed the existing soil. Then they added cow manure compost!! What a FUN MESS! Finally on the third week each child choose several seeds and plants to put in the garden. Now we continue to water daily and wish for sun as we wait for fruits and vegetables to grow. Check out our documentation board below the kitchen counter. |
Parents Helping Out 
Thank you to Agnes, Grace's mom, for being part of our circle time. Agnes shared her families native language, French, with the group. The children learned some numbers and how to say hello "Bonjour!" We look forward to her next visit when she teaches the children a new song!!
Another Thank you to Pauliina, Elli & Silja's mom, for donating snap pea seeds for our garden - watch then grow along the fence! | |
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Please keep your feedback coming. We welcome new suggestions for making Stay & Play en aeven better place for you and your children.
Sincerely,
Stay & Play Staff
lsheehan@hubfamilies.org
The HUB Family Resource Center |
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