Valley Oak's
June Classes and Workshops
12 Activity Resource Room
6:00 to 7:00 P.M.
VOCS, Chico
18 Activity Resource Room
6:30 to 7:30 P.M.
GOFRC, Oroville
27 Developmentally Appropriate Art Activities for Young Children
6:00 to 7:30 P.M.
VOCS, Chico | | |
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| 2011 Directory |  |
Valley Oak Children's Services Directory of Child Care and Family Related Services has been updated and is now available on our web site. You are welcome to download an Adobe Acrobat PDF file of the directory for your reference. |
| PG&E CARE Program |  | |
The CARE program provides a monthly discount on energy bills for income-qualified households and housing facilities. Qualifications are based on the number of persons living in your home and your total annual household income. Valley Oak Children's Services is a Community Partner and can assist you with your application process.
For more information call 895-3572.
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Comcast is
offering Internet Essentials, a low-cost home Internet service. If your child receives free or reduced price school lunches you may qualify.
Visit Internet Essentials or call (855) 846-8376 to see if you qualify. | | |
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 Greetings!
School is out! Summer is here and it's time to play.
In this month's newsletter we offer information on the importance of play, some ideas for outdoor play, and our listing of community events.
Summer also turns our thoughts to our annual fundraiser. This year the event will be Saturday, August 10th, at Manzanita Place in Chico. More information and tickets are available here. We hope we see you there!
Enjoy your summer!
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It's Summer! Time To Play
With the warm summer weather, it's time to go out and play. Did you know play has an important role in children's brain development? Play allows children to develop essential physical, social, emotional and cognitive skills. This article discusses why play matters, and what parents can do to help their children experience, explore, and learn.
Outdoor Time Is Important
We are learning that it is important for children to spend time outdoors without a planned agenda. Children who regularly spend unstructured time outdoors are more likely to:
- Become fitter and leaner;
- Develop stronger immune systems;
- Experience fewer symptoms of ADD and ADHD;
- Play more creatively and have more active imaginations;
- Learn how to handle challenges and solve problems;
- Experience how things grow, mature, and die;
- Develop a sense of wonder and research;
- Apply science and math principles to real world situations; and
- Have greater respect for themselves, for others, and for the environment.
Encourage Your Child's Outdoor Play
 Plan time for unstructured outside play. Keep it simple and fun. Explore in your backyard, investigate your neighborhood, or visit a community park. Not sure where the parks are in your community? Try these links:
Insect Repellant Use and Safety
 As the weather gets nicer and children are spending more time outside, it is important to remember insect repellants.
Repellants are an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne disease. This website from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers important information about repellant use on children and adults.
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 Child Care Substitute Registry
What is the Substitute Registry? The Substitute Registry provides licensed Center Directors and Family Child Care Providers with a list of potential child care substitutes. It's an important link between those in need of temporary staff, and job seekers looking for employment in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Our Mission is two-fold:
- To establish a reliable pool of qualified Child Care Substitutes to "cover" in the absences of regular caregivers.
- To assist individuals wanting to gain needed "hands-on" experience working in the early care and education field.
For information on becoming part of the registry, or obtaining names of possible substitutes to use in your facility,
contact Valley Oak Children's Services, (530) 895-3572 or (800) 345-8627 and ask for Shelly Thomson. |
 Livescan Services
Valley Oak Children's Services is now offering Livescan Services.
Livescan Services are available Monday through Friday, from 9:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Please call (800) 315-4507 to schedule an appointment, or visit MorphoTrust USA to schedule an appointment on-line.
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 Did You Know?
Valley Oak Children's Services offers workshops for parents and child care professionals on a variety of topics.
Upcoming workshops and events:
* June 18th Fun Math Activities for Young Children
* June 27th Developmentally Appropriate Art Activities for Young Children
All trainings are free, but prior registration is required. Call 895-3572 or 800-345-8627 for more information or to register.
 Also, Valley Oak Children's Services has children's bike helmets for infant/toddler through school age children.
Please call 895-3572 for more information or to schedule a fitting.
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  Community Resources And Events
Valley Oak Children's Services Mobile Toy and Resource Van is coming to the Butte County Library's Story Times. Come visit the van and find community resources and check out educational toys and children's play equipment for a one month period. The April schedule is:
- Paradise Library, 5922 Clark Road, Friday, June 14th, 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
- Oroville Library, 1820 Mitchell Avenue, Wednesday, June 19th, 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
- Gridley Library, 299 Spruce Street, Friday, June 21st, 10:00 - 11:00 A.M.
Please contact Siobhan O'Neil, VOCS Toy Librarian, at 899-4902 for additional information.
The Far Northern Regional Center is sponsoring "Think. Live. Be. WELL," a wellness and prevention expo, Wednesday, June 12th from 11:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Chico Masonic Family Center in Chico. Details here.
Rowell Family Empowerment is offering expanded nutrition classes this summer. Classes are Wednesday afternoons from 3:00 to 5:00 through July 31st. For more information and to register call (530) 899-8801.
Chico Area Recreation and Park District's Movies in the Park happen on the third Saturday of the month in June and July at Sycamore Field in Bidwell Park. This year's movies are:
Saturday, June 15: The Odd Life of Timothy Green Saturday, July 20: Hugo
 The Thursday Night Market is having a Growing Up Chico Night, Thursday, July 18th, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. in Chico's Downtown Plaza. There will be activities for kids, information for parents, music and dance.
The Butte County Public Health Department's Low Cost Car Seat Program provides low cost car seats for Butte County residents at classes throughout the year. The 2013 class schedule is here. For questions about the low cost car seat program or to register please call the Butte County Public Health Department at 891-2732 or (800) 339-2941.
 Enloe's Mother & Baby Education Center wants to help you and your family prepare for a new baby. They offer a range of classes for before and after the baby is born that promote healthy living for babies and families. Many of the classes are free. For more information and class schedules click here. The Butte County Library offers Story Time at many of its branches for many ages and in several languages. This flyer will give you all the details. |
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 We hope you find our newsletter helpful and informative. Please feel free to forward it to others who may find it useful and feel free to stop by our Chico office, located at 287 Rio Lindo Avenue, to meet our friendly staff and discover all the programs and resources VOCS has to offer. As always, you may e-mail your comments to us.
Sincerely,
Valley Oak Children's Services |
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