The Sandcastle Times - June 2023
"Building Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning"
Flowers for my mom!
Diamonds on the playground!
Gross Motor Fun
A message from Holly Bevilacqua, COO
Our May transportation theme taught the children all about traveling by land, sea, and air. A trip to space was also one of the highlights of the month. I hope you all had the chance to take a look at all of the amazing activities the children participated in during the month! Check out the classroom bulletin boards, ceiling decor, and family board!
The summer is just around the corner and Carelot is ready! Our staff has many exciting activities planned to make your child’s summer one to remember! Volunteers are encouraged to help out in our classrooms whenever possible! Drop off 5 minutes early and read a story to the class or make arrangements with the classroom teachers to help out with a project.
Sometimes summer brings schedule changes and we kindly ask that you notify the office of any summer changes. We base our staffing on maintaining ratios we are mandated to follow and therefore need to plan ahead if schedules change. Remember if you withdraw your child for the summer, we will do our best to have a space, but cannot guarantee that we will be able to re-enroll your child. We promise to always try our best to meet your needs!
Just a reminder:
Family/Teacher Conferences: Time to set up a short conference with your child’s teacher! Please set a time to go over your child’s development and assessment information in the weeks of June 1st-10th! We can’t wait to share all of their milestones and accomplishments!
Check out the upcoming events happening at each program! Keep up to date by checking out our website calendar or joining our Facebook page. Each month we add new pictures and updates!
As always, I cannot be in every program so if you have a compliment, concern, or idea to share, please email me at holly@carelot.net.
Happy June!
Holly
***Fall enrollment is beginning! EARN a FREE week of tuition for any families you refer who enrolls at Carelot or the Clubhouse programs.
Clubhouse news....
As we come to the end of another school year, we would like to thank you all for entrusting your children with us! We know the past year was challenging but we made it through!!! We have enjoyed having them and loved all the giggles! We look forward to seeing all of you in Fall 2023!
We provide an after-school learning environment for children in Waterford Public Schools
Our Clubhouse program also runs for children at The Friendship School in WTFD! Our Program at The Friendship School cares for children who attend the Friendship School before and after school.
Our Clubhouse programs are actively enrolling for the school year. Please plan accordingly and register early!
Summer Camp is just around the corner. Please be sure to submit your registration form. The kids have been loving the warmer weather and outside playtime. Thank you to all the moms who came to our Mother’s Day tea! We enjoyed visiting with you! Have a wonderful summer and see you all in August! Ms. Heather & Ms. Lorraine
SUMMER CAMP 2023! SIGN UP NOW! ONLY A FEW SPACES LEFT!
Question of the month: Question of the month "Carelot encourages families to participate and give feedback on how we are doing- What do you feel Carelot could improve upon?" (policies, curriculum, family activities etc)We Appreciate your feedback!
We don't have a winner for May: NO entries -
Best Preschool- Services
Best Summer Camp- Great Outdoors
Just a few reminders:
Waterplay: We will keep you updated on Waterplay as the summer weather approaches.
- Playground Safety: please have your child wear closed-toe shoes— the playground terrain can be harsh on little toes!
- Confidentiality: It is contrary to the interest of the Centers and those we serve to give out information regarding children and their families. Carelot maintains confidentiality and respects the family’s right to privacy, refraining from the disclosure of information and intrusion into family life. However, when we have reason to believe that a child’s welfare is at risk, Carelot will share confidential information with agencies as well as with individuals who have legal responsibility for intervening in the child's best interest. Disclosure of children’s records beyond the family member, program personnel and consultants having an obligation of confidentiality shall require familial consent (except in cases of child abuse or neglect ) Should you request that we speak with outside sources for any reason, please complete a release of information form. Staff will work together and information will be discussed only when it will benefit the care we offer the children and/or their parents. All children’s files and assessments are also kept confidential.
- Labeling Snacks and Lunches: Please be sure to label items in your child’s lunchbox!!! Thank for you your cooperation!
- Contagious diseases: Information sheets are sent home to programs if a child has a contagious disease which includes information on symptoms, procedures, and prevention. (illnesses such as Covid-19, coxsackie, strep, pink eye, etc) This is to keep you abreast of illnesses your child may be exposed to. At this time we will continue our regular health assessments when the children arrive at the center.
PTO news....
Upcoming events:
Summer Fundraiser: Little Ceasars- June 16th -July 16th - watch your email and the Facebook page for details. ALL orders will be delivered directly to your home via FEDEX
Shop on AMAZON! Father's Day, on June 19, is a major shopping holiday and a great time to increase your AmazonSmile donations. With the below copy and banners, simply remind your supporters to shop at smile.amazon.com to generate donations for Carelot Children's Center PTO.
Turn your Father's Day shopping into a force for good. Shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/31-1653526 and Amazon donates to Carelot Children's Center PTO.Nutritious Meals
We like to occasionally remind families about the importance of nutritious meals for young children. Although packing meals at home for school is time consuming, the types of foods that your child finds in his or her lunch box help to determine the energy that he or she has for participating in school activities. When selecting lunches, please consider those that are low in fat, sodium and sugar. For example, some of the ready-made snacks or lunch meals look appealing, but are low on nutritional value. It may take a few minutes, but it is worth your time to make a peanut butter or cheese sandwich and add a piece of fruit. Yogurt and fresh fruit make nutritious snacks. Please help educate your child about nutritious eating and snacking so that he or she will benefit from these lessons now and in the future!
Check out Pinterest for some great school lunch ideas!
Future engineers
Literacy is important in Early Childhood
Clubhouse
Wish list items- Drop off at any Carelot location outside the front door.
Any old working Ipads, Iphones or tablets for our classrooms!
Outdoor bikes or toys (sandtoys, hula hoops, balls, badmitton, cornhole etc) you are retiring.
Sensory Items: uncooked pasta, beans, rice, shaving cream, birdseed, waterbeads, cornstarch, feed corn, bubble bath, etc..
Small bottles of Bubbles for each child to use.
Potty Training Tips!
Tips on establishing a daytime routine -If your child shows interest in using the potty, that's great. You have just cleared a big hurdle. Now it is time to begin the training. The first goal is for the child to stay dry while awake. Here are some tips on establishing a daytime routine.
Make frequent trips to the bathroom. You can't force your child to urinate or produce a bowel movement, but you can encourage him to practice. Have your child sit on the potty for 2 to 4 minutes every hour or so. Schedule these sittings close to times your child usually has a bowel movement or urination, such as just after a meal, snack or nap. Remember that you cannot control when your child urinates or has a bowel movement.
Know when it's time to stop. Don't expect performance at first. If your child can't urinate or produce a bowel movement after 2 to 4 minutes, it's time to try later. If your child protests strongly when you suggest s/he return to the potty, don't insist. Such resistance may mean that it is not the right time to start training.
Let your child learn from you and others. Children are often interested in their family's bathroom activities. It is sometimes helpful to let children watch parents, older brothers and sisters, trusted friends, and even relatives when they go to the bathroom. Seeing these people use the toilet makes children want to do the same.
Involve your child in getting dressed/undressed. Let your child practice lowering and raising their underwear or training pants sometimes, or putting them on and taking them off.
Have boys sit before standing. Have a boy start out sitting to minimize sprays and dribbles on the walls and floors.
Respect your child's feelings and privacy. Potty training focuses on the most personal and private parts of your child's body so proceed in a dignified respectful manner. Some children need privacy and will not go if anyone is looking or is in the bathroom with them. Respect this.
Expect some fooling around. Expect some fooling around by toddlers. For example, when they go through the phase of saying "no" to everything, their "no" does not always really mean "no." In short, if you ask your toddler if s/he needs to go potty and are met with a resounding "no," this response may sometimes have little to do with your question. This is all part of learning to read your child and becoming familiar with all forms of communication.
Accentuate the positive. Be positive. Pour on the praise. Parents should recognize and applaud all the things that kids do right during the potty training process, instead of focusing on things children forget to do or haven't done perfectly. For example, if children wash their hands, but forget to flush, parents should congratulate them on their nice, clean hands.
Carelot Children's Center, Inc.
"Building Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning"
Providing education to Children ages 3 months to 12 years!
Email: adminassist@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: 860-739-1993
Facebook: facebook.com/carelotctr