Early Childhood Happenings

This monthly publication will provide you with events and tips we think you might find useful as you raise your young child(ren). Please contact Tricia Sabathne, Child and Family Educator, with any questions or if you are looking for additional resources, information, or supports for your child or family.

tricia.sabathne@d303.org

331-228-5727

Save the Date! Curious about preschools or childcare in the upcoming year? Meet representatives from preschools and child care centers in our community at the St. Charles Public Library on January 20. In the Huntley Community Room, from 10 am - 12 pm.

Applications are currently being accepted for CUSD 303's Preschool for All Program, which is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education, for the 2023-24 school year. The program provides a school experience for young children ages 3-5 years old (not eligible for Kindergarten) at Fox Ridge Early Childhood Center. Students are found eligible by taking into account various factors including delays in development, low income, homelessness, parent/sibling with a disability, parent education level, non-English speaking household, and others. Call 331-228-4834 for more information about how to apply.

Do you have concerns about your child's development? If your child attends Fox Ridge Early Childhood Center, please talk to your child's teacher or Walk-In Speech-Language Pathologist. If your child does not attend Fox Ridge, Developmental Screening may be for you! Call 331-228-4834 for more information and to schedule an appointment.

Daily drop in programs for Families (Ages 7 and Under with a Caregiver) from 9:30 am - 4 pm.

Jan 2: Create a Snow Scene

Jan 3: Winter Wonderland LEGOs

Jan 4: Fireside Board Games

Jan 5: Coffee Filter Snowflakes

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Unless otherwise noted all programs for Families (Ages 7 and Under with Caregiver) and are at the St. Charles Public Library at One Sixth Ave, St. Charles.

St. Charles Public Library Programs

• Dec 14 Holiday Wrapping Party from 6 to 7 pm in the Miller Haase Community Room:

Kids can drop by to have Library staff help them wrap their holiday gifts. We'll have a wrapping station, gift bag decoration, and staff will be available to provide assistance! All you need to bring is yourself and something to wrap! Please bring no more than three (3) gifts per participant.

• Dec 29 Board Game Day from 9:30 am to 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• Dec 29 Raptors in Your Neighborhood Presented by Wings and Talons from 11 am to 12 pm in the Huntley Community Room:

Did you know that many Birds of Prey (also known as Raptors) can be found in our area? Join us to see owls, hawks and falcons up close and learn fascinating facts about them. Space is limited.

• Dec 31 New Year's Eve Party! from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in the Huntley Community Room
• Jan 2 El Mago Magic Show from 2 - 3 pm in the Huntley Community Room.

Join us for a BILINGUAL music show with the engaging and hilarious El Mago. Space is limited.

• Jan 9 Stories & Snacks from 6 - 6:30 pm in the Miller Haase Community Room
• Jan 10 Sensory Play from 4 - 4:30 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room Ages 2-3 with a caregiver

Family Story Time in the Miller Haase Community Room from 10 - 10:30 am

Mondays in January (starts on the 8th)

Thursdays in January (starts on the 11th)

Learning to read begins long before kindergarten. Reading to your child is one of the best ways to boost their brainpower. Any child from birth to entering kindergarten can participate in this self-paced early literacy program.

Come into the Library to sign up and get a paper log. Check in at the Library when you finish a log and move your canoe up our pretend river. When you finish 1,000 books, you’ll receive a fun, musical prize!

If you read just one book per day, you will reach 1,000 before the child is three years old. Join us on this journey to help create a brighter future for your child.

While the holidays sprinkle joy for many, we know that parents with young children face some unique challenges during this season. Are you curious about ways to make this holiday season a little better for both you and your little ones? Dive into today's episode for some nuggets of wisdom from Early Childhood Consultants Dr. Susan Mrazek and Shannon Keating! ✨

All Drive Thru Models. No ID or documentation needed. First come, first served while supplies last.

• Dec 16 in Carol Stream at Faith Community Church, 25W560 Geneva Rd, from 10 - 11:30 am
• Dec 20 in Aurora at Our Lady of Mercy, 701 S. Eola Rd, from 4:30 - 6 pm
• Dec 22 in Aurora at Bloomhaven Innovation Living Community, Weston Bridge, 323 Weston Ave (Far East Side Parking Lot) from 4 - 5:30 pm
• Jan 8 in Wheaton at Immigrant Solidarity, 311 S Naperville Rd, from 4-5:30 pm
• Jan 9 in Elgin at Old Sherman Parking Lot, 901 Center St, from 4-5:30 pm
• Jan 17 in Aurora at Our Lady of Mercy, 701 S. Eola Rd, from 4:30 - 6 pm

Did you know the Salvation Army St. Charles (Tri-City) Community Center has a food pantry? Eligible families receive food as well as diapers, if needed, monthly. To access the food pantry, registration is required and visits to the pantry are by appointment only.

The Salvation Army St. Charles (Tri-City) Community Center
1710 S. 7th Avenue
St. Charles, IL 60174
Phone: (630) 377-2769 | Fax: (630) 377-2849

• You can receive 3 months of childcare while you look for work or attend school?
• If you are employed at a childcare center or childcare home, you can receive $1 copay
• There is no copay for families that are displaced?

Find Childcare & Early Learning Programs Near You

Many families do not have dental insurance. Well Child Center's mission is to provide ALL children with dental services regardless of their parents' ability to play. From 1 to 18 - with or without insurance - they can receive a comprehensive, full service dental exam.

Muchas familias no tienen seguro dental. La misión de Well Child Center es proporcionar servicios dentales a TODOS los niños independientemente de la capacidad de pago de sus padres. Desde 1 año de edad hasta los 19 años, con o sin seguro puede recibir un examen dental integral de servicio completo.

Do you want to learn English? We will match you with a tutor who will teach you one hour each week. You can take the class in the morning, afternoon or evening at the library or another public place. To qualify, you must be an adult who lives or works in St. Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Elburn, Campton Hills, LaFox, Lily Lake, Wasco or Wayne.

The St. Charles Park District welcomes participation in all activities by individuals with disabilities and special needs by working cooperatively with the Fox Valley Special Recreation Association. The District is committed to inclusion by providing public recreation services in the most integrated setting, providing to the maximum extent feasible for interaction between people with and without disabilities.

Kane County All Our Kids (AOK) Network resource guide. Includes phone numbers for crisis intervention, dental care, counseling & behavioral health, child safety, counseling & behavioral health, food & nutrition, emergency shelter, and more.