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

Applications are currently being accepted for CUSD 303's Preschool for All Program, which is funded by the Illinois State Board of Education. 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.

The 10:15 AM playgroup is now open for all, with Spanish interpretation available upon request.

If you currently attend the 9:15 AM session and would like to attend the 10:15 AM session, please complete registration for the new time.

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.

The St. Charles Public Library Youth Service Accessibility Collection brings thoughtfully curated materials to the Library and supports individuals with neurodivergent differences, auditory processing, language, motor, physical, sensory processing, and visual processing disabilities and delays. Through these materials, the Library aims to provide opportunities for families to utilize items which aid in everyday living and celebrate inclusion and access. The collection is located on the lower level in Youth Services. The St. Charles Public Library offers materials and services to accommodate library users of all ages.

Contact the library if additional accommodations are needed to support your experience at the library. We have a selection of assistive aid devices and sensory-friendly tools like noise-dampening headphones and fidgets available for use in the library. Please visit the Youth Services desk for assistance.

BONUS: There is an Adult Accessibility Collection too! Find it on the main level's southwest corner.

Use a First/Then Board to navigate your visit: First/Then Board

View a story on YouTube to prepare: Video

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.

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

• Feb 27 Stories & Snacks from 6 - 6:30 pm in the Miller Haase Community Room
• Feb 29 Fancy Pants Dance Party (Families) from 3:30 - 4:30 pm in the Miller Haase Community Room
• March 1 Jumbo Stacking Cups (Families) from 9:30 am - 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• March 8 Baby Obstacle Course ( Ages 0-23 Months with Caregiver ) from 9:30 - 10 am in the Helen Gale Story Room
• March 9 Baby Obstacle Course (Ages 0-23 Months with Caregiver ) from 9:30 - 10 am in the Helen Gale Story Room
• March 10 MAR10 Day! (Families) from 12: 30 - 4:30 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• March 13 Stories at the Nature Center (Families) from 10:30 -11 am at Creek Bend Nature Center, 37W700 Dean St, St Charles (LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve)
• March 22 Story & Craft (Ages 3-6 with Caregiver) from 10 - 10:30 am in the Miller Haase Community Room
• March 23 Spring Weather Sticker Collage (Ages 2 & 3 with Caregiver) from 10 - 11 am in the Miller Haase Community Room

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

Saturdays on February 24 and March 2

Mondays on February 26 and March 4, 11, 18

Thursdays on February 29 and March 7, 14, 21

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

• Feb 27 in Elgin at Buena Vista Apartments, 1287 Fleetwood Rd (Behind building 1213) from 4 - 5:30 pm
• Mar 4 in Aurora at Our Lady of Mercy, 701 S. Eola Rd, from 4:30 - 6 pm
• Mar 9 in Elgin at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Dr, from 9 - 11 am
• Mar 11 in Wheaton at Immigrant Solidarity, 311 S Naperville Rd, from 4-5:30 pm
• Mar 19 in Elgin at Old Sherman Parking Lot, 901 Center St, from 4-5:30 pm
• Mar 21 in Warrenville at Johnson Elementary School, 2S700 Continental Dr from 4:30 - 6 pm
• Mar 26 in Elgin at Buena Vista Apartments, 1287 Fleetwood Rd (Behind building 1213) from 4 - 5:30 pm

Find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you.

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.