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 for the 2024-2025 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.

Playgroups will resume at Haines Center after September, with specific day of the week and times determined in August. If you attended Playgroup- one time or many- share your thoughts about your experience here, including input about scheduling for the 2024-2025 school year.

Contact D303 Early Childhood Office at 331-228-4834 to schedule a developmental screening for your young 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

• May 30 LEGO Beach Build from 3 - 7 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room.
• June 5 Giant Game Day (All Ages) from 9:30 am - 4 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room
• June 5 Jeanie B! Concert from 11 - 11:45 am in the Huntly Community Room
• June 6 Will it Float? from 10 - 10:45 am in the Terrace Garden
• June 6 Baby Obstacle Course (Ages 0-23 months with caregiver) from 6 - 6:30 pm in the Helen Gale Story Room.
• June 7 Baby Obstacle Course (Ages 0-23 months with caregiver) from 9:30 - 10 am in the Helen Gale Story Room.
• June 12 Stories at the Nature Center from 10:30 - 11 am at the Creek Bend Nature Center at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve.
• June 13 Parking and Playing with Cars (Ages 2-3 with caregiver) from 9:30 - 11 am in the Miller Haase Community Room
• June 14: Movie in the Park: Toy Story (PG) (All Ages) from 8:30 -10 pm at Pottawatomie Park.
• June 22 Miller's Mobile Petting Zoom (All Ages) from 11 am - 12:30 pm in the parking lot.
• June 27 Baby Playdate (Ages 0-23 months with caregiver) from 9:30 - 10:30 am in the Huntley Community Room
• June 30 Rainbow Windsocks from 1 - 4 PM in the Helen Gale Story Room

Family Story Time in the Miller Haase Community Room

Mondays from 10 - 10:30 am and 6 - 6:30 pm

June 3, 10, 17, 24

Tuesdays from 10 - 10:30 am

June 4, 11, 18, 25

Wednesdays from 10 - 10:30 am

June 5, 12, 19, 26

Sunday June 9 from 2 - 2:30 pm

Located on the east side of LeRoy Oakes Forest preserve on the Randall Road Trail, enjoy a new story monthly

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.

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.

Find a food pantry or soup kitchen near you.

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

• May 28 in Elgin at Buena Vista Apartments, 1287 Fleetwood Rd (Behind building 1213) from 4 - 5:30 pm
• June 1 in Aurora at New Covenant Church, 1029 Kane St, from 10 - 11:30 am
• June 4 in Elgin at Old Sherman Parking Lot, 901 Center St, from 4-5:30 pm
• June 7 in Hanover Park at Onatrioville Elementary School, 2100 Elm Ave, from 11 am - 12:30 pm
• June 10 in Wheaton at Immigrant Solidarity, 311 S Naperville Rd, from 4-5:30 pm
• June 25 in Elgin at Buena Vista Apartments, 1287 Fleetwood Rd (Behind building 1213) from 4 - 5:30 pm
• June 26 in Aurora at Our Lady of Mercy, 701 S. Eola Rd, from 4:30 - 6 pm
• June 27 in Elgin at Cornerstone Park, 1450 Mulberry Lane, from 12:30 - 2 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

Access for All: If you family participates in any of the following programs you are eligible for the financial assistance program (significantly reduced-cost of membership and admission):

• WIC
• SNAP
• TANF
• EI/IEP/504
• Access DuPage
• Early/Head Start
• Medicaid/All Kids
• Section 8
• Childcare Subsidy (CCAP)
• Foster Care/Guardianship
• Refugee/Asylum Status

Adaptive Play Time: Modified environment for play and learning for children and their caregivers. Intended for families with disabilities and/or those who may need a calmer environment to experience the Museum.

Sunday May 19 & Sunday June 23

5:30 - 7:00 PM

• 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.

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.