The Sandcastle Times - May 2024

May greetings to Carelot Families and Friends!

First and foremost, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the families, center, and PTO for their kind donations to our staff! We dedicated this entire week to recognizing our educators at Carelot. A week of special treats, breakfast, lunch, and lots of love!!! We couldn't have done it without the support of our Families! On Friday we will end the week with some swag!f Our staff are the backbone of our programs and dedicate each day to the education and care of the children! THANK YOU!!

This month, you will see the children learning all about transportation. Ask your child what they learned. Some great open-ended questions could include:

What was your favorite part of today?

• How did you make___________?
• What was your favorite center activity today?

• Today was fun because_________?
• What or who made you smile today?
• What book did your teacher read for the class today?
• What was your favorite part of your school day?
• Did you help anyone in class today?
• Did someone make you laugh?
• Who sat next to you at lunch?

These are just a few examples of some great conversation starters.

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Our classrooms are always open to our families to volunteer their time, help out or participate in one of our classroom events. We thank all of you who joined us for The Week of the Young Child events. The art show was AMAZING!!! We have so many talented children and their creativity definitely showed!

Be sure to check out the calendar on the website and the special events page for upcoming activities. We are always looking for parent/family volunteers. Come and share a favorite story, make a snack or craft with the children, or just come and spend time in your child’s classroom!

Keep updated 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 May!

Holly

Family/Teacher Conferences: Time set up a short conference with your child’s teacher! Please schedule a time to review your child’s development and assessment information. You can schedule a time directly with your child's teachers. Family/Teacher Conferences will be available for scheduling the first two weeks of June. We can’t wait to share all of their milestones and accomplishments!

Teachers plan lessons and activities based on their observations of each individual child in their classrooms. This allows each child to develop and grow at his/her own potential.

First and foremost, I would like to extend a huge thank you to the families, programs and PTO for their kind donations to our staff! We have dedicated this week May 2nd through May 6th to show special recognition to the Carelot Staff. There are some great surprises planned for each day of the week. We couldn't do it without the support of our Families! Our staff are the backbone of our programs and dedicate each day to the education and care of the children! THANK YOU!!

April was filled with some exciting learning about Spring! We learned about flowers, the weather, butterflies and caterpillars, our earth, and rainbows.

The week of the young child was a great event with activities focused on cooperation, food, music, and art! We ended the week with an Art Show with all original pieces of art and an Ice Cream Party!

May is here and filled with even more challenges and learning. Our theme will be transportation. We can't wait to travel around finding out all the ways to get around!

CT music will be back as we move and groove to the sounds of music!

• At Carelot, we believe that communication forms the cornerstone of a strong partnership between our staff and families. Together, we strive to provide the best care and education for your children, ensuring they thrive in every aspect of their development.

  As we approach our upcoming parent-teacher conferences, we want to emphasize the importance of your involvement in shaping your child's educational journey. These conferences offer a valuable opportunity for you to actively participate in planning our programs to suit the individual needs of your child. However, we urge you to maintain open lines of communication with our teachers throughout the year.

  Here are some ways you can stay engaged:

  🗣️ Share Information: Whether through verbal communication or our Parent/Teacher communication app, Procareconnect, keeping us informed about your child's needs, progress, and any concerns ensures we can provide tailored support.

  📝 Contribute Ideas: Your input and feedback are invaluable. We welcome your ideas on how we can enhance your child's learning experience.

  📌 Stay Informed: Explore our Community/Resource boards, Carelot Facebook page, or reach out to our staff for information on community events and resources beneficial to your family.

  🎉 Join Us: Participate in classroom activities and events. Your involvement fosters a sense of community and enriches your child's educational journey.

  💬 Be Open: We encourage open dialogue about your child's day, learning experiences, and interactions in the classroom. Your insights help us tailor our approach to better meet their needs.

  📄 Review Reports: Take advantage of our written reports provided twice a year during Family/Teacher conferences and through your child's classroom learning portfolio. These documents offer valuable insights into your child's progress.

  🎈 Share Your Ideas: If you have event or activity suggestions, we're all ears! We're eager to hear your thoughts and collaborate on enriching experiences for our community.

  Remember, someone is always here to listen. Your active participation strengthens our partnership and ensures the best possible experience for your child.

As we navigate through the school year, we'd like to take a moment to highlight the importance of providing nutritious meals for our young learners. The foods your child consumes during the school day significantly impact their energy levels and ability to engage in classroom activities.

While we understand that packing meals at home can be time-consuming, the choices made for your child's lunchbox play a vital role in their overall well-being. We kindly ask that you consider selecting lunches that are low in fat, sodium, and sugar. While ready-made snacks or lunch options may seem convenient, they often lack the nutritional value our children need.

Taking a few extra minutes to prepare a simple yet nutritious meal, such as a peanut butter or cheese sandwich paired with fresh fruit, can make a world of difference in your child's day. Yogurt and fresh fruit also make excellent, wholesome snacks to keep them fueled throughout the day.

We encourage you to involve your child in the process of selecting and preparing nutritious meals, helping them understand the importance of healthy eating habits for both now and in the future.

Looking for inspiration? Check out Pinterest for a ton of creative and nutritious school lunch ideas!

Lastly, a gentle reminder that we are unable to prepare food for your children onsite. Please ensure all items are sent in ready-to-eat.

At Carelot, we believe that mealtime is an essential opportunity for fostering various aspects of a child's development, including language skills, cooperation, proper table manners, independence, and responsibility. With this in mind, we have established the following nutrition policy to ensure that all children receive nourishing meals and snacks in a supportive environment:

1. Mealtime Environment:

   • Children are encouraged to participate in mealtime activities, such as setting the table, pouring liquids, and serving themselves to the best of their ability.
   • We promote a positive attitude towards trying new foods, but children will never be forced to eat them.
   • Meals will be served with ample time for socializing and enjoying the dining experience.
   • A staff member will join the children at the table during meals, providing a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.

2. Snacks:

   • Families are responsible for providing snacks for their child's morning and afternoon snack times. These snacks should be labeled with the child's name and date.
   • Our center will accommodate children's nutritional needs by offering two snack times daily.
   • It is crucial for parents to inform us of any food allergies their child may have. Our nurse consultant will create a care plan detailing the allergy, reactions, and necessary information, which will be signed by both the parent/guardian and center staff.

3. Breakfast:

   • Breakfast is served between 7:30-8:00 am. Parents/guardians are responsible for providing breakfast for their child.
   • To minimize disruptions to daily lessons, children should be checked into the center before 8:00 am if they wish to eat breakfast.

4. Lunches:

   • Children who are present during lunchtime must bring their own lunch. These lunches should meet nutritional guidelines.
   • We provide microwaves for heating food. Please ensure all items requiring heating are in non-breakable, microwave-safe containers.
   • Carelot is unable to prepare food for children due to regulations. Please refrain from sending soda or candy in lunchboxes.
   • Disposable utensils will be provided for all meals.
   • It is essential to label all food items with your child's name and the date.

By adhering to these guidelines, we aim to create a supportive and nourishing environment where children can develop healthy eating habits that will benefit them now and in the future.

PROVIDER APPRECIATION:

Thank you to everyone who has signed up for our Tiki...Riffic Teacher Appreciation Theme Week.

Upcoming events:

Summer Fundraiser: Stay tuned

Shop on AMAZON! Mother's Day, is May 12th, and Father's Day, on June 16th, 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.

Our programs are getting ready for summer. Summer Camp in Killingly, Brooklyn and East Lyme will begin in June. We are also offering a camp program @ The Friendship School for students enrolled at the Friendship School. (This includes children entering the program in the fall) Please sign up early - spaces are filling quickly!

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!

• Please bring in a change of clothing that is “weather appropriate”
  
• Labeling: we ask for help and please label all of your child’s belongings (clothes, bedding, lunches, etc.) This helps keep items from getting lost!
  
• Please take home your child’s lunch daily. Unfortunately we cannot store food that is not eaten.
• Please be sure to Label ALL Items that come into the Clubhouse. We have Sharpies available if you need one. It is our hope to have the lost and found items all find their proper owners.

APRIL WINNER:

We have a winner for April! Narcisse Green- Waterford Center- Congratulations!

Thank you, everyone, for your feedback!

It's so easy to win- Just submit an answer by May 25th!

It's easy to win by just emailing us an answer! $25 tuition credit! Click the link below!

Look what families are saying!!

• I appreciate that Carelot is a judgement free zone! As parents, we are constantly judged for making minor mistakes, like forgetting a cup, forgetting what it’s like to potty train, feeling guilty when children act out.. ect. At carelot, I have never felt judged and I am always being told I’m doing a great job and kids are kids. They are always helping with tips/tricks and always willing to listen as if they were in your shoes, since most of them have been or currently is. I appreciate Carelot each and everyday!

• I appreciate the vast number of program options. From summer camp, to school vacations, to the ability to adjust scheduled hours, they are always able to fit the needs of my family. It is a huge relief as a working parent. I also truly appreciate the lengths that they go through to make my child feel comforted and safe. That has always been priceless to me. Thank you!

• I appreciate the freedom to explore a variety of activities, that allow children to discover so much more than what’s in traditional curriculum!

• I appreciate how much my son enjoys talking about his teachers and classmates with fondness. I also love how he helps out around the center, giving him a sense of purpose and taking care of the space around him- it’s so great for his development 😁

• I love the Carelot Staff Facebook page. I love seeing all of the children and the information given. Sometimes we need the reminder of why we are doing what we are doing.

• The real time communication from the Procare app and from the site manager, Kelly. I feel I always know what’s going on with my child and Kelly’s extremely open door policy makes it easy to communicate with her.

• your flexibility

• Everyone is like family to our family. Love the Killingly Team!

• Communication Fan Favorite for me is email, the Carelot Website. I do use the facebook page as well.

Thanks for helping us make our programs better! Without everyone’s input, we are not able to effectively assess how our programs are doing! We appreciate you taking the time to help us assess our policies, procedures, curriculum, and more!

Any old working Ipads, Iphones or tablets for our classrooms!

Sand Toys

Any toys you have cleaned out in good condition

Cars or trucks for outdoor play

Board books

• 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.

"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