Dear Carelot Team,

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! I trust that you had a fantastic holiday season filled with joy and relaxation. As we embark on a new year together, I want to express my gratitude for your dedication to Carelot and the invaluable role you play in shaping the future through Early Childhood Education.

The Administrative Team and I are eagerly anticipating a wonderful 2024 filled with collaboration, growth, and positive adventures. You are the heart of Carelot, and without your hard work and commitment, we wouldn't be the thriving community that we are.

This year, let's make the most of our online community by engaging more on our staff page. Your ideas, questions, and shared experiences are invaluable, creating a rich resource for us all. To add a touch of excitement, I plan to introduce random fun posts and prizes throughout the year, providing not only opportunities to learn but also chances to win some fantastic rewards. Keep an eye out for these enjoyable activities!

In the spirit of collaboration, I invite you to share your thoughts and ideas for content on our Facebook page and website. Whether it's suggestions for engaging posts, event ideas for families and staff, or innovative fundraising concepts, your input is crucial. Your fellow teachers are a fantastic resource, and I encourage you to continue reaching out to one another for inspiration and support.

Additionally, I am actively seeking feedback from you. If you have any thoughts, suggestions, or ideas, please don't hesitate to contact me. You can reach me via email at holly@carelot.net, by phone at 860-739-1993, Ext. 109, or through Facebook messaging. Feel free to shoot me a text as well.

I am genuinely excited about the possibilities that 2024 holds for us at Carelot, and I look forward to another year of growth, learning, and success together. Thank you for being an integral part of our community, and here's to making 2024 extraordinary

Happy New Year!

Please note that your monthly checklist that is to be submitted to the office at the end of each month includes all items that the Office of Early Childhood inspects while visiting. It is important that you complete these forms thoroughly and also include items you need in your room or items that need repair.

We would like to inform you that the centers and clubhouse will be closed to children on Monday, 1/15, for a day of staff training.

This training day is an opportunity for professional development, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing. We encourage everyone to come prepared to learn and actively participate in discussions. Your engagement and contribution are essential as we strive to enhance our skills and provide an even better experience for the children in our care.

Center staff will learn about behavior management, communicating, interactions with the children and more. Clubhouse staff will renew their cpr/1st aid and medication/epipen certifications.

We appreciate your understanding and commitment to continuous improvement. Your dedication to learning and growing in your roles is vital to the success of our organization.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this training day, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Thank you for your cooperation.

As we embark on another year together, I want to take a moment to highlight the incredible value of teamwork and collaboration within our organization.

Creativity is a force that thrives when people come together on a team. The process of brainstorming ideas as a group goes beyond preventing stale viewpoints that can arise when working solo; it cultivates an environment where unique perspectives blend to form more effective solutions.

Each one of you brings a distinct set of skills, experiences, and insights to our team. What you have learned from your individual journeys is entirely different from that of your coworkers. Embracing this diversity is key to unlocking the full potential of our collective creativity. Teamwork not only fosters innovation but also maximizes shared knowledge in the workplace.

Moreover, working collaboratively provides an excellent opportunity for continuous learning. The dynamic exchange of ideas and the sharing of skills among team members can enhance your own skill set and contribute to your professional growth. The knowledge gained through teamwork becomes a valuable asset that you can carry with you throughout your entire career.

In the spirit of collaboration, I encourage each of you to actively engage in team activities, share your perspectives, and be open to the wealth of knowledge that surrounds you. Let's harness the power of teamwork to propel our creativity, foster a culture of learning, and achieve even greater success as a collective force.

Thank you for your ongoing dedication and contributions to our team. Here's to a year filled with collaborative achievements and shared success.

Subject: Family Conferences Preparation

Dear Team,

I hope this memo finds you well. As we approach the period of family conferences the last couple weeks of January. It''s crucial for all of us to be well-prepared for these important interactions. Here are a few reminders and guidelines to ensure a successful and productive conference session:

1. Review Conference Paperwork: Please take a moment to review your conference paperwork thoroughly. Ensure you are familiar with the necessary documents and information required for productive discussions.

2. Collect Required Paperwork from Families: Reach out to your families to collect any required paperwork or additional information ahead of the conferences. This will streamline the process and allow for more meaningful conversations.

3. Develop Relationships with Families: Use this opportunity to continue building strong relationships with your families. Listen to their expectations and comments with an open mind. Embrace the chance to share ideas and information about each of our special little ones.

4. Be Prepared: The key to successful conferences is preparation. Utilize your planning time over the next few weeks to get ready. If you have any questions, seek guidance from the resources available in the resource room, office, or your supervisor. Be proactive in addressing any issues and remember to approach discussions with a balance of positive and constructive feedback.

Reminder about Assessment Checklists: Keep the Assessment Checklists in your assessment binders to assist in evaluating the child’s developmental growth. These assessments are vital for planning lessons and activities in your classroom. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to your director.

Focused Portfolios™ and Parent Conferences: Prioritize going over Focused Portfolios™ sheets as you prepare for conferences. Child portfolios will play a significant role in your parent conferences, providing valuable insights into each child's progress.

Family Conference Summary Form: During the conference, use the Family Conference Summary Form to document any plans or ideas that arise in discussions with the child’s family. This includes classroom ideas, family participation, and future development suggestions. Remember, this partnership between home and school is crucial for the child's overall success.

If you have any further questions or need assistance in your preparations, please feel free to reach out. Let's make this round of family conferences a meaningful and collaborative experience for everyone involved.

"What do you feel is the most important aspect of a child care program?

Submit your answer by clicking the link below!

The winner for December was Anne Marie from our East Lyme program! She has scored a $20 bonus in her next check.

Planning for 2024 has begun and we want to make it the best year ever!

East Lyme Center: The EL center just completed their NAEYC accretitation visit- Thank you to all the staff who work so hard each day to provide the best program and showing off all you do to the accessor. Results are anticipated with in 90 days. Improvements to the playgrounds have been made as part of our 2024 improvement schedules- new mulch, repairs to equipment, renovated camp room to name a few.

Waterford Center: The Waterford Center received their accreditiaon in 2023. Great job! Many improvements were made painting classrooms, new toys, new cabinets in love bugs to name a few.

Brooklyn Center: The Brooklyn Center also had rooms painted, a major repair to the toddler room (unfortunately due to a burst pipe) and new mulch on the playground along with tree trimming around the playground and a power wash of the building. We are in the process of getting new fencing and some playground improvements done in 2024 as well as updating the infant room lighting. August 2024 will mark the completion of our 4th year in our current NAEYC accreditation. This means that we will be due for a visit during our 5th year so we want to be proactive in getting the center and curriculum in tip top shape in 2024!

Killingly Center: The Killingly Center has some fencing improvements, a shed clean out, new bikes, dumpster repairs, & power wash of the building. Our plan for 2024 is to do room painting and improve the playground with possible resurfacing of the pavement (brainstorming the best scenarios) October 2024 will mark the completion of our 4th year in our current NAEYC accreditation. This means that we will be due for a visit during our 5th year so we want to be proactive in getting the center and curriculum in tip top shape in 2024!

Clubhouse- We were excited to open all 3 afterschool programs in the Waterford Schools in 2023! Thank you to all of our Clubhouse staff for your hard work and dedication in making the Clubhouse program the best it can be. Clubhosue at The Friendship school is also booming thanks to all of you as well.

Policies and procedures for 2024- As we step into the new year, I am excited to share with you some policy improvements that we've implemented to enhance our work environment and better support our valued employees.

1. Competitive Salaries: We understand the significance of recognizing your hard work and dedication. With that in mind, we have revisited our salary structures to ensure they are more competitive. Our goal is to acknowledge and reward your contributions to our community and the children we care for.

2. Revised Blackout Dates: Recognizing the importance of work-life balance, we have revisited our blackout dates policy. We understand the need for personal time and have adjusted blackout dates to allow staff more flexibility in taking time off. We believe this change will contribute to a healthier work-life harmony for each one of you.

3. Company-Inservice Day Training: Education and professional development are crucial aspects of our commitment to excellence. We are excited to bring back our company-inservice day training sessions. These training opportunities are designed to enhance your skills, knowledge, and overall professional growth. We believe in investing in your development for the benefit of both you and the children in our care.

These policy improvements are a result of our commitment to creating a positive and supportive work environment. We appreciate the hard work and dedication each one of you brings to our child care community, and we believe these changes will contribute to a more rewarding experience for all.

We hope to make additional improvements as we continue to review our employee handbook and policies. We welcome any feedback and ideas for a better work environment for all our employees.

Email: hr@carelot.net
Website: www.carelot.net
Location: 315 Flanders Road, East Lyme, CT, United States
Phone: (860) 739-1993
Facebook: www.facebook.com/carelotctr