The Sandcastle Times - July 2024
"Building Strong Foundations for Lifetime of Learning"
A message from Holly Bevilacqua, COO
Dear Carelot Families,
With summer officially here, our halls are buzzing with laughter and the scent of sunscreen as we dive into a month packed with exciting activities and learning opportunities. Our teachers have prepared a vibrant summer curriculum to ensure every child has a memorable and enriching experience.
Summer Camp Adventures
Our summer camps have launched with great enthusiasm! From outdoor explorations to creative arts and sports, there's something to spark the curiosity of every camper. If you have friends or family interested in joining the fun, we still have a few spots available for upcoming camp weeks. Don't miss out—spread the word!
Stay Connected
Stay updated on all our upcoming activities by referring to our Monthly Calendars or visiting our website at www.carelot.net. We encourage you to participate in our planned activities or simply drop by to share a talent or spend time with your child. Your involvement enriches our community!
Join Our Team
Exciting news! Carelot is looking for passionate individuals to join our team across all our centers. If you or someone you know has a passion for working with children and is seeking a rewarding career, look no further than Carelot. Visit our website or contact us directly to learn more about available positions and how you can become part of our growing family.
Thank you for being part of the Carelot community. We look forward to sharing a summer filled with growth, fun, and new experiences with your children.
A pig visits TFS camp
Science exploration
Who's ready to drive?
Feedback is appreciated!
At Carelot we strive for 5 STARS in early care and education! I wanted to invite you to tell us how we did personally! Click the link below to share your experience!
If we are not meeting your expectations for a 5-star review, please contact us directly so we can improve our programs to make the Carelot Learning experience 5 stars! You can contact a site manager, executive director or the COO for feedback!
Thank you Rep. Holly Cheeseman for supporting Early Childhood!
Sensory
Thank you Rep. Kathleen McCarty for supporting Early Childhood!
SUMMER FUN WITH YOUR CHILDREN!
Summer tips and reminders
Volunteer Opportunities
We invite parents and family members to volunteer at Carelot! Whether you'd like to share a favorite story, create a fun snack or craft, or simply spend time in your child's classroom, your involvement is invaluable. Please reach out to your child's teacher to schedule your visit—we look forward to having you join us!
Vacation Plans
If your family has vacation plans this summer, please inform your child's teacher in advance. This helps us plan accordingly and ensures your child's experience remains seamless during your absence. Thank you for your cooperation!
Attendance Notifications
During the summer months, our activities and events may occasionally alter our daily routines. To help us maintain smooth operations, please remember to notify the center by 9:00 am if your child will be absent or arriving late. Your prompt communication allows us to adjust our staffing accordingly. Thank you for your assistance in this matter!
Water Play Days
Excitement is bubbling as water play days have officially begun at our centers! Children eagerly anticipate these activities, which are essential for their gross motor and sensory development. To ensure everyone can participate fully, please ensure your child has a complete set of water play supplies at school each week. This includes a bathing suit or extra clothes, water shoes, and a towel. Don't forget to apply sunscreen (PABA-free, SPF 15 or higher) to your child before they arrive each day. Water play days vary weekly based on schedules and weather conditions—please check with your child's classroom for specific details.
Now Enrolling for 2024/2025 School Year
July Question of the month "Share with us 3 characteristics of Carelot?"
Our June Winner was: Congratulations to Jessica, Eleanor's Mom in East Lyme for winning the June question of the month drawing.
Check out our feedback-
What suggestions would you make to make Carelot even better?
Thank you for your valuable feedback and suggestions. Your involvement and input are essential to us, and we're committed to continuously enhancing our programs based on your insights. Here's how we're addressing your suggestions:
Improved Communication and Calendar Updates:
- We appreciate your desire for more frequent updates and clearer communication regarding our activities and closures. Our monthly calendar is readily accessible on both our newsletter and website. We will ensure that we include communication with our Family App and reminders during drop off and pick up times. This will help you stay informed about all upcoming events and program closures.
Enhanced Parent-Teacher Engagement:
- We understand the importance of regular communication between parents and teachers, especially in our toddler room. While our current biannual parent-teacher conferences in January and June are in place, we also welcome additional sit-downs upon request throughout the year. This ensures we maintain open lines of communication regarding your child's development and progress.
Community Involvement and Extended Programs:
- We love your enthusiasm for engaging with community resources! We will continue to actively explore more extended programs that involve local resources. You may have seen programs such as the Police Department, Fire Department, Library, Musicians, Storytellers, Petting farms, and Niantic Children's Museum to name a few. Moreover, we encourage greater parent participation in sharing their careers, stories, and cultural traditions with our students. These initiatives will enrich our curriculum and foster stronger community ties. Thank you to the families who have particiapted and shared with their children's peers and teachers!
Enhanced Staff Communication:
- We hear your concern about communication gaps between AM and PM staff regarding feeding schedules and behavioral concerns. We are committed to improving staff training on the importance of seamless communication. Our family app will also continue to play a vital role in keeping you updated on your child's daily activities, and we encourage you to notify your site manager if you encounter any issues with receiving information.
Smooth Morning Transitions:
- Your suggestion to assist parents during morning drop-offs is valuable. We will discuss and implement strategies in our upcoming staff meetings to ensure a smoother transition for families during these busy times.
Recognizing Achievements:
- We appreciate your idea to celebrate and recognize family and child achievements each month. We will brainstorm creative ways to highlight these accomplishments, ensuring everyone feels valued and acknowledged.
Thank you once again for your thoughtful suggestions and ongoing support. Your involvement is crucial in making Carelot a nurturing and enriching environment for all our children. If you have further ideas or feedback, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can continue to grow and enhance our community at Carelot.
Don't forget to submit your answers! You have won a $25 tuition credit on your account.
It's easy to win just by clicking the link below to submit your answer!
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!
Food for thought!
Summer recipe
Great idea!
A Message from our Accounting Department
As we continue through the summer months and prepare for the upcoming Fall season, we would like to remind you of important billing and withdrawal policies at Carelot:
Billing Information: Your tuition account is billed every Friday for the upcoming week. Please ensure that you plan accordingly. Please note that Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) payments may not appear in your bank account until the following Monday or Tuesday.
All payments are to be made online using Tuition Express.
Tuition fees are required for all days your child is enrolled. As our fees are based on annual costs, your contracted weekly tuition rate applies whether your child is present or absent. Families with multiple children enrolled receive a 10% discount on the second child and a 20% discount on the third child.
An Annual Registration Fee of $70.00 per family is due by September 1st each year.
Withdrawal Notice: With summer transitions and the approaching Fall season, please remember that a 2-week withdrawal notice is required if you intend to withdraw your child from Carelot. Families may withdraw their children at any time, but the center requires this notice to properly manage transitions.
To initiate withdrawal, please complete the withdrawal notice form available on our website at www.carelot.net (under FORMS). Withdrawal is considered official only when this form is completed and submitted at least two weeks (10 business days) in advance. Your two-week tuition deposit will be applied to the last two weeks of care only if proper notice is given.
For any questions regarding billing, withdrawals, or to obtain necessary forms, please contact Stephanie at 860-739-1993 Ext. 122 or email accounting@carelot.net.
Thank you for your attention to these important matters.
PTO news....
Ronald Vlaun Scholarship: A huge congratulations to the WHS recipient of the Ronald Vlaun scholarship at Waterford high school senior awards night.
Thank you everyone for supporting the PTO and allowing us to support these amazing students!!! Our PTO and Annual One-Stop-Shopping Event in November help fund this scholarship program. To date Carelot PTO has administered over $30,500 in scholarship money!
We are planning this great event on the first Sunday of November! Stay tuned for details.
All around Carelot
A BIG congratulations to our preschool graduates! They had an amazing performance and we wish them the best of luck in kindergarten. We know you all will do great.
A huge congratulations to all our graduating staff! Best wishes in your future endeavors!
Happy July everyone!
Wish list items- Drop off at any Carelot location
Any old working Ipads, Iphones or tablets for our classrooms! Recycle!
Legos, Shaving Cream, Pasta, Rice, Bubbles and Sidewalk Chalk.
Camp 2024
Welcome to summer camp! We have many fun trips and programs planned for this summer! We always welcome chaperones so if you are interested in coming on a trip, see one of the counselors!! We appreciate your assistance!
Please be sure to check out the calendar of events so you don’t miss out on all the fun! Some openings are still available if you would like to add a day or extra week! Just stop by the office!
Fun things to do with your kids this summer:
- Bake cookies and make ice cream sandwiches
- Have luau in the backyard
- Go to the beach and collect shells
- Have an A to Z scavenger hunt
- Build a sandcastle
- Set up a lemonade stand
- Go on a bike ride
- Make a sidewalk chalk mural
- Visit a fish hatchery, a park, a zoo or take in a ball game
- Go Play mini golf
- Visit a firestation or police station
- Bake cupcakes in ice cream cones
- Attend an outdoor festival or concert
- Paint canvas sneakers with fabric paint
Time to Clean Up this mess!
Carelot Children's Center, Inc.
"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