Cowichan Valley CCRR June,July, August 2014

Cowichan Valley Child Care News & Views
Summer 2014
Be prepared for fun in the sun!
Ahhh summer time…
In this issue.
 Playground Safety tips.
 Upcoming Professional
Development training.
 What’s New in the Toy
Library.
 Success By 6 News.
 A child care provider’s
story.
 Workshop Registration
form.
Child care providers love it when the sun
shines! Muddy buddies are put away and
in their place sun hats & sun screen!
Be sure to talk with parents before the hot
days arrive so they can fill you in on how
their children may react to warmer weather, picnics outside and changes in routines.
After all, it is so much fun to spend more
time at the water park or a sandy beach.
Many parents would love to be on vacation
all summer so they can do these things
with their children. So whenever possible
invite them to meet you in the park on their
lunch hours, if they can’t spend the day
with you. The children will love it and you
will be creating a positive, bond with their
families.
Helping families find the CCRR office in Duncan.
Do you know families needing child care subsidy applications ?
Send them to the CCRR office @ the Clements
Centre, 5856 Clements Street, Duncan.
The CCRR sign is outside the front door and the
office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am—4:00pm.
Once inside, Diane, receptionist for the Clements
Centre can help families find the CCRR office.
CCRR Consultants can also help families with free
referrals to child care programs.
Remind parents to join
the Sundrops CDC team
at the Duncan Children’s
Festival, Sunday, July 13
from 11:00am—3:00pm
Contact us: (250) 746-4135
Program Coordinator
Myna Thompson
mthompson@clementscentre.org
Ext
231
Program Consultant
Liz Manraj
lmanraj@clementscentre.org
Ext
235
The CCRR is a program of the
Clements Centre, funded by the
Province of B.C.
Cowichan Valley Child Care News & Views
I recently attended a 1-day Playground Safety Awareness course presented by the BC
Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA). I have included some resources from the
course for you to have, they offer valuable information about playground standards, safety and accessibility. By Liz Manraj, CCRR Consultant
Playground Safety
As we start heading out to parks and playgrounds for some fun in the sun, whether it is in a public
space or in our own yards, safety is a priority. Some basic safety checks include assessing the
stability and sturdiness of the equipment (particularly older ones), whether it is too high for your
child, if it is appropriate for your child’s abilities and the type of protective surfacing being used.
Also look for areas that could be entanglement hazards (all drawstrings on children’s clothing
should be removed prior to using any equipment). Children need to be supervised at all times.
Hazards to look for:
Openings where a child’s head could get stuck
Loose screws or joints
Sharp edges
Protrusions
Safety features:
Adequate protective surfacing under each piece of equipment
Hand and side rails
Smooth surfaces
Age-appropriate
Playground Safety Rules:
Stand back from moving swings and the bottom of slides
Go down the slide feet first and sitting down
Hold on to railings
Sit on the swing
Resources
Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI)
http://www.cpra.ca
Incorporating Accessibility into Playspaces
http://www.allabilitieswelcome.ca/Playspaces/files/Annex_H_Guidebook.pdf
Playground Standards in Canada
http://www.parachutecanada.org/injury-topics/item/playground-standards-in-canada-lt
Canadians with a Disability
www.ala.ca
Playground Injuries
http://www.preventfalls.ca/children/playground-safety-tips/
Playground Tips
http://www.preventfalls.ca/children/natural-play-spaces
Page 2
Cowichan Valley Child Care News & Views
Page 3
Responsible Adult Course + 10hrs for Family Child Care Business Training
Registration starts on July 2, 2014 for this CCRR sponsored
course with Instructor: Carmen Barclay M.A.
Location: Clements Centre in Duncan.
Dates: Sept. 24 (eve), 27, 28 and Oct. 4 & 5.
Full course fee: CCRR Clients: $90.00
Business Training class only: $20.00
Non-CCRR Clients $100.00
(Sept. 27)
Registration form on www.islandfamilyinfo.ca
(Reduced fees possible by Ministry for Children and Family Development funding)
Child Care Provider Fall Workshops:
Registration starts July 8, 2014
Tax Tips for Family Child Care Providers
Wednesday, October 8, 2014 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Presenter: Mike Evans, CPA, CA
Hayes Stewart Little & Company, Duncan, BC
Fee: CCRR clients $8.00 per person Non CCRR client $10.00
******
Communication with & Guidance of Young Children’s Behaviour
Saturday, November 15, 2014 9:30am -12:30pm
Presenter: Mary Ellen Meunier, Former ECEC Instructor, Camosun College,
It’s true! The CCRR, is your best
source of child care information
and resources.
New email address?
Spaces? New services?
Call & let us know...
(250)746-4135 Ext 231 or
Email:
mthompson@clementscentre.org
Victoria, BC
Fee: CCRR clients $12.00 per person Non CCRR clients $15.00 per person
Registration form on pg.6
(Reduced fees possible by Ministry for Children and Family Development funding)
Coming to the Toy Lending Library in September
Since approximately one quarter of the calories consumed by children and
youth in a day come from snacks and close to 65% of children and youth
consume after school snacks, after school programs are an excellent setting
for delivering programs that promote healthy eating behaviours in children.
The YMCA of Greater Vancouver was awarded a grant from the BC Ministry
of Health to create Healthy Eating After School program resources.
If you provide care for school age children, ask us about the: YMCA Healthy
Eating After School Program resources and bin (includes kitchen tools and
supplies)
Healthy eating
helps kids learn
Cowichan Valley Child Care News & Views
Page 4
READ ALL ABOUT IT! Cowichan Kids Magazine is changing!
Success By 6 Cowichan Coordinator, Laura Court, is making big changes to the
format of the Cowichan Kids magazine. Since 2006 the magazine has reached
1000’s of homes in the Cowichan region as an insert in the Cowichan News Leader Pictorial. This June it will change
format to a full-colour pull out section of the newspaper!
The focus will still be on children between 0-6 years, and you can expect the same quality of information for families
with children in this age group. Parents, grandparents, foster parents, aunties and uncles will enjoy articles from child
care professionals and practitioners. Look for:

Parenting information on health, literacy, quality child care options and more.

Ideas on planning children's activities such as craft ideas, outdoor experiences, and kid friendly recipes.

Resources for parents whose children require extra support.
For more information visit: cowichankids.ca
Success By 6 Cowichan, Aboriginal Success By 6 and Community Partners
Will be offering their 2014 Parent Gathering @ the Island Savings Centre, Duncan
When: Saturday, October 4, 2014
Time & Fee: 9am - 4pm (Registration is from 8:30am—9am)
**FREE EVENT**
BC Family Child Care Association (BCFCCA)
BCFCCA has been supporting family child care provides in BC since 1981. Their mission is to,
“Provide a professional voice and advocate for family child care providers, as well as,
promote public awareness of quality, inclusive family child care.”
***
For more information phone Toll Free: 1-800-686-6685 or email office@bcfcca.ca
Cowichan Valley Child Care News & Views
Page 5
A child care provider shares her story...
Before my husband and I had kids we both enjoyed our fulltime jobs even though we commuted
outside of the Cowichan Valley.
When our first child was born I loved my time off
but still returned to work after my maternity leave.
Maybe we were lucky to find a kind, flexible child
care provider for our baby. It was hard to say
goodbye each morning but we managed ok.
Two years later, when we had baby # 2, I returned to work again
after my maternity leave and the same provider cared for the baby.
Even though she was terrific, I wanted to be home when we were
expecting baby # 3. So my husband and I talked about this and
decided I’d stay home and open a licensed family child care. Eight
years later and I still love my job!
Early on, I registered with the CCRR for their support, toy library
services, and for the great deals on workshops & courses. There
is always something new to learn and I’ve made good friends
along the way.
Like every other family, there have been challenging times. If my
kids need more help with school and sports there’s some juggling
to be done but I make it work. When the parents of the child care
kids are worried about something we talk, laugh, cry and work
things out too. They know from the parent agreement, how I want
things to be and I try to be as flexible as is needed.
www.islandfamiliyinfo.ca
For Vancouver Island
childcare related information.
“The land is where
our roots are. The
children must be
taught to feel and live
in harmony with the
Earth.”
Maria Montessori
Owning and operating a licensed family child care was definitely
the right decision for me and my family.
CCRR Photo gallery of services offered to child care providers
Toy Library
Provide training workshops
Share current childcare resources,
& help your clients apply for a Child
Care Subisdy including free faxing
of their application.
Resource library services: Books & DVD’s
Toy library services: Games, toys,
Theme boxes, playpen, strollers,
puppets, bean bags & more!
Page 6
Cowichan Valley CCRR Fall 2014
Professional Development Training Workshop Registration Form
Registration by mail only
___________________________________________________________
Participant Name: ________________________________ Telephone ____________________________
Email address: __________________________________________________________________________
Method of payment: cheque ______ money order_____ credit card _______
Cheques payable to: Clements Centre Society.
Mail registration form & payment to: Clements Centre Society, 5856 Clements Street, Duncan, BC V9L 3W3
Check
your
choice
Workshop
Presenter
Date
Time
Income Tax Tips for
Your Family Child
Care Business
Mike Evans CPA, CA
Wed.
October 8,
2014
6:30pm to
8:30pm
$8.00
$10.00
Communication with,
and Guidance of
Children’s Behaviours
Mary Ellen Meunier, ECE,
Sat.
November
15, 2014
9:30am to
12:30pm
$12.00
$15.00
Hayes Stewart Little & Company,
Duncan, BC
former ECEC Instructor
Camosun College, Victoria, BC
CCRR
client
NonCCRR
client
POST-DATED CHEQUES will not be accepted. Registration confirmation will be sent by e-mail. Full payment each
workshop must be included with this form or registration will be void. Refunds can be issued within 10 business days of
payment. 10% administration fee will be applied to all refunds .
The CCRR is a program of the Clements Centre, funded by the Province of BC