Spring 2010 - North Shore Community Resources Society

North Shore Child Care Resource & Referral Program
Growing Relationships to Support Children:
Spring is just around the corner – a time for new beginnings and
a time for growth. Over the winter our program dealt with a few
conflicts and sensitive issues for child care providers and families.
Most of these issues came down to lack of information and
communication. This made me think about what it takes to “grow” a
positive relationship between a child care facility and parents for the
best interests of the children in care.
April 2010
I would say that next to providing an appropriate care environment
for children, communication between the family and care provider is
one of the most important factors in the foundation of quality care.
This communication is the responsibility of both parents and care
providers.
Child care educators need to ensure that registration and consent
information is complete and is updated on a regular basis; build
rapport with families with daily updates of the child’s experiences;
schedule parent interviews that outline accomplishments and
challenges (interviews should not only be to discuss concerns);
consider a communication book or sign in log to convey daily news;
and advocate for children’s needs.
Parents also need to ensure that registration and consent
information is complete and updated with any changes; build
rapport with child care staff by learning the names of the educators
and relaying family news and activities that may be important to the
child; give feedback from the child and family about care (again,
not only to voice concerns but also activities enjoyed and positive
experiences); and advocate for the child’s needs.
This is an important – essential – partnership for the child. Building
this relationship establishes a feeling of security for the child. Just
as we want children to develop secure and positive relationships
with their care providers, care providers and families need to
work at developing trusting and healthy communication to support
the child’s experience and development. Family and child care
educators are the people with whom many children spend most
of their young lives and this three way relationship needs to be
cultivated for the best outcome for all.
June Maynard, Manager, Child Care Resource Program
Inserts
• NSCCRR - Workshop &
Drop-in Calendar
• VCH - Active Play Flyer
Funded by: Province of BC,
District of North Vancouver, City
of North Vancouver, District of
West Vancouver, United Way
of the Lower Mainland
North Shore Community Resources - Capilano Mall, 201 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1S3
website: www.nscr.bc.ca
604-985-7138
Reaching the Hard to Reach Families with Young
Children
Do you have an email
address?
To keep you informed and upto-date with our program and
with current events in child care
please let us know your email
address.
Family Child Care Providers:
Christine.Mann@nscr.bc.ca
Group Child Care Providers:
Tunde.Getaneh@nscr.bc.ca
All others (parents, agencies):
June.Maynard@nscr.bc.ca
Our Staff:
Li Boesen, Executive Director
June Maynard, Manager, Child
Care Resource Program
Fariba Aghdassi, Information &
Resource Consultant
Tunde Getaneh, Community
Access Consultant / Municipal
Child Care Consultant
Christine Mann, Support &
Outreach Consultant (Child
Care Providers)
Maria Morisseau, Vancouver
Coastal Health Regional CCRR
Coordinator, CAP-C Coordinator
Virginia Pateman, Information
& Resource Consultant (parents
& families)
Sara Sutherland, Community
Support Consultant
Sara Montazemi, Community
Support Consultant
Hossein Ebrahimi, Catherine
Janusz, Kaleen McNamara,
Elaine Smith, Program Support
WECAN, the Early Childhood Development Planning Table of the
North Shore, has just completed a research study designed to
help service providers better meet the needs of families that are
under-represented at existing familystrengthening programs. Although
information was gathered from a wide
population base, primary groups of
interest to this study were:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Single parents
Dual working parents
Young parents (mainly teen parents)
Spanish and Korean speaking
families
Low income families
Families with special needs children.
Information was gathered from 213
parents, representing 323 children under the age of six. Key
findings that will be addressed by the WECAN Parent Education
and Support Committee are:
•
Approximately 70% of parents surveyed were satisfied with
existing programs and services
•
Approximately 65% of parents would like to see more programs
and services on the North Shore
•
The most popular programs and services are parent education
and parent-child drop in programs
•
The main barriers to accessing programs and services are:
•
•
•
•
lack of awareness of existing programs
times that don’t work;
lack of needed services
lack of transportation
•
There is considerable demand for programs on week-ends and
evenings
•
Child minding is a necessity for many parents to attend parent
education events
•
Priorities for each of the
groups vary considerably,
making it important to consider
a number of delivery models
The Parent Education and
Support Committee will consider
the report recommendations,
and develop a plan to address
identified needs.
2
Early Childhood Vision Screening Program
The VCH Early Childhood Vision Screening Program is screening
3 year olds for treatable vision problems. In 2009 there were 3262
three-year-olds screened in VCH (35% of the 3 year olds in the
Vancouver Coastal Health Region). On the North Shore the results
were very impressive with 1100 three year olds being screened
(approx. 66% of the three year old population).
Vision screening has begun in licensed childcare facilities and
preschools. Vision screening for three year olds runs from February
through June. Your local vision
screening team will contact
facilities to arrange screening.
Contact will be made via email or
telephone. There is also a vision
screening clinic, by appointment,
on Thursday afternoons.
Vision is very important to a child’s
learning. Some vision problems like
lazy eye (amblyopia) or crossed
eyes (strabismus) can be treated
most effectively in young children.
Screening will occur on site while the child is attending your
program. No special space is needed, but a quiet area does help
the child to concentrate on the screening activities. A hand held
vision screener that the child looks at will measure the child’s vision
in each eye. Depth perception is checked using a matching game
that the child plays wearing special glasses. The team will come to
any facility where there are 5 or more three year olds (birth year of
2006). Children need to be three years old for accurate screening.
For more information contact the local public health office at 604983-6700.
You are your child’s first and
favourite playmate. When
you play with your child you
not only suppport her ability
to learn, think, problemsolve, and explore, but also
strengthen your relationship
with her.
Play is the work of children:
It is how they explore and
discover the world, their
roles and how everything and
everybody relates to each
other.
WECAN
We WANT to hear from you!!!!
The North Shore Community Resources Child Care Resource
Program completed client surveys this summer and they are on
line. There are two surveys: one for parents and one for child
care providers/community partners. We will do a promotion of
these surveys once or twice a year to encourage a volume of
response, however, they are available any time and, to date, we
have received some valuable information. The surveys are on
our website at www.nscr.bc.ca under the Child Care tab in the left hand column or through the following
direct links:
Parent Survey link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=URUePlHkGWxup0pB5Hf0hA_3d_3d
Child Care Provider / Community Partner Survey link:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=jHzsUYC9juE9XY9U8HI_2fmA_3d_3d
Please feel free to post and circulate these links. We thank you in advance for taking the time to
complete the survey and welcome all input.
3
Child Care Resource Program Library News
We at North Shore Child Care Resource and Referral
are so proud of our Olympic athletes and very proud to
be Canadian. Did you know that our library has many
children’s books that showcase our beautiful country?
Share the spirit of Canada with some of these titles…
My Vancouver Sketchbook and Down at the Seaweed Café both
by Robert Perry
The Loon’s Necklace by Elizabeth Cleaver
A Pod of Orcas – A Seaside Counting Book by Sheryl McFarlane
Loonies and Toonies – A Canadian Number Book by Mike Ulmer
Canada 123 and ABC of Canada both by Kim Bellefontaine
Qu’Appelle by David Bouchard
A Pacific Alphabet and A Mountain Alphabet both by Margret
Ruurs
Z is for Zamboni – A Hockey Alphabet by Matt Napier
Eenie Meenie Manitoba – Playful Poems from Coast to Coast by
Robert Heidbreder
Our felt stories have been flying off the shelf and we are so pleased
that so many of you are using them to enhance your circle time.
Here are a few of our new ones…
Planets
Red Circle, Red Circle
Dragonflies, Dragonflies
Five Little Birds
Ten Little Mittens
A Picture is Worth a
Thousand Words ……….
………and might encourage a
thousand words of discussion.
Did you know that the CCRR
has a good selection of
laminated posters for loan for
our subscribers? We have
about 200 posters on a variety
of subjects such as animals, the
early years, community, friends,
emotions, science, diversity,
and health. Spark language
and add interest to your facility
with a poster display. An
inventory of our poster collection
is in the library. Please drop
by the office and see a CCRR
staff member if you wish to see
poster samples for loan.
Watch for more exciting new
stories to arrive late spring!
Need some help getting those creative juices flowing? Our 2 new
Usborne books, Playtime Activities and Things to Make for Dad,
are crammed with ideas for things to make! From wiggly bug finger
puppets for spring, to fluffy-tailed bunnies for Easter, to great gifts
for Dad for Father’s Day.
Do you have ideas for how
we could improve our lending
library?
Is there a piece of equipment
that you would really like to
see available?
Felt Story: Red Circle, Red Circle
Felt Story: Planets
4
Your feedback is important to
us! You can email your ideas
to Sara at sara.sutherland@
nscr.bc.ca. Looking forward to
hearing from you!
Equipment and Toy Lending Library Etiquette
Lately we have experienced a lot more late returns in our lending
library than usual. Also, when the boxes finally get returned, items
are often missing. It takes a lot of CCRR staff time to count all the
inventory of each box, to phone the responsible borrower, change
the inventory list and do it all over again once the missing items
come back.
If we do not have the time to change the inventory lists, we simply
keep the boxes on the shelf until the missing items come back. That
means nobody can use that particular box. On other occasions,
boxes with missing inventory have gone out without updated lists.
This makes it unclear who is responsible for what.
Many of our items especially play pens,
mats, and dress-up costumes, are
made from absorbent materials. If these
items are stored in a musty smelling
storage room, an enclosed car port, or
any area where there is either smoke,
perfume or exhaust fumes, these
smells will be absorbed by the fabric or
material of our equipment.
Useful Websites:
Looking for useful resources on
the importance of play? Here
are two great websites on this
crucial topic…
www.ipaccanada.org
The Canadian Association for
the Right to Play
www.ipaworld.org
The International Play
Association
Please be aware where you store borrowed equipment and do
not allow them to get wet, moldy or “smelly”. Remember that other
clients would like to use the item after you.
In addition, we are receiving more “dirty” returns. Every borrower
is responsible to return all items cleaned, not only the items in the
box, but also the box itself should be
cleaned. Before you place cleaned
inventory back into the box make sure
they are truly DRY. This is particularly
important with small items which you
may have cleaned by placing them
into the dishwasher. Moist inventory
placed into the boxes grow mold while
sitting on our shelves.
Even play pens and strollers need a
wipe down and a mild soap scrub before returning to our office.
Let’s all honour the North Shore CCRR equipment and toy lending
library by returning all items on time and cleaned!
In Canada over 26% of children
and youth (1.6 million children)
are considered overweight
or obese. This website
is dedicated to educating
Canadian children, their families
and care givers, educators,
business and government
about the problem of childhood
obesity. Everyone can take
steps to stop the current
epidemic of childhood obesity
in Canada. Obesity prevention
is a community responsibility!
Tour this website to find out
more about the 5-2-1-0 rule
as well as what else families,
educators, business and
government can do to help
prevent childhood obesity.
www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca
Thank you for your cooperation. Christine Mann
Well Beings: This comprehensive reference is a must for child care centres, agencies
and home-based providers, early childhood instructors and students, and public
health professionals. With so much information on the daily care, health and safety of
children from birth to preschool, it is also an indispensible resource for physicians and
parents alike. The Canadian Pediatric Society has also developed online resources:
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/wellbeings/index.htm
5
Toys and Toy Trends to Avoid
The information on these two pages was provided as a resource
from the session “The Child’s Right to Play” at the 2010 Early Years
Conference, “The Rights of the Child”, held February 4 - 6th in
Victoria, BC.
Avoid toys that promote..........
Media Mania: Toys and games linked to media. Traditional toys
and games with themes from TV shows and movies encourage
children to imitate what they see on the screen instead of using
their imagination. Each time they play with a branded toy or game,
children are reminded to nag for more products that go with the
brand. And each time a new movie or TV show is released, they
think they need all the new toys or games that are linked to it.
Examples: the classic game Uno features the Hannah Montana
TV show and Lego is promoting Star Wars, Batman, and Indiana
Jones movies. Often these linked-to-media toys introduce young
children to content rated for older children.
Bang, Bang...You’re Dead!: Toys that make violence the focus
of the play. Children gain control over scary experiences through
play, including play with violent themes. But toys, like Iron Man
Firing Missile and Stealth Launch Batmobile projectile toys, replace
creative and constructive play. Often taken from violent media rated
for older children and targeted to boys, they promote play that
imitates screen violence. They also teach children to use violence
to solve problems, make violence seem easy and fun, and make
the world feel like a scary and violent place.
So Sexy So Soon: Toys that focus on sexiness and
appearance. Toys like Bratz dolls and Disney princesses narrowly
focus girls into play scripts about shopping, appearance, and being
sexy—including being thin, wearing make-up and sexy clothing.
Tag lines like “Beauty is our duty” tell girls to act older at younger
ages and that how they look determines their value. This confuses
children and promotes rigid gender stereotypes, negative selfimage, and eating disorders in girls. Toys that imitate superstars
through sexy clothing, make-up, cell phones, and microphones
encourage identification with sexually provocative role models.
Bells & Whistles: Traditional activities linked to electronics.
Electronic toys take control of play, have limited ways of use, are
outgrown quickly, and can make traditional toys seem boring. They
promise to teach children skills using methods that are untested
by research. For example, digital art sets that use computers to
replace creative art also remove the problem solving, imaginative,
sensory experience traditional art materials provide. The onslaught
of electronic “reading kits” with CDs, DVDs, and flashcards, like
Hooked on Phonics Discover Reading Sets, can undermine the
benefits of language development, love of reading, and parent-child
bonding that comes from parents reading a simple book to children.
Continued on page 7.....
6
Toys have limited play
value when they . . .
±± Can only be used in one
way and/or encourage all
children to play the same
way.
±± Are limited to a single age
or level of development.
±± Are fun for the first 1/2 hour
and then rarely get played
with again.
±± Do the play “for” children,
instead of allowing for
children’s unique exploration
and mastery.
±± Lead children to spend
more time with TV or other
media, and/or let the screen
take control of their play.
±± Promote violence and
stereotypes, which can
lead to aggressive and
disrespectful behavior.
±± Lure children into watching
the TV program or other
media linked to the toy.
±± Introduce academic
concepts too early and
replace the kind of creative
play that best prepares
them for learning.
Baby Madness: Electronics aimed at infants and toddlers. For
infants and toddlers, learning is done best by interacting with
people and materials in their environment and seeing the effects
of their actions. Electronic toys teach babies that play is done
for them, and keep them from creating their own “smart” actions
and ideas. Electronic “teaching” toys, for children as young as
6 months, claim to teach letters and sounds despite the child’s
lack of developmental readiness or research supporting these
promises. Electronic music centers and busy boxes distract and
may entertain, but replace human interaction and curiosity, the true
building blocks of learning.
Buyers Beware: The
Scoop about AGE
RATINGS on Toy Boxes
Little treadmills and other exercise equipment for children, much of
which is electronic or hooks up to a TV, are being marketed as the
new way to get children moving and address child obesity issues.
Exercise specialists and psychiatrists are warning that these pricey
products are not a substitute for outdoor play and exercise. They
are concerned about the physical and emotional harm that can
come from isolating kids from the outdoors and other children.
Many parents use age
recommendations on toy boxes
to help with toy purchase
decisions. But did you know
that manufacturers can put any
age rating they choose on a
toy box? And early childhood
experts are rarely consulted. Do
not rely on age ratings alone.
Rely on what you know about
your child. Toys with small parts
are required to have an age
warning label, not related to the
age recommendation.
Beware of Branding
Baby DVDs Fail the Test!
Using logos on toys and clothing teaches young children
to make choices based on name brands, not on the value
of the product. "Branding" can lead to:
Even though the American
Academy of Pediatrics
recommends no electronics for
children under the age of two,
manufacturers claim watching
Baby Einstein and Brainy
Baby-type videos helps babies
get smarter sooner. But the
Campaign for a Commercialfree Childhood (CCFC) filed
a complaint with the Federal
Communications Commission
(FCC) saying there is little
research to support these
claims and some research that
finds these items can even
delay development. In 2008,
the FCC agreed with CCFC and
told these companies to change
their advertising claims.
No Substitute for the Real Thing!
- unwise buying choices
- unhealthy habits
- nagging!
Challenging the Federal Trade Commission
The Campaign for Commercial Free Childhood (CCFC) petitioned
the Federal Trade Commission to stop the film industry from
linking toys and other products with violent PG 13 movies, like
"GI Joe" and "Transformers," to young children. Media-linked
toys and products introduce violent content from movies rated
for older children into the play of very young children. This
marketing practice makes it harder for parents to say "no" when
their children ask to see these movies. Visit CCFC at: www.
commercialfreechildhood.org to learn more about their recent
campaigns and how you can get involved.
Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment
For more information contact TRUCE:
www.truceteachers.org PO Box 441261, West Somerville, MA 02144
truce@truceteachers.org
PLEASE COPY AND DISTRIBUTE
7
Community News
Food FLAIR Workshop
This popular resource and workshop will be offered again this May.
This workshop offers some nutrition info and an opportunity to
explore the excellent Food Flair manual. Participants will receive
your own copy of the manual. Food Flair contains information to
help foster a positive nutrition program for young children, including:
healthy food and beverages in childcare settings, maintaining a
positive social environment around food, fun activities, books,
songs, and games. The resource provides great ideas for building
healthy eating into your daily curriculum and information to help you
communicate with families regarding food and nutrition. The Food
FLAIR manual can be found at http://www.2010legaciesnow.com/
leap_bc
Free 2-hour workshops will be offered by Margaret Broughton,
Community Nutritionist, Vancouver Coastal Health.
Dates: May 19 (changed to May 12) or May 31, 2010
Time: 6:30 - 8:30pm
Location: Community Room, Capilano Mall
Registration: call Dawn Lavender at 604-904-6200 ext. 4167
Cost: Free, light dinner provided too!
Food Safety for Child Care Facilities Workshop
As a child care provider, do you know….
• the do’s and don’ts of handling,
preparing, storing and serving food safely?
• how to prevent food poisoning in
your child care facility and avoid it as a
consumer?
Workshop Dates:
• Tuesday, March 30, 2010 • Thursday, June 24, 2010 • Thursday, September 23, 2010
• Tuesday, November 16, 2010
6:30 to 9:00 pm
6:30 to 9:00 pm
6:30 to 9:00 pm
6:30 to 9:00 pm
Location: Daycare Room at North Shore Neighbourhood House
225 East 2nd Street, North Vancouver
Fee: $10.00 Cheque payable to “Vancouver Coastal Health Authority”
All participants MUST PRE-REGISTER at least 3 days in advance
of the workshop date by calling Sam Sew, Public Health Inspector
at 604-983-6802
Please be advised that seating is limited and that workshops may
be cancelled due to insufficient attendance.
8
Active Play to Promote
Healthy Weights in
Children 2 - 5 Years Old
Included in this newsletter is
one of four fact sheets from
ActNow BC and the Centre for
Healthy Weights with strategies
to promote healthy eating and
activity among preschool aged
children. Post the sheet on your
bulletin board or use parts of it
in your newsletter.
One tip suggests caregivers and
children limit screentime (TV
etc) to 1 hour per day. Limited
full colour copies are available.
Call Margaret Broughton,
Community Nutritionist,
Vancouver Coastal Health at
604-904-6482.
Gastroenteritis (“Stomach
Flu”) Outbreaks in Child
Care Facilities
It’s that time of year again!!!
If you suspect a gastroenteritis
outbreak in your facility
(i.e. 3 or more children in a
particular group with symptoms
of unexplained vomiting or
diarrhea, within a 3 day period),
please call Sam Sew, Environmental Health Officer (EHO) at 604983-6802 or your Licensing Officer immediately.
EHO will review illness information and discuss required infection
control measures to prevent further spread of illness to the children,
staff and families.
Emergency Preparedness
Workshop for Child Care
Facilities
Learn about…
•
What to expect during any
disaster
Notes from Child Care
Licensing
•
How to respond before,
during and after an
earthquake
Important information regarding
low enrollment:
•
Identify and reduce hazards
inside your facility
Please be advised that in accordance with Section 10 of the
Community Care and Assisted Living Act that if a licensee operates
a facility for more than a year with less than 3 children in care then
the Licence will automatically expire
•
When and when NOT to
evacuate
10. If a licensee does not operate premises as a community care
facility at any time during a 12 consecutive month period,
Place: North Shore Emergency
Management Office (NSEMO)
2nd floor - 147 East 14th Street
North Vancouver
(a) the licence expires automatically on the last day of the 12th
month, and
(b) the person in possession of the licence must immediately
surrender that licence to a medical health officer
What is really important is that even with two children in care this
does not meet the requirement for a Licence. If you are finding low
enrollment please discuss this with your Licensing Officer.
The North Shore Child Care Licensing Team works collaboratively
and in partnership with our licensees. Sometimes our Licensees
with their kindness and generosity have provided or offered gifts
to our Licensing Officers. This does put our Licensing Officers in
a somewhat ethical dilemma whilst trying to be gracious and not
to offend anyone with not accepting a gift and trying to uphold
the Vancouver Coastal Health’s extremely strict policies where
all employees are prohibited in accepting gifts of any kind. Whilst
Licensing Officers do not want to be seen as unappreciative or rude
they will not be accepting gifts from licensees. If you would like to
send a card or note of appreciation this is acceptable.
Submitted by Glenda Burrows
9
Dates: Tuesday, May 4 &
Monday, October 18, 2010
(604) 983-7440
Please pre-register online at
www.nsemo.org or call NESMO
if you have questions.
Preparedness Fast Facts
A battery operated radio
or wind up radio is an
important tool in your
emergency kit. Without it
you may not know what has
happened, how widespread
the event is or what
emergency officials are
advising.
CCRR Workshop Schedule
All workshops will take place in the Community Room at Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North
Vancouver. Please note registration for all our spring workshops will begin April 12th.
Please call Tunde Getaneh at 604-982-3324 to reserve your space.
Workshop Registration Policies and Procedures!
Due to the high number of “no shows” to our workshops in the past year, we have raised the
“no show” fee to $10.00. this fee must be paid before registering for future workshops. We
hope this will help more people be able to attend the workshops.
Make and Take
Presenter: Tina Spencer
Date & Time: Thursday April 22, 2010
6:30 – 8:30 pm
Come join us for this fun, interactive workshop where we will create felt or foam
activities from popular children’s books and songs. We will also discuss the
importance of visual aids and ‘play’ within the preschool curriculum.
*Please bring a sharp pair of scissors and a glue gun if you have one. Also, make sure you wear
grubby clothes and you may want to bring a cookie sheet or tray to take your wet projects home.
Wonderful World of Girls
Presenter: Christine Broatch
Date & Time: Thursday May 13, 2010 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
This workshop will examine the biological differences between boys and
girls. Find ways to create an environment where girls can learn best and
use scenarios from the floor to examine issues.
Ideas for Storytimes
Presenter: Walter Zicha
Date & Time: May 27, 2010 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Tools and techniques for children’s storytimes –focus on storytime programs for
babies, toddlers, and preschoolers –Ideas for spaces and reading corners will also
be covered.
MOVE AND GROW 2 Music and Movement
Presenter: Barbara Karmazyn
Date & Time: Thursday June 17, 2010 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Back by popular demand! Movement plays a vital and crucial role in learning and
brain development. As caregivers, we can encourage children to move their bodies
in a variety of ways. Come and explore the movement concepts of body and spatial
awareness and learn how to apply these concepts to ECE curriculum. Discover how to choose and use
music. Learn how to integrate movement experiences throughout the day.
Wear comfortable clothing and bring water. 2 hours
NO
!
TE
The CCRR program presents workshops based on client requests and identified need.
We cannot guarantee that our workshops will meet the requirements of the ECE Registry.
It is the responsibility of the individual to ensure they have sufficient and acceptable
professional development hours for ECE renewal.
10
May is Child Care Month
May is Child Care Month and it is the time of year we make an extra effort to not only recognize child
care educators for the important contribution they make to our community but also to educate the
broader community about quality child care as an essential social, educational and economic factor.
Child Care Providers...
Feeling pressure to remove play from children’s
lives and replace it with more academic and
readiness skills?
It’s time to stand up and shout
ENOUGH!
Join us as we proudly present
Barbara Mathieson
in honour of
May Is Child Care Month
The North Shore
Cares
Watch for ads in both North
Shore newspapers in mid
May, for May is Child Care
Month, from the Mayors
of the three North Shore
municipalities. These
ads are a thank you for
the important contribution
that all our child care
educators make to a livable
community and healthy child
development.
Saturday May 8th
10:00 am to 12 noon
at the
West Vancouver Community Centre
in the Dance/Fitness Studio
2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver
Barb has a passion for the value of play and
is a must see for everyone who works with
children!
To register, please email:
sara.sutherland@nscr.bc.ca
Professional development certificates will be handed out
at this event.
Mark your calendars!
ADMINISTRATOR’S MEETINGS bringing together administrators from group child
care programs across the North Shore to network and share information. Presenters
focusing on specific topics are occasionally invited. Co-facilitated by Tunde Getaneh,
North Shore Child Care Resource Program and Shelley Esau, CCFL, Vancouver
Coastal Health, North Shore. Please contact Tunde at 604-985-7138 local 324 or by
email tunde.getaneh@nscr.bc.ca for further details.
Date & Time: Wednesday, May 19, 2010 11:45 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Community Room #203, Capilano Mall
PLEASE RSVP, THANKS!
11
Professional Development
Tsleil-Waututh
Child & Family
Development Centre
3036 Takaya Drive,
North Vancouver, BC
V7H 3A8
604-929-0693
First Aid Training
St. John’s Ambulance:
Check the website for local
courses at www.sja.ca
Safe & Sound First Aid
Training Ltd.
The Tsleil-Waututh Education Department is implementing a pilot
project to support ECE’s in obtaining their 40 hours of on-going
training to recertify. A short series of presentations will be run to
test the feasibility of providing this kind of opportunity in the future.
Courses will run Tuesday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.
April 6th – Effective Communication
April 13th – Stop the Gossip.
April 20th - Synergistic Working Groups.
Although they are designed to build on each other, you can choose
to attend any one, or number of presentations. There is a small fee
of $20 per person, per workshop, to offset some of the costs. If you
are interested, please contact Marc Lalonde at mlalonde@twnation.
ca. There is a limited amount of spaces, so please register early.
Mark your calendar now for our 2010 conference...sure to be one
of the best professional development opportunities of the year! The
North Shore Early Childhood Conference “To Learn, To Wonder”
will be taking place this year at Capilano University on Saturday,
September 25, 2010.
Please keep checking the website at www.nsececonference.com to
find out when you can register.
Canadian Red Cross Delivery
Partner – Courses offered on
the North Shore:
Check the website at: www.
learnfirstaid.ca
New Course Offered First Aid in Farsi
Safe & Sound will be starting to
run Red Cross first aid courses
in Farsi and is fortunate to have
an Iranian instructor who not
only is certified with Red Cross
as a first aid instructor, but who
was also a medical doctor for
many years in Iran. Magnus is
fluent in both Farsi and English
and is excited to start teaching
courses in his own language!
In Red Cross first aid courses
students are learning life-saving
skills. It is very important that
students fully understand the
skills they are taught and have
the confidence to use these
skills in an emergency situation.
For more information, contact
Gill McCulloch at 604-945-7277
or email: firstaidtraining@shaw.ca
Key Elements of School Age Child Care - Cancelled
The Key Elements of School Age Child Care course scheduled to
start March 30th was cancelled as registration fell just short of the
minimum number required to run. We need to set a deadline for
registration in order to know if we have enough enrollment to break
even on the presentation of the course and plan for the facilitator,
materials, etc. We hope to offer the course in the fall.
The School Age Child Care Association also offers this course and
can be reached through Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre at
www.wstcoast.org.
12
Watch for the
upcoming
Key Elements of
Professional Nanny
Care
course flyer
Professional Development
Following are a few of the workshops that will be offered
through Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre, 2772 East
Broadway, Vancouver.
Visit the Westcoast website for important information and the
registration form www.wstcoast.org
Westcoast Workshops
Setting Up ECE Environments for Success
Responsible
Adult in Child
Care Settings
This 20 hour
course has 8
sessions on Tuesday evenings
beginning May 4 – June 22, 2010
(6:45 – 9:15 p.m.)
Presenter: Julie Hansen, ECE Curriculum Consultant
Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7 – 9 pm
Fee $35 Maximum 25. Registration begins April 1st.
This workshop will focus on ways to establish an inspired ECE
program.
Course Fee: $160
Beyond the Bulletin Board
2. child guidance
Presenter: Ana Vojnovic
Saturday, May 15, 2010, 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
Fee $35 Maximum 20. Registration begins
April 1st.
Join other caregivers in an exploration of innovative ways to
show children’s enthusiasm for learning in your program.
Location: Westcoast Caregiver Drop In, Grandview Terrace
Housing
Proactive Behaviour Strategies
Presenter: Camille Netherton
Saturday, June 5, 2010, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm
Fee $45 Maximum 25. Registration begins May 4th.
This 3 hour workshop will focus on a Positive Behavioural
Support approach to classroom management. This is a
workshop for those who work with typically developing children
and children with special needs.
Honouring the Religious and Spiritual Identities of
Children in ECE
Presenter: David Dalley
Wednesday, June 9, 2010, 7 – 9 pm
Fee $35 Maximum 20. Registration begins May 4th.
When children from diverse backgrounds share their fears,
concerns, wonderings, and delights with us, it is up to us to
assure them that they are completely valued.
Puppet Make & Take
Presenter: Linda Pearce
Wednesday, June 16, 2010, 7 – 9 pm
Fee $35 + $5 materials fee. Maximum 20
Registration begins at 9:00 am on May 4th.
During this workshop you will make a glove
puppet with interchangeable parts that represent
various songs and finger plays. There will be
patterns for you to take with you afterward so
that you can easily add to the collection later.
13
This course covers:
1. child development from birth to
12 years of age
3. health and safety
4. nutrition
5. basic programming with health
and safety in mind.
Register by mail, by phone or in
person beginning Wednesday,
March 3, 2010.
Westcoast Short Courses
Teacher Talk Training –
Encouraging Language
Development in Early
Childhood Settings
•
Saturday May 8, 2010
9:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Course fee $95
Registration begins April 8th
•
Saturday June 12, 2010
9:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Arrive by 9:30 a.m.
Course fee $95
Registration begins May 6th
Refresh and Renew: A Day of
Music and Movement
Saturday June 12, 2010
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Arrive by 9:45 a.m.
Course fee $85
Mother Goose for Child Care Providers!
Our well established Mother Goose program
in North Vancouver at St John’s the Evangelist
Anglican Church continues.
We are very fortunate that the church enjoys
hosting our Mother Goose program.
This is a 1 hour program for multi-aged
children and their caregivers. A fun program of song, dance, rhymes
and finger plays and as usual a great snack for socializing
Fridays 9:45 to 10:45 am (except April 2nd and May 14th) Summer
sessions to be discussed.......
To inquire about other FREE Mother Goose Programs on the North
Shore, phone Christine at 604-985-7138.
Circle of Care
Drop-In Programs for Child Care Providers!
Welcome to our Newest
Family Child Care
Providers !
Kids R Us Family Child Care
(LFCC)
Lynn Canyon Child Care
(LFCC)
Bright Family (RLNR)
Blossom FCC (RNLR)
Beagle’s Buddies FCC and
Greenways FCC became
licensed
Family Child Care
Networking
Are you a nanny, relative, friend, or family child
care provider?
Come join us from 9:30 am - 11:30 am at any
one of our 3 locations!
Tuesday @ John Braithwaite Community Centre,
Family Resource Room, 145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver
Wednesday @ Hollyburn Elementary School, 1329 Duchess
Avenue, West Vancouver ** (Holly House entrance outside by
staircase)
Friday @ Parkgate Community Center, 3625 Banff Court,
North Vancouver **
Enjoy a fun morning of networking and playtime! These drop-ins
start with free play including an art activity for the children, time
and opportunity for care providers to connect, and end with a circle
time that includes songs, rhymes and a story. For more information,
please call: 604-985-7138
** Sponsored through WECAN and UNITED WAY
Reminder:
All Registered License Not Required (RLNR) child care providers
are required to take at least 2 workshops a year to continue their
Registry with the Child Care Resource and Referral Program.
Your next renewal is coming soon (July). Please ensure all your
certificates AND your First Aid are current.
If you are unclear about your requirements please do not hesitate to
contact Christine.
14
Napoleon Hill, author of Think
and Grow Rich, says: “You take
on the nature, and the habits
and the power of thought of
those with whom you associate
in a spirit of sympathy and
harmony.”
Having put the quote here…
I invite all Family Child Care
providers, licensed or nonlicensed, and all In-Home Multi
Age care providers to attend
our network meetings and/or
activities. The next meeting will
be May 20th, 7:00 pm
Expect some activities for MAY
IS CHILD CARE MONTH and
in July, we will be having our
Annual Summer Picnic in the
Park. Family and friends are
invited!
Please watch for a separate
mail-out or email for these 2
events.
There will be meetings in
September and November. Our
fall newsletter will have more
details.
Parent Package:
When guiding children we often use the slogan “consistent” and
“simple clear limits”. This takes practice and over the years we
become better at it.
But how about your guidance towards the parents of the children in
your care? Are you able to keep up?
Consider using the same slogan while using your policies (simple
clear limits) consistent with all parents!
Take a look at our website and find samples of simple policies for
your child care; we even have a Family Child Care Manual for you.
Compare these samples with your current parent package and
create the most practical one for you to continue good business
practice.
Remember, that before you can take care of a child, all registration
papers have to be completed by the parents. This includes
emergency consent forms and contacts of alternate adults who
could pick up the child, when you can’t get a hold of the parent. This
is essential even if you take the child only for a couple of hours or
minutes for a try-out!!
Employment Insurance
(EI) Special Benefits for
Self-Employed People
On December 15, 2009, Bill
C-56, Fairness for the SelfEmployed Act received Royal
Assent. The Bill amended the
Employment Insurance Act to
provide access to maternity,
parental, sickness and
compassionate care benefits
to self-employed people, who
choose to register for access
to EI Special Benefits for SelfEmployed People.
As of January 31, 2010, selfemployed people can register
for access to EI Special
Benefits. The four types of
special benefits are:
• Maternity benefits
• Parental benefits
WHEELS Update
The North Shore WHEELS mobile family outreach program has
a new coordinator, April Accola. She is also a Parent Community
Developer with Parkgate Community Services. April will focus on
arranging WHEELS visits to areas and programs where there is a
need for family strengthening information and resources.
WHEELS brings information, support and resources to parents
and caregivers with young children. The bright yellow van travels
to community events, schools, parks, parent and child drop in
programs, recreation centres and even shopping malls.
To learn when the WHEELS van will be in your neighbourhood,
check the calendar at www.connectforkids.ca.
15
• Sickness benefits; and,
• Compassionate care benefits.
If you are self-employed and
register by April 1, 2010, you
will be eligible to apply for
benefits as early as January 1,
2011. If you register after April
1, 2010, you will have to wait 12
months before you are eligible
to apply for benefits.
Details about this initiative
and other Government of
Canada programs and services
can be found at http://www.
servicecanada.gc.ca/
Activities
Choose from the following activities
for your rainy day outing:
1. Collect rain in containers and
use it to wash your hair, put in
mom's iron, water the houseplants,
or put in your car battery.
2. Paint some paper with
powdered tempera paints and
water. Then set the paper in the
rain to allow the water to run and
make designs.
3. Have each person mark a line on a container showing where
they think the water line will be when the rain stops. The person
closest to the actual line is the winner.
8. Discuss questions about
rain, such as the following:
What causes rain?
What causes thunder?
4. Tell stories in which rain plays an important part.
What causes lightning? What does the rainbow
mean?
5. Have a water fight.
6. Talk about the kinds of animals that like the rain.
7. Go for a walk in the rain and notice the changes in nature.
Observe what happens to the birds, bugs, worms, trees,
flowers, and people. Notice the sounds and smells that this
change brings.
What are the rainfall records
in our area?
9. Sing songs with words about
rain.
Mother's Day Flowers [25 Minutes]
Any woman would appreciate flowers for Mother's Day.
These will never whither and become a loving keepsake
forever!
You'll need:
• garden catalogs or gardening books • construction paper •
crayons or markers • scissors (optional) • glue (optional)
What to do:
1. Let your child cut out pictures of flowers from garden
catalogs, or draw pictures of flowers he sees in a
gardening book on construction paper.
2. If you are using cut-out flowers, let him paste them onto
construction paper.
3. As he draws or creates his collage, encourage your child to
choose flowers that he associates with certain feelings that
relate to Mother's Day. For instance, he may want to use daisies
to represent happiness and roses to represent love.
4. Let him give the finished picture or collage to his mother,
grandmother, aunt or other special person as a Mother's Day
"bouquet."
16
Let's Talk: Ideas to Explore
Together.
•
Why is your mother so
special to you?
•
Does she like flowers?
Which is her favorite?
•
Do you have a favorite
flower too?
Activities
Art Activities for Out-of-School Care
Using cultural influences for making clay containers, such as bowls
Compare different cultures and their pottery.
Compare the different techniques on creating bowls: like coils or
slabs
Coil is a long form of clay that is rolled into a slender snake-like
form in order to produce pottery or other ornamental structures.
Spring Detective Walk
Slab is a flat, sliced or pressed mass of clay.
[20 Minutes]
Decide if functional pottery can
be considered art.
Is it time to get some fresh air
and exercise? Why not invite
your child to go with you on a
spring detective walk?
Use this activity to include all
children of all abilities. With clay
and pottery you can create many
curriculums such as history,
culture, community, art and selfesteem.
•
•
•
You’ll need:
• magnifying glass • clipboard
with paper or pad • pencil •
crayons or markers • camera
Artifacts are objects made
by human beings that
are found and studied by
archeologists and historians
from a later time to gain
knowledge about people and
their culture.
Let’s Talk: Ideas to Explore
Together.
A community can include all
the people living in a particular district, city, etc., or the district,
city where they live. May also refer to a group of people living
together as a smaller social unit within a larger one, and having
interests, work, etc., in common.
A culture is made up of the behaviors, customs, ideas, and
skills shared and transmitted among a group of people.
Cultures go through stages of social, economic and
technological development. These developmental changes
are reflected in the style and type of ceramic artifacts from that
culture.
Use these websites to create your own
word puzzles and word find games:
http://www.armoredpenguin.com/
crossword/
http://edhelper.com/crossword.htm
http://www.eclipsecrossword.com/
http://www.crosswordpuzzlegames.com/
17
•
What kind
of tools
does a
detective
need?
•
What clues told you it was
spring (getting to be spring)?
Were these clues in the
ground? In the sky?
•
What clues were signs that
someone or something had
been there?
•
Would you like to draw a
picture of one of the clues
we saw? Which one?
•
Go on another walk in a few
weeks and compare the
changes.
Ready, Set, Learn
Free events for three year olds
In partnership with the Ministry of
Education, the North Vancouver School
District is pleased to welcome young
children and their caregivers to our
schools. You are invited with your three
year old to explore early learning in your
neighbourhood school and receive a gift
book and information package.
Please RSVP by phone to the school if you
would like to attend.
As the Government announced
in the 2009 Speech from the
Throne, British Columbia is
making full day kindergarten
available to all five-yearolds in the province. Full day
kindergarten will be available
for up to half of B.C.’s eligible
students in September 2010.
By September 2011, full day
kindergarten will be available
across the province.
Do you have questions? Check
out this link…
READY, SET, LEARN EVENT DATES
Location
Dates
Blueridge
Tue Apr 20
Boundary
Thu May 20
Braemar
Thu Apr 15, 29
Brooksbank
Tue Apr 13
Canyon Heights Thu Apr 15
Capilano
Mon Apr 19
Fri Apr 30
Carisbrooke
Thu Apr 1 - 22 Cleveland
Fri May 14 Mon May 17 Wed May 19
Dorothy Lynas Tue Apr 6 - 27
Highlands
Wed Apr 7- 28
Larson
Tue Apr 13
Lynn Valley
Wed Apr 7
Plymouth
Every Friday
Queensbury
Tue Apr 13
Ridgeway Fri Apr 16
Ridgeway Annex Fri Apr 16
Ross Road
Tue Apr - 27
Seymour HeightsWed May 12
Sherwood Park Wed Apr 14
Upper Lynn
Fri Apr 16
Kindergarten Questions??
Times
RSVP to:
6:30-7:30pm
604-903-3250
1:15-3:00pm
604-903-3260
9:30-10:00am 604-903-3270
6:30-7:30pm
604-903-3280
1:15-2:15pm
604-903-3290
9:00-9:30am
604-903-3370
9:00-9:30am
9:00-9:30am
604-903-3380
9:30-10:20am 604-903-3390
9:00, 9:40, 10:20, 11:00am
9:15-10:15am
9:30-10:00am 604-903-3430
10:45-11:15am 604-903-3540
4:00-5:00pm
604-903-3570
1:45-2:15pm
604-903-3620
9:00-9:30am
604-903-3690
9:30-10:20am 604-903-3730
1:30-2:30pm
604-903-3740
1:30-2:30pm
604-903-3740
9:00-9:30am
604-903-3750
1:30-2:30pm
604-903-3760
9:30-10:00am 604-903-3810
9:00-9:30am
604-903-3820
Learn more about Ready,
Set, Learn at:
www.bced.gov.bc.ca
Ready, Set, Learn is sonsored by the
North Vancouver School District, the
Ministry of Education, the Ministry of
Children and Family Development and
the Ministry of Health Services.
www.nvsd44.bc.ca (See Meetings &
Updates)
18
http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/
childcare/index.htm
Or, contact your local school
district office:
North Vancouver School
District
721 Chesterfield Ave
North Vancouver, BC
V7M 2M5
Telephone: (604) 903-3444
Fax: (604) 903-3445
Email: info@nvsd44.bc.ca
http://www.nvsd44.bc.ca/
West Vancouver School
District
1075 - 21st Street
West Vancouver, BC
V7V 4A9
Phone: 604-981-1000
Voicemail: 604-981-1234
Fax: 604-981-1001
http://www.sd45.bc.ca/
General Email: info@sd45.bc.ca
“I want to be first!”
How many times have you heard
that, followed by crying or even
a full tantrum? Each child will
have their own complexities of
personality and life experience
that has brought her or him to this
intensity of need of ME FIRST! This type of child usually stretches
our patience. And just as the child wants to be first immediately,
we want the behavior to change – immediately. Here are three
ideas that may help foster change.
1. Post a list of the children’s names by an area in which they
line up; then use a clothes peg to mark whose turn it is to be the
first in line. If the list is on a string it can be portable to different
locations in the centre. Many programs solve this particular daily
dilemma by having a special helper of the day who is always first
in activities and lining up.
2. If you can be sincere, stretch your compassion and do the
following: if the child is just upset but is in control of his/her body,
get down at eye level, look them in the eye and let them know you
wish you could let them be first. “I wish, I wish you could be first
every, every time you want to be.” You would have to be sincere
and have no motive beyond being in the emotional moment with
the child.
3. Channel your inner Robert Munsch and tell a story at group
time about a child who wanted to be first at everything. Make it
a bit absurd with your examples and include the children in the
story: “what else did she want to be first at?” End the story with
something like, “and Annabelle was so busy being first that she
got more and more and more tired. Annabelle was the first one
to fall asleep – before lunch time even!” During the third or fourth
time telling the story, ask the children if the story could end any
other way.
The first idea will help because as we all know children are more
comfortable with order, routine and predictability in their daily
schedules. The second idea will help because we all need to
feel like we have someone on ‘our side’ even if they can’t fix our
problems. And the third will help because the human brain loves
stories and learns better from a story then from a repeated rule. A
story does not have to have an obvious moral or a stated rule to
provide a space for learning. And because
no idea works all the time or even most of
the time – change does take time – the
next time you find yourself managing a ME
FIRST meltdown remember that this little
person will get past the urgent need to be
first, but maybe not today.
Submitted by Carolyn Sullivan,
Supported Child Development Consultant
Eagle Harbour
Strongstart
(Eagle Harbour Primary School
Portable)
5575 Marine Drive
West Vancouver, BC
V7W 2R4
Sharon McGavin, Facilitator
604-981-1387
Monday through Friday: 8:45 11:45 am
A free drop-in early learning
program for children infant to 5
years of age, with emphasis on
3 and 4 year olds accompanied
by a parent, grandparent or
caregiver.
A carefully created rich
environment for children to
develop through play, art,
science, puppets, dress-up,
puzzles, age appropriate
library, a healthy snack and
a circle time featuring songs,
movement, felt stories, finger
plays, books and games.
The children and families will
learn about effective early
learning and child practices and
meet and make connections
with other families and children
in the community.
19
Remember the WAGE SURVEY??
Thanks to all of you that filled out the annual
Wage Survey for group child care centres last
fall. This is a survey we do every year in order
to provide existing and prospective group child
care operators with an updated resource of staff
wages and benefits on the North Shore. In past
years, we have had a good return rate and felt
that the information was a reliable reflection and
a valid reference. Unfortunately, we received a very low return rate
to our mail out last October.
In order to increase the response, we included an article in our
Winter CCRR Newsletter with a link to complete the survey and
forward to us. This got few replies and our total response rate was
a scant 15%. This is not sufficient for a reliable resource so we are
sorry that there will be no updated North Shore Group Child Care
Wage Survey for 2009. The 2008 Wage Survey continues to be
available on our website.
This issue was raised at the most recent Child Care Administrator’s
network meeting and the feedback indicated that we should
combine the group child care wage survey with the fee survey
sent out in the summer. We have not done this in the past as we
thought we would create “survey fatigue” and decrease responses.
However, the feeling seems to be that it is just as easy to fill out two
surveys as one at the same time.
So that is the plan. We will forward the group child care wage
survey with the fee survey that goes to all facilities in the summer. If
we are fortunate enough to have a summer student, this task will fall
to them. Be prepared for reminders and follow up to ensure we get
two useful resources for 2010.
Thank you,
June Maynard, Manager
Funding Changes
There have been announcements that there will be changes in
funding for these two ministries:
•
Ministry of Children and Family Development
http://www.gov.bc.ca/mcf/
•
Ministry of Housing and Social Development – Gaming
Policy and Enforcement Branch
http://www.eia.gov.bc.ca/gaming/
Please check the websites regularly for the latest information.
Revised appications and instructions for gaming grants will be
on their website by April 1, 2010.
20
Child Care Referrals
From December 1, 2009 –
February 28, 2010 child care
spaces were requested for 242
children. Of those 242, 38%
of the requests came from
families in the District of North
Vancouver, 31% from the City
of North Vancouver, 12% from
West Vancouver, and 19%
from families living outside
of the North Shore. Over the
three month period noted
above, families were provided
with a total of 11,338 facility
names located in 62 different
neighbourhoods.
Help us serve you better ...
Please call if there are any
changes to your program (if you
have a vacancy, changed your
days, hours, or type of care).
We will then make the changes
to our database.
Monday to Friday:
9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Thursdays: open until 8:00 pm
We will be closed:
Good Friday, April 2nd
Easter Monday, April 5th
Victoria Day, Monday May 24th
Canada Day, Thursday July 1st
Check our website for up-to-date
information: www.nscr.bc.ca