Raise your hand to be counted for quality child care

Raise your hand to be counted for quality child care!

If you share in the belief that high quality early learning experiences help children arrive at school eager and ready to learn, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA) wants you to be a part of their new Child Care Aware Parent Network. NACCRRA believes it is time for all families have access to affordable child care that is safe and educationally and developmentally sound. The goal of the network is to build a groundswell in support of children by enrolling parents across the country to become members of NACCRRA’s new Child Care Aware Parent Network (CCAPN). It’s FREE and open to anyone with an interest in children and child care. CCAPN will be an active, vital, virtual organization of parents, grandparents, child care providers, advocates for children, and anyone who cares about equal access to affordable, safe, and high quality child care. The Parent Network will provide parent involvement and engagement resources, training, direct virtual contact with policy makers, social networking, and other great benefits— all at no charge! If you would like to be notified when the Child Care Aware Parent Network is officially launched, visit their site at: www.CCAParentNetwork.org

Read Across America Day

I wanted to give you a heads-up in case you need to find the Dr. Seuss hat you stuffed in your closet last year—this coming Monday, March 2 is the anniversary of Dr. Seuss’s birth and it is officially celebrated as Read Across America Day. On this day, the National Education Association is calling for every child to be reading in the company of a caring adult.

Now in its twelfth year, the program focuses on how important it is to motivate children to read, in addition to helping them master basic skills.

Day Nursery children will be celebrating and parents and grandparents are invited to join in the celebration by stopping by and reading to a group of children. 

You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild,
To pick up a book and read with a child.
You’re never too busy, too cool, or too hot,
To pick up a book and share what you’ve got.

In schools and communities,
Let’s gather around,
Let’s pick up a book,
Let’s pass it around.

There are kids all around you,
Kids who will need
Someone to hug,
Someone to read.

Come join us March 2nd
Your own special way
And make this America’s
Read to Kids Day.

Day Nursery celebrates long time supporters

Auxiliary members Sue Harris (left, a member since 1952 and Martha Hill, who joined the Day Nursery Auxiliary in 1941

For 70 years, volunteers from the Day Nursery Auxiliary have supported the work we do in the centers.  Auxiliary members assist with activities such as vision screening and reading to the children.  They also have a long history of financial support with the most current major fundraiser being the annual luncheon and fashion show. Currently 230 members strong, the Auxiliary has many members who have supported Day Nursery for decades.  This group includes 24 members with 50 or more years of service. Auxiliary President Jenny Rosebrock  hosted a Valentine’s Day tea for 6 of these ladies who no longer are able to get our to the regular meetings.  As you can see by the pictures, there were plenty of yummy treats and all who attended enjoyed the company and the stories.  We invite you to attend the Day Nursery Auxiliary Style Show and luncheon October 2, 2009 at Oak Hill Mansion in Carmel.  To add your name to the invitation list, email us.

(left to right) Day Nursery Executive Director, Carolyn Dederer; Maude Fenstermaker, Auxiliary member since 1943 and Virginia Wohlgemuth, member since 1946

Indianapolis Woman Magazine features Day Nursery Executive Director

The February issue of Indianapolis Woman magazine with Ball State University President Dr. Jo Ann Gora on the cover includes a special “Ready to Learn” section on Education.  Six experts in the field of education, including Day Nursery’s Executive Director Carolyn Dederer, talk about how you can best prepare for your child’s future.  You can pick up a free copy of the monthly magazine at area stores including Kroger, Marsh, Meijer and CVS stores.  If you can’t get out, you can read it on line.  You can find Day Nursery on page 99.

Evenflo® Recalls Children’s Activity Centers

Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun stationary activity center model number 6231711

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Evenflo Co. Inc today announced a voluntary recall of about 213,000 Evenflo Activity Centers. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. When used as an activity table, the cap on one end of the product can loosen and fall off, posing a fall hazard to a young child. Incidents/Injuries: Evenflo has received 11 reports of dislodged end caps which resulted in nine minor injuries, including bumps and bruises. Evenflo has also received a report of a dislodged end cap that resulted in a child suffering a broken collarbone in Canada The recall involves Evenflo ExerSaucer Triple Fun stationary activity centers made between October 2006 and December 2008. The model number is 6231711. Stage 3 position involves converting the product into an activity table. No other ExerSaucer models use end caps and, therefore, no other models are included in this recall. The items were sold at juvenile product and mass merchandise stores nationwide, including Toys ‘R Us and Burlington Baby Depot, from October 2006 through February 2009 for about $120. For additional information, contact Evenflo at (800) 233-5921 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.exersaucertriplefun.com

Happy President’s Day

The Day Nursery centers at Ft. Harrison and in the Federal Center downtown are closed for President’s Day. All other Day Nursery locations are open today. Here’s a little President’s Day song, courtesy of Coramarie Marinan to teach your child while you are in the car together.

It is sung to the tune of “The Muffin Man.” 
Oh, do you know the president,
The President, the president?
Oh, do you know the president
Who lives in Washington, DC?

Valentine’s Day Special Delivery

These cuties from the two year old room at the Day Nursery in the State Government Center made special cards for their family for Valentine’s Day. The really SPECIAL part of the process was that their teacher took them on a walk to the mailbox and let them mail them to their home. Hope you got a Valentine from someone special yesterday! Thanks to Day Nursery State Center Assistant Director Marti Thiery for sending me these pictures.

Valentine Projects Abound

Children at all the Day Nursery centers have been busy creating projects for Valentine’s Day.  Today I will share with you some photos from Miss Alyssa’s Kindergarten class at the Day Nursery at 56th & Guion Road on the northwest side.  Thanks to Alyssa for sharing the photos and for center director Marla Segal for sharing them with me.

Valentine Party Preparations

Valentine box preparation in the four year old classroom at Ft. Harrison

Since Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday this year, our Day Nursery centers will be celebrating in their classrooms tomorrow. This week, students have been busy making cards, gifts for Mom and Valentine collection boxes. Teachers have been sharing books filled with love, friendship and kindness. If you are looking for a few books to share with your child this week, our staff offers their favorites.

• Deanna Saylor, Director of Day Nursery State Government Center “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch
• Susan Davis, Director of Marketing “Lilly’s Chocolate Heart” by Kevin Henkes
• Marti Thiery, Assistant Director of Day Nursery State Government Center “Roses Are Pink Your Feet Really Stink” by Diane De Groat
• Phyllis Primm, Day Nursery State Government Center Teacher “I Love You More” by Laura Duksta
• Debbie Beatty, Day Nursery State Government Center Teacher “Five Little Kisses” by Samone Abel
• Jan Autry, Day Nursery Federal Center toddler Teacher “Elmo Loves You“
• Tonia Wilkinson, Day Nursery State Government Center Teacher “Valentine Mice“
• Amy Cavin, Day Nursery State Government Center Office Manager “ I Love You This Much“
• Dianne Grundy, Day Nursery Federal Center Preschool Teacher “Arthur’s Secret Valentine” by Marc Brown
• Ginger Caylor, Child Care Answers mentor “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Margery Williams
• Beth Rodriguez, Day Nursery Director of Development “Bear Snores On” by Karma Wilson
• Alyssa Boardman, Day Nursery Guion Road Center Kindergarten Teacher “The Valentine Bears” by Eve Bunting with illustrations by Jan Brett
• Tim Teagarden, Day Nursery State Government Center Teacher “Unlovable” by Dan Yaccarino
• Receiving the most votes from our staff was Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree which was mentioned by Day Nursery Executive Director Carolyn Dederer, Child Care Answers mentor Marissa Bland and Day Nursery Director of Operations Marsha Lindsey

Encouraging Your Child To Give

I think the time around Valentine’s Day is a great time to reinforce with your children the importance of giving to others. When you are addressing Valentines for friends and family, why don’t you ask your child to pick out someone they know who might not be getting a Valentine this year and surprise them with a note from you and your child. How about surprising the neighbor who you see walking her dog every day by your house or the clerk in the store who always makes sure your child gets a sticker at the checkout.   Highlights.com says “Like a garden, generosity needs to be cultivated, but gently and carefully.”  As a parent, you have many opportunities to help your child grow, so spread some love this Valentine’s week by encouraging your child to give.