A Workshop For Parents of Young Children

Children’s frustration can lead to eruptions including temper tantrums and aggression. Helping a child with their frustration is one of the best investments you can make. If you are a parent of a young child this workshop is for you!

How to Build a Natural Playscape

Take a look at the beautiful photos at dwell.com on building natural playscapes. Do you have an inspiring outdoor space? We would love to hear about it! Contact us here.

It's That Time Again - Summer Clearance Sale

The Early Years Learning Store is holding their annual Summer clearance sale. Save up to 70% off clearance items including a large selection of Sandra Boynton board books. Visit the store at 6878 King George Hwy in Surrey and leave with a great deal and some good karma! Proceeds from the Early Years Learning Store help support Child Care Options Resource and Referral program. For store hours or more info visit www.childcareoptions.ca



Technology in Early Childhood Settings

First of all, I would to like to come clean. I love technology. I love that I can communicate via the wide world web anytime I fancy. I love that I can make dinner reservations online with out picking up the phone. I love that I can see pictures of my beautiful niece anytime I want, even though she lives across the country. I LOVE TECHNOLOGY!  However, as a parent and early childhood educator, the love affair ends and is quickly replaced with apprehension. NAEYC and the Fred Rogers institute released an update to their draft "Technology in Early Childhood Programs" in May of this year. I read through this draft and thought of all the ways my own daughters utilize different technology in our own home. My four year old daughter can navigate around an ipad better than I can. Then my mind starting to wrap around the possibility of using technology to enhance early childhood programs. I love the idea of taking pictures of children's creations and activities and showing them on a slide show in the background. How great would it be to video your next walk through the park and revisit it another day. I am still apprehensive on the subject but if the technology was used purposefully and sparingly I might warm up to the idea... 
If anyone else out there has some creative uses for technology in their program I would love to hear about it!

Contributing Author:
Michelle Davies
Outreach Consultant for Child Care Options Resource & Referral Program

Rainy Day Fun

It may feel more like Fall than Summer but nothing beats playing in the mud. Take a look at the Images of Learning Project for some inspiration and then get out in the rain and play!!

May is Child Care Month

May is Child Care Month and to celebrate Child Care Options hosted our annual Child Care Provider Appreciation Evening on Tuesday May 3rd.  A fun time was had by all with some treats and well deserved pampering! 

Some highlights:

Henna



Nails

Everyone took home some treats from the swag table...

And a pansy plant for everyone!

Yummy treats were donated by

the South Fraser Child Care Society

And don't forget the smoothie bar!

Some of the fab decorating..

It was such a great night and a big thanks to our service providers who donated their time and resources:


Aloette Cosmetics
Arbonne

Forever Yours Lingerie
Mary Kay
Mountain View Wellness Centre
NuWay Beauty Salon & School
Panorama Village Chiropractic & Laser Health Solutions

And student volunteers from:

Burnsview Secondary School
Clayton Heights Secondary School
Princess Margaret Secondary School

Sign Lanuage Course at Child Care Options

BASIC SIGN LANGUAGE COURSE AT CHILDCARE OPTIONS

Have fun learning some basic sign language, via hands-on learning. This course is designed for child care providers. You will be able to bring back to your centre what you have learned. Children who learn some signs are better able to communicate their needs and therefore reduce inappropriate behaviours. It is imperative to a child’s self esteem and self-confidence that she is understood. This course will help you to promote language development and social skills.

Date:
May 5, 2011 to Jun 9, 2011
Time:
7:00:00 to 9:00:00
Location:
Child Care Options 6878 King George Blvd. Surrey
Cost: $75.00

Choosing Child Care

Looking for more information on child care?  Take a look at the new CCRR video!

Week Long Investigative Series on Daycare Inspections

Many of you may be familiar with Chad Skelton's (Vancouver Sun/Curious Dad) week long investigative series on daycare inspections . Child Care Options Resource & Referral program would like to recognize the commitment and dedication to the well being of children by child care providers and parents alike.  We continue to provide support in our community and encourage you to contact your local licensing office with any concerns.

Creating With Oil Pastels

As early care and learning professionals we are always on the look out for new and creative ways to use every day materials. You can imagine our delight when we came across this post from "Let the Children Play". Colour with oil pastels on paper and then brush baby oil over top with a Qtip. The baby oil turns the pastel colours to paint! This a great way for children to experiment with colour and texture!

Training Calendar

The sun is shining, Spring is just around the corner and so is our next session of workshops.  Take a look at our Spring Training Calendar or go to childcareoptions.ca for more information.

Eco Friendly Paint

What is more inviting then bright colours that smell wonderful? "Botanically crafted arts and crafts paints made from fruits, vegetables, flowers and spices with natural food-grade ingredients. GLOB's organic extracts smell fresh & fruity." Check out GLOB's website to find out where to buy...

Folkmanis Puppets

Puppet play encourages imagination, dramatic play and good old fashioned fun. You can find the award winning Folkmanis puppets (like the adorable bunny pictured above) at the Early Years Learning Store (located with Child Care Options) for 25% off the regular price for the entire month of March!

Wear Pink Today!!

 Hopefully you all donned your pink shirts today in support of the 4th annual BC Anti-bullying awareness day. After watching this clip from the students of David Loyd George Elementary and Churchill Secondary we might just wear pink for the rest of the week! Looking for more information on bullying check out http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/sco/resources.htm

Children the Heart of the Matter Correction

Please note the Children Heart of the Matter ad from 2010 is running in some of the media outlets. The conference is still being held at the Bell Centre and Mary Gordon is our Friday night keynote speaker. If you have any questions please call our office at 604-572-8032

Moving to an Intergrated System of Early Care and Learning Information Session

Child Care Options and the BC Family Child Care Association are hosting a free information session on the proposed plan of "Moving to a System of Integrated Early Care & Learning in BC"on January 18th.  Representatives from ECEBC and the CCCABC will be on hand to present the plan, answer questions and respond to feedback. The session will be held at the Fleetwood Community Centre, please see our flyer for more details and call Child Care Options at 604-572-8032 to register.

Mary Gordon on CNN

Check out this segment on Mary Gordon via CNN & then come and see her at the Bell Centre for Performing Arts on Friday February 4th - call Child Care Options for tickets - 604-572-8032

http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/12/10/babies.combating.bullying/index.html?iref=allsearch

Children the Heart of the Matter

Don't miss best selling author and parenting expert Mary Gordon as the opening keynote for the Children the Heart of the Matter Conference on Friday February 4, 2011.  Get your tickets online here or call 604-572-8032.