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!