North Shore Child Care Resource & Referral Program

Winter 2007

North Shore Community Resources - Capilano Mall, 201 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver, BC V7P 1S3 604-985-7138 website: www.nscr.bc.ca

Funded by: Province of BC,District of North Vancouver, Cityof North Vancouver, District ofWest Vancouver, United Way ofthe Lower Mainland

June MaynardManager,Child Care Resource Program

Inserts

I want to wish everyone a very happy, healthy, andprosperous 2007! We head into a new year with the hope andanxiety of not knowing what is to come and this certainly parallelsthe situation for early childhood services.

We know that the Ministry of Children and FamilyDevelopment and the Child Care Resource and ReferralProgram is aware of the value of early childhood and familysupports and we are hopeful that attempts will be made topreserve existing supports to families. However, as there asbeen no announcements regarding budgets, we are all anxioushow the reductions in Federal early years funding will, in turn,impact Provincial funding for services.

North Shore child care providers and parents showedinitiative in gathering approximately 1600 signatures that weredelivered to local Members of the Legislature. The petitionrequested that the government maintain existing operatingfunds; clarify short and long term plans for child care; anddemonstrate 100% commitment to supporting families by fundingchild care services.

Child Care Resource and Referral Programs have alsoforwarded letters to express the urgency in receiving fundinginformation to stabilize the current uncertainty.

For those of us working in early childhood, uncertainty is afamiliar position. We are experts at operating and servingfamilies in the face of challenge and unstable times. I sincerelyhope that future funding will maintain the valuable work we doand give us hope to sustain our future.

Regardless, I know that we will be here to support eachother and to advocate for the families and early childhoodservices in our community.

- NSCCRR Workshop Calendar- Parenting after Separation Article- BC Child Care Provider News #15- Aboriginal Parent Community Liaison Introduction- Healthy Start for Life Workshops- District of West Vancouver - Child Care Regulations & Policy- Emergency Preparedness for Childcare Facilities Flyer- Emergency Preparedness Work shops- Pandemic Response Planning Checklist for CC Facilities (VCH)

Our Staff:Li Boesen, Executive DirectorJune Maynard, Child CareManagerFariba Aghdassi, Information &Resource ConsultantChristine Mann, Support &Outreach Consultant (ChildCare Providers)Maria Morisseau, MunicipalChild Care ConsultantVirginia Pateman, Information& Resource Consultant (parents& families)Tunde Skiba, CommunityAccess ConsultantLori Roberts, CommunitySupport ConsultantCatherine Janusz, MadeleineKhodaverdian, Elaine Smithand Bibiana Grossling,Reception and Administration

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Do you have an emailaddress?To keep you informed andup-to-date with our programand with current events inchild care please let us knowyour email address.

Christine.Mann@nscr.bc.caor

Virginia.Pateman@nscr.bc.ca

Sue Irwin, Vancouver CoastalRegional Coordinator, CCRRPrograms, is located in ouroffice.

As of October 2nd, 2007 the child care subsidy service for the Province ofBC has a new centralized MCFD (Ministry of Children and FamilyDevelopment) office in Victoria. You can contact them at: 1-888-338-6622The new provincial child care subsidy office has translation servicesavailable for over 100 languages and extended hours: 7am to 7pm,Monday to Friday, Pacific Standard Time.Child care providers: A reminder to ensure proper attendance recordsare kept up to date and correct. These files can be reviewed by the childcare subsidy office.Families: For assistance with child care subsidy, to pick up applications,and access a guarantor please contact the North Shore CCRR. We canhelp!

Visit our Provincial websitefor all Child CareResource & ReferralProgram Information!

As many of you may already know, we have closed our Saturday morningextended hours as of Saturday, November 11, 2006. The Child Care Resourceand Referral Program had been open in order to serve parents needingassistance with child care subsidy and child care providers wanting to accessand return resources. We kept statistics for several months and found that

the Saturday morning hours were not being usedsufficiently to justify opening and staffing the office.We continue to have extended hours Thursdayevenings until 8:00 pm. We look forward to serving youduring our regular office hours, Monday to Friday from9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Thursday evenings.

Extended Hours

Did You Know…A child care subsidy is available if you need assistance with child carecosts. The eligibility is based on the total net income for the family and thesubsidy amount is based on the type of care, the age of the child, and thefamily income. The type of child care costs that are subsidized by theMinistry include licensed pre-school programs. Although still incomebased, applicants applying for pre-school subsidy do not have to have areason for child care such as working or going to school. The value of anearly learning experience is a stand alone reason for this type of care. OurSubsidy Support Worker can assist you with the Child Care SubsidyApplication. Call or visit today!

Child Care Subsidy Update

Fariba Aghdassi, Information & Resource Consultant, CCRR program, isalso a paralegal and coordinator of the Legal Advocacy Program at NorthShore Community Resources. She writes articles and fact sheets in plainlanguage on different topics of the law, which are distributed to over 80agencies throughout BC. In this issue of our newsletter we have includedan article on Parenting after Separation, which deals with information onissues of custody, access and support that parents have to deal withduring and after separation.

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On Monday, November 20, District of North Vancouver Council approved a number of amendments to their ChildCare Business Regulation Bylaw. Most of the amendments to the Child Care Facilities Business RegulationBylaw provide greater concurrence with Provincial Regulations:

1. A Business license is now required when more than 2 children unrelated to the caregiver are in care.(Previously, the business license requirement was triggered for 5 children, whether or not they were related to thecaregiver.)

2. The requirement for additional outdoor space has been removed. (Requirement is now 7 square meters perchild, the same as the Provincial requirement).

In addition, the License Inspector now has the authority to deny a business license in commercial or industrialzones if there are concerns about the health and safety of the children in care.

The most significant change to the Bylaw will now allow operators operating in residential homes to applyfor a license where the maximum capacity will exceed 20 children (the previous upper limit was 20 children).Applications for more than 10 children in any one day will still go to a public meeting and Council approval, butwhere the applicant is applying for more than 20 children, the application will be referred to a public HEARING,which is a more formal process.

If you have any questions about the changes or would like copies of the new Bylaw or the Guidelines forlocating a child care facility, please contact Robyn Newton at the District of North Vancouver at 604-990-2274.

Amendments to District of North VancouverChild Care Business Regulation Bylaw.

Applications for the Municipal Community Grants are due by Wednesday, January 31, 2007 @ 4:30 pmMunicipal Community Grants are intended to support not-for-profit organizations serving North Shore residents.North Shore municipalities provide these grants in order to assist groups with the delivery of services, which workto reduce social, economic or physical disadvantage, and/or which improve the quality of life for residents. PleaseNote:• Applications must be sent separately to each of the three North Shore Municipalities to which you are applying for a grant.• Applications for Childcare grants through the District of North Vancouver, follow a separate process. Please contact Robyn Newton at 604-990-2274 or rnewton@dnv.org for specific information regarding the Call of Expression of Interest for DNV Childcare grants.Please visit the following municipal websites for further information:

The District of North Vancouver: http://www.dnv.org/article.asp?c=984The City of North Vancouver: http://www.cnv.org//server.aspx?c=3&i=238The District of West Vancouver: http://www.westvancouver.ca/grants

Municipal Community Grants 2007

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It’s been over 10 years since we have had a formal child care needs assessment conducted and now with securedfunding from our three municipalities, the North Shore Child Care Planning Committee under the auspice of NorthShore Community Resources has issued a Request For Proposals (RFP). It is anticipated that the project willconsist of four major elements:

1. An assessment of provider capacities and issues;2. An assessment of parental needs and perceptions;3. An assessment of best practices from other jurisdictions;4. Recommendations regarding strategies and policies to improve the provision of child care on the North

Shore.All of the above will be documented in a Final Report to the Committee with an anticipated completion date of May2007.

North Shore Child Care Needs Assessment

Please see the insert on Child Care Regulations and Policy in West Vancouver submitted by LeanneSexsmith, Planning Analyst, District of West Vancouver.

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Child Care Resource Program Library

Some websites to check out:www.bewebaware.ca/english/default.aspxBe Web Aware is a national,bilingual public educationprogram on Internet safety. Theobjective of everyone involved inthis project is to ensure youngCanadians benefit from theInternet, while being safe andresponsible in their onlineactivities.www.cyberbully.orgThis web site, provided by theCenter for Safe andResponsible Internet Use,includes information andresources for educators andparents, as well as current newsand research on the topic ofcyberbullying, or “sending orposting harmful or cruel text orimages using the Internet orother digital communicationdevices.”www.excellence-earlychildhood.caThe Centre of Excellence forEarly Childhood Development(CEECD) recently became thelead organization of theCanadian Council on Learning’sEarly Childhood LearningKnowledge Centre.An inventory of products relatedto early learning and child careis now available on this website.The CEECD onlineencyclopedia now includes aseries of articles on the topics ofparenting skills, obesity, learningdisabilities, resilience and headstart policy. Check out thiswebsite for new postings.

Here are the newest additions to our resource library:

Looking after me By Karen W. OlsenLiving safe, playing safe By Karen W.OlsenHealthy choices, healthy lives By KarenW. OlsenTaking care of Mother Earth By LeanneFlett KrugerDancing with the cranes By JeannetteArmstrongThe above are all junior fiction.

Early years child health report 2006-binder –Reference

Standing together-Publisher : The Health Aboriginal Network

Could it Be Autism? A parent’s guide to the first signsand next steps By Nancy D. Wiseman

Learn to Play - Play to Learn By Susan Munzer-Briner

USBORNE Book of the seasons. Things to do all yearround By Angela Wilkes

I can make that! Fantastic crafts for kids By Mary Wallace

Child’s play - rediscovering the joy of play in our familiesand communities By Silken Laumann

Thought about Food? A workbook on food security &influencing policy- This is a resource that will be useful forCAPC(community Action Program for Children) organization.The goal of this workbook and the DVD “ Food Security-It’sEveryone’s Business” is to give CAPC and others in thecommunity, the resources/tools and power to raise awarenessabout food security. This well-tested workbook and DVD canhelp open discussionsabout food security at thelocal, regional and nationallevels and will help peoplebecome more aware offood security issues andhow to move forward onthem.

Single mothers resourceguide for women ByVancouver Status ofWomen

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In the Fall 2006 mail out for Community Care Licensing a letter was sentrequesting licensed childcare providers to fax or mail in copies of all thehealth history forms for children 0-5 years in your care. Thank you to allwho have sent them in!! The phone number for Joanne Wooldridge,Program Coordinator was incorrect on the letter and should be 604-983-6832. Please contact Joanne with any questions or concerns.

This information will improve the immunization records kept in the provincial database. We currently getthe information from our clinics and from family doctors on the North Shore. Unfortunately our data isnot complete, as children may have received their vaccinations outside of the North Shore. When achild enters the school system we receive their records from the school district and it is entered into theprovincial database. We would like to have that information for young children as well.

Public Health Nurses in the Early Years Teamwould like to support you in your care of children

from birth to age 5.We are available by phone Monday to Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 to an-swer any health related questions. We are also available to come toyour daycare or preschool to consult with you on medication man-agement, health education, growth and development, immunization,allergy management or other health concerns..Call 604-983-6700 and ask for the Early Years Nurse on call.

BCIT Student NursesI am very pleased to announce that we will have the pleasure of two student nurses conducting apracticum with our CCRR service from January 17th to March 1st. These student nurses are in their finalyear of study and doing their Community Health segment of practical experience. The students areenthusiastic to learn about our CCRR services and the various family supports on the North Shore.They want to participate in community activities and hear about issues related to families and health inorder to research appropriate resources.

They will also be available to conduct Do BugsNeeds Drugs workshops for care providers.Please contact me at 604-985-7138 or send mean email at: June.Maynard@nscr.bc.ca if yourcentre is interested in this project. We arelooking forward to having the valuable contribu-tion of these nurses in our program.

Thank you, June Maynard

Immunization Records Project

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BC Early Childhood Education BursaryAttention Early Childhood Educators currently enrolled in early childhood programs at recognizededucational institutions.The eligibility criteria have changed from the previous intake period. Please note that the qualifyingrequirements for students enrolled in basic ECE programs have been removed in order to make ECEBursary funding more accessible to eligible students. More details and the application form can befound on the Ministry of Children and Family Development website http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/childcare/ece/index.htm

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North Shore Child Care Resource ProgramWorkshop Schedule

Emergency Child Care First Aid & CPR - Full-Day TrainingIs it time to take or renew your First Aid certificate? Don’t wait until the last minute! Complete this Red Cross FirstAid Certificate in one day. Please note: Registration and payment for all First Aid courses hosted by NSCCRR cannow be handled directly through Safe and Sound First Aid Training Ltd. (www.firstaid.citysoup.ca). (For registrantswithout home internet access, phone 604-945-7277 and Safe and Sound staff will be happy to take yourregistration info by telephone.) Limited to 18 participants. A manual & certificate will be issued.Presenter: Safe and Sound First AidDate & Time Full-Day Training: Saturday, January 6, 2007; Saturday March 31 (9:00 am - 5:00 pm)Cost:: $80.00 + GSTLocation: Community Room, Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Health Resources for Childcare ProvidersThe Health Resources for Childcare Providers Workshop will provide an opportunity to learn what services andprogram are available for children on the North Shore. A Public Health nurse and a Licensing Officer will discusstheir roles in promoting the health of young children, and will review the resources available to promote healthydevelopment including audiology, speech language pathology, vision, nutrition, dental, supported child develop-ment, and the Child and Adolescent Program (mental health).Presenter: Joanne Wooldridge, Vancouver Coastal HealthDate & Time: Thursday, February 15, 2007, 6 - 8:30 pmLocation: Community Room, Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Food Safety for Childcare FacilitiesDo you know….

• the do’s and don’ts of handling, storing and preparing food for the children and your family?• how to prevent food poisoning as a foodhandler and avoid it as a consumer?

All participants MUST PRE-REGISTER at least a week in advance of the workshop date by calling Sam Sew,Public Health Inspector, Vancouver Coastal Health at 604-983-6802. Please be advised that seating is limited andthat workshops may be cancelled due to insufficient attendance.Cost: $10.00 Cheque payable to Vancouver Coastal Health� Thursday, February 22, 2007, 6:45 to 8:45 pm & Thursday, May 3, 2007, 6:45 - 8:45 pmAnchor Room at John Braithwaite Community Centre (145 West 1st Street, North Vancouver)� Thursday, April 19, 2007, 6:00 - 8:00 pmCommunity Room, Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Music & MovementDo you enjoy sharing music and movement with children but are looking for some new and inexpensive ideas forprogramming? Join us in discussing many ideas for programming that supports enhancing children’s self-esteemwhile extending their natural joy of movement. Take home a hands-on movement prop to use in your program.(This workshop is co-hosted with ECE BC North Shore Branch.)Presenter: Diana McCall, Early Childhood EducatorDate & Time: Thursday, March 8, 2007, 6:30 – 8:30 pmLocation: Community Room, Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Planning & Assistance at Tax TimeOur community CGA from Loren & Company will take you through an easy step-by-step introduction to accountingand tax issues for the Home Based Child Care Provider. They will answer all your questions and provide you withhandouts to take home.Presenter: Candace Nancke, CGADate & Time: Thursday, January 11, 2007, 6:00 – 8:00 pmLocation: Community Room, Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

NOTE!CCRR program presents workshops based on client requests and identified need. We cannot guarantee thatour workshops will meet the requirements of the ECE Registry. It is the responsibility of the individual toensure they have sufficient and acceptable professional development hours for ECE renewal.

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Other Professional Development Opportunities

Mark your calendars!ADMINISTRATOR’S MEETINGS... Bringing together administrators from group child care programsacross the North Shore to network and share information. Presenters focusing on specific topics areoccasionally invited. Co-facilitated by Maria Morisseau, North Shore Child Care Resource and ReferralProgram and Kitty Roberts, CCFL, Vancouver Coastal Health, North Shore. Please contact Maria at604-985-7138 or by email: maria.morisseau@nscr.bc.ca for further details.

Dates & Times: Wednesday, February 21, 2007 & Wednesday, May16, 2007, 11:45 am - 1:00 pmPlace: Community Room , Capilano Mall, #203 - 935 Marine Drive, North Vancouver

Good Beginnings: An Introductory Family Child Care CourseThe Family Child Care Course will be offered on 7 Saturdays starting January 20th and on 13Tuesday evenings starting April 3rd. This certificate course is recognized by Community CareFacilities Licensing.Cost: $ 210.00 (including all course materials)For more information and to register please contact Christine by phone: 604-985-7138 or email:christine.mann@nscr.bc.ca.

Early Childhood Educators of BCPre-registration is a must for all workshops, as there is limited space. Payment for all workshops is madeat the door (cash only please). For more information or to pre-register, please contact Essie Wolfe at 604-325-7576 (Vancouver workshops) or Lynette McBride at 604-215-1436 (Burnaby/New West workshops),and leave a message including your evening contact number.

Multicultural Programming in Early Childhood SettingsDate: Tuesday, March 6, 2007, 7 - 9 pmPresenter: Sarah Chapman-ChenLocation: St Alban’s the Martyr Daycare,7717 - 19th Avenue, BurnabyCost: $10.00 members; $15.00 non-members

Date: Tuesday, April 17, 2007, 7 - 9 pmPresenter: Brentwood Preschool teachers, Rachel Rosen and MarinaGiovinazzoLocation: Brentwood Nursery School1455A Delta Ave (between Lougheed Hwy and Sperling Ave)Cost: $10.00 members; $15.00 non-member

Do you and your staff know….• What to expect during any disaster? How to respond before, during and after an earthquake?• How to identify and reduce hazards inside your facility? When and when NOT to evacuate?• Emergency supplies you need including food and water?

North Shore Emergency Management Office (NSEMO) has developed a workshop to assist child care facilities intheir planning and preparations for an emergency or disaster. There is currently no charge for the workshop andeach participant gets a gas shut off wrench and valuable emergency planning resources, absolutely free!!! Thenext workshop is scheduled for the evening of February 6, 2007 at Parkgate Community Centre. See Flyer in thisnewsletter for more information.Call NSEMO at 604-983-7440 to register. Register promptly as seating is limited!

Emergency Preparedness for Childcare Facilities Workshop

Key Elements of School-Age Child CareWe are planning to offer the thirty hour course, Key Elements of School-Age Child Care, for care providers starting onMonday, January 22nd. The Registration brochure has been mailed to all licensed school age programs, licensedfamily child care and registered Licence Not Required providers. Registration information is on the brochure. Thedeadline for registration is Friday, January 12th. Please contact June Maynard at 604-985-7138 orJune.Maynard@nscr.bc.ca if you wish further information.

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Family Child Care Networking Welcome to our newestFamily Child Care

Providers !

Thank you for yourenthusiasm ! !

Would you like to have a support visit or delivery of resources?

Any child care setting (Group Care, Child Minding, Preschool, Out-of-School Care, LNR or LFCC) that has a subscription with theNorth Shore Child CareResource & Referral Program isentitled to support visits.

If you would like a support visitplease call 604-985-7138 to setup an appointment.

With the new and improved “coziness” ofour Community Room at the CapilanoMall, everybody really enjoys theNetwork meetings for Family Child CareProviders. In the past we have beendiscussing contract changes, feeincreases, how much to pay a part-timeemployee, when to give notices to parents etc. It is really great tosee how the group is able to support each other and get closer.

Come and join us: every first Thursday of the month from 7 to 9 pm,starting again in February 2007 (Feb 1st and March 1st)

Angel’s R Us LNR –Jila Ebrahimy

Cinderella LNR – Zahra AkbariHappy Times LNR –

Roya KeshavarziKid’s Planet LNR –

Shabnam MoghadasianKu-chu-lu LNR –

Maryam NashriLittle Bear LNR –

Ensieh AhmadiNeverland LNR – Sunny FadaeiSunshine LNR – Parvin NadaliBusy Bodies LFCC -

Roxanne LemarcheChez Nous LFCC –

Maryam FarokhyFlowers LFCC – Soheila GolabiHappy Child Daycare LFCC –

Gulzar LakhaniHoneybee LFCC –

Colleen McAndrewKids @ Cliffwood LFCC –

Vanessa NashLittle Whispers LFCC –

Shannon McGregorLittle Raven’s Nest LFCC –

Elisabeth MuellerSundance Kids LFCC -

Paulina Kiewszek

These 3 FCC changed fromLNR to LFCC

Mandy’s FCC - Mandy TaylorHillside FCC –

Shila Ayling GhajarLittle Pumpkin FCC –

Shahla Niksimaee

Thank you Tunde! What a great success! Tunde Skiba, ourCommunity Access Consultant, has been facilitating our Circle ofCare since September. Since then the drop-in has grown and sohas the activity binder.

The children love her activities and stories, as well asthe snack and juice.

Come and visit the Circle of Care, Tuesdaymornings from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the large

Family Resource Room at John BraithwaiteCommunity Centre at 145 West 1st Street inNorth Vancouver.

After the winter holidays, our drop-in will starton January 9th, 2007 every week until SpringVacation. (last: March 13th, 2007).

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SUPPORT VISITS

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NORTH SHORE EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCEWith another successful conference behind us planning will soon begin. If you’d like tovolunteer your time throughout the planning phase or on the day of (Sept 29, 2007)please contact Maria Morisseau at maria.morisseau@nscr.bc.ca or by calling 604-985-7138 local 122.

Mother Goose

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West Vancouver Family PlaceAdventure Playground Building, Ambleside Park,604-925-7141Roots & Wings Family Drop-In: Parents, grandparents, caregivers and

children infant to 5 years are welcome to enjoy arts, crafts, songs and play as well as meet new friendsand playmates and access resources about parenting.

Monday to Friday: 9:00 am to noon.January 8 - March 9 / March 19 - June 15Drop-In Fee $3 per family

Scheduled visitors:January 8: Laura Sakaki, Infant Development ConsultantJanuary 12: Andrea Barber, “Child’s Nutrition”January 17: Joanne Vestvik, Dental Hygienist

First Aid Course CPR Level BSaturday February 17, 20075 hours $60 + GSTLearn to respond to cardiovascularemergencies in infant / child and adult.Call to register: 604-925-7141

... a typical Mother Goose session ...

“Hello everybody, how are you, how are you, how are youtoday?….”

This is a familiar song by now. We have used it as our greetingsong at every session. The leaders introduce one or two newrhymes or songs each week, but repetition is an importantelement in a Mother Goose program. Hopefully, after attendingapproximately 10 sessions the rhymes and songs will havebecome a natural extension of the language that each child careprovider or parent shares with their children in care.

It is just before 10:00 AM in the morning, and we’re sitting on pillows in a circle onthe floor of the Foyer of the St. John’s Anglican Church in North Vancouver. There are several childcare providers and parents and approx 8 – 12 children every week in attendance.

We did SMOOTH ROAD at least twice today, because everyone loves it so much. There are two trainedMother Goose leaders who meet earlier in the week to review the outline for today’s session. “Weshould introduce a new bouncy rhyme this week. Do you want to do that?” “Whose turn is it to do thestory?” In the hour long program, the group will do a mix of bouncy rhymes, touching rhymes, songs,and stories, some new and some old favorites.

We keep the group active for about 30 to 40 minutes and then take out a wonderful snack: Mhmm, freshbagels, cheese, fresh fruit, some muffins, tea and coffee for the adults and juice for the children.Everybody helps themselves and a lively group is chatting and enjoying some social time.

After the snack break, the leaders bring the group back into the circle. After a few soft songs and abeautiful lullaby one of the Mother Goose leaders tells a story, usually it is a folk story, one with a funnytwist or virtue attached.

“The good bye train is coming, see you soon!”

It is time to say good-bye. Everybody is happy and ready to go on to their next activities. Every week,the leaders, care providers and parents are looking forward to seeing them at the next session.

Mother Goose is a very popular and free-of-charge program with ongoing registration for child careproviders and the children in their care. It continues January 12, 2007 every Friday 9:45 to 10:45 am atSt. John’s Anglican Church, 220 West 8th Street in North Vancouver. For more information or to registerplease call Christine at the Child Care Resource & Referral Program 604-985-7138 oremail:christine.mann@nscr.bc.ca

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ACTIVITIESSpin a Hug [25 Minutes]

Talking about families and building positive relationships is at the“heart” of this easy-to-make game.

You’ll need:

• posterboard or cereal box cardboard • scissors • paper holepuncher • paper fastener • markers

What to do:

1. Begin by drawing a large heart on a piece of posterboard or theback of a cereal box.

2. Help your child divide the heart into sections based on thenumber of family members.

3. Help her write each person’s name in a section of the heart.

4. Make a spinner by cutting a piece of cardboard into an arrow,punching a hole in the center of the shaft, and helping your childfasten it to the center of the heart with a paper fastener.

How to play:

1. Take turns spinning the spinner, readingthe name of the family member, and givingthat person a gentle hug.

2. Or, play the game by saying somethingnice about the person whose name the

spinner is pointing to.

Related Books to ReadI Love My MamaMama, Do You Love Me?

Stuffed Fish: Cut two large fish shapes from construction paper.Put the two together and use a hole-punch to create holes aroundthe fish for the children to sew together with wool. Leave on endopen and stuff with newspaper, then complete the sewing.

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ARTS & CRAFTS

Let’s Talk: Ideas to ExploreTogether.

• What are some ways we arenice to each other in our family?What are nice things we do?Say? • Can you name thepeople in our family? (Talkabout cousins, aunts, uncles,grandparents and where theylive.)

Useful information:

While you are having funtogether, this activity helps yourchild develop language skills.

Styrofoam cup dogs: Attach two styrofoam cups togetherwith a braid. Place one cup upside down on the table, putthe other cup on top so the bottom of the cup is facing youand you are attaching the side of one cup to the bottom ofthe other. Cut out dog ears, nose, eyes, tongue and tail for thechildren to put on the cups.

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ACTIVITIES cont�d

Photo of Me, Myself Theme Box

SONGSMy Pets

I have 5 pets that I’d like you to meet (fingers)This is my chicken, the smallest of all,He comes running whenever I call.

This is my duckling he says, “Quack, quack, quack”As he shakes the water from his back.

Here is my rabbit, he runs from his penThen I must put him back again.

This is my kitten, her coat is black and white.She loves to sleep on my pillow at night.

Here is my puppy who has lots of fun.He chases the others and makes them run.

READERS IDEAS

For pet week, one idea touse that helps childrenlearn their colors is:You start withdog bones ofevery color and apicture of a dogand his bowl. Whenthe child can say thecolor of a bone, they get toglue it in the dog bowl. Verycolorful and the children like thisone the best. They can alsocount how many dog bones arein the bowl.

Have you visited our Lending Library lately?It has grown! We have more shelves and more boxes!

Come and check it out!Monday through Friday 9 AM to 4:30 PM and Thursday all day until

8 PM.Suggestions are always welcome.

Prepare a largepiece of paperwith pet homes,such as afishbowl, doghouse, bird cage,etc. Find petshapes - printfrom a computer.

The kids lovematching theanimals to theirhomes!

Child Care Referrals

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In the months of July, August,September, October andNovember of 2006 child carespaces were requested for 574children. Of those 574, 45%were under 3 years, 37 % werebetween 3 and 5, and 18% wereschool age. Full-time care wasrequested by 35% of families,and 65% part-time. During thissame time period in 2005, wereceived 40% of requests forfull-time care and 60% part-time.In July through November of2006, families were providedwith a total of 19,177 facilitynames located in 60 differentneighbourhoods.

Some child care providers have recently asked us to explain howour child care referral system works.

When a parent contacts us for help with finding child care, we havea conversation with them to learn what their requirements are forchild care. This information usually includes their child’s age, thetype of care they prefer, (group or family or both), hours of care, andarea of the North Shore where they wish to find care. Some familieshave other requirements, such as a facility where another languageis spoken, or a specific philosophy of care (such as Montessori orReggio Emilia) is delivered.

At no time do we try to influence the parent’s choice in any of theseareas. We discuss different options and give them accurateinformation regarding the selection of child care available on theNorth Shore. After we have determined the family’s child carepreferences, we create a list of child care providers for the parent tocontact, using our Child Services Program (CSP) computerdatabase program.

Please remember that we do not have control of what parents dowith the list of child care referrals, whom they call, or don’t call. Wedo not make recommendations. We striveto empower parents with adequate,accurate information at the sametime supporting all childcareproviders.

If you have any questions aboutthis process, you can call VirginiaPateman, our Parent Informationand Resource Consultant, at604-985-7138.

Parent Referral Service

Closures or Discontinuing Referrals:There may be situations when your facility is permanently or temporarilyclosed or wishes the Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR)Program to discontinue referrals – either on a temporary or permanentbasis. This could be for a number of reasons such as a leave ofabsence, education leave, illness, family situation, staffing issues,retirement, or addressing Licensing requirements.

Please be advised that we require official notification from you, theregistered or licensed child care provider, a notification of licencechange, or notification of removal from the CCRR Registry before wecan make changes to our database or discontinue referrals. Therefore,we ask you to please notify us promptly of any changes in youroperation that may impact referrals to families seeking care. Careproviders, please contact Virginia Pateman, our Parent Informationand Resource Consultant, at 604-985-7138 to report changes to yourfacility operation. This helps us keep our information accurate for ourclients.

To help us serve youbetter...

Please call if there are anychanges to your program (if youhave a vacancy, changed your

days, hours, or type of care).We will then make the changes

to our database.

Attention parents andcare providers!

Our Office Hours:

Monday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Tuesday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Wednesday: 9 am – 4:30pmThursday: 9 am – 8:00 pm Friday: 9 am – 4:30 pm Saturday: CLOSED

Come in and take advantage ofour extended hours on Thursdayevenings and browse ourresource lending library!