Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Accreditation Feedback

AELCS has granted the Hemel House program accreditation status to recognize that they have met the provincial requirement for high quality child care as demonstrated using specific data collection strategies and identifications in the criteria outlined in the Quality Standards.

We would like to share with you some of the AELCS noted feedback from our site visit in March 2012.

STANDARD FOUR – Families are supported as the primary caregivers for their children.

Demonstrated Best Practices 
  • Friendly interactions occurred during the day between Providers and parents. 
  • The Agency provides support and information for families who need resources and referrals. 
  • There are opportunities for families to get together at specially planned events. Annual swim party, monthly mastermind meetings and advisory board meetings. 
  • The parents have an opportunity for input into policies and procedures at the program through surveys, e-mail and daily verbal contact. Individual provider and agency wide survey results were shared with the families. 
  • There is a clear intake process to orient new parents to the program and a detailed parent manual is provided which emphasizes the role of parents as primary caregivers. Parents can review several provider profiles and decide which they wish to interview.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Make-it Topic: Turtles


Imaginative:
  • Place out boxes for the children to use as shells, place out rolled blankets for logs and bugs for cooking 
  • Make a pond for the children to care for turtles

Language:
  • Read the story “The tortoise and the hare” 
  • Read the poem little turtle
    • There was a little turtle (put hands together in a fist)
      He lived in a box (make a box with both hands)
      He swam in a puddle (make swimming motions)
      He climbed on the rocks (use your fingers to climb up your arm)
      He snapped at a mosquito (clap hands)
      He snapped at a flea (chomp with your mouth)
      He snapped at a minnow (clap hands)
      He snapped at me (Do Home Alone Face)
      He caught the mosquito (grab with your hand)
      He caught the flea (grab with your hand)
      He caught the minnow (grab with your hand)
      But he didn't catch me (jump in excitement) 
  • Read “Turtle splash"
  • Read “How the turtle got its shell” 
  • Read some Franklin books

Art:
  • Contact paper cut in a turtle shape, googly eyes yarn and tissue paper allow the children to make a stain glass turtle 
  • Use egg cartons cut and paint to make turtles 
  • Coffee filter turtles; paint the filter turn them upside down on paper draw on heads 
  • Have small turtle cut outs allow the children to decorate the turtles and make a mobile 
  • Tip a flower pot upside down and paint 
  • Put out shapes and a turtle cut out allow the children to make a shape turtle

Water/Sand
  • Place turtles and sponges in the water table 
  • Place logs, rocks and turtles into the water 
  • Place turtles and bugs in the sand table 
  • Place strainers and turtles with rocks in the sand table

Gross Motor
  • Turtle bean bag toss use a large paper with a shell on it cut out small holes in the shell for the bags 
  • Have turtle races place out an obstacle course all the children to be turtles while they complete it 
  • Play follow the leader 
  • Play turtle says

Science/Curiosity
  • Place out different types of shells for the children to explore 
  • Set up an aquarium for the children to view 
  • Place out eggs for the children to view

Blocks
  • Place out logs, and turtles in the block center 
  • Use rocks for building with 
  • Place out green blocks with a white sheet

Conceptual/Table top/Fine motor
  • Allow the children to use cards sequencing the story tortoise and the hare 
  • Match the turtle shells to the color of the body 
  • Place ping pong balls with numbers and matching ping pong balls with dots have the children match the turtle eggs 
  • Place dots onto a board allow the children to roll a dice moving a turtle to the end make two sets of dots for a game 
  • Place a jar decorated as a turtle use tweezers and pompoms have the children catch the bugs ‘pompoms” and place them in the turtle mouth 
  • Have turtle cut outs for lacing 
  • Cut up pool noodles and lace the “turtles” together 
  • Sequence the turtles 
  • Set out play dough allow the children to form turtles

Music
  • Sing the song Tiny turtle 
  • I had a little turtle his name was tiny Tim I put him in the bathtub to see if he could swim he drank up all the water he ate up all the soap and now he’s sick in bed with bubbles in his throat hiccup 
  • Use cups to make shakers decorate as turtles

Quiet
  • Use a box and place books inside for reading 
  • Place out turtle magnetic forms the children can make a story

Cooking
  • Make turtles
    • Bread cut into circles, Kiwi cut and peeled, cream cheese pretzels and raisins. Place cream cheese onto the bread allow the children to place kiwi and use raisins for the eyes use pretzels for the legs

Field trip
  • Visit a local pet store look at the turtles 
  • Go to the local pond see if you can find any turtles

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Community Support


The Hemel House Community is accepting donations for the YWCA in support of their Harbour House program.

YWCA Harbour House is a 24 bed crisis unit for women and children who are involved in abusive relationships
.
Please bring all donations to the Hemel House office before October 31st

Please view the complete Wish List for the YWCA Harbour House. Some items requested:

 Self-Care and Recreation Items

Achieving a healthy balance is essential for maintaining a sense of well-being. The following items have been requested by clients and families accessing YWCA services and programs:
  • Unused journals, pens and stationery sets 
  • Beading supplies, board games, new crossword puzzle, word search and Sudoku books, new water bottles 
  • Small bedroom fans, alarm clocks, lamps, radios 
  • Unused bubble bath, bath salts, lotions and spa/manicure/pedicure sets, cosmetics and skin care 
  • Items reflective of cultural/spiritual sensitivity 
  • Sports equipment for youth recreational needs 
  • Bus tickets, gift cards and/or pre-paid activity passes for outings (ie: movies, mini golf, bowling, public sporting events, skating, haircuts etc.)

Clothing Items

Please note: due to limited storage space, we are only able to accept clothing that is appropriate for the current season and weather. YWCA programs serve women, infants, children and youth of all ages (including young men aged 15-24). We appreciate clothing donations in all size ranges. Please ensure all clothing donated is clean and in good, wearable condition (no rips, tears or stains).
  • New socks/underwear, brassieres (new or gently used)
  • Pajamas, bathrobes, nightgowns (new or gently used) 
  • Hats/toques, gloves/mittens, scarves 
  • Jackets, blazers, coats, parkas and pullovers
  • Raincoats, umbrellas
  • Shoes, sandals, boots
  • T shirts, sweat shirts, hoodies, cardigans and vests
  • Jeans, dress pants, shorts, capri pants 
  • Skirts and dresses suitable for everyday wear
  • Clothing for babies, toddlers and children
  • Bathing suits for women and children (new)

Household Items

The YWCA is happy to accept donations of new or gently used household items for individuals who are moving, starting over or setting up their first place. Please ensure all household items donated are in good working order and are safe (ie: no exposed wires).
  • Forks, spoons, butter knives, bowls, plates, cups
  • Can openers, spatulas, flippers, ladles, serving spoons 
  • Pots, frying pans, baking dishes, cookie sheets
  • Small appliances (ie: toasters, toaster ovens, small microwaves, coffee makers, electric kettles)
  • Oven mitts, dish towels and dish cloths 
  • Brooms, dust pans, laundry baskets, hangers
  • Measuring cups, measuring spoons, pitchers 
  • Purses, bags, luggage and backpacks


Please view the complete Wish List for the YWCA Harbour House.

Monday, August 13, 2012

Accreditation Feedback

AELCS has granted the Hemel House program accreditation status to recognize that they have met the provincial requirement for high quality child care as demonstrated using specific data collection strategies and identifications in the criteria outlined in the Quality Standards.

We would like to share with you some of the AELCS noted feedback from our site visit in March 2012.
  
STANDARD THREE – Every child’s optimal development is promoted in an inclusive early learning and child care environment.

Demonstrated Best Practices 
  • There were many age appropriate toys and equipment available in each home.
  • Independence was encouraged and supported. Children were supported in their efforts but were given assistance when needed. (putting beds away, moving a table to make room for gross motor activity)
  • A variety of open-ended play experiences were available and children were encouraged to make their own choices about their play.
  • Children are given plenty of time to explore their own interests.
  • The Providers interacted with children during play, encouraged and extended activities.
  • Early literacy is promoted. Containers for toys and children’s belongings were labeled and there were many books and other literacy materials available.
  • Peer learning in encouraged. When a child lost her teddy, the provider enlisted the other children to help search for it. All homes have areas that accommodate small groups of children and sharing is encouraged.
  • Appropriate conflict resolution was modeled and socially acceptable ways to express feelings were encouraged. 
  • Rules, limits and consequences were geared to the children’s developmental levels.
  • Quiet areas for reading and napping are provided.
  • Children’s development and progress is being tracked through developmental checklists. ASQ mailed out to parents on their child’s birthday.
  • There is a policy on the thoughtful and intentional use of technology.
  • The providers adjusted household activities to make them appropriate for the child(ren’s) level and used them as learning experiences for the children. Sweeping the floor, folding sheets.
  • Providers extended activities for the children; suggesting a shoe treasure hunt for children interested in dress up shoes.
  • The program has a toy lending library and provides some materials at no cost to providers.

WIN A MELISSA AND DOUG BLOCK SET!

Like us on Facebook to win a Melissa and Doug Standard Unit block set valued at $70. Draw will take place on September 15th. 



Click the "Like" icon on the right column of this block or visit the page directly.

**Local delivery only of this prize. Winners outside of Lethbridge will have to arrange their own pickup.