HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!:  July at Fallston Child Care Center is very exciting!  Here come more theme weeks of fun!

During “Animal Planet” week, we will have a Raging Reptiles show on Thursday, July 8^th.

For “Creative Kids” week, we will have a Bluegrass Instructional Concert on Monday, Jul 12^th and our favorite:  Fallston Child Care Center ’s Summer Talent Show on Friday, July 16^th.

During “Discovery Week” we will head to Herr’s Snack Factory to watch potato chips being made.  (Maybe they need some taste testers!)  We will also enjoy our Art Show on Thursday, July 22^nd.

The last week of July is “Cooking Capers” week where we will take cooking classes and enjoy a real luau on Monday, July 26^th.  We will also have a special movie day on Friday, July 30^th.

Sounds like fun!  Watch for information---we are a busy group this summer!

SUMMER REMINDERS:    1.  Please make sure your child’s feet are completely covered –sandals may be easy to dump the sand out of, but on our playground we need socks and tennis shoes.  No sandals.

2.  Apply a 12-hour, high SPF sun block to your child in the morning before dropping off.  We get outside as much as possible!

3.  Please arrive by 9:00 each morning.

4.  Check your child for ticks nightly.

5.  Take home everything over your child’s cubby each day.  Often, teachers request items to be brought back in for special activities.  You don’t want your child to miss out!!

6.  Please make sure your child has a complete change of clothes in his/her cubby at ALL times.  (Yes, even the “big” kids!)

SCHEDULES:  As you already know, classes have been regrouped for the summer months---new cubby areas, new rooms, different teachers, new ideas, and new friends.  All of these learning experiences encourage the socialization skills that will be so important in the years ahead.  During the summer, schedules are more relaxed.  There will be lots of multi-group time outside and inside and on field trips.  FUN is the key to summer.

You will note that most of the teachers take their vacations during the summer so your child will likely encounter one or more substitutes.  The good news is that we all substitute for one another as opposed to hiring from the outside, so that when your child’s teacher is away, they are with another staff member that they already know.  We also maintain the same general rules and schedule, so that your child’s class experiences the least amount of disruption possible.

LIBRARY:  So…all of our children are enrolled in the Summer Reading Program at the library.  What a wonderful resource at our back door.  We will be taking occasional field trips to offered programs when conditions allow.  We all want to complete the county’s program so that your child will be recognized through the public school system for that accomplishment.

ANNUAL INSPECTION:   As most of you know, Fallston Child Care Center , as well as all other licensed centers in Maryland , will undergo a very thorough annual inspection.  This inspection includes health and safety standards as well as staffing and record keeping procedures.  In short, it is a very rigorous process.  We are always proud to share our results.

Please help us to make sure all of your information is up to the minute!  We must have EVERY possible point of contact for you.  We love cell phones and e-mail addresses.  Remember—we must be able to reach you at a moment’s notice in case of emergency.  We must also be notified if a child has any new immunizations, developing allergies, changes in custody, health problems, or is prescribed on-going medication.  If any of these circumstances apply to your child, please stop in the office to get your file updated.

This year’s annual inspection will take place on Wednesday, July 28^th all day long.

PARKING LOT:  In recent months we have noticed an increasing number of parents leaving vehicles running the parking lot while accompanying children to class.  Also, several have left other children in the car while dropping off.  While we understand the “morning crunch” (we’re moms too!), it only takes a split second error to have devastating results.  Please keep your children with you at all times and shut off any unoccupied vehicle.  Also, please hold your child’s hand while crossing the traffic area.  Thank you!

PERMISSON SLIPS:  As you have already deduced, we are participating in lots and lots of fun trips and activities this summer that require permission slips.  Please make sure that you return these items right away.  Often we must sign contracts, turn in a head count and put down a deposit for these activities.  If we don’t have your slip and money by the due date, your child may not be counted in and we don’t want any broken hearts!!

KINETIC YOUTH ACADEMY :  We have run the Kinetic Youth Academy program here at Fallston Child Care Center for several years now and it is quite popular.  It is a completely optional program you may sign your child up for if you wish.  It is run by an outside contractor who uses our gym to come out for 6 consecutive Tuesdays to offer gymnastics to your child.  The fee is $60.00.  All forms and money were due on Wednesday, July 30^th.  If your child is signed up, Miss Val will come to their classroom and escort them to the class in the gym.  (Miss Val also stays for the whole class in case of tears, injuries, or potty needs.)  If you didn’t sign your child up, don’t worry, we have lots in store for them as well.  They will simply stay in their class and continue with lots and lots of fun activities!

FALL REGISTRATION:  Registration for the upcoming school year is complete at this point but there are a few spots still available.   If you or anyone you know is interested, please contact the office.

FIRE DRILLS:  For those of you who are new to Fallston Child Care Center , we are governed by the Maryland State Department of Education.  Therefore, we are bound by their licensing policies and procedures.

We are required to conduct monthly fire drills and are proud to say we are quite good at this!  Our last was on Tuesday, July 29^th at 9:50 am.  We got everyone out of the school safely in 1 minute, 12 seconds!

Children are given warning the first few times they experience a fire drill with us.  When the alarm goes off, they line up behind their teacher who conducts a headcount.  Then, they silently follow her out of the building.  We all meet on the playground and the students are seated on the wooden border around the merry-go-round while the teachers repeat their headcount and Miss Val does a total school count.  Medications, cell phones, and all emergency numbers are carried with us.  In the case of a minor emergency, we will wait on the playground until the building is cleared for our return.  If we cannot return to the building, you will be called to come get your child.  If the building or grounds become hazardous, we will travel by foot to Fallston Library and shelter there until the last child is picked up.

As always, if you ever have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to ask.  In the meantime, ask your child about his or her fire drill and see if they can explain procedures to you.

CHURCH NEWS: Wednesday, July 30^th marks the last day of a long career of service to Fallston United Methodist Church from Jim Ditto—our minister.  Reverend Jim has been here for 27 years!  He is leaving to work in a mentoring position for the larger church conference.  He will be sorely missed.  We wish him the best of luck in his new role.

Additionally, our Associate Pastor, Lory Cantin, will be leaving for an appointment at a church of her own.

So, it is with open arms and great excitement that we welcome our new pastors, Reverend John Campbell and Reverend Dr. Stacey Nickerson.

When you see these new faces, take a minute to introduce yourself and welcome them to the best child care center in Harford County !

DAYCARE BOARD MEETING:  Fallston Child Care Center first opened its doors in 1982 as a mission of Fallston United Methodist Church for the purpose of meeting the community’s child care needs in a safe, affordable atmosphere.  It is our belief that, all these years later, we are still bound to that one original goal.

The Daycare Board which governs the Center is made up of the minister, the Director, church members, the chairs of numerous church committees, and two parents at large.  Our Daycare Chairperson is Mrs. Kim Bradley.  She may be reached by leaving a message with the daycare or church office (410) 877-7255.

The Daycare Board most recently met Tuesday, June 29^th to approve next year’s budget and to be brought up to speed on various aspects of our school.

Lots of exciting new plans and options were discussed.  Two new options may directly affect your family.

First, I proposed (and they approved) the ability for families to choose specific weeks of summer camp next year.  More and more we find that families want to attend but may not need the entire ten weeks of summer.  For a slightly higher rate, you will have the ability next summer to pick and choose which weeks you wish to attend.

Secondly, it has come to my attention a few times in the last year that there may be families of school aged children who would like an “After School Only” option of care.  We realize the need to consider this as an option and will do so, although there will only be a few limited spots available for this.

See?  We do read each and every one of those evaluation forms and we strive to give you the care that you, our clients, request and need.

More information will be distributed as these plans take shape.

As always, if you have questions, do not hesitate to ask.

 CLOSING REMINDER:  We will be closed on Monday, July 5^th in celebration of the Fourth of July.  We will reopen Tuesday, July 6^th.

     HAVE A SAFE           

             AND

           HAPPY

          FOURTH

              OF

            JULY!