The Sandcastle Times-March 2021
Carelot Children's Center
A message from Holly Bevilacqua, COO
Happy Anniversary Carelot!
WOW! Carelot celebrated its 23rd anniversary with treats and fun activities. We thank all of our staff and families for making Carelot what it is today. It's hard to believe that children who were students in our infant program are now employees of Carelot!
It is hard to believe that 1 year has gone by already since the start of the pandemic. I am so proud of our staff for their commitment, dedication and perseverance during it all! It looks like the end is getting closer as we are starting to return to our "normal" Lives. Many staff will be getting their vaccinations soon! Thank you again for your help and support as we worked through this challenging year!
Our centers once again are hoping for a visit from “Lucky the Leprechaun” this year. We always see some mischief on St. Patrick's Day! Don’t forget to wear your GREEN for St. Patrick's day on March 17th.
This month our curriculum focuses on Literacy! The classrooms will be learning about several Authors and Illustrators. Our adventures will take them through the world of books and make believe as they learn rhyming, letters, craft-related literacy activities, parts of a book and so much more!
March typically brings a little spring fever & we begin to think of the summer months. Our camp programs are being planned with some very exciting theme weeks. We are hoping to get back to field trips and incoming programming for the children! Stay tuned in the weeks to come for more details.
The importance of Routines for children.
- Routines may seem boring to adults, but children thrive on them. Daily Routines:
- make children feel safe
- Promise them comfort
- Make them feel in control
- Routines provide a framework for a child’s day. Children like knowing:
- What’s coming & what’s happening
- When things will happen as well as the order of events
Children like sameness and repetition. Routines provide them with consistency and security. Routines also help them move from one activity to the next.
Routines develop out of your own family's daily habits. Encourage your children to become as independent as possible in carrying out certain basic routines. These routines include dressing, undressing, napping, using the toilet and cleaning up. Slowly, they will be able to do these things without your assistance.
Here are some ideas and guidelines you can use each day so that your child knows what to expect:
- Morning Routine: Get up at a set time, start off with affection, personal grooming, brush teeth, wash face, comb hair, and get dressed, breakfast time.
- Leave for work routine: A special goodbye kiss or wave from the window
- Mealtimes: Set the table, have conversation about each others day.
You can continue these simple routines throughout your day.
Even at Carelot, we try to stick to our daily schedules and routines for consistency for the children. It gives them a sense of security and responsibility to know what comes next or what is expected of them!
If you would like to see something added to the newsletter, please don't hesitate to let me know by emailing me at holly@carelot.net. I would love to hear your feedback!
The benefits of sensory play
| Building with blocks Block play helps children develop motor skills and learn about basic concepts of architecture and engineering. | Developing our Fine Motor Skills Fine motor skills are achieved when children learn to use their smaller muscles, like muscles in the hands, fingers, and wrists. Children use their fine motor skills when writing, holding small items, buttoning clothing, turning pages, eating, cutting with scissors, and using computer keyboards. |
The benefits of sensory play
- It helps to build nerve connections in the brain.
- It encourages the development of motor skills.
- It supports language development.
- It encourages 'scientific thinking and problem-solving.
- It can involve mindful activities which are beneficial for all children.
Building with blocks
Developing our Fine Motor Skills

Program Hours
Check out all the exciting events happening at Carelot!
Just a few reminders:
Food Guidelines
Please be aware the following foods are considered choke foods & should not be offered to children less than 4 years.
Whole Peanuts/Nuts, Whole Grapes, Raisins, Hot Dogs whole or sliced into rounds, Candy, Raw Peas, Hard Pretzels, Spoonful's of Peanut Butter, Chunks of Raw Carrots, Meat larger than can be swallowed whole, and Popcorn. (5.B.14)
Please cut food into pieces no larger than ¼ inch square for infants and ½ inch square for toddlers/twos, according to the child’s chewing and swallowing capability. (5.B.14) This will ensure safe eating at all times!!!
Scheduled hours
Please be respectful of your scheduled hours. The staff schedule is based on the schedules chosen by the families. There may not be the correct amount of staff members available if you arrive before your scheduled time and staying late may cause a staff member to be late getting home to their families, school, or appointments. Thank you so much for your help and respect.
Attendance
Please call the center by 9:30am if your child will not be attending. Thank you!
Bedding
Please make sure you are placing your child’s bedding on their own cots! Please help us meet this state requirement.
Handwashing: Help us out by washing your child’s hands each day when you drop them off to help eliminate the spread of germs.
Dramatic Play Center In February our dramatic play centers were transformed into community-based learning experiences. This picture shows our preschoolers in their very own "hospital" | Math skills Our Toddlers sorted colored goldfish. Not only was it fun to count and learn our colors, but they also had a yummy treat for snacks! | Virtual Field Trips During Covid, we have been able to take some virtual field trips! Our Preschoolers at TFS took a trip to the Fire Department during our community theme!! |
Dramatic Play Center
Math skills
March Question of the month: "What is one positive thing that has happened during this pandemic?"
Congratulations to: Narciss Greene, (Trenton in Waterford) FOR FEBRUARY!
It's easy to win by just emailing us an answer! $25 tuition credit!
It's easy to win by clicking below and submitting your answer!
Thanks for helping us make our programs better! Without everyone’s input, we are not able to effectively assess how our programs are doing! We appreciate you taking the time to help us assess our policies, procedures, curriculum, and more!
PTO news....
March Fundraiser: Little Ceasar's Pizza kits!!!!! Order right online and it will be delivered to your home- All proceeds will be used for educational supplies and playground equipment for the classrooms.

All around Carelot……….
Carelot’s Curriculum is designed for the children to develop each child as a whole. Lesson plans are developed using the Creative Curriculum aligned with the CTELDS and we use Focused Portfolios to assess your child’s growth and development along with the CT DOTS program.
Our Preschool Curriculum is designed to follow the state standards and enhanced with additional curriculum elements for the children to thrive and grow! This school year our private kindergarten program returned. We are very excited to offer Kindergarten again for the 2021-2022 school year!
We are proud to teach your children daily when they are in our care!
Tips for Caregivers, Parents, Teachers During Infectious Disease Outbreaks
Wish list items- Drop off at any Carelot location
- shaving cream
- paper plates
- gardening supplies
- old working iphones or ipads
- paper bags
- seeds
- egg dye kits
Carelot Children's Center, Inc.
"Building Strong Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning"
Providing education to Children ages 3 months to 12 years!