Hello parents and families. I hope that this newsletter finds you well. As I write this, it is a chilly -25, but I do have to say, I think we have had a relatively mild February and whereas this month always seems to drag for me, it seems to have gone by very quickly.

I am looking forward to Spring, and hope to see green grass soon!

ASQ

Thank you to all of those who took part in the January ASQ. If you did participate, please expect to hear from your consultant soon with feedback and information. We will be sending out invitations to participate again in July, so watch this space for that email.

March - Safety Check Month

For most of our Educators, March will be Safety Check month. As an Agency Standard, consultants are required to conduct an in-depth safety check of your day home educator’s home twice a year. March and September are these months. You will receive a copy of your Educator’s profile with your parent's note. This has details of all the visits your consultant has conducted in the last twelve months and their compliance with the Alberta Provincial Standards. If you have any questions about your Educator’s profile, please reach out to your consultant.

April – Annual Survey Month

The agency will be sending out its annual survey in April. Please participate. It doesn’t take a long time to complete and is anonymous. The Agency values your feedback and contributions. Responses to issues, questions, and suggestions made by you will be in the May-June Parent Newsletter.

Subsidy Reminder

You are responsible for maintaining your subsidy account. If your subsidy is due for renewal, please do it as soon as possible. Due to the increased number of parents and families who now qualify for subsidies, there can be delays in processing time. The agency will not issue a subsidy credit if we have not received the subsidy payment. Credits to your account will be applied once the agency has received it.

Holiday Policies

Many Educators have their own Holiday Policies. You will have signed this when contracting with the agency. It is the Educator’s responsibility to review this with you at the time of interviewing. As the holiday season will soon be upon us I advise that you check in with your educator about their holiday policy. This is an out-of-agency policy and is managed by your educator.

Thank you and have a wonderful Spring!

Emma Dajavs

Coordinator

• It is indeed possible to make frigid temperatures enjoyable or manageable even if you hate winter!

  Here are some tips for surviving winter:

  Invest in warm winter gear

  Invest in a warm winter coat and boots, and don’t forget to always keep a toque and mittens in your pockets.

  Work toward a goal

  Take the time to ask what energizes you. Revisit goals, then plan out what you would like to accomplish during the next few months, such as traveling to new destinations, or volunteering for a worthy cause.

  Stay connected

  To combat isolation, connect with others in person, by phone or email, after work or over the weekends.

  Vitamin D3

  Canadians don't get enough vitamin D during the winter months. Consult with your doctor about taking supplements. Mushrooms, eggs, fortified orange juice, cereal or tofu, and fish are also good natural sources of vitamin D.

  Keep your skincare routine in check

  A skincare routine is always important, but it’s especially important to keep your skin well-hydrated during winter.

  Call your doctor

  Speak with a physician if feelings of being down and not interested in the things someone used to continue to linger.

  Find a favorite hot drink or soup

  Whether it is your classic coffee or a hot chocolate, having your go-to hot drink will warm you up and make you feel even just a bit better about the cold. Find a great nutritious comfort soup to savor.

  Be active

  Exercise is great for the cold months. You should consider trying ice skating, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing -- or building a fort in the snow and going sledding with children. Getting outside and exposing the body to sunlight while exercising can improve energy, and mood levels and lead to better sleep.

  Dance, dance & dance

  Dancing is not just a great activity for your physical health, but also your mental well-being. As we wait for more snowfall in Edmonton, get outside and follow the dance steps in the video below: