As the leaves fall from the trees and the weather gets colder, our minds rush to the holiday season ahead. Family traditions create some of the most cherished memories, so make your traditions special. Enjoy the season by apple picking, making pies, playing outside, or taking a hike with your children. Take the time to talk with your children about sharing and caring...the true meaning of Thanksgiving. Teach your children to give to others by donating to a soup kitchen or charity or with our Food Drive-Thanksgiving Baskets or Giving Tree in December. These are great ways to foster caring for others. It is important for children to give thanks too for all that they have in their “little” lives.

You will also be receiving turkey feathers for you to decorate with your family! Get creative and return them back to school so we can add them to our big family Turkey!

We are once again adapting some of the annual programs and holiday activities this year due to the pandemic. We will still include the manners luncheon at the centers, however, it will be on a smaller scale. Please see your classroom teacher for details and to sign up for requested items. We will not be inviting families and guests for our luncheons this year. Thank you for your understanding.

We look forward to an exciting and happy holiday season and wish the best to all of our families as we sit down to carve our Thanksgiving Turkeys this year! Thank you to all of our families for making Carelot such a special place.

Time to get that Flu Shot! Please be advised that it is the Connecticut State Law that all children attending child care have a seasonal flu vaccine if they are between 6 to 59 months by December 31st, 2021. Please be sure your child gets their flu shot unless you have the proper documentation stating they cannot get the vaccine.

Don’t forget: Please notify the office if you have any changes in phone numbers, employment, addresses, or emergency pickups for our records. The office will update your child’s teachers.

Lunches: Children, who are at the center for lunchtime, must bring their own lunch with them. These lunches should be nutritionally “sound.” If you need ideas for lunch, see your child’s teacher or the director. The centers are equipped with a microwave and toaster oven. If you send items for lunch that need to be heated, please send them in a non-breakable microwavable container. Carelot cannot prepare food for your child due to state licensing regulations. Please label your child’s lunch with their name and the date

Don't forget to submit your answers! You will have the chance to win a $25 tuition credit on your account. It's easy to win just by submitting your answer. Click the link below to begin!

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 your taking the time to help us assess our policies, procedures, curriculum, and more!

CONGRATULATIONS to NO ANSWERS THIS MONTH! November will be a bonus and we will choose 2 winners!

Upcoming events:

Fundraiser: Butterbraid and Cake rolls. Thank you to everyone who placed an order. Delivery November 11th - just in time for the holidays.

Giving Tree Applications are now being accepted!

Do you need assistance or do you know of a family in need of assistance this holiday season?

Click on the application below for our annual giving tree! This program provides gifts and food to a family to make their holiday one to remember! The Committee will be choosing only 6 families this year.

The deadline for applications is November 12th, at 5 pm! Unfortunately, applications received after this deadline cannot be accepted.

Thanks for all of your continued support! We are always looking for new ideas for fundraisers if you have an idea drop by the office and share it with us. Helping out with committees is easy, there are many ways to help!

When school is out Clubhouse is in! The children are having a great time in all of our programs! Homework skills, team building activities, arts and crafts, gross motor activities, games are just a few things the children enjoy at the end of their school day.

CENTER NEWS:

Our Centers are now in the full swing of the school year. Our curriculum for November will focus on "What's inside Me?" The children will learn about Body Parts, Feelings and Emotions, and being Thankful. Each day our teachers provide the children with learning experiences that will focus on these "themes." Throughout the day, the teachers assess the children on abilities and focus lessons on each child's needs. This is how we assess the children and can meet each child's abilities.

Our staff uses a process of documentation called “Focused Portfolios™” to record children’s growth and development. Through photographs anecdotes and children’s work samples, Teachers put together a visual account of each child’s accomplishments. Using recognized developmental milestones, growth in the following seven areas of development are assessed: Portfolios and Assessment in our Centers: NAEYC Standard 4

1. Thinking, Reasoning, and Problem Solving

2. Emotional and Social Competency

3. Language and Communication

4. Gross Motor Development

5. Fine Motor Development

6. Reading and Writing Development

7. Creative Development

The Focused Portfolios™ process recognizes and celebrates that all children develop at different rates and with various strengths. Collections are completed for fall and spring and kept in their portfolio binder as long as the child is enrolled in the program. At the end of the child’s enrollment, the portfolio becomes a memento to be taken home and treasured.

This collection is a representation of the child as an individual with distinct interests, backgrounds, skills, and desires. Teachers will meet with you in family/teacher conferences twice a year to share these treasured collections and celebrate the accomplishments of your child.

SAVE THE DATE: Parent-Teacher Conferences in January!