Southgate Medallion Tribute
Welcome to our March and April 2024 Parent Newsletter.
Coordinator Corner
Hello Parents and Families,
I hope that you are enjoying the first few days of Spring.
ASQ
Thank you to all of you had participated in the January Ages and Stages Questionnaire. I hope that you found it a useful tool to track your child’s development and offered you some interesting insights. If you didn’t participate, the screening is now closed until July 2024, so please look out for a link from your consultant to participate in the summer.
Payments and Credits
It has been a very confusing and challenging time in childcare right now as Agencies, Day Cares, Educators and Parents try to navigate the many changes that have been occurring.
The agency really appreciates your patience while it has been figuring out the new credit formula and how that affects your payments. We anticipate that for most of you, you will notice a higher credit being applied to your withdrawal (presuming that you qualify to receive the affordability grant credit).
Useful Links
For more information on Alberta’s strategy to move towards $10 a day childcare by 2026 you can visit these two links:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/cfs-child-care-funding-fact-sheet.pdf
Annual Survey
In April the agency will be sending out its annual survey. Please watch this space for the link. Please take some time to complete it as we value your feedback, suggestions, and input.
Have a wonderful Spring!
Emma Dajavs
Coordinator
Meet The Staff
Hello families,
I am Jennie and I have been working with the agency since 2019. I love the natural curiosity of children and that they are always ready to explore their world with joy and enthusiasm. My favourite quote about children is “Children are the world’s most valuable resource and its best hope for the future”. As a day home consultant, I enjoy interacting with the children during my visits and supporting educators in order to meet the day home standards.
I am also a mother of two lovely boys. My hobbies are travelling, shopping and spending times with my family.
Parent Involvement
It’s important that educators and parents work together to help your child or children feel a connection between their home life and their day home/school life. Children benefit the most when they feel a connection between all areas of their lives.
Here are a few ideas of how to build that cohesive feeling for children.
Go into your child’s day home/school:
Your educator works hard to continuously make changes and add items and displays to make the day home the best environment for the children.
Most parents only see the front door area of the day home. After the initial interview, parents do not get to see all the changes and items added to your day home regularly! Change that--- make sure you come into your day home play space regularly. Ask your educator to plan a monthly “stay and play” day where parents stay longer at pickup and get to play with their child in the day home environment and with the day home toys.
You are welcome to come in the day home- you can join you during the day- join for story time, circle time, lunch, craft time. Ask your educator when these activities take place.
Family-friendly events:
Educators are encouraged, if they can, to plan activities for and with your day home children’s parents. Some ideas of what educators have done in the past are: art shows, a play, a dance, a sports game with the kids and have families come and attend/play against each other. Try to be available when your educator plans such activities.
Share your interests:
When it comes to interests, share your special interests and abilities with your educator! Tell your educator about your hobbies and interests. Then, when they are teaching a certain theme or talking about a certain topic, they can ask you to volunteer to come in and be their guest to share your expertise—this is a great way to boost family/ day home connection!
Daily communication
Daily communication is crucial for educators to feel as a part of the child’s life. Share with your educator how your child’s night was, what you did on the weekend or a holiday that was special or fun for the child. This allows for the daily conversation in the day home with your child to be about all aspects of their life, thus connecting the home and the day home life.
Even though some of these ideas may require more work and effort in an already busy family schedule, we know that involvement in your child’s day home will allow your child to feel a connection of his/her whole community around them. Helping them feel that everyone involved in their life is working together for their best interest.
Educator Spot Light: Moriah Ralph.
Encouraging Independence and Autonomy.
“Afternoon snack was apple cinnamon cheerios with banana and milk. I’ve started offering the milk on the side so the children have control over how much or how little goes in their bowl.
The children were confused at first, why would I put the milk in a cup instead of their bowls? I explained that they could pour it over top of their cereal, as much or as little as they’d like, or they could drink it or leave it. One child chose to pour it into their cereal immediately and all the other children watched, then decided to do the same.
When the same snack was offered 3 days later, multiple children asked specifically for their milk in a cup so they could pour it in themselves.”
Ashley's Farewell
As some of you know I will be leaving the agency and taking on a new role as a Family wellness worker, with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society. I wanted to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible opportunities and experience I've gained during my time at Southgate medallion Family Day home agency. Thank you for the support guidance and growth that I've experienced here. The relationships I have gained will hold a place in my heart. It has been an honour to work with all you.
Ashley Cadger
Events For Families.
Edmonton Ski Club Tube Park
Come out to the hill and slide in our tube park at Edmonton’s iconic river valley ski & snowboard destination since 1911. The tube park is located directly North of the Carpet Lift.
Ends March. 10/2024
$15/person, children 2-4 ride free with a paid adult.
https://www.todocanada.ca/city/edmonton/event/edmonton-ski-club-tube-park-tube-park/
Sing, Sign, Laugh and Learn
You and your child from birth to age three are invited to join us for songs, rhymes and signs! In this inclusive class, offered in collaboration with the Edmonton Early Intervention Program, parents/caregivers will interact one-on-one with their child while learning strategies to engage their child and enhance their child’s communication and development through repetition, visuals and movement.
Register one person to reserve a spot for your family. Registered spots are guaranteed until the class begins. Customers who have not registered may drop in if spots are available when the class begins.
Visit the link below to check availability and dates at a library close to you.
Immersive Disney Animation
Immersive Disney Animation is coming to the Edmonton EXPO Centre from February 15 to April 21, 2024!
At Immersive Disney Animation, you won’t just see a whole new world, you’ll become part of it! You’ll step inside your favourite Disney songs and scenes, and see characters up close like never before.
Sign up for priority access now, and be the first to experience it in Edmonton!
Tickets starting at $43.33, babies under 2 are free.
https://edmontonexpocentre.com/events/immersive-disney-animation/
Holidays
March 29, 2024- Good Friday
April 01, 2024- Easter Monday
Office Closure:
The office is closed on March 29, 2024, and will reopen on April 02, 2024.
Please call the After Hours Emergency Phone: 780-245-3097 in case of any emergency.