Katie's Kids Mission Statement

To elevate child development to a new level by leading the social and emotional growth and education of young children by providing a safe, welcoming home-like environment with a caring, educated, and professional staff that promotes partnerships between parents children and other early childhood professionals. 
Upcoming Events

October  

October 7-11             Scholastic Book Fair
October 12                Saturday Night Live at Fort Jesse
October 14                No School Day Program 
October 17                Katie's Kids Family Cookout
October 25                No School Day Program 
October 25-Nov. 8    Yankee Candle Fundraiser             



Fall Family Cookout

October 17 6-7:30
Backyard of Katie's Kids


Rooms 2,3,4  please bring a dessert to share
Rooms 1,5,6,7  please bring a side dish to share

*Hot dogs, buns, table settings, drinks & s'more fixings will be provided


Meals to Go will change to Wednesday Night!
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November

November 4 & 5       PICTURE DAY




Bloomington/Normal
Trick or Treat Activities 





October 10 & 11    Un-haunted Trail in Uptown Normal
October 12             8-2p Kickapoo Creek Nursery
October 23             5:30-7:30 Truck or Treat Eastland Suites 
October 25             5-8p Downtown Bloomington Trick or Treat
October 26             5-8p Spooktacular Miller Park Zoo
October 26             6p Trinity Lutheran Church, Bloomington Trunk or Treat
October 27             12-3p Spooktacular Miller Park Zoo
October 27             5:30-8:30p Hudson Community Halloween Event, Waller Park 
October 29             5-7p Haunted Hotel Radisson Hotel & Conference Center
October 30             5-6:30p Uptown Normal Treat Feast 
October 31             4-6p Trick or Treat at the Mansion
Staff Kudos!

Do you have a positive moment you want to share about Katie's Kids...
a compliment, a moment of recognition, or a thanks for being you.  
If so, we want to hear it! 

We have created a new Google form called Katie's Kids Kudos. The form is easy for you to access from home, so no need to take extra time at pick up and drop off. Simply click on the button below, fill out the form, and submit. 

We will want to recognize our staff throughout the year!
 Kudos!



Meals To Go
Wednesday Nights



Check the posted flyers for the weekly meal 
 
 
Saturday Night Live
October   5:00 -10:00 p.m.
KKLC @ The Links 


Need a night off? Can't find a babysitter? Check out Saturday Night Live @ Katie's Kids! Saturday Night Live is a Saturday evening full of fun for children while families go out. Children can enjoy playing, having dinner with friends, and snuggling in for a movie.  
Fabulous Family Resources

"Young children need their families and caregivers to work together.." write Amy Dombro, Judy Jablon and Margo Dichtelmiler in an article that provides the foundation for an Out of the Box Training Kit called " The Power of Observation: Building Relationships With Families." They explain that "you have to see yourself as partners with the child's best interests as your shared concern. This partnership provides the continuity and support that children need to feel safe and secure enough to explore, play, enjoy, and learn in child care.

You and families each bring different sets of information to your relationship...You know about general patterns of child development and have developed a collection of strategies to support children's learning. Parents and other family members focus on 'their' child. They know the specific information about that one special child in their life...For caregivers to know a child well, they need both sets of information. You will never know what a family knows unless you create a relationship in which you can exchange information, ask questions, and listen to one another."

One resource early educators can share with families is a book called The Top Ten Preschool Parenting Problems. Author Roslyn Ann Duffy explains that the book is meant to be something families can pick up frequently - to look for answers to specific challenges they are experiencing at different ages and stages. Here's an example of the kind of advice Duffy offers:

"Whining is not music to anyone's ears, but it continues to top the misbehaviors charts. When something works, it gets repeated...If a child whines in the grocery store, begging for a candy bar and soon finds his mouth filled with melty chocolate - the whining worked. Will he try it again? Wouldn't you? As with most frustrations, a good initial response is to take a deep breath. As that first shrill tendril of sound snakes its way into your consciousness, breathe in slowly (two or three times, if need be). Then suggest to your child that she takes a deep breath, too. Show her how to do so. Now ask her to tell you what she needs in a clear voice. Don't mention the whine - focus on what you want to hear. Make that deep breath
ath (yours and hers) the starting point. Then make clear communication the goal.
'I want a cookie please.'
'That was a very nice way to ask. Thank you. You may have a cookie now.'

By responding to the well-spoken request instead of reacting to the initial whining, the behavior you want will get appropriate attention and the whining will not. Whining stops working."



Healthy Fall Recipe
Pumpkin Bread Muffins

Ingredients

1 & ¾ cups almond flour 
1 & ½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt 
1 Tbsp + ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
1 cup pumpkin puree (canned pumpkin)
3 eggs 
1/4 cup honey 
1 Tbsp coconut oil  
 


Directions: 
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees  and spray muffin tins with nonstick cooking spray. 
2. In large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients together (almond flour, baking soda, salt, pumpkin pie spice).
3. In separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients by measuring out 1 cup of pumpkin puree (do not use the whole can of pumpkin!) then add the eggs, honey, and coconut oil (melted).  Mix together well using a large spoon. 
4.  Combine wet with dry ingredients and whisk together. 
5. Pour into muffin tins. 
6.  Feel free to add any other toppings you wish...chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruit!

Bake for 20 minutes, let cool on a wire rack