SEPTEMBER 2018
Greetings!

HELLO, SCHOOL YEAR
It is hard to believe that we are already saying goodbye to the summer. It feels as if we were just celebrating Memorial Day, and now we are approaching Labor Day. We have had a wonderful summer and while we are sad to see it end, we are all very excited for the upcoming school year. We wish the best of luck to all of our children who will be going to Kindergarten this fall! 

"WE'RE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE."
We think that this is a perfect time to tell you that...“We’re so glad you are here.”
As we begin our fall program, we welcome you! We appreciate your decision to choose our center and we take the responsibility you have given us seriously. Whether you are new with us this fall, or whether you have been at the center for years, we want to say, “We’re glad that you’re here.” We know you have hopes and dreams for your child that we can help fulfill.     

We will work hard to:

  • Keep your child safe
  • Maintain our environments to promote good health and sanitation
  • Love and nurture your child
  • Provide challenges that stimulate your child’s development.

We’re excited to watch this year unfold. Our staff looks forward to forming special relationships with you and your child. Ask any questions you have about our classroom procedures or activities. Visit anytime!!
CENTER HAPPENINGS
HIGH TOUCH HIGH TECH SCIENCE CLASS
WHO HAS SEEN THE WIND
WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 9:00 A.M.
STEAM has become a hot topic in the world of education. It is an educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics for guiding student inquiry, discussion, creativity, and critical thinking skills.

High Touch High Tech Preschool Programs will encourage your early learners to investigate and ask questions while performing hands-on experiments and delving further into the world of science!
IN THE COMMUNITY
APPLE ORCHARDS
September is a great month to visit one of Minnesota’s fantastic apple orchards.

Aamodt's, Stillwater
Enjoy apple picking, wagon rides, the Honeycrisp Express train, and more!

Applewood, Lakeville
This orchard includes raspberries and pumpkins too! You can also check out the Corn Maze.

Deer Lake, Buffalo
In addition to apple and pumpkin picking, Deer Lake features pony rides, a play house, facepainting, and outdoor games. Festival weekends at the orchard also include music and food trucks!

Emma Krumbee's, Belle Plain
In addition to the traditional orchard activities, Emma Krumbee’s features an artistic Scarecrow Festival with over 100 unique scarecrows.
https://emmakrumbees.com/apple-orchard/

Minnetonka, Minnetrista
Minnetonka Orchards are pet-friendly, so your leashed pup can enjoy a family outing too! You can also enjoy live music every weekend in September and October.
http://minnetonkaorchards.com/

TC FAMILY EVENTS—OCTOBER 6
There’s something for everyone at the TC Family Events, part of the TC Marathon Weekend. Race distances include 10k, 5k, Family Mile, Half Mile, Toddler Trot, and Diaper Dash. Enjoy the beauty of the State Capitol as well as fun activities in the Family Activity Tent. For more information and registration info, visit: https://www.tcmevents.org/events/medtronic-twin-cities-marathon-weekend-2018/race/family-events
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
PriscillaWilliamsEFCPres
HOW DO YOU KNOW IF A CHILD CARE CENTER IS DOING A GOOD JOB?

Many people say that they can feel what a program is like on their first visit. But for others it is a difficult thing to know exactly what their child will experience in a center by simply taking a tour and meeting with the director. However, whatever your decision-making process was, we are so happy that you are a part of the EFC family.

As you continue to participate in our program, we want to make sure that you are aware of the three main vehicles to assess quality in center-based child care in Minnesota. Here is a quick snapshot.

Licensing – A process overseen by the Minnesota Department of Human Resources (DHS) that regulates centers. Centers are required to be licensed which is an extensive process. After initial licensing, centers are routinely inspected. Requirements cover health and safety, equipment, space needs, staff qualifications and staff/child ratios as some of the key components. Minnesota has among the highest standards in the nation which contributes to the quality, as well as the cost of providing care in our state.

Accreditation – There are several organizations that accredit centers in the U.S. At Especially for Children we have chosen to seek accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the largest accrediting body. Under the NAEYC system centers voluntarily apply to be assessed on over 400 criteria.
After months of work preparing classroom portfolios, administrative portfolios, collecting parent and staff surveys, and assuring that each classroom reflects quality standards, an outside evaluator visits to assess all aspects of the center’s operations. Centers go through the accreditation process every five years.

We are extremely proud to announce that all eight of our centers are NAEYC accredited. Seven of our locations have recently received letters that they have been reaccredited as a result of outstanding performances at their validation visits this year. The Edina center will have its visit by the end of the year and we anticipate that it will be reaccredited with outstanding scores as well. We are so proud of our directors and teaching teams who have worked together to make this happen!! With their commitment to quality our staff is determined to continuously live up to the accreditation standards.

Parent Aware – A Minnesota Quality Rating System that centers in Minnesota can apply to for an assessment of their quality on a variety of criteria. Parent Aware holds NAEYC accreditation in high esteem so as NAEYC accredited centers we become Parent Aware centers after having our staff complete significant additional training beyond the requirements of NAEYC and licensing. All of our eight centers are 4 Star Parent Aware rated which is the highest designation of quality.

Please remember that it is our commitment to be continually challenged to maintain these high standards. And your feedback is always welcome. Here’s to a great year!
TWIN CITIES
FAMILY EVENTS

Now-9/3  Minnesota State Fair , Saint Paul
Now-9/3   Kangaroo Crossing , MN Zoo, Apple Valley
Now-9/9 Dinosaur Train , MN Children’s Museum, Saint Paul
Now-10/21 Origami in the Garden , MN Landscape Arboretum, Chanhassan
Now-10/30  Minnesota Renaissance Festival , Shakopee
9/7-9/9   Taste of Greece , St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church, Minneapolis
9/8   City of Ramsey Happy Days , Ramsey
9/16 Red Barn Pizza Farm , Northfield, MN
9/22   Excelsior Apple Day , Excelsior
9/22-9/23   Lone Oak Hill Days , Eagan
10/13 BT5K Run/Walk, Saint Paul

Apple Orchards
Aamodt's , Stillwater
Applewood , Lakeville
Deer Lake , Buffalo
Emma Krumbee's , Belle Plain
Minnetonka , Minnetrista

As noted in the Especially for Parents article, Especially for Children seeks accreditation through NAEYC. The organization has resources for families as well.
 
Check out their blog for articles on child development as well as developmentally appropriate activities you can do at home!
Especially for Children
6125 Cahill Ave.  
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55076 
(651) 450-1994  

Center Directors:
Fle Jensen, Kristine Berg, and Roxie King


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