SEPTEMBER 2020
Greetings!

COVID-19 PREVENTION POLICY REMINDERS
We want to take the time to thank our families for your support and preventative measures taken to ensure the health of our children, teachers, and other families!

A few reminders to note: 
 
-Only one family member will be allowed in the center at pick up and drop off. Families are encouraged to minimize the number of different people responsible for picking up or dropping off.

-We are strongly encouraging dropping off your older child first and picking up your younger child first to prevent older siblings from being in the younger classrooms and playgrounds or interacting with other groups of children.

-Please continue to wear masks, sanitize your hands, ensure your child wash his/her hands upon arrival to their classroom, and limit your time in the center as all these things will limit your own and others’ exposure.

You have previously received these in earlier communication, but here you will find the most recent updates to EFC’s Health and Safety COVID-19 Prevention Policies & Procedures and the Department of Health’s Decision Tree regarding exclusion:
GOOD LUCK, KINDERGARTENERS!
Goodbye and good luck to our Pre-K graduates! We will miss you all and have enjoyed seeing your growth. Kindergarten families - thank you so much for sharing your wonderful children with us! It was a joy to be a part of your child’s learning. We wish your family the best as you begin this new chapter. Take care and social distance air hugs from us to you!
CENTER HAPPENINGS
FALL SOCCER
We are excited to offer a fall session of soccer with RevSports for preschool and PreK children. Soccer is a parent-paid class and will take place on Wednesdays at 2 p.m. starting 9/16. Register here!
GARDEN UPDATE
Our cucumbers are still doing well! We’ve begun harvesting tomatoes and green beans to sample also!
PICTURE DAY
Picture Time will be here on Tuesday, September 15, to take individual photos. COVID-19 precautions will be followed, and all pictures will be taken outside.
KINDNESS BOOK CLUB
For our Kindness Book Club this month, we will gear our book selection primarily for our Infant and Toddler classrooms.
FAMILY GALLERY
We would love to continue to display family art in our hallway and update our family gallery this fall! Please watch your child’s locker/cubby for their cardstock. Have fun creating a unique piece in any way that represents your family.
FLU VACCINATION CLINIC
We will be hosting a Flu Vaccination Clinic on Thursday, September 17, from 4:00-5:45 p.m. A nurse from the Minnesota Visiting Nurses Agency will be here to administer the shots and this clinic will be available for parents, children, and staff. Details and sign-up instructions will be posted at the parent table. To ensure social distancing, all paperwork must be completed prior to arriving.
PARENT REMINDERS
EFC CLOSED
Especially for Children will be closed on September 4 for our company-wide professional development day and September 7 for Labor Day. We hope you have a wonderful weekend!
CURBSIDE PICK-UP
There are many belongings that were left at the center earlier this year due to the pandemic. We will be offering you a safe, curbside pick-up to retrieve your items throughout September. Any remaining items will be donated after October 1. Please contact Susan or Michelle in advance at 952-946-9971 to arrange a pick-up time. Thank you!
HEALTH CARE SUMMARY AND IMMUNIZATIONS
We appreciate everyone’s efforts to keep their child(ren’s) files updated at our center. Our license requires us to keep current records on site of each child. We need annual physical forms as well as the computer print out of updated immunizations. If you have an appointment scheduled, feel free to stop by the office to gather the necessary paperwork. Again—thank you for your help!
ESPECIALLY FOR PARENTS
SEPTEMBER: A MONTH TO CONNECT!
There is always an excitement about September at Especially for Children, even in a year as uncertain as this one. As summer winds down, we look forward to the new routines and change of pace that fall brings.

There is so much information available to guide our teachers in designing their daily routines and curriculum. We continue to use The Creative Curriculum as the framework for our programs. For infants and toddlers, the curriculum focuses on routines and experiences that help children and caregivers develop relationships with one another and begin to explore the world around them. In preschool and PreK, project- and inquiry-based studies provide learning opportunities that support social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development.

In addition, we have the criteria from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation, the Minnesota PARENT AWARE program, the MN licensing standards and the assessment tool we use called Desired Results. Providing Early Childhood Education is definitely not babysitting!

We know that interaction with caring adults is central to your child’s development. So we want to partner with you to help your child feel confident and secure with us.

The Search Institute (www.search-institute.org) developed research         
on what children need from relationships, in addition to people who express caring. It is a good list to share and consider as we partner for the benefit of your child.

Express Care – We will show your child that we like him/her and want the best for him.

Challenge Growth – We will challenge your child to continuously learn.

Provide Support – We will help your child complete tasks and achieve goals.

Share Power – We will listen to your child and let him/her help in making decisions.

Expand Possibilities – We will help your child expand his/her horizons and connect her to opportunities.

As we begin the school year, please know that it is our strong desire to have close relationships with you as well. We will share stories, tell you of your child’s experiences with us and help you to feel confident that your child is learning both life skills and school readiness skills. We hope you will share with us the joys and challenges you are experiencing as parents. Together we can form a great team of caring coaches for your child!
QUOTE FOR THE MONTH
Especially for Children
5015 W. 70 Street
Edina MN 55439 
(952) 946-9971 

Center Directors:
Susan Wilson and Michelle Botz
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