A Message from the Director
Dear Parents/Guardians:

I have been working in Early Childhood Education for many years, throughout my experiences I have observed many philosophies and styles of education along the way but throughout all of these experiences one fact has remained; All children deserve quality early childhood education in a nurturing, engaging and safe environment with knowledgeable and caring teachers to support them on their educational journey.

I want to “Thank “ our families for being so supportive and understanding with keeping with the highest of standards for our Health & Safety Protocols at The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center at YWCA Princeton due to Covid-19.

Autumn is a special time of the year. Autumn or Fall is when the weather starts getting cooler, leaves start changing and some animals start searching for food to store for the winter. As part of our daily routine throughout the year, spending time outside is scheduled. Please check the weather each morning so that your child is dressed appropriately & comfortable to be outside. It is important no matter what season to get lots of fresh air.

Cold & Flu season is upon us. One of our best protection against illness is to wash your child’s hands upon arriving at school with our teachers and with you when you arrive home.

Please take a few minutes to read our October Newsletter for important information concerning your child.

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Your feedback is important to us. It is one of the most valuable ways we can address concerns & collectively come up with resolutions & as well as knowing what is making our center a success for your child’s early learning years & development.

Be safe & stay well!
 
Tara O’Shea
Director of Childcare
YWCA Princeton
59 Paul Robeson Place
Princeton NJ 08540
609-497-2100 x325
609-610-9932
Notes from your Administrators
Dear Parents/Guardians,
 
We are so happy to be here to support you and your families while your child is in our care. We will continue to provide valuable resources to our families through our Community. You can refer to our Resource page on our website. Please take a moment to visit our website at www.ywcaprinceton.org/programs/childcare-princeton. This web page is frequently updated, to provide you with advertisements for local events, contact information for important agencies, recalled items, COVID-19 related announcements, as well as any assistance programs being offered to the community.
 
While both programs operate under one roof, they have a few differences. We will try to help you understand these differences below:
 
The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center at YWCA Princeton
Hours of Operation: 7:30am - 6pm
 
  • Sprouts (8wks - 12mons)
  • Rose Buds (12 - 20mons)
  • Cherry Blossoms (20 - 30mons)
  • Tiger Lilies (2.5 - 3.5yrs)
  • Sunflowers (3 - 4yrs)
  • Dragonflies (4 - 5yrs)

  • Parent Teacher Conferences - November Dates TBD, your classroom teacher will contact you directly to schedule a parent conference.
 
The Princeton Public Schools Preschool Expansion Program at YWCA Princeton

  • Hours of Operation: 8:45am - 3:15pm
  • Classrooms: Buttercups - (3 - 4yrs), Daffodils – (3 - 4yrs), Butterflies – (4 - 5yrs)
 

  • Parent Teacher Conferences – 1:15 pm dismissals on 10/20/21, 10/21/21, 10/26/21, 10/26/21, and 10/27/21. Your classroom teacher will contact you directly to schedule a parent conference.
 
Important Reminders for all:
  • Always use your Parent Handbook as a point of reference for all of our policies and procedures.
  • We will not accept any child into the building for the school day after 10am. The only exception is for doctor’s appointments. Please notify us of the appointment in advance and you must PROVIDE A DOCTERS NOTE for all unexcused tardiness.
  • Only when you arrive on site, please call the pick-up line at 609-273-6524.
  • Please remember to adhere to your child's schedule chosen at the time of enrollment. Late pick-ups and early drop-offs put an unfair burden on your child and the center staff who have other obligations. A late pick-up/early drop-off fee of $25 for the first 15 minutes and $1 per additional minute, will be charged. Please see page 20 of your Parent Handbook for clarification regarding this policy.
  • If you need morning or afternoon care, please contact the Family Liaison, Trashawn Collins via e-mail tcollins@ywcaprinceton.org in advance to your child’s schedule, to avoid previous amounts stated. The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center offers drop-in care for our enrolled students as well as a before and aftercare program for our Princeton Public School students

Healthcare And Shot Records
 
  • A current Universal Health form and immunization records must remain on file at the center at all times. If your child has their yearly physical or any new immunizations throughout the year these records must be updated. Your administrator will contact you if we are missing any records or if they have expired. Please act on these requests immediately in order to allow your child's pediatrician the time they need to complete them.
 
Every child, 6 months and up, in a childcare setting must have at least one dose of the influenza vaccine between September 1 and December 31 each year. 

  • Parents must provide documentation of this to the childcare office. 

  • Please keep us informed of any updates to your contact information. A quick email to Trashawn or Eva would suffice.

School Closed
 
Tuesday, November 2- Election Day The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center is CLOSED.
 
  • If unforeseen emergencies occur, usually related to inclement weather. Our center may be delayed, may close early, or will be closed entirely. Please check our website at www.ywcaprinceton.org as well as our ClassDojo School Story.
 
  • If you have not done so already, please download the ClassDojo app and use the image below to request to join your child's classroom.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

Best Regards,
Ms. Trashawn and Ms. Eva
Trashawn Collins,
Family Liaison, Princeton Public School Preschool Expansion

Office Manager, The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center
Email: tcollin@ywcaprinceton.org
Phone: 609-497-2100, Ext. 336
Eva Morales
Administrative Assistant, The Burke Foundation Early Childhood Center
Email: emorales@ywcaprinceton.org
Phone: 609-497-2100, Ext. 336
Notes from the Teachers
Promoting Healthy Eating Habits
In our classrooms we continue to serve snacks that fit our goals to promote healthy eating habits. We are requesting that you continue these habits at home and with your child's lunch to the best of your ability. You may have noticed some sweet treats coming home in your child's lunch box. In accordance with the
Grow NJ Kids initiative, we are limiting the amount foods with added sugar or sodium served at the center.

Click the image below to visit the MyPlate website which provides an abundance of resources to assist you in implementing healthy eating habits at home.
The YWCA Princeton is a Nut Free Facility. Please label anything that may resemble nuts. Round firm foods that might lodge in the throat of a child less than 4 years of age are not permitted. These foods include whole grapes, popcorn, raw peas, chunks of raw carrots, celery, and meats larger than can be swallowed whole. We are instructed to send these items home and provide an alternative lunch option if we feel that your child’s lunch may contain nuts or is unsafe for consumption.
Toilet Training
It is our goal to work with our families when it is time for their child to start toilet training. Please note that if we feel your child is ready to begin the process we will reach out to the families directly for their support. Also, if you are ready to start trying before we contact you please reach out to your classroom teacher to discuss your plan so that we can follow your lead.
Important things to know when starting:
  • Continue to send pullups to school until the teachers advise you otherwise
  • When ready for underwear, please send ample sets of underwear, pants, socks, and an extra pair of shoes

Remember, accidents still happen. We have to be patient and understanding throughout this process.

Thank you for your cooperation and assistance in this matter.
Limit Items to be Brought into the Classrooms
In order to maintain the health and safety of our students and coworkers we are requesting that you limit the items you send back and forth from school with your child. Other then the occasional extra clothes and diapers/wipes, please limit the items to the following:
  • Lunch box
  • Water cup
  • Jacket
These items can easily be carried by your child (age appropriate of course) in order to support their independence. All other items should remain at home.

Don't forget to label EVERYTHING with your child's name. We are not responsible for lost or stolen items.
Mark Your Calendars
Pumpkin Picking
We will be setting pumpkins out on the Bramwell lawn for each class to go "pumpkin picking". In order to maintain the health and safety of our students and teachers each class will go out at their own scheduled time and we will only place the amount of pumpkins needed for the children in attendance.
Autumn Spirit Week
October 25-29, 2021
Join in on the fun during our Autumn Spirit Week! Each day we created a fun way for your child to celebrate October. Enjoy the class participation through your ClassDojo app. Click the link below to start planning for each daily theme.
Halloween Parade
Friday, October 29, 2021
The children will have the opportunity to show off their Halloween costumes while parading through the halls and out on Bramwell lawn (weather permitting). While we are unable to invite our parents this year in order to maintain proper social distancing, we will be sharing the moment for you to enjoy in your own time. Be on the lookout for a video of your child's class on the ClassDojo Class Story!
Virtual Book Fair
Will be in January 2022


Help us build your child's classroom library by purchasing books for your family through our virtual book fair . Please be on the look out for more information.
To learn more, call (609) 497-2100 ext. 336