Our mission is to elevate child development to a new level by leading the social, emotional growth, and education of young children while providing a safe, welcoming, home-like environment with a caring, educated and professional staff that promotes partnerships with parents, children, and other childhood professionals.
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You may have noticed a new face at the front desk over the past few weeks. We are slowly transitioning a new part of our Admin team into the center. Johnny is our new Administrative Assistant. You may see him when you drop your child off, when you pick them up, or his voice on the other end of the phone when you call.
Johnny is a recent transplant to Bloomington/Normal. He worked as an Administrative Support at a childcare center in Tennessee before his family relocated. His children joined us at Katie's Kids as well!
Feel free to approach him with any questions! We are excited to have him as part of our team!
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Classroom Facebook Groups
One of the positive pieces that came from our COVID closure was the classroom Facebook group. Through this closed group, families now have the opportunity to view the daily experiences of their child through pictures and videos. The intent of this group was to connect our families to our teachers and their children's environment.
Due to confidentiality of our children this group is intended for our immediate family members/guardians only. Family members sign a content to appear in this closed group and we wish to be respectful of all families.
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Save the Date!
There are some exciting events happening within our community in the coming months to add to your family calendar!
September 10- Day of the Dozer @ McLean County Fairgrounds
September 21 - Preschool Trip to Rader Farms
September 24- Day of Play @ the Children's Discovery Museum
October 8 + 9- Sugar Creek Arts Festival @ Uptown Normal
October 15- ISU Homecoming Parade @ 10 am
November 7 + 8 - Fall Picture Day
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Communication...
Please feel free utilize our classrooms email addresses to communicate with your child's teacher or call the center at 309.268.9400.
andreac@katieskids.net
lindie@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room01@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room02@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room03@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room04@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room05@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room06@katieskids.net
KKLC02Room07@katieskids.net
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After missing our annual Rader Field Trip with a Preschoolers due to COVID, it is officially back! Tentatively mark your calendars for September 21st. We invite all our parents to join their preschoolers out at Rader Family Farms for some hands on learning, time exploring the farm, and a hayrack ride to choose their own pumpkin! More information will be headed your way!
*This is for our preschool classrooms 5,6, and 7 only!*
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Toothbrushing is back!
For our families who were with us before COVID, you may remember we offered toothbrushing to our children in Rooms 3-7. We feel it is time to bring it back!
We will be providing both toothbrushes and toothpaste for your child. Toothbrushes will be kept here in individual containers for each child. The toothpaste used will be age appropriate for both our toddlers and preschoolers.
Teachers use this time to teach your child how to independently brush their teeth.
We will begin brushing teeth on September 6th.
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Need Pediatric Eye Care?
Bright Sight Vision Therapy
Dr. Terri Rieger
Dr. Rieger@mybrightsight.com
309.320.2020
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Health Corner...
Healthy Zucchini Muffins
Recipe by Cookies and Kate
INGREDIENTS
- ¾ cup roughly chopped raw walnuts or pecans (optional)
- ⅓ cup melted coconut oil or extra-virgin olive oil*
- ½ cup honey or maple syrup
- 2 eggs
- ⅔ cup buttermilk (or ⅔ cup milk of choice mixed with 2 teaspoons vinegar, allow to rest for 5 minutes before using)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 ¾ cups white whole wheat flour or regular whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 ½ cups grated zucchini (you’ll need 1 small-to-medium zucchini, about 7 ounces—working in handfuls, gently squeeze out excess moisture from the grated zucchini over the sink)
INSTRUCTIONS - Cook Time: 16 mins Total Time: 36 minutes Yield: 12 muffins
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Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If necessary, grease all 12 cups on your muffin tin with butter or cooking spray (my pan is non-stick and doesn’t require any grease).
- Toast the nuts (if using): Once the oven has finished preheating, pour the chopped nuts onto a small, rimmed baking sheet. Bake until the nuts are fragrant and toasted, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring halfway.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the coconut oil and honey. Beat them with a whisk until they are combined. Add the eggs and beat well. Add the buttermilk and vanilla. Whisk to combine, and set the bowl aside. (If your coconut oil solidifies on contact with cold ingredients, simply let the bowl rest in a warm place for a few minutes, like on top of your stove, or warm it for about 30 seconds in the microwave.)
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt and nutmeg. Using a big spoon, stir to combine.
- Pour the liquid mixture into the dry and stir just until combined (a few lumps are ok!). Add the zucchini (be sure to squeeze excess moisture out of the zucchini first) and toasted nuts, if using. Gently fold the zucchini and nuts into the batter, being careful not to over-stir.
- Divide the batter evenly between the 12 muffin cups. Bake muffins for 16 to 19 minutes, or until the muffins are golden on top and a toothpick inserted into a muffin comes out clean.
- Place the muffin tin on a cooling rack to cool. If you have leftover muffins, store them, covered, at room temperature for two days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Freeze leftover muffins for up to 3 months.
These healthy zucchini muffins are naturally sweetened and made with whole wheat flour! They’re fluffy, moist and absolutely delicious, too.
Recipe yields 1 dozen muffins.
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Share your positive moments!
Do you have any positive moments you want to share about our staff? If so, we want to hear and share them! Simply click on the button below, fill out the form, and submit.
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Help spread the word of Katie's Kids!
Do you have a friend, neighbor, or colleague looking for care? For every family you refer to Katie's Kids we will apply a $50 credit to your account after the family has been with us for 90 days.
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Katie's Kids Learning Center | | |
Accredited by: National Accreditation Commission | | | | | |
