SEPTEMBER 2020
Greetings!
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN WILL BE CLOSED ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, FOR OUR STAFF DEVELOPMENT DAY AND MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, FOR LABOR DAY. WE WISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A TERRIFIC LONG WEEKEND!
"WE'RE SO GLAD THAT YOU ARE HERE."
This is a perfect time to tell you…“We’re so glad that you are here.”

As we kick off this unique school year, we welcome you! We appreciate your decision to choose our center and we take the responsibility you have given us seriously. This is especially true at this time of worldly upheaval. 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 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.
THANK YOU TO OUR GRADUATING PRESCHOOLERS AND FAMILIES
We wanted to say thank you to all the preschoolers who will be leaving to attend kindergarten this year. We have enjoyed partnering with you and your families in these young early childhood years and hope that your next journey will be a great experience. It was great to see all of you at our “Drive By” graduation ceremony and if COVID 19 has taught us anything---we have learned that with our creative hats on---we still can accomplish fun!! 
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
ENRICHMENT CLASSES
We will keep you updated on our class offerings for this upcoming school year. We are committed to providing great programming within the safety guidelines that we are given. Things in the mix for fall are offering soccer as well as continuing Spanish. As we are given further updates, we will communicate to you when additional classes will be offered.

Spanish for Preschoolers
Every Tuesday afternoon we offer Spanish for our preschoolers taught by Abby Cook (Forbes), our young toddler teacher. The children enjoy learning the new language and have done very well with the program.
PARENT RESOURCES
FALL RECIPE: SQUASH POT STICKERS

INGREDIENTS
  • 1 pound butternut squash, peeled and seeded, fresh cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons soy sauce
  • 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 scallions, white and pale-green parts only, thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger
  • 1/4 teaspoon sesame seeds
  • 20 wonton wrappers, thawed if frozen
  • 1/4 cup canola oil

DIRECTIONS
Step 1
Put squash, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cover with water; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cook until squash is very soft, about 12 minutes; drain. Transfer to a medium bowl; mash with a fork until smooth. Stir in scallions and ginger. Stir together sesame seeds, 1/4 cup water, and remaining 1/2 cup soy sauce in a bowl; set sauce aside.

Step 2
Place 1 scant tablespoon filling in the center of each wrapper; brush edges with water. Bring up corners to make a triangle; press to seal. Place on a baking sheet; freeze until firm, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add 10 potstickers, and cook, shaking pan frequently, until bottoms are golden brown. Turn pot stickers over; very carefully pour in 1/2 cup water, and cover. Steam until most liquid is evaporated, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a serving dish; cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with remaining oil and pot stickers. Serve with dipping sauce.

Recipe taken from marthastewart.com
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
6223 Dell Road
Eden Prairie MN 55346 
(952) 934-1119 

Center Director:
Cathie Underwood 
Center Assistant Director:
Jamie Rocheford
CONNECT WITH US