Parent Teacher Conferences

On Tuesday May, 8th, you are invited to join us for an evening of sharing regarding your children’s learning and development. The teachers have been working hard with portfolio collection and work sampling assessment.

The would love to have your input as we plan for the next steps for curricula and lessons for the rest of the year. We will be here from 6 pm to 7:30 pm that evening. Refreshments will be served. Families will be able to view their children’s portfolios, and confer with the teachers regarding their children’s progress (Please understand that time will be limited).

If you desire a more formal conference, please set up an appointment with your child’s teacher for Monday May 7th, or Wednesday May 9th.

Early Learning Readiness Fair

The Annual Early Learning Readiness Fair is being held on Thursday May 3rd from 3:30-6:30 pm at South Park Mall. The fair offers a variety of resources from community agencies, school districts, and child care centers (including ours) available to answer questions and assist your family as your child transitions into preschool and kindergarten. The fair includes lots of fun activities for your child(ren) to participate in, as well as lots of door prizes! Special guest Jim Gill will be performing. If you live in the Rock Island County area and have children between the ages of birth and five, please join us for family resources, activities, and prizes. Everything at this event is FREE of charge! You will find this event in the hallway in front of Younkers. We hope to see you there!

Outdoor Work Day

It’s that time of year again! Spring will be springing and our outdoor environment will be in need of the usual Spring work: pulling weeds, spreading fresh mulch, etc. We are planning a work day on our outdoor environment for Saturday May 12th starting at 10:00 am (rain date will be Saturday May 19th). Any family volunteers will be greatly appreciated. We will provide lunch and drinks for those who help. Please bring your own gloves if needed. Please help us to get our outdoor environment a certified Nature Explore classroom! To learn more about the nature explore classroom please visit http://www.arbordayfoundation.org/explore   Hope to see you there!

Reminders:

Since the weather is turning nicer, please remember to bring in a current change of clothes for your child. We will be going outside every day, so chances of getting dirty are more likely than thorough the winter months. Also, please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Things from Home

Parents are asked to keep their children’s personal belonging, such as toys, purses, and jewelry, at home because of the possible breakage and problems with regulating use. They may occasionally bring a CD or book for the teacher to play or read, but please make sure the items are marked with first and last name. Please remember we are not responsible if personal belongings are lost or broken.

Parents as Advertisers

Our best source of advertising has always been by word-of-mouth from current and/or former families. If you know someone that is in need of preschool and/or child care for any child between 15 months and to 10 years, please spread the word. With  your support, we can continue to provide full day/year round preschool and child care for working families and continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families we serve. Thank  you for your continued support.

Parent / Teacher Conferences

 On Wednesday May 17th, you are invited to join us for an evening of “sharing” regarding your children’s learning and development. The teachers have been working hard with portfolio collection and work sampling assessment.

They would love to have your input as we plan for the next steps for curricula and lessons for the rest of the year. We will be here from 6 pm to 7:30 pm that evening. Refreshments will be served. Families will be able to view their children’s portfolios, and confer with the teachers regarding their child’s progress. (Please realize that time will be limited.)

If you desire a more formal conference, please set up an appointment with your child’s teacher for earlier that day, Tuesday May 16^th or Thursday May 18^th. We would love to see you all here!

School Age Spring Break

Spring break will be starting on Monday March 13^th and ending on Monday March 27^th. The children go back to school on Tuesday March 28^th. The school age teachers have some fun activities and field trips planned to keep the children entertained. Some activities include:

 Park Visits

 Nahant Marsh

 Outdoor Games

 Family Museum

 Walking Tacos

 Crafts

 Please make sure you receive a calendar of events (check for it in the office). Also, please make sure your child(ren) are dressed appropriately for the weather as they will be going outside whenever possible.

Outdoor Work Day

It’s that time of year again! Spring will be springing and our outdoor environment will be in need of the usual spring work: pulling weeds, spreading fresh mulch, etc. We are planning a “work day” on our outdoor environment for Saturday May 13^th starting at 10:00am (rain date will be Saturday May 20^th).  Any family volunteers will be greatly appreciated. We will provide lunch and drinks for all who help. Please bring your own gloves if needed. Please help us to get our outdoor environment a certified Nature Explore classroom! To learn more about the nature explore classroom please visit http://www.arbordayfoundation.org/explore/ for more information. Hope to see you there!

Early Learning Readiness Fair 

The Annual Early Learning Readiness Fair is being held on Thursday May 4^th from 3:30 – 6:30pm at South Park Mall. The fair offers a variety of resources from community agencies, school districts, and child care centers (including ours) available to answer questions and assist your family as your child transitions into preschool and kindergarten. The fair includes lots of fun activities for your child(ren) to participate in, as well as lots of door prizes! If you live in the Rock Island County area and have children between the ages of birth and five please join us for family resources, activities, and prizes. Everything at this event is FREE of charge! You will find this event in the hallway in front of Younkers. We hope to see you there!

REMINDERS

Change of Clothes

 Since the weather is turning nicer, please remember to bring in a current change of clothes for your child. We will be going outside every day, so chances of getting dirty are more likely than through the winter months. Also, please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Things from Home

Parents are asked to keep their children’s personal belongings, such as toys, purses, and jewelry, at home because of possible breakage and problems with regulating use. They may occasionally bring a CD or book for the teacher to play or read, but please make sure the items are marked with first and last name.  Please remember we are not responsible if personal belongings are lost or broken.

Parents as Advertisers 

Our best source of advertising has always been by word-of-mouth from current and/or former families. If you know someone that is in need of preschool and/or child care for any child between the ages of 15 months to 10 years please spread the word. Also we have attached a flyer for you to please pass out to anyone that may be interested. With your support we can continue to provide full day / year round preschool and child care for working families and continue to make a difference in the lives of the children and families we serve. Thank you for your continued support.

Parent/Teacher Conferences

On Wednesday May 18th, you are invited to join us for an evening of “sharing” regarding your children’s learning and development. The teachers have been working hard with portfolio collection and work sampling assessment.

They would love to have your input as we plan for the next steps for curricula and lessons for the rest of the year. We will be here from 6 pm to 8 pm that evening. Refreshments will be served. Families will be able to view their children’s portfolios, and confer with the teachers regarding their child’s progress. (Please realize that time will be limited.)

If you desire a more formal conference, please set up an appointment with your child’s teacher for earlier that day, Tuesday May 17^th or Thursday May 19^th. We would love to see you all here!

School Age Spring Break

Spring break will be starting on Monday March 14^th and ending on Monday March 28^th. The children go back to school on Tuesday March 29^th. The school age teachers have some fun activities and field trips planned to keep the children entertained. Some activities include:

Family Museum

 Park visits

 Outdoor Games

 Crafts

 Skate City

 Easter Activities

 Botanical Center

Please make sure you receive a calendar of events (check for it in the office). Also, please make sure your child(ren) are dressed appropriately for the weather as they will be going outside whenever possible.

Outdoor Work Day

The May 7th workday has been cancelled and will be moved to a later date.

Any family volunteers will be greatly appreciated. We will provide lunch and drinks for all who help. Please bring your own gloves if needed. Please help us to get our outdoor environment a certified Nature Explore classroom! To learn more about the nature explore classroom please visit http://www.arbordayfoundation.org/explore/ for more information. Hope to see you here!

Tuition Express Payments

We are now changing the way that we collect and process tuition and fee payments. Tuition Express, part of our ProCare Software management system, will allow us to process tuition and fee payments safely, quickly, and efficiently. Tuition Express allows us to now accept credit and debit card payments, as well as electronic fund transfers. Your tuition and fee payments will be paid automatically and on a schedule that we both agree upon. In A Kid’s World can produce a receipt for the payment or you can receive instant email notification by signing up at www.tuitionexpress.com . Your personal account information is safe with Tuition Express – safer, in fact, than paying by check.

Complete one of the attached Tuition Express enrollment forms. You must choose one of the options listed for making payments. Please return your completed form to the office by the end of March. Thank you for helping us with this.

Reminders:

Things from Home

Parents are asked to keep their children’s personal belongings, such as toys, purses, and jewelry, at home because of possible breakage and problems with regulating use. They may occasionally bring a CD or book for the teacher to play or read, but please make sure the items are marked with first and last name.  Please remember we are not responsible if personal belongings are lost or broken.

Change of Clothes

Since the weather is turning nicer, please remember to bring in a current change of clothes for your child. We will be going outside every day, so chances of getting dirty are more likely than through the winter months. Also, please make sure your children are dressed appropriately for the weather.

Family Appreciation Luncheon

Please join us on Friday, February 26th for a Spaghetti Dinner. We will be serving lunch to the children and their “guests” from 11 a.m. to 12 noon. The menu will include: Spaghetti Casserole, green beans, garlic bread, fruit, milk, and Texas Sheet Cake for dessert. There will be a sign-up sheet posted in the office, so that we will know how many to plan for. We would love for you to join us!

Valentine’s Activities

On Friday February 12th the PreK and Toddler & Two’s classes will be doing Valentine’s Day activities here at the center in the morning. Children are welcome to bring Valentines and/or a treat to share. Treats and snacks must be store bought or made here at the center (no home-made items). The teachers and children are looking forward to a fun time!

Outdoor Play

Please remember that our classes go outside whenever weather permits. In general, if the temperature is over 25 degrees (or less than 90 in the summer), we will be outside each morning and afternoon. It is very important that the children are dressed accordingly. Please send winter clothes, such as mittens, hats, boots, and winter coats EVERY day.

Conferences

We will be scheduling Parent-Teacher conferences again in the Spring. However, if you have questions regarding your child’s learning and development please feel free to ask your child’s teacher at any time!

School Age News

Spring Intercession

Our school-age children have their Spring Intersession from March 14th until March 29th.
The teachers are planning an enjoyable and exciting time for your children. Activities include various field trips including picnics at various parks in the community. We will also be planning crafts, cooking and OUTDOOR activities here at In A Kid’s World.

School Transportation

All children being transported to and from an elementary school and In A Kid’s World need to arrive at, or before 7:45 a.m. (If you want your child to eat breakfast here at the center, they need to arrive within enough time before leaving for school).

Please make sure that you call every time your child will not be coming or returning to Kid’s World before or after school. If you fail to notify us ahead, and we have to call you or the school to verify your child’s whereabouts. This delays the driver in making it to all schools in a timely manner.

Reminders:

ATTENDANCE – If your child is going to be absent please notify us. Also, if your child’s days of the week change, please let their teachers know.

PARKING – When you pull into a parking space, make sure you are between the lines. When parents take up more than one space or block other spaces (especially the back area), it compounds the problem. We realize everyone is in a hurry at the end of the day to get home. When you are as courteous to others as you would want them to be to you, it allows everyone to get home as soon as possible.

SIGN IN/OUT – Please make sure that you are signing your child(ren) in and out each and every day. This is very important, as we use our attendance sheets to verify that the building is clear in case of emergency situations. It is also helpful if you would state who is scheduled to pick up your child when you sign them in. There is a line available for that on the sign in sheet. That way we know who to call if your child hasn’t been picked up by closing time. Also, please sign your name not just “mom” or “dad.”

CHANGE OF CLOTHES – We ask that every child have an extra set of clothes to keep here at the center at all times. This is needed in case of a soiled clothing emergency. Also, if your child has worn our extra clothes home, please return them as we are continually running out.

Child Development:

Free Play

Research has shown that free play is an extremely important part of a child’s learning process. During choice time in learning centers, teachers set up safe and interesting areas for the children to explore. Learning areas include large and small motor activities, sensory, cognitive, language, art, etc. While the children are free to explore their areas of choice, the teachers are interacting with and observing the children. Some parents question if children learn from “just playing.” The answer is yes. Through free play, children explore concepts such as colors, shapes, numbers, and size. Along with learning concepts, children also work on their cooperation and socialization skills.