Early Learning Center Family Connections

Where your child's future is our vision.

October 2020
In this Issue
  • From the Director
  • Family Conferences - ELC Closed 10/16/20
  • Congratulations
  • Research Projects
  • Did you know?
  • Virtual Tours
  • Helpful Links
FROM DIANA, ELC DIRECTOR


As part of our continuing study of the Anti-bias Curriculum, we would like to include parents in some of the ideas we are beginning to investigate as a community of learners. We know that children are important members of our community, our Early Learning Community, but also our broader community. Here are some ways we can help children have their “voice” be heard and ways they can practice understanding differences and advocating for themselves and each other. I hope you enjoy the article from Louise Derman-Sparks, the author of the Anti-bias Curriculum.

 
With Joy,
 
Diana Morello-Deserio
Family Conferences
ELC Closed October 16, 2020
The ELC will be closed to all children on
Friday, October 16, 2020 for Conferences.
Your child's teacher will be in contact with details.
Congratulations to Lauren Illiano and Jordan Donaghy
We would like to formally congratulate two of our newest Lead Teachers at the ELC. Before the pandemic, these two individuals applied and interviewed, but the passage of their confirmed position was stifled by the current crisis. With the help of Jissell, Kate Bove in HR and Dean Henry, we were able to finish the offers and we would now like to congratulate both Lauren Illiano and Jordan Donaghy in their new but now sort of old positions as Lead Teacher at the ELC. GREAT WORK you two!
Lauren Illiano
Toddler 5 Teacher
Jordan Donaghy
School Age 1 Teacher
Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Research
As you may be aware supporting research in child development is a large part of what we believe in at the ELC. This is done in many avenues throughout each school year. At this time, due to the pandemic, we are happy to continue to partner in other ways. Nemours Children's Hospital has contacted us and asked to provide information to families regarding a Speech Study they are conducting at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children Craniofacial Laboratory. If you are interested in learning more about the project, please review the flyer below.
University of Delaware Research
We are recruiting parents who have young children to participate in a University of Delaware research study. The main purpose is to learn about your child care decision-making process. Your input is extremely valuable and will help inform policymakers on how to support families in making child care decisions. Interview participants will receive a $30 Amazon gift card. Survey participants will have the opportunity to enter a drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card.

To be eligible, you much meet all of the following criteria:
  • Have a 3 to 5 year (36 to 60 months) old child on June 1st, 2020
  • Have searched for child care programs for your preschooler in the past 24 months
  • Live in Delaware
  • Have a preschooler who attended non-parental child care (e.g., head start, public pre-k, day care, family child care, relative care) more than 5 hours per week in Jan, 2020

For more details and contact infromation click on the link: UD Research Project

Did you know that in addition to classroom fish and hermit crabs- we now have 4 ELC pets? We are becoming guinea pig experts! Mac and Oreo joined our family last year and are favorites among all of the children. Lamb Chop and Butterscotch joined us this summer as babies and are already well known and loved. Children across the ages enjoy talking with them, participating in their care routines, and many are learning how to softly snuggle up one on one with a member of our “herd” to give comfort and love. It is beautiful to watch your children in action with the smallest members of our ELC team. They are inquisitive, compassionate, and enthusiastic learners who understand about taking care of each other. 
 
We went on a road trip last week for wellness visits to the New London Veterinary Center…Dr. King is the best! She gave each guinea pig a clean bill of health and shiny new pedicures to boot! She said it is obvious to her that they are each well loved!
 
Here are some fun facts from our visit…
 
  • We have all boys! We always knew that – but nice to have it confirmed. Mac and Oreo are brothers- bonded for life. Lamb Chop and Butterscotch are bonded friends.
  • Oreo is our largest guinea pig (no shocker there!) weighing in at a little over 2 pounds- and Lamb Chop (despite all of his white wooly fur) is the smallest- a little over 1 pound,
  • Guinea pigs eat guinea pig food, lots of Timothy Hay, and vitamin C rich vegetables. Our boys are doing a pretty good job in this department- they LOVE their daily spinach leaves and mounds of hay…but they also love a good baby carrot. Carrots for guinea pigs are like cookies for me…one is never enough- and should be saved for only special occasions!
  • Fun new fact- guess how many toes a guinea pig has? Ask your child to see if they have noticed. (the answer is 14- 4 on each of the front feet and 3 on the back feet)
  • We have a new play yard so that they can enjoy some quality time outside in the grass now that the summer heat has hopefully subsided. Be on the look-out for our friends at the checkout stations in coming weeks!
 
Our boys are eating us out of house and home! If you and your child would like to help- here are some of our favorites:

·        Fresh spinach
·        Green and red pepper scraps
·        Guinea pig bag food
·        Timothy Hay
·        Old newspapers
 
Check out a great video…
Mac
Lamb Chop (left) and Butterscotch
Oreo
Virtual Tours
Do you know someone who is looking for a safe, engaging early education environment for their child? Let them know that we have open spots and are welcome to join a Virtual Tour in October.

Virtual Tour Dates are:
October 5 @ 2pm 
October 7 @ 10 am
October 15 @ 10 am
October 19 @ 2pm
October 21 @ 10am

Contact Kathy Kampe for details.