Child Care Chronicles

Michigan Edition

💙Celebrate National Parents' Day – July 26 💙

🌟 Celebrating the Families Who Make Learning Possible 🌟

National Parents' Day is the perfect opportunity to recognize the love, support, and partnership families provide every day. Parents and caregivers are a child's first teachers, and when families and child care providers work together, children thrive.

This week, we're sharing simple ways to celebrate families, strengthen parent partnerships, and encourage meaningful connections between home and your child care program.

❤️ Family Appreciation Activity Corner ❤️

📬 "Thank You" Card Station

Invite children to decorate a card or picture for their parents or caregivers using crayons, stickers, paint, or handprints. Encourage each child to share one thing they love about their family.

Skills Developed

• Fine motor development
• Language and communication
• Gratitude and emotional expression

📸 Family Photo Wall

Ask families to send in a favorite family photo. Create a classroom display celebrating the many different families that make up your learning community.

Discuss:

• Every family is unique.
• Families help us learn and grow.
• Love comes in many forms.

📖 Story Time Spotlight

Read books that celebrate families and the important role they play in children's lives.

Recommended Titles

• The Family Book by Todd Parr
• Who Is in My Family? by Robie H. Harris
• Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer

After reading, invite children to draw a picture of something they enjoy doing with their family.

🎨 Family Tree Craft

Help children create a simple family tree or "My Special People" collage using drawings or photos. This activity encourages conversations about family traditions and the people who care for them.

💙 Building Strong Parent Partnerships 💙

🤝 Communicate Every Day

Even a brief conversation during drop-off or pick-up helps families stay connected to their child's learning.

Share:

• A favorite activity
• A new skill the child practiced
• A positive moment from the day

🌱 Celebrate Small Milestones

Parents appreciate hearing about everyday successes, such as:

• Trying a new food
• Helping a friend
• Cleaning up independently
• Learning a new letter or number

Small victories build confidence for both children and families.

💬 Invite Family Input

Ask parents:

• What are your child's favorite activities at home?
• What goals do you have for your child this year?
• Is there anything you'd like us to know that helps your child feel successful?

Strong communication builds trust and creates consistency between home and child care.

📚 Continue Growing Professionally 📚

Strong family partnerships begin with confident, well-prepared educators.

Save on Director Credential Courses

Prepare for leadership with exclusive seasonal discounts.

💡 Parent Partnership Spotlight : In The Know 💡

🌎 Recursos en Español 🌎

👨‍👩‍👧 Celebrando a las Familias

Descubra actividades sencillas para fortalecer las relaciones entre las familias y los programas de cuidado infantil mediante proyectos, lectura y comunicación positiva.

Haga clic aquí

📚 Cursos en Español

Complete su capacitación profesional completamente en español.

Haga clic aquí

⭐ Director's Corner ⭐

Group Admin at ChildCareEd

This feature is designed for child care owners, directors, managers, franchise operators, regional managers, school districts, and organizations that manage training across more than one child care location.

Request Onsite or Virtual Training

Select group trainings may also have Spanish-language support available.

RESOURCES

Check out this helpful resource for your convenience!

Article of the Week:

What Are Michigan Child Care Ratios and Group Sizes by Age (Center + Home Quick Guide)?

This quick guide helps Michigan child care directors and providers understand how staff-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes work for centers and home-based programs. It gives practical steps, sample ranges you can plan around, and links to trusted resources. Use this as a planning tool — always verify exact numbers with your state licensing office. For an overview of Michigan licensing steps, see How to Start a Daycare in Michigan. State requirements vary - check your state licensing agency.

Continue Reading - Click Here

🚀 Keep Learning All Summer Long! 🚀

Explore our growing library of online training, live classes, classroom resources, and professional development designed to help educators succeed all year.