The Council
Connection
SPRING 2010
Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS!
REMINDER FOR FAMILY DAY
CARE PROVIDERS
APRIL 22 VIDEO CONFERENCE
DATE CHANGE
BITS AND PIECES
SPRING TRAINING CALENDAR
DUTCHESS COUNTY CENTER
DIRECTORS
BARNES & NOBLE
PUTNAM DAY CARE SERVICES
2010 CENSUS
NYS PARENT EDUCATION AND
AWARENESS PROGRAM
CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE CHILD CARE
COUNCIL OF DUTCHESS AND PUTNAM, INC.
O
n Thursday, April 22 we will be
pleased to host a Gala Celebration to
honor the Child Care Council on 40
years of service to the children, families
and businesses of Dutchess County, and
more recently Putnam County. We will
also continue our seventh year of recognizing Champions of Child Care, early
childhood professionals who have done
an outstanding job. Awards will be given
for educational achievements as well as
for milestones of years in the field. Special awards will go to those who were
nominated by parents or co-workers as to
why an individual or group deserves to
be honored.
Happy Spring!
CACFP
NYS ASSOCIATION FOR THE
EDUCATION OF YOUNG
CHILDREN
SPECIAL NEEDS STORY TIME
NYS INFANT AND TODDLER
RESOURCE NETWORK
AMANDA’S LAW
CPSC RECALLS
SPRINGTIME ACTIVITIES
PARENTING A SECOND TIME
PLAYGROUND SAFETY
PLAY PAGE
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
E
ach year our celebration grows,
and this year we are extending the event
he event committee has been
from 6 – 9:00PM. We look forward to
meeting frequently to organize this year’s publicly recognizing the wonderful work
celebration. Invitations have been
that goes on everyday in early childhood
mailed, so if you did not receive one,
programs. The child care community and
please call the Council at 473-4141 ext.
the Child Care Council have grown over
210. We expect to host many child care the past 40 years because of the services
providers, parents, former and current
we provide together to the families in
board members, and representatives
Dutchess and Putnam
from businesses and County and State
Counties. We hope that
government. There will be good food,
you will join us to recogthe awards ceremony and a great raffle
nize our past achievethat will all contribute to an enjoyable
ments as well as our vision
evening, not to be missed.
for the future.
T
PAGE 2
THE COUNCIL CONNECTION
REMINDER FOR FAMILY
DAY CARE PROVIDERS
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT THE
APRIL 22 VIDEOCONFERENCE
f you have not already been visited by fire/safety personnel from the Spring Valley Regional Office, please note that you
will get a visit around your renewal period. If you are currently
caring for children in the basement of your home, we will need
written documentation from your local building department
that the basement has been constructed or finished such that it is
in compliance with all applicable codes, rules and regulations.
This documentation may be in the form of a "Certificate of Occupancy", a "Certificate of Compliance" or a letter from the local
building officials on their letterhead stating that based on their
inspection of your basement they have deemed the space to be in
compliance with all applicable codes, rules and regulations to be
designated as
"habitable space".
In any event, the
documentation
provided must specifically state that
it is in reference to
the basement. This
requirement is for
all new and existing
providers, regardless of when their
first registration/license to operate was issued.
ecause of the Champions of Child Care Dinner and Anniversary scheduled for April 22, the SUNY
Videoconference, Child Abuse and Maltreatment: Child Lures & Shaken Baby
Syndrome, will NOT be available on April
22 at either Dutchess or Putnam sites.
I
B
I
nstead, it will be broadcast on
Thursday, June 24 at both the Dutchess
and the Putnam Child Care Council offices.
If you have registered for this videoconference, you will be notified about the change of date, and you are still
accepted into the June 24 training. You do not need to register again
for the new date.
ALL FAMILY AND GROUP FAMILY
DAY CARE PROVIDERS
A
s of February 22, 2010, all Family and
Group Family Day Care Providers must have a carbon monoxide detector on the lowest sleeping area
of the home.
BITS AND PIECES
E
co-Healthy Child Care: Child care providers can visit www.ecoonline.org/ehcc to download a checklist that will
immediately benefit the health and well-being of all the children in your care. Be on the lookout for an announcement
from the Council about help for providers to go ―green‖ in more ways. Your health and the health of the children and
their parents will be impacted. Call Rosemarie at extension 217 for more information.
T
he Council provides services to the child care community of two counties. We want to know what you
as providers of home child care and program directors in centers and school age programs and early learning programs want from us. It is important for us to know what you would like us to do to support you. We will be celebrating 40 years of service at our April 22 Champions or Child Care Celebration. Help us move forward from
there.
I
f you require more information about the following topics, call the Council, your FDC registrar or Marion in
the referral service at extension 223.
Amanda’s Law and the requirement for carbon monoxide alarms
Shaken Baby Syndrome on-line training
Consumer Protection Board recalls and sign-up for their product recall website
2010 Census beginning with March household mailings
Kinship guardianship assistance program for children who have been in foster care with the prospective
relative guardian for at least six consecutive months.
PAGE 3
SPRING TRAINING CALENDAR
T
he Spring Training Calendar has
been mailed! This Spring's week long
training is scheduled for April 26-30,
2010. Sign up for the week long training
and get 15 hours of training in all 9 required topic areas! Contact Rosemarie
Dehn at (845) 473-4141 ext. 217 for more
information on any of our trainings.
W
ould you like a more individualized
approach to training that focuses on you
and your Day Care Center's needs? Onsite trainings may be for you! Contact
Rosemarie Dehn to develop your own
customized on-site training at your Day
Care Center!
BARNES & NOBLE
Barnes & Noble
celebrates Educator Appreciation Week
April 10—April 18
Special Discounts and
Promotions on both classroom
and personal purchases.
Barnes & Noble.com
(www.bn.com) will offer special discounts and promotions for pre K—grade
12 educators and administrators.
Stores across the country will also host
special events and workshops.
Come celebrate our
40th Anniversary
at the
Champions of Child
Care Celebration!
ATTENTION ALL DUTCHESS COUNTY
CENTER DIRECTORS!
I
s it lonely at the top? Do you want to share some of your successes
and challenges? Do you want training specifically for your position? Would
you like to get to know other directors?
N
ow there is an opportunity for all of that! On Friday, May 7 at
1:00 pm the Council will host a meeting for Center Directors in Dutchess
County to reorganize the Mid-Hudson Early Childhood Directors’ Association. Please join us to talk about what supports you would like from that
network. We’re open to any new ideas that you think would work best for
you. (There is already a Directors’ Network that meets in Putnam County.
Please call the Council if you need that information.)
T
he May 7 meeting will be held at the Child Care Council of
Dutchess and Putnam, Inc., 70 Overocker Road, Poughkeepsie. Please contact Jeanne Wagner with your attendance at 473-4141 ext. 213 or at [email protected]. We hope to see you then!
NEWS FROM PUTNAM
DAY CARE SERVICES
P
utnam has updated the monthly voucher again
at the request of the School Age Child Care programs.
The new voucher has extra spaces for times in / times
out. The recorded time
should still be in quarter
hour increments per the
Fiscal Department. Do
not use the voucher as
an attendance sheet
(times should only reflect the hours DSS is
paying for). Please only
use the words Holiday,
Absent or Closed.
Vouchers should still be
completed with ink. You
will receive the new
vouchers when current
clients recertify their
cases. Daycare Services
hopes this change will help everyone involved with the
payment process.
PAGE 4
THE COUNCIL CONNECTION
CENSUS 2010 – HELP MAKE SURE CHILDREN ARE COUNTED!
E
very 10 years, the government reports the number of people who live in the Untied States by conducting a census, as
required by the U.S. Constitution. The results of the census are used to determine the number of representatives states receive
in the U.S. Congress, as well as community’s representation in the State legislature. The data is also used to establish funding
for a multitude of programs, including many provided by the Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc. and to establish and improve schools, hospitals, roads and senior services.
Children, especially children under the age of six, are more likely than any
other group to be undercounted. According to the Census Bureau’s analysis, young
children are missed at a higher rate than any other age group. In the 2000 census,
more than one million children under the age of 10 were not counted, including
more than three-quarters of a million children under the age of five. Minority children and children in hard-to-count neighborhoods are most frequently undercounted. This results in reduced funding for needy families.
As a child care provider, please share the importance of the census to families,
especially those with children under the age of six. Everyone, even babies, should
be counted. All infants, children and adults who live in a household should be
counted, regardless of nationality, citizenship status, race, age, or gender.
For more information about the Census count and helpful links to documents
that can be used as hand-outs, go to www.NACCRRA.org/policy/censusoutreach.php.
NEW YORK STATE PARENT EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAM
F
ormer Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye and Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman developed the initiative of the New York
State Parent Education and Awareness Program of the New York State Office of Court Administration. Parent education is
offered by certified providers to help separating or divorcing parents better understand the effects of their breakup on their
children and to give them information and ideas about how to make the new family situation easier and more livable for
themselves and their children. There are currently 51 certified providers with a presence in all 62 counties in New York State.
The programs are certified through the New York State Office of Court Administration, and can accept orders or referrals
from the Family Courts or the Supreme Court matrimonial parts. Parents can self refer and agencies can refer them, as well.
Below is the contact information for the certified providers in Dutchess and Putnam Counties.
Dutchess
Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Inc.
P.E.A.C.E.
Class location: Poughkeepsie
845-473-2500 ext.1309/845-473-4870 (fax)
Contact: Marlene Taylor
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mhadc.com
Putnam
Dispute Resolution Center
Parents Apart
Class location: Carmel
Contact: Joanne K. Parker-Pollock
845-225-9555/845-225-9568 (fax)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.drcservices.org.
PAGE 5
CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP)
Child and Adult Care Food Program welcomes the following new provider:
Peggy Del Bianco.
For more information about joining CACFP please contact Lorraine Scuccimarra
at (845) 473-4141 x220.
E
ggs have been a part of springtime traditions for a very long time. Ancient Pagan people celebrated the return of the
sun and the rebirth of nature each spring. Since new life came from eggs, eggs became the symbol of nature’s rebirth. For
Jews, a roasted egg on the Passover Seder plate has stood for life and the hope of salvation for many centuries. Later, Christians adopted the egg to represent Christ’s Resurrection.
DID YOU KNOW?
☼
Chickens came to the New World with Columbus on his second trip in 1493.
☼
An average hen lays 300 to 325 eggs a year. A hen starts laying eggs at 19 weeks of age.
☼
Did you know a mother hen turns over her egg about 50 times per day (so the yolk won’t stick to
the sides of the shell)?
☼
To produce one egg, it takes a hen 24-26 hours, and to do so, she requires 5 oz. of food and 10
oz. of water. Thirty minutes later she starts all over again.
EGG HANDLING
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Eggs are placed in their cartons large end up to keep the air cell in place and the yolk centered.
Eggs age more in one day at room temperature than in one week in the refrigerator.
Eggs can be kept refrigerated in their carton for at least 4 to 5 weeks beyond the pack date.
If an egg is accidentally dropped on the floor, sprinkle it heavily with salt for easy clean up.
EGG NUTRITION
Eggs contain the highest quality protein you can buy. Egg protein has just the right mix of essential
amino acids needed by humans to build tissues. In addition, eggs have 13 essential vitamins and
minerals.
Eggs contain the highest quality food protein known. It is second only to mother’s milk for human
nutrition.
A large egg contains only 75 calories and 5 grams of fat.
BUNNY-FACED STUFFED EGGS
3 cups lettuce torn into small pieces
1 1/2 cups shredded carrots
6 hard cooked eggs
3 Tbsp mayonnaise
1/2 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp dry mustard
1 medium whole carrot
18 raisins
P
ut 1/2 of lettuce on plate, sprinkle 1/4 cup of carrots over
lettuce. Cut eggs in half lengthwise, remove yolks and place in large
plastic bag. Set whites aside. Add mayonnaise, parsley and mustard
to bag. Push out most of the air. Seal the bag. Press and squeeze bag
until yolks are mashed and well blended. Push mixture to bottom of
bag. Cut off a little of the corner. Gently squeeze mixture into egg
white halves. Carefully press 2 halves together. Put 1 stuffed egg on
top of the shredded carrots on each plate. Cut the whole carrot on a
diagonal into 12 long thin slices. Stick 2 slices into each egg to look
like bunny ears. Dip raisins into yolk mixture and press onto the egg
to look like a nose and eyes.
PAGE 6
THE COUNCIL CONNECTION
NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION FOR
THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN
The 2010 Annual NYSAEYC Conference will be held April
29th—May 1st
Turning Stone Resort & Conference Center, Verona, New
York.
Receive up to 15 1/2 training hours!
9 Featured Tracks!
In addition to the wonderful keynote speakers and many general
workshops, we are offering many specialized tracks.
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After School & Youth Development
Experienced Teacher
Family Child Care
Head Start
Infant/Toddler
Leadership
New Teacher
Pre K—3
Professional Development & Trainers
POUGHKEEPSIE PUBLIC LIBRARY
ANNOUNCES SPECIAL NEEDS STORY TIME
J oin us for a story time designed for children with special
needs, such as autism, Down Syndrome, sensory-processing disorder/language –delays and other disabilities. Activities include
stories, rhymes, songs, puppets, and flannel board stories that are
geared for the preschool level. The story time aids children with
gross motor skills, tactile input, sensory issues, and at the same
time, provides a comfortable atmosphere for children with special
needs. This program is not dictated by age so that elementary age
children with special needs are welcome to join us. After story
time is finished, parents and children may stay to interact with the
other participants.
Location:
PPLD-Arlington Branch Library,
504 Haight Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Date:
Tuesdays from 4/13/10—6/15/10
Time:
1:30-2:30 pm
Registration:
You may be eligible for funding through the Educational Incentive
Program (EIP).
Scholarship funding to participate in the NYSAEYC Annual Conference may be available through EIP. For more information or to
apply for a scholarship, visit www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu. You may
also contact EIP at [email protected] or 800-295-9616.
Our training coordinator, Rosemarie Dehn will be attending the
Eco-Healthy Child Care Train the Trainers Program at the conference and will be bringing the training to you in the summer.
www.poklib.org or call 845-485-3445 x 3320
Contact:
Laura Pilkington will be
happy to assist you with
any questions about the
program by calling
845-485-3445 x 3404
or email:
[email protected]
Questions? Contact NYSAEYC by phone: (518) 867-3517, fax:
(518) 867-3520, or e-mail: [email protected]
NEW YORK STATE INFANT AND TODDLER RESOURCE NETWORK
A
s an introduction to ―new‖ child care providers and as a reminder to ―seasoned‖ providers, Donna Thomas is the Infant-Toddler
Specialist in Dutchess, Ulster and Putnam Counties. With years of practical experience and education, Donna is a wealth of information
in the area of infants and toddlers.
D
onna is available to give you technical assistance over the phone or in person at your site. She has problemsolved at several programs with room arrangement and has addressed policies and procedures for various problems. Donna has presented trainings at the Council for Directors and staff and also on-site for program staff.
Training topics have included: Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers, Challenging Behaviors of Infants and Toddlers, and Biting.
I
f you are providing care for Infants and Toddlers, Donna is a wonderful resource available to you all year
long. You can reach Donna at: (845) 677-4104 or [email protected]
PAGE 7
AMANDA’S LAW FACT SHEET
A
manda’s Law is named after Amanda Hansen, a teenager whose life was tragically ended by a carbon
monoxide leak from a defective boiler while she was sleeping at a friend’s house in January 2009. This law
(Chapter 367 of the Laws of 2009) amended section 378 of the Executive Law regarding the standards for the
installation of carbon monoxide detectors in homes and other dwellings, including any multiple dwelling.
Amendments were made to the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and State Building Code to allow
implementation. Based on these changes, carbon monoxide detectors will be required in most homes effective February 22, 2010. Programs located within New York City are subject to a different set of codes and have
been required to be in compliance with a similar requirement passed in 2004.
I
n order to comply with Amanda’s Law, a minimum of one carbon monoxide detector must be installed in every home where there
is a carbon monoxide source, defined as any appliance or system that may emit carbon monoxide, a fireplace, or a building with an attached garage, or other motor vehicle related occupancies. Per the law, in existing residences, a carbon monoxide detector should be installed on the lowest story having a sleeping area. Because the areas used for napping in Family Day Care and Group Family Day Care are
often not on the floor where the provider’s family sleeps, it is highly recommended that one unit be installed on each floor of the residence
on which there is either a sleeping area or carbon monoxide source. This recommendation is based on the requirements in place for new
construction and is made in consideration of promoting the safety of both children in care as well as the families of providers.
I
n existing homes constructed prior to January 1, 2008, battery-operated units are acceptable and are not
required to be interconnected. Homes constructed after that date should already have hard-wired, interconnected
systems, as required by code.
I
f you have additional questions regarding the number of units needed, please contact a Fire Safety Representative at your Regional Office.
For Programs Located in New York City:
New York City Regional Office: (212) 383-1415
New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene
(NYCDOHMH Bureau of Child Care): (212) 676-2444
For all Other Regions:
Albany Regional Office: (518) 402-3038
Buffalo Regional Office: (716) 847-3828
Long Island Regional Office: (631) 342-7100
Rochester Regional Office: (585) 238-8531
Syracuse Regional Office: (315) 423-1202
Spring Valley Regional Office: (845) 708-2400
US CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION MARCH 2010 RECALLS
For more detailed information about these and other recalls, go to www.cpsc.gov
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Do It Best recalls Bicycle Bells due to violation of lead paint standard
Lumetique recalls Botanika Candles due to fire and laceration hazards
Cost Plus Inc. recalls Konrad and Loft office chairs due to fall hazard, sold exclusively at Cost Plus/World Market
Graco recalls Harmony High Chairs due to fall hazard
Haselson International Trading recalls children’s hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings due to strangulation hazard,
sold Exclusively at Burlington Coat Factory
Mobile Power Packs recalled by Tumi due to fire hazard
Remote Control Kits for electric fireplaces and stoves recalled by Dimplex North America due to fire and burn hazards
Infant deaths prompt CPSC warning about Sling Carriers for babies
Noncontact Electrical Tester recalled by Fluke due to shock or burn hazard
Coil Nailers recalled by Hitachi Koki due to serious injury hazard
CPSC issues warning on children’s winter and holiday-themed charm bracelets with high levels of Cadmium
Byer California recalls girls’ jackets with drawstrings due to strangulation hazard
Girl’s hooded jackets with drawstrings recalled by Regaliti due to strangulation hazard, sold exclusively at Burlington Coat Factory
Telebrands recalls scarves with microwaveable heat packs due to fire and burn hazards
Boys’ hooded sweatshirts with drawstrings recalled by Brand Evolution due to strangulation hazard
Gerber Legendary Blades recalls machetes due to laceration hazard
Risk of strangulation prompts recall to repair roman shades by Ethan Allen
LELE & Company recalls children’s hooded sweatshirt sets with drawstrings due to strangulation hazard
Outdoor lighting fixtures recalled by American Electric Lighting due to shock hazard
Children’s bracelets recalled by Chandigarh Fashion due to violation of lead paint standard
Boys’ hooded jackets with drawstrings recalled by Ten West Apparel due to strangulation hazard, sold at Burlington Coat Factory
Risk of strangulation prompts recall to repair Roman Shades and Roll-Up Blinds by Meijer
Risk of strangulation prompts recall to repair Roman Shades by Lutron Electronics
Children’s fork and spoon sets recalled by Peachtree Playthings due to choking hazard, sold at Dollar Tree and Deals
THE COUNCIL CONNECTION
PAGE 8
SPRINGTIME OUTSIDE ACTIVITIES
S
pring is here and it’s a great time to renew our commitment to a healthy lifestyle for both ourselves, our
families and the children we care for. Warm breezes beckon us to spend more time out of doors. Here are
some new games to try with your kids this season.
Blob Tag
C
hoose a few players (3-4) to be the blob while the rest of the players scatter. Have the blob hold hands and
then move around the play space attempting to tag other children. When players are tagged, they join hands with
the other Blob members. When the blob is made up of 6 or more children, it will split into two and continue to tag
others until no players are left.
Safari Adventure
Materials Needed: Hoops and cones
F
irst you start out with the kids moving around like animals in general. You tell them that they must learn how
to move like the animals in order to look for them in the wild. Ask them to practice moving slowly like an elephant, or fast like a tiger. Then when they have accomplished this task have them pretend that the cones are the
wild animals. Have them search for them with their pretend binoculars. After this, have them try to catch the animals by throwing the hoops over the cones.
Samurai Tag
C
hoose an ―It‖ and give them a Styrofoam or nerf-like bopper and say, ―This is the Samurai sword.‖ Show how to
safely tag someone with the sword, below the waist only. When the children get tagged they must go into a freeze position—look like you are trying to bear hug a refrigerator and lift it. You can add an unfreeze rule where someone can unfreeze someone else by crawling through their legs. Time limit each Samurai to a few minutes and alternate who would
like to be ―It‖.
Theme Walks
F
ocus on the senses: What do you see, hear, smell, feel? Give each child a chance to share. Play ―I spy‖ while
you walk. Or, try to focus on a particular theme such as colors, shadows, seeds, birds, footprints, discoveries under
rocks.
PARENTING A SECOND TIME AROUND (PASTA)
This eight-session workshop series is designed to meet the specific needs of those who are parenting related children.
Meet with other grandparent and relative caregivers for a relaxed and sensitive workshop experience.
Come Share and Learn About:
Changing roles and responsibilities
Legal issues and resources
Rebuilding a family
Understanding children’s behavior
Positive discipline that really works
Living with teens
Accessing community resources
Advocating for your relative children
Dates:
Mondays: April 5, 12, 19, 26 and May 3, 10, 17 and 24, 2010
Time:
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Location: St. Mary’s Church, Bedford Avenue, Fishkill, NY 12524
Fee:
No charge to Grandparents and other relatives raising children
Refreshments will be served to program participants. Transportation is available for eligible participants.
For more information contact: Nina Doyle at (845) 677-8223, ext 137 or [email protected]
PAGE 9
PLAYGROUND SAFETY
Is your home playground a safe place to play?
Facts
Each year, more than 200,000 children go to U.S. hospital emergency rooms with injuries associated
with playground equipment.
Most injuries occur when a child falls from the equipment onto the ground. Many backyard play sets
are placed on dirt or grass—surfaces that do not adequately protect children when they fall.
Use this simple checklist to help make sure your home playground is a safe place to play.
1. Install and maintain a shock-absorbing surface around the play equipment. Use at least 9
inches of wood chips, mulch, or shredded rubber for play equipment up to 7 feet high. If sand or
pea gravel is used, install at least a 9-inch layer for play equipment up to 5 feet high. Or, use surfacing mats made of safety-tested rubber or rubber-like materials
2. Install protective surfacing at least 6 feet in all directions from play equipment. For swings, be
sure surfacing extends, in back and front, twice the height of the suspending bar.
3. Never attach—or allow children to attach—ropes, jump ropes, clotheslines, or pet leashes to
play equipment; children can strangle on these.
4.
Check for hardware, like open ―S‖ hooks or protruding bolt ends, which can be hazardous.
5. Check for spaces that could trap children, such as openings in guardrails or between ladder
rungs; these spaces should measure less than 3.5 inches or
more than 9 inches.
6.
Make sure platforms and ramps have guardrails to prevent falls.
7.
Check for sharp points or edges in equipment.
8.
Remove tripping hazards, like exposed concrete footings, tree stumps, and rocks.
9.
Regularly check play equipment and surfacing to make sure both are in good condition.
10. Carefully supervise children on play equipment to make sure they are safe.
Brought to you by: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
For more information on playground safety, visit the CPSC website at www.cpsc.gov to check out the Handbook for Public
Playground Safety and other publications. Or, call the toll-free CPSC Hotline at 1-800-638-2772.
www.kaboom.org
PAGE 10
THE COUNCIL CONNECTION
PLAY PAGE
Pine Cone Bird Feeder
Duck Prints
(www.enchantedlearning.com)
(www.preschooleducation.com)
A easy-to-make Pine Cone Bird Feeder. This is a simple project that even young children can help make.
What you need:
Orange and yellow paint
Small Spatulas
Paper
Pie Tin
A Fork.
For each Pine Cone Bird Feeder you will need:
A large, open pine cone
Vegetable shortening, lard or suet
Oats or corn meal
Bird seed
A few feet of string
Directions:
Mix Orange and/or
yellow paint. Pour in a large pie
tin. Place one or two (small)
spatulas on top of each color of
paint. The children walk the
spatulas across the paper to
make prints. Talk about how
the spatulas make a shape like the duck's webbed feet. To Do
again, use forks to make chick's feet.
How to make it:
Tie a few feet of string to a pine cone. Cover the pine cone with the mixture below. Roll the pinecone in birdseed and then suspend it from a tree branch outside.
Food mixture: Mix 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, lard or suet with 2 1/2 cups
cornmeal or uncooked oats until well blended. Optional: add dried fruit (chopped
up), chopped nuts, seeds (especially sunflower and millet), and/or suet, which are
high-energy bird foods.
Spool Flower
Terrarium
(www.preschooleducation.com)
(www.kaboose.com)
You can plant just about any kind of seed in this terrarium. Children love to see the plants growing.
What you’ll need:
What you'll need:
Old thread spools
Paint
construction paper
a green marker
Plastic 2 liter soda pop bottle with cap
Very sharp scissors or craft knife
Dirt or potting soil
Seeds
Water
How to make it:
How to make it:
Make some real neat flowers by painting with spools.
The children pick the color they would like and dip the spool
in the paint and print it on the paper. After the paint dries
draw green lines for stems and made green leaves.
Remove the label from the bottle. Discard label. Save cap. Wash and rinse out the bottle and cap. Cut the bottle close to
the bottom. There may be a "line" near the end of where the label was, that's a good place to cut. You can cut it higher if you
wish. Lightly place dirt or potting soil in the base. Plant a few seeds in the dirt. Lightly water. Put the cap on the bottle. Cover the
base with the top of the bottle. You will have to fiddle with it a bit to fit back inside the base. Place in a sunny spot and watch for
your seeds to grow. When the plants are ready, repot them or plant them in your garden.
Tips:
If your soil starts to look a little dry before your seeds come up, you can unscrew the cap and insert the head of spray
bottle of water. Spritz several squirts into the terrarium.
This project can also be done with individual sized water bottles. Don't plant more than two seeds in a small bottle like
this or they will be overcrowded and won't grow.
This makes a great classroom project, just ask each student to bring in a water bottle or 2 liter bottle. Ask students if any of
their parents have a garden and would be willing to donate seeds. Bird seed will work for the project as well!
Kite Days
Spring Friends
By Mark Sawyer
(www.preschooleducation.com)
A kite, a sky, and a good firm
breeze,
And acres of ground away from
trees.
And one hundred yards of clean,
strong string —
O Boy, O Boy! I call that spring!
Little white bunny in your hutch
I like you so very much.
With furry coat and ears that flop,
Off you go—hop, hop, hop!
Little yellow duck with feathery
back,
I can hear you, quack, quack,
quack.
Swimming in the pond near-by,
Off you fly up to the sky.
A Song of Springtime
I’m a Little Flower Pot
(sung to: “Did You Ever See a Lassie”)
(sung to: ―I’m a Little Tea Pot‖)
(www.preschooleducation.com)
(www.preschooleducation.com)
Come sing a song of
springtime,
Of springtime, of
springtime.
Come sing a song of
springtime,
The warm days are
here.
With warm breezes
blowing
And flowers all
growing.
Come sing a song of
springtime,
The warm days are
here.
I’m a little flower pot mom
put out.
If you take care of me, I will
sprout.
When you water me, I will
grow
Into a pretty flower, don’t
you know!
PAGE 11
CHILD CARE COUNCIL OF DUTCHESS AND PUTNAM
TELEPHONE DIRECTORY
DUTCHESS COUNTY
EARLY INTERVENTION
(845) 473-4141
(845) 485-4061
Executive Director
Jeanne Wagner - 213
Assistant Director
Marion Eagen - 223
Financial Manager
Melinda Cirillo - 211
Senior Initial Service Coordinator
Nancy Kerzner - 9
Initial Service Coordinator
Amanda Nuccio - 6
Office Manager
Telma Almeida - 8
Secretary
Judy Maser - 210
Clerk/Secretary
Nancy Owen - 214
Child Care Referral Service
PUTNAM COUNTY
Pat Isbirian - 221
Start-Up & Grant Coordinator
Alice Jetto - 227
CACFP Senior Coordinator
Family Day Care/School Age Child Care Registrar:
Barbara Garbarino - (845) 808-1659 x 1
Suzanne Boe - 219
CACFP Coordinator
Lorraine Scuccimarra - 220
Senior Family Day Care Registrar
Nancy Maffia - 216
Family Day Care Registrar/
Training Coordinator
Rosemarie Dehn - 217
Family Day Care Registrar
Carol Taylor - 224
Community Outreach Liaison:/
Training Coordinator
Mary Schreiber -(845) 808-1659 x 2
DAY CARE SERVICES
(845) 225-7040
Family Day Care Registrar
Stacey Rosborough - 226
School Age Child Care Registration
Peggy Paparone - 215
Kim Wolfe - 45260
Dawn Haecker - 45304
Legally Exempt Coordinator
Karen Walsh - 222
Health Care Plan and MAT Consultant
Elizabeth Hargraves - 231
Infant/Toddler Specialist
Donna Thomas - 230
Visit us at:
www.childcaredutchess.org
“The Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc. works to
promote affordable and quality child care, provide information and
support to families, and strengthen the early childhood workforce in
Dutchess and Putnam Counties.”
Child Care Council of Dutchess and Putnam, Inc.
70 Overocker Road
Abilities First Bldg.
Poughkeepsie, NY 12603