H1N1 Update
The YWCA is developing a pandemic plan and each department is developing a sub plan. If possible the Child Development Centre will stay open however if it is necessary to close the centre parents need to have alternate care arranged. People will be contacted by email or can check the website for updates if an outbreak occurs here. Please make sure that the contact information on your child’s card is current so we have people to contact if your child should become sick while at the centre.

Music Program
The music program is in full swing and everyone is having fun with it. Mrs. G comes every Tuesday morning and does music in each room.

Staff Update
Vivian Nordstrum has been hired for the duration of Stacey’s maternity leave. Vivian will be working from 8:00 – 4:00 every day and will work with children with diverse needs. She helps in the Koala room from 8:00 – 8:30 and in Raccoons as well. Vivian is an excellent addition to our staff.

Centre Closures
The Child Development Centre will be closed on Wednesday Nov. 11th Friday Dec. 25th, Monday December 28th and Friday January 1st. On Dec. 24th and Dec. 31st we close early and ask parents to pick their children up no later than 3:00 PM on those days. If you know your child will be away from the centre during the holiday season please fill out the form in your child’s room. It helps us to arrange staff during that time.

Parent Committee
The Parent Committee meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month. Watch for fundraising info the end of Nov. Money is raised to pay for the Winter Festival on January 23rd at the WDM and to provide extra activities such as the music program, puppet shows etc. They are looking into a creative movement class for the children once music is over. Tax deductible donations can be made to the centre by donating to the YWCA and specifying either Child Care Wish List or Cindy’s Garden.

What’s New??

Panda Room
There are two new pandas this month – Natalie and Ilir. Next month Owen will be a bunny and Koen will be new. Last week the children learned about food and baked bread and banana muffins – yummy! This week they are talking about puppies – if any of the children have stuffed puppies they would like to bring they would be welcome. The staff say “thanks” for dressing the children to appropriately to play outside. They love their outside time.

Bunny Room
In October the children went to the Pumpkin Patch and had a great time. Thank you to parent volunteers who helped make that happen. Halloween was lots of fun – carving pumpkins, baking, exploring creepy things in the “spooky laboratory” and the costume parade around the building. Now they are learning about colours and Fridays are fun days. Watch the bulletin board for info. The children will be making care packages for “Operation Christmas Child”. More information soon.

Koala Room
The koala’s did lots with pumpkins in Oct. including going to the Pumpkin Patch, carving pumpkins and making pumpkin pie. They did lots of baking to prepare for the family Halloween Party and even made a “haunted house” from graham wafers. This month they are learning all about space and flying around the room in rocket ships. The Koala’s read 100 books and the prize is a swim party with the Chipmunks. Four parents will be needed to accompany the children to the pool on Wednesday December1st.

Chipmunk Room
The Chipmunks also went to the Pumpkin Patch and want to thank parent volunteers. They did lots of fun activities for Halloween including the costume parade. This month they are going to the Children’s Museum and a swim party with the Koala’s for winning the read 100 books first competition. They will need parent volunteers also.

National Child Day Nov 20th
The centre is celebrating National Child Day on Nov 20th. The official colour for the day is royal blue so we will be asking children and staff to wear blue on that day. The children will be entertaining in the lobby and giving out juice and cookies during the day. A schedule will be posted if parents want to come and watch.

United Way Bake Sale
There is another United Way Bake Sale on Nov. 24th. If anyone would like to donate baking or support the United Way by buying baking it would be appreciated. This time there will be a raffle of some larger items. You can speak to Rhonda if you have questions.

Staff Training
There are several training events and staff meetings coming up. We are fortunate to have excellent casual staff to fill in when staff are away. You may be seeing some new faces as we are continually hiring casual staff to ensure we always have enough staff with the children.