December 2011

601 South Street, Galion, Oh 44833. 419-468-7581 www.childcarechoices.org

CHILDREN LEARN BEST WHEN YOU:

Make children feel accepted and valuable
Crawford

Provide a wide variety of age-appropriate materials and toys Create opportunities for active hands-on experiences

Little Stars OHCAC Galion Head Start Sara Beegle Wee Care Marion

Offer children choices Establish routines that include quiet and active times Plan small group activities Allow children to make mistakes Set limits that are reasonable and fair Encourage children to ask questions Challenge children to solve problems and develop thinking skills
* A Place of our own

OHCAC Marie English Head Start

Morrow OHCAC Cardington Head Start OHCAC Whetstone Mt. Gilead Head Start Richland Assembly of God OHCAC Clear Fork Head Start Lexington Child Development Center Little Blessings N More NCSC/OSU-M CDC OHCAC Grace St. Head Start

December Giveaway Post a Winter/Christmas childrens craft on our facebook page

During winter months stay tuned to www.WMFD.com for inclement weather cancelations

"Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect."
Oren Arnold

12/1 @ Marion Chamber of Commerce

& 12/8 @ Child Care Choices. Register at www.opdn.org Providers bring your childrens favorite recipes to share!

Congratulations! Shirley H. was the winner of our November Giveaway. Shirley H. borrowed a book from our Lending Library.

Congratulations to Little Stars Daycare Center who recently achieved a STAR ONE Rating through Step Up To Quality!
Little Stars is a full time child care center in Bucyrus and is licensed for 71 children. The privately owned center opened in 2004, but owners Vickie Coons and Diana Stump have been in the early childhood field much longer. Diana began caring for children in her home as a Type B Family Child Care provider in 1987. Her sister Vickie followed suit by beginning her own Type B family child care in 1989. Vickie is very excited to be involved in SUTQ. Its a really good program, and it can only help us to be better at what we do. When asked what advice she would give to others who are thinking about participating in Step Up To Quality Vickie said, I would strongly encourage others to do it. It was much easier than I thought it would be! Way to go, Ladies!! SUTQ is a voluntary quality rating system, and participants must meet requirements that go above and beyond basic licensing. Pictured from left to right: Ryan Coons, Vickie Coons, Pam Keuscher, Amber Wisterman, Stephanie Jeffery, and Diana Stump

Congratulations to Lexington Child Development Center! They have also achieved ONE STAR Status!
Lexington Child Development Center in Lexington, founded in 1978, serves children from 3 years of age through 4 th grade. 148 children are currently enrolled. After spending 6 years teaching in the public school system, Janelle Wyant took on the Administrators role, and she is now in her second year at the program. Janelle shared with us that her favorite thing about Step Up to Quality is that it helps people become responsible for linking their lessons to Ohios standards and assists those in the Early Child Care & Education field to make learning an ongoing process. Janelles advice to others who are interested in Step Up to Quality? Go for it! Its easy! I think sometimes a fear of change holds people back, but SUTQ can only improve your program. Best wishes to you and your staff, Janelle! Pictured in no particular order: Jennifer Brane, Jennifer Brant, Janine Cherry, Brenda Cloud, Claudia Deardorff, Shannon Gongwer, Angela Kaschube, Deborah Lanker, Sue Schroeder, Teri Stotts, Janelle Wyant, and Lori Phillips (Child Care Choices Early Care Coordinator)

Professional Development & Community Events Calendar

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CCC Closed

ALL TRAININGS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE. CHECK WWW.OPDN.ORG

FOR MORE CLASSES, TIMES, AND REGISTRATION INFORMATION