Week of the Young Child Observed

As part of the national Week of the Young Child, April 11-17, 2010 Alexander County Partnership for Children celebrated young children with a focus on “Keeping Alexander Children Riding Safe”. Staff visited child care centers and Story Time at the Alexander County Public Library to present a program using Buckle Bear, a cuddly teddy bear that represents buckling up when riding in a car. The book “Do Kangaroos Wear Seat Belts” by Jane Kurtz was read to four year olds. The book was presented to each class and to the public library. All children received a sticker and activity sheet along with a brochure on car seat safety to share with parents.

This safety focus was chosen as the Partnership for Children continues to be a Permanent Checking Station for car seats. Alexander County residents may stop in Monday through Friday 9am to 4pm fro car seat inspections. Inappropriate seats are replaced free of charge. Replacement car seats are made available through United Way funding. Buckle Up Kids also funds additional seats. For more information on the car seat program please call the partnership at 632-3799.

Alexander County Partnership for Children provides numerous programs and activities in addition to the car seat program. The mission of the partnership is to ensure every child in Alexander County enter school healthy and ready to succeed. Susan Cogdill, Executive Director of the Alexander County Partnership stated, “Young children and their families depend on high-quality education and care, which help children get a great start, and bring lasting benefits to Alexander County. Early learning and early literacy in early childhood education to young children makes a difference in children’s lives.”

“All young children need and deserve high-quality early learning experiences that will prepare them for life, and Alexander County Partnership takes advantage of opportunities to provide quality early childhood experiences and do their part to help young children. Week of the Young Child is an example of a designated time that the Partnership for Children recognizes that early years are learning years for all young children.”

May Spring Fling!

Make plans to join us for Spring Fling-May 27th from 4-7pm at Matheson Park. This is a time for family, fun, food, friendship, and fellowship. It's all about the POWER OF PLAY!!!

HAVE YOU HEARD THE LATEST?

A Day For Child Care has been announced! Saturday, June 5th is a special training date designed with the child care provider in mind and is hosted by the Alexander County Partnership for Children. Join others just like you who work and care for young children in this scenic spot on Lake Hickory at Hollifield Leadership Center. Child care providers will be given a choice of Three Workshops and Six Hours of In-Service Credit. Included topics are some of the most up-to-date areas of interest in child care led by national trainers Larry Griffin and Rebecca Isbell from Kaplan Early Learning Company. You will not want to miss this special opportunity offered FREE. Lunch will be provided. Space is limited so register now to reserve your spot!

Tiffany Shumate Joins the Staff at ACPC

Tiffany Shumate recently joined the staff of the Alexander County Partnership for Children as the Child Care Resource and Referral Coordinator. She brings a wide array of experience to the partnership formerly serving as a teacher in the Catawba County Schools and an art therapist with an adolescent and children’s treatment program. Tiffany’s background in child care includes working at the Wilkes Community College Child Development Center, working as a classroom assistant at the Children’s Center of Wilkes, formerly Jack-n-Jill Day Care and assistant after-school director at Jenkins Elementary in Hickory City Schools. Her most recent position was serving as a case manager for children and adults with developmental disabilities. Tiffany is a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College and resides in the Bethlehem Community with her husband. Susan Cogill, Executive Director for the Alexander Partnership for Children, expressed excitement on the hiring of Tiffany, “Tiffany brings a high level of energy and creativity to the partnership. She is committed to the mission of the partnership and the children of Alexander County.”

Parents Supporting Parents Group to Meet

Parents Supporting Parents will meet on Monday, April 26th at 6pm - Alexander County Partnership for Children. This meeting is for parents of children with special needs. If you are a parent or guardian of a child with special needs please make plans to join us. Our program will include information on summer programs for children with special needs. While some program deadlines have passed it is never too late to plan for next summer! Food will be available for participants and child care will be made available upon request. Call the partnership at 632-3799 to reserve your spot at the Parents Supporting Parents Meeting!

Registration Begins for Play to Learn Session

Alexander County Partnership for Children Introduces the Play to Learn Program. Parents have an opportunity to sign up for a FREE eight week session for their preschoolers, three four and five year olds as well as younger siblings. Sessions will begin April 28th 2010 and culminate in the summer. Classes will meet one time a week for eight weeks.

Tiffany Shumate will serve as the coordinator for this exciting opportunity. Activities will be based on the Creative Curriculum for the children and help parents/caregivers by providing age appropriate adult/child interactions through play. Information provided will be on child development and community resources, and furnish ideas for activities to be used at home. Children will also be introduced to visual arts, creative drama, creative movement, and music with a literacy enhancement component. Sessions will include themes that allow participating children to receive take home materials to extend the session into their home with parental support.

An eight week session of Play to Learn will begin April 28th 2010 and will be held at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 31 Pleasant Hill Church Road, Taylorsville NC 28681. The two hour playgroups will meet on Wednesdays from 10 to 12. Registration is currently being conducted for this FREE program. Interested parents are asked to register by calling the 828-632-3799 to receive a registration form or by emailing Tiffany.smartstart@charterinternet.com.