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.”
