FALL, 2008

Dear Parents,

In the four years since Regent Park opened, we've been privileged to care for and love a great many children and their families.  Beautiful newborns have grown into lovable toddlers; who have grown into inquisitive, independent, and yes, defiant two and three year olds.  We watch the growth in awe of the power of time as it marches a long and with gratitude that we've been allowed to be a part of your baby and toddler's life.

Regent Park's original children are now in first grade and kindergarten.  And just like their parents, we have trouble grasping the fact these little guys that were in diapers and not yet walking are now learning to read and write.  The babies that we took care of three years ago have "graduated" to pre-kindergarten programs, but, fortunately for us, a good number of them have left behind a sibling (or two).  We relish the opportunity to remain a part of our families' lives through a second or third infancy.

Currently, at Regent Park, we are in the midst of a population explosion.  Amongst the two year olds, 10 out of 26 families have delivered a baby in the past month or are expecting an addition between now and spring.  We love the excitement that a new little one brings for every family and are aware of the challenges that the older child faces in coping with the change a new baby brings.  Our teachers know that a little extra TLC can go a long way to easing the arrival of a new baby.

Just as our staff enjoys your children on a daily basis, we also enjoy getting to know the families at our pot luck dinners and holiday get-togethers.  Our Annual Fall Family Potluck Dinner is coming up on Tuesday, October 14th at 5:30pm.  The potluck is a great opportunity to meet other parents, chat with our staff and enjoy a delicious dinner.  Sign up in the office to bring a dish to share.

As always, if you have a question, need some advice or just want to share a funny story, feel free to stop in the office.

Marlene and Diana

REMINDER

friday, October 31st is our Annual Halloween Costume Parade.  the children will parade through the big room beginning at 10:30 am.  Your child can come dressed in costume or the teachers can help them get dressed.  Bring your camera and enjoy the fun!!

Mary Frances and Jessica's Class

Jessica is out on maternity leave after giving birth to Blaine on September 28th.  She and Blaine are doing well.  He is a beautiful baby!  We expect Jessica to return during November.  

There are seven sweet babies in the youngest baby room.  We are working on tummy time, rolling, and grasping. Some of us are even crawling.  The babies are engaging in parallel play with their friends.  They are all starting to try new foods and making some really big messes.  But that is what babies do!  In September, we learned about things that take us places.  Each baby made (!) a collage featuring airplanes, boats and cars.  In October, we are experiencing fall - leaves, pumpkins and apples.

Please bring extra family pictures: family, friends, and even pets.  Be sure these are pictures that we can cut to use in activities.

We get out in the buggies every chance we get to enjoy the fresh air.  Remember to bring warm outerwear as the temperatures become more seasonable.

Vivian and Kelly's Class

We're scooting, creeping, crawling and walking in this class!  We are always on the move, exploring the environment.  With some bumps and bruises along the way we're determined and focused on our way to toddlerhood.

We enjoy dancing and clapping to music and learning new words.  We love "reading" books.  Every day brings new challenges: new foods, drinking from sippy cups and waving bye-bye.  The babies really enjoy the days when we can take walks in the buggies or sit on the mats outside our classroom enjoying the beautiful weather.

Nicketie and Markita's Class

We had a busy summer in our classroom playing outside in the sunshine and inside when the sun turned our faces red and hot!  We have welcomed several new friends and said good-bye to our oldest ones.

Fall brings a welcome change to the air and we find ourselves outside enjoying it as much as possible.  We have been working on our "pumpkin patch" outside our door and are adding to it almost daily - so keep an eye out for your child's art work "growing" in it.

Please remember to layer your child's clothing, so we can adjust to the ever changing temperature throughout the day.  We go out to play every day provided it is not too wet.

Courtney, Lydia and Brenda's Room

In September we talked about things that go.  We read books about trucks, cars, planes and rockets.  Out favorite songs were "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Slippery Fish".  Out on the playground we saw airplanes in the sky, a school bus, and heard a choo-choo train in the distance.  With fall in mind, we have been doing fun projects like making pumpkin paintings and working together to create a fall-leaf collage.  Painting has become a favorite activity.  Most prefer to use a paint brush.  Some of us aren't sure what to think about paint on our fingers.

During October, we will spend time outside enjoying the beautiful fall weather.  Whether on the swings, pushing cars, or playing in the sandbox, we love our outside time and are grateful for cooler days.  We will explore fall and all its colors through art, stories, and other hands-on activities.

We have also become more interested in activities such as puzzles and lego building as our fine-motor skills improve.  The vehicle and animal puzzles are among our favorites.  Our love for animals carries over to our toy animals and, of course, books and songs about animals.

In addition, we work every day on treating our friends and teachers with respect.  We work on "thank-you" and "please" and "sorry".  We are getting so big!

Jess and Brandi's Class

The leaves are changing and fall is finally here.  In September, we have been learning about things that take us places.  So our class has been busy making cars, boats, planes and trucks.  In October, we will be working on an autumn theme.  The children love to gather leaves and inspect them with the magnifying glasses, along with the fake bugs in our room.  So you will be seeing lots of leaves, pumpkins and Halloween artwork this month.

Now that the weather is starting to change we would like to remind parents to please bring an extra paid of warm clothes for your children.  Also, please remember to wash your child's hands upon arrival.

Christina and Teresita's Class

Our class is busy, busy, busy doing art projects!  With two teachers who love doing art projects, I'm sure your refrigerators will be covered in no time!

Last month was a time of transition as everyone settled into their new class.  The theme for September was transportation.  We learned about things that take us places -everything from bicycles to rocket ships.

This month we will be learning about autumn and Halloween.  We will learn about changing leaves, feel the air outside become colder, and have a lot of fun getting ready for Halloween.

Lately, our class has been really interested in puzzles and babies.  many of our friends are quickly becoming experts at doing puzzles.  Interest in babies has increased due to some of our friends welcoming new babies into their families.

In addition to the teachers listed above as group leaders, Regent Park employs several wonderful, very capable floaters that spend time in all of the classrooms learning the children and routines.  Malerie Crisp, Courtney's sister (and Trey's mom) has been with us for 2 1/2 years.  Bethany Hoffman came to us a year ago.  She works 3 days a week filling in where ever she is needed.  This past summer, Ella Shiryayeva came on board.  She works where ever she is needed.  And then in September, in anticipation of Jessica's maternity leave, we hired Amanda Elliott, a recent A-B Tech graduate in Early Childhood Education.  Each of these folks are outstanding additions to the great staff here at Regent Park.

As the cold weather approaches, remember to send warm outerwear for your child to play outdoors or take buggie rides. Thanks!

In an effort to cut down on germs at Regent Park, please wash your child's hands immediately upon entering the classroom.

UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Tuesday, October 14th, 5:30 - 7:00 pm  Fall Family Potluck

Friday, October 31st, 10:30am  Halloween Costume Parade

November 27th and 28th                Closed for Thanksgiving

December 24th, 25th and 26th         Closed for Christmas

January 1st                                 Closed for New Year's Day

 The St. Nicholas Project

This year, once again, we will be participating in the St. Nicholas Project of the Eblen Foundation.  For the past 2 years, we have "adopted" 6 families and provided those families with new clothing, toiletry items, food certificates and, of course, new toys.  More information will be coming around Thanksgiving.