Welcome to Childcare NEYM 2007

Dear families,

Each year, as I look ahead to welcoming another fabulous group of Yearly Meeting families and children, I look back on the year that has passed. Here in western Massachusetts, the year has been full of change. With my newly printed diploma in hand, I am now working in Early Intervention with children who are diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. I am officially “engaged” and looking forward to a wedding next summer under the care of Northampton Friends Meeting. My fiancée, Zan, and I have bought a wonderful house and are settling into family life. The children are growing like spring weeds and are well rooted in their lives here.

Change is important in our lives, and indeed, change is the constant theme of childhood. I would love to hear from returning families about what has changed for you and your children. I also invite new families to drop me a line to introduce yourselves. We all carry with us the joys and stresses of our lives—help me to know your children by sharing your changes! Though we come together for a short time, the power of our community is palpable. I would love to deepen my knowing of you and your children and use that knowing to create the best Sessions Childcare Program yet!

We will provide a loosely structured and caring environment in order to support positive play, artistic expression, and spiritual growth for your children. We will read, sing and make music, dance, paint, color, snack, play—indoors and out—join in meditation and yoga and help children to rest when tired.

Every time your child comes to the child care program, you must bring a bag labeled with your child’s name and containing the following items:

sun hat
full change of clothing
swim suit or swimmy diaper (if not potty trained)
towel
diapers and wipes (if needed)

Anything you bring must be labeled with your child’s name. The Child Care Program is a busy place; taking the time to label everything will help to smooth transitions and allow us to more easily care for your child’s needs.

If you would like your child to wear sunscreen during outside play at the child care program, please apply it before you arrive for the morning or afternoon. Because of the volume of children, it is not feasible to apply sunscreen individually to each child before we go outside. Thank you, in advance, for taking the responsibility for your young one’s delicate skin!

Water and wheat-based crackers or oat-based cereal will be provided as snacks; if your child is unable to eat these, please bring special snacks for her/him.

We will be available to care for your children during the following times:

Sunday: 8:30-11:45am & 1:15-5:00pm
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 8:15-11:45am & 1:15-5:00pm
Thursday: 8:15-11:45am
Saturday afternoon by prior arrangement with coordinator

Please respect the opening and closing times of our program so that our staff can be fully ready for your children and finish when their shifts are over.

We are not equipped to care for sick children, and don't wish to spread illness, so please make other arrangements if your child has a fever, is vomiting or is having diarrhea or has had any of these conditions within 24 hours.

I look forward to seeing all of you at the Open House Saturday from 3:00-4:15 in our Child Care space in the Unistructure, rooms 245-247.