Childcare

From Kimberly Walker-Goncalves Childcare Coordinator

Dear Families,

Welcome. . .
Another year has cycled through and we prepare again to gather. Some big people have become parents this year; some little people have become siblings. Some families have moved, mourned losses of pets, joined new daycare or preschool communities. Some families have had illnesses and suffered the loss of family members. There are those among us who have joined the work force and left the work force. The carousel of time.

An interesting child development theory. . .
And through it all, children are developing, spiraling up the developmental path, revisiting the same issues at new levels of sophistication, moving in and out of equilibrium. The Gesell Institute proposes a theory of child development that tracks the changes a child experiences in relation to their sense of competence, confidence and ability to handle challenges. Their observation is that children experience a yearly peak of ease and confidence and a yearly crisis in the sense of themselves as competent human beings. For many children, their birthday month is a time of adventure, independence and delight in themselves; their half-year birthday month is a time of staying close to family, needing assurance, wanting support. In a conversation with a mother recently, I was discussing this phenomenon in relation to my own daughter as I observed her drawing in closer to family and taking fewer risks. This mom said “Wow, my daughter always has a rough time in the summer and she has a January birthday.” Every theory fits some, not others, but gives us an opportunity to consider another dimension in the life of our children.

I invite you to share with me before we gather. . . As you bring your children to Yearly Meeting this year, I ask you to consider where they are in their own cycles and rhythms. What are their current strengths and where do they need more support? I invite you to let me know these details about your children—the amount of time that we spend with your children is short but intense. Knowing something important about your child helps us to do our jobs well. Knowing children is the key to successfully building a community in which every child is a valued and included member who feels safe and secure.

Our plans for Child Care at Sessions this year. . . I look forward to leading a strong program for the newly born to preschool crowd at Yearly Meeting this year. I am blessed to have many returning staff members who will help to make the days fly by despite my low energy!

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.

Family responsibilities. . . 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.

Sunscreen directions. . .
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!

Snacks. . . Water, fruit 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.

Schedule. . .
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

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.

Sick-child care?
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.

One last note about staying healthy. . .
As an additional precaution this year, we ask that families take children to wash hands just before drop-off in the Child Care rooms. We will do all we can to be sure that children who arrive at Yearly Meeting healthy leave just as healthy.

Come to the Open House!
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.

In the Light,
Kimberly Walker-Gonçalves
P.S. Please do email me about your child