MARCH 2012

 Parent Newsletter 

 Art Show and Open House

March 29, 2012 marks our third annual Art Show and Open House!  From 6:30-8:00 pm come and join the fun and see the art created by the children.  There will be light refreshments and the ability to win a free week’s tuition. There will be two drawings.  A tuition free week for the preschool program and one for the before/after program is being offered. Go to our website, www.bethesdacdc.com and print out the coloring page.  Have your child color it and bring to the open house for your chance at the free week.   See you there!

Open Enrollment

March 26-April 6, 2012 is Bethesda’s open enrollment time period.  During this time the $50.00 registration fee is waived if you sign up your child for one of our programs for the 2012/2013 academic year.  All the needed forms can be found on our website or stop by the office.  Your enrollment packet needs to be completed and turned into the office during this open enrollment time to qualify for the waived registration fee.  Any questions please contact the office at 378-8435.

Teacher Feature – Eleanor Kelly

            Ms. Ellie is our new assistant teacher in the green room.  She brings a warm smile and a gentle touch to the 2 year old room.  She is full of energy and always seems to be on the move!  Ms. Ellie has over 9 years teaching experience with infants, toddlers and preschoolers.  Bethesda is very happy to have such a wonderful addition to our center.  Welcome aboard!

Continue the

 Learning at Home!

One of the aims of this part of the BCDC newsletter is providing parents and caregivers with more information on education and developmental milestones regarding preschool aged children. Our subject this month  - Quality Early Learning.

What is it? The quality of a child's future depends on the quality of care giving in the first five years. First-rate early learning programs that are safe, healthy, stimulating, organized, and, most importantly, led by well-trained teachers, help children enter school ready to learn and succeed. Some of the benchmarks of quality early learning are:

Educated, Attentive, and Engaged Teachers and Staff

-         no more than 20 preschoolers in a classroom

-         teacher to child ratio of 1:10

-         teachers who crouch to eye-level to speak to children, and who hold, cuddle, show affection, and speak directly to children

-        families and teachers exchanging information about the child’s development and progress

Safe, Healthy, and Child Friendly Environment

-         a room well-equipped with sufficient materials and toys

-         materials and activities are at child’s eye-level, and in an orderly display

-         centers that encourage safe outdoor playtime

-         frequent hand washing by children and adults

-        visitors welcomed with parental consent

Stimulating Activities and Appropriately Structured Routines

-         children who are engaged in their activities

-         children participating with teachers and each other in individual, small-group, and large-group activities

-         children receiving a variety of stimuli in their daily routine using indoor and outdoor spaces and age-appropriate language, literacy, math, science, art, music, movement, and dramatic play experiences

-          preschoolers who are allowed to play independently

At Bethesda Child Development Center we strive to meet all of these benchmarks and more!

For more information about inclusion, please visit:  http://www.ounceofprevention.org/news/

characteristics-of-quality-early-learning.php