Wednesday, 4 January 2017

Preschool Program Update

We ended 2016 with fun activities and LOTS of holiday spirit.  Both preschool rooms were rearranged, giving the children (and staff) a fresh, new environment. 

The children made lots of holiday themed art to decorate the rooms.  Don't forget to take home your child's artwork from their locker!

Lots of sensory play has been happening as well, like scented playdough, bubbles, and shaving cream "snow."

When it's not too cold to go outside, the younger preschoolers have had a blast in our winter wonderland backyard while our older preschoolers have explored the town on long walks in the fresh air.

Infant Program Update

December was all about Christmas!  We made gingerbread playdough and enjoyed the wonderful smell of spices.  We made a lot of pretend gingerbread cookies and cakes using the rolling pin to roll out the dough.

We also made many crafts, like melting snowmen, Santas, stars, and candy canes, just to name a few.  We used our fine motor skills to stick stickers on and glue the pieces together to make our masterpieces.

Last month we said goodbye to Prestley and we welcomed Aqua into our program. 

We got to have our first experience with snow in December as well!  Most of us were not happy to dress up in our outdoor clothes and to have to walk through the snow on the ground.  The next time we went out, the infants realized that it wasn't so bad!  We played with cars outside, driving them along the bench and making tire tracks in the snow.  Each time we are able to go outside, it keeps getting easier. 

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

Tuesday, 20 December 2016

Peer Nominated Awards


In November of 2016, J.A. Cuddy Child Care Centre staff participated in Peer Nominated Awards.  Each employee got the opportunity to nominate their coworkers for awards that they felt were well-deserved.  There were 8 award categories.  Please see below for the category name, description, and the winner for 2016: 

Category 1-Exceptional Caregiver: This person always provides the best care possible to each and every child, every single day.  They never hesitate to make decisions in the best interest of the children and are always working hard to make sure that the children feel safe, secure, and loved

Winner: Sharon J.

Category 2- Most Improved CCA: This person is a CCA at the centre and over the past year has shown improvement in all aspects of his or her job.  This person always puts in 100% and continually strives to improve themselves professionally. 

Winner: Devon W.
 
Category 3- Most Improved ECE: This person is an ECE at the centre and over the past year has shown improvement in all aspects of his or her job.  This person always puts in 100% and continually strives to improve themselves professionally. 
Winner: Kaylene C.
 
Category 4- Role Model Award: This person maintains professionalism at all times and upholds all centre policies and MELCC regulations.  This person is reliable, honest, positive, and always leads by example.  If you are inspired by someone in this workplace, this is where their name belongs! 
Winner: Sherry W.
 
Category 5-Most Creative: This person isn’t only creative when it comes to providing and implementing activities, this person is able to think on the fly, come up with solutions to ongoing issues, and is able to turn every scenario into something positive for the children and families.  This person is someone who has an adventurous heart and an unlimited imagination.
Winner: Amy F.
 
Category 6- “Pulls Their Weight” Award:  This person always ensures that they complete their opening and closing duties, follows the daily schedule and cleaning charts, helps where they are needed in the program, and takes initiative within the room.  This person in crucial in the day-to-day operations of the program.
Winner: Heather M.
 
Category 7- Most Flexible: This person is able and willing to work in any program and give it their all.  This person is willing to change/switch shifts, cover for others, and learn about each program without any complaints.  We need this person on our team to help out wherever/whenever we need.
Winner: Kelly W.
 
Category 8- Mrs./Miss/Mr. Congeniality:  This person has an admirable personality.  Their charisma and kindness is honest and true, and it becomes contagious within the workplace.  This person always leaves their stressors at the door and truly enjoys being a part of our team and working with the children and families in this community.
Winner: Brooke E.
Congratulations to all of our award winners!  Keep up the great work!
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 

Monday, 12 December 2016

Wine Raffle Winners!

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Wine Raffle and to everyone who donated bottles for the prizes.  The winners of the prizes are as follows:

3rd Prize (6 Bottles of Wine, 6 Pack of Coolers): Tara Scott
2nd Prize (8 Bottles of Wine, 26 oz each of Rye and Vodka, 6 Pack of Coolers): Justin Hallick
1st Prize(12 Bottles of Wine, 26 oz each of Rye, Rum, and Vodka, 6 Pack of Coolers): Sara Gray

Skate With Santa Door Prize (8 bottles of Red/White wine): Jamie Simundson

Congratulations to all of our prize winners!!!

Thanks for coming out to our Skate with Santa event on December 11th.  We all had a blast!

Friday, 2 December 2016

Preschool Program Update


This month we did some interior decorating and rearranged our rooms. The children were excited to come in the next morning and see everything in a different place. The teachers were also happy to see the children enjoying the new areas. One of the areas that they really enjoyed was the recycled area. We used yogurt containers, egg cartons, yop bottles and pop bottles to help enhance our kitchen play.
The children ended up taking all the yogurt containers into the block area and they built towers as high as they could while standing on their tip toes. When they couldn’t reach the top they used a stepping stool to build their towers even higher. The towers would get higher and higher and the children would yell and cheer as they came tumbling down to the ground.
Now that there is finally snow on the ground, we can all get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy doing holiday crafts and spending time outside!

Thursday, 1 December 2016

School Age Program Update

November was a fun month with two busy inservice days!  The first inservice was our Camping Day.  We set up camp at the Rec Centre in town.  We had a tent, a BBQ and fun camping/nature themed games.  The day ended with a scavenger hunt around town.  Everyone had  a blast that day, even though there was a cold North wind. 

The second inservice day was a Carnival Day.  We had a photo booth, carnival games, and face painting.  The older children took charge and ran the show!  Maya won the guessing game called, "How Many Candies in the Jar?"

The Kindergarten group took advantage of our mild November weather and spent a great deal of time going on outdoor adventures!  We have gone for walks around town, learning about road safety and exploring the interesting features of the buildings we have in town.  The children are excited that the snow has arrived and we have spent lots of time making snowmen, learning about snowflakes, and doing winter-themed activities indoors.

We can't wait for the excitement that comes with December's Holiday Festivities!

Infant Program Update

It was a lovely treat to start out November with green grass and warm weather.  The children in the Infant Program enjoyed playing outside in the many, many leaves that had fallen, and going for numerous walks through our neighbourhood.

We also had lots of fun doing activities and crafts within the centre, including water play, trying to catch as many bubbles as possible, sticker fun, making poppies for Remembrance Day, and singing many songs.  Our favourite songs are, "If You're Happy and You Know it," and,  "The Wheels on the Bus."  We also did some painting and learned about making and mixing colours. 

In November we welcomed our new friend, Emma, and said, "Good-Bye" to our good friend, Austin, who graduated to Preschool.

As November ended, the children were happy to see some snow and make a snowman.  We all look forward to what December brings and all the adventures we will have.