May 2004 Newsletter

Staffing news

It is with pleasure that I can announce the hiring of Brenda Smith. Brenda is working toward a Masters Degree in Education at Dominican and is starting at Sonoma State to complete her Early Childhood Education. Brenda will be opening with Jenny at 7:30 am and will work Monday through Friday.

We welcome her to our school and hope her days here are fun-filled and that her heart has enough room to receive all the love our children will send her way.

I am equally delighted that we have Carrie Carlsen as our new parent-aide. Carrie is a graduate of the San Francisco Culinary Academy and was formerly a pastry chef at the Lark Creek Inn. The birth of her son Sterling 20 months ago made her realize that the only work she wants to do is with him right beside her and so we are the lucky ones who have her here. Carie is working Monday through Friday and from 9am-3pm.

Carrie we hope that your Days with us are happy and a good growing experience for both you and Sterling.

Genevieve Newman has been with us for a few months now and is truly a wonderful addition to our staff. She has a intuitive way of doing the best thing for children and is brimming with love and energy. Genevieve we consider ourselves lucky to have you and hope you will be with us for a very long and happy time.

FAIRFAX FESTIVAL & PARADE

Join the fun June 5 & 6 when Fairfax puts on its annual festival. We will have a walking contingent in the Saturday morning parade, and a face-painting and art booth all weekend.

DayCaring's theme for the parade this year will be "The Flower Children of Fairfax." Families in the parade are asked to wear your favorite tie-dye and decorate your strollers, wagons, bicycles and tricycles with flowers and ribbons. Look for details as we get closer to the event about when and where to assemble before the parade.

Do you love to paint faces? Do spin-art with kids? Volunteers are needed in 2-hour shifts to staff the booth both Saturday and Sunday. Look for a sign-up sheet at school, and come be part of the festivities. This is the first year we are trying a booth at the festival, and hope that we enough volunteers to make it work.

Beyond being a great opportunity for DayCaring to show its face in the community, we are optimistic that this could be a good fundraiser for our school.

Questions? Call Cherie Klein at 457-2812, or email: cheriek60@yahoo.com.

MESSAGE FROM SILKE

Start Looking for your Camping Gear

This is Daycaring's first camping trip and we are looking forward to a fun weekend at the beach. Casini Ranch Family Campground is located in Duncan Mills, west of Guernville, on a quiet stretch of the river. It is by far my favorite camping spot on the Russian River where we can spend the whole weekend right there or you can take your kids on a hike in nearby Armstrong Redwoods State Park.

Reserve or take them beachcombing at one of the nearby beaches. This is a wonderful opportunity for everybody to meet and get to know each other beyond the 5 min drop-off/pick up at school. A couple of the teachers will be there too, however they are joining us for the fun and are not there to watch our kids.

The Campground has a good section of shallow water for the kids with a big beach, a couple of playgrounds, big grassy fields for kite flying or ball games, a duck pond and some other small animals to feed. There are also some nice bathrooms with warm showers.

Some of you might be seasoned campers while others have never taken the kids on a camping trip. The idea here is FUN. We will not have organized activities, besides a group BBQ on sat evening. Bring your favorite outdoor toys, sunscreen, and a cooler full of yummy food.

Keep in mind that this is a car camping trip where you can pull up right to the site and unload all your stuff with ease. This makes it very simple for people with little gear or the true comfort hounds among us: If your trunk is big enough you can even bring your feather bed.

An official sign-up sheet is going to appear later in May. On that sheet please let us know if you need to borrow a tent or pad, or if you are able to share some of your extra gear. Final details will be posted at the beginning of June. Cost: $24 per night per family. (Dogs $1, on leash at all times.)

Organizing this trip has been an opportunity to reach out and help us build community with each other. We all seem to be busy with our individual lives, so take a break and come play with your kids favorite people.

Call me if you have any questions. Silke (Jakob's mom) 721-7648 or silkevb@aol.com

WHAT MAKES A GOOD CHILDCARE PROVIDER?