ChoosingQuality

Parents Corner

When it comes to budgeting, parents are finding a variety of ways to save and pinch their pennies. Families at all income levels are scrambling to pay for child care. Finding a financial solution is not always easy, but there are programs available at ELC of Duval that provide educational services and child care assistance to families so parents can focus on their child's future.

Sarrena Bennett, a parent of a
3-year-old child, is participating in the Success By Six program—a two year grant for 3-year-olds to a high-quality accredited child care center.

“As we all know, child care is a significant financial investment and one that many (people) struggle to pay weekly. Success By Six removed that financial undertaking and made it where we could stay focused on what was most important—our child’s well being, education and enjoyment of life,” Bennett said.

There are many resources available to parents that can help during these difficult economic times. Contact a CCR&R (Child Care Resource & Referral) specialist to find out what options you may have at 904-208-2044 or visit our website www.ChooseQualityChildcare.org

Click Here for more information on how to qualify for Success By Six or contact Angela Russell at 904-208-2044 ext. 208.

Providers Corner

As a provider, how can you encourage more families to attend your child care center or family child care home? How does one classroom of 10 turn into three classrooms of 18?  Simple, obtaining more VPK children equals more VPK funding and therefore the capability to employ higher-qualified teachers or purchasing more materials for their classes.The following are strategies for maintaining a successful VPK program:

• Advertise early. Submit completed applications by June 1st to ensure: 1.) your center’s name appears on the Parent Provider List 2.) your center is eligible for an advance payment.
• Advertise your VPK program through posters, yard signs and brochures.
• Target families in your community. Post brochures on community bulletin boards at grocery stores or shopping centers.
• Maintain an attractive exterior catching the eyes of inquiring parents as they pass by.
• Host a fun open-house to entice parents to tour your facility.
• Establish a relationship with your parents and children.  Enthusiastic parents are eager to endorse a good center to their family and friends.
• Get connected and be creative.  Tap into social media (such as Facebook or Twitter) to promote your center.

Ask Elcie

Dear Elcie,

I’m in a dilemma because I want to buy my children educational toys that would help teach them to read and count, but between the unit itself, the games and the batteries, I can’t afford it. Do you have any suggestions for less-expensive, educational toys?

Sincerely,
Mom on a Budget

Dear Mom on a Budget,

Let me assure you that while expensive electronic games seem like the best resource for interactive learning, you can still provide a fabulous educational boost for your children through inexpensive games at home and the best part is that most of the supplies can be found at your local dollar store. Here are a few:

COUNTING - Get a muffin tin and clothes pins. Write a number in each muffin cup and have your children drop as many pins into each cup as the number written inside. CAUTION – use large objects for counting – beware of choke hazards.

BEAN BAG TOSS - Write letters in random order on an inexpensive vinyl shower curtain. Provide each child with a beanbag. Have them throw the beanbag and name the letter that it lands on.

BURIED LETTERS - Fill a dishpan half full of sand, and bury some plastic letters. Have your children dig for them and name the letters as they discover them, or dig for a specific letter.

~Elcie

  
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