WORKING HARD TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Preschool Resource Program Update
Our Early Childhood Resource Consultants assist children up to six years of age who have identified delays in their development. The Resource Consultants work closely with families, schools and childcare centres to facilitate and encourage child development through everyday activities.
Early Childhood Resource Consultants work closely with community agencies, physicians, parents and childcare programs to support the social, emotional, physical, speech, language and behavioural development of at-risk children. Support is given in real life environments - at home, in childcare centres, at school - in groups, within families and one-to-one. Early Childhood Resource Consultants also support children to prepare for the move from childcare to school.
Although Early Childhood Resource Consultants work with children in a number of areas, they dedicate a great deal of time helping children to relate to others. They support children to develop their social skills, engage with other children and build friendships.
The Preschool Resource Program also offers workshops to childcare staff members, school boards and parents. The following workshops are currently available through the Preschool Resource Program:
- Children & Anxiety
- Looking at Behaviour & Best Practices
- Second Step for Parents
- Teaming Building - Creating Your Unique Culture
- Using Environmental Screens to Assess Quality in Childcare Programs
Is your child's development on track?
An important component of the services offered through the Preschool Resource Program is linking children, families and child care centres with community agencies who can provide additional support. Click here to view Is Your Child's Development on Track, illustrating local organizations that can assist your child in a number of areas.
For more information and resources for parents, visit our Family Pages and our links section.
The first step is Second Step
Seven staff members currently make up the Preschool Resource Program - six Early Childhood Resource Consultants and a Training & Development Coordinator.
Training & Development Coordinator, Norma Curtis, has been busy working to identify and address training needs for childcare and Early Years centres in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Her work started with a community survey, which identified behaviour as the number one issue facing professionals and parents caring for young children.
In response to the community survey findings, Norma - with the help of the Early Childhood Resource Consultants - coordinated Second Step training for childcare centres in the City of Kawartha Lakes. Through Second Step, childcare workers learn how to teach children self-regulation, problem-solving and communication skills so that they can experience more positive relationships with others. The goal of Second Step is to help children to stop themselves before reacting to a negative situation so that they can think about what has happened and come up with a constructive solution. By helping children to build positive relationships with other children, Second Step also enhances their success academically.
Ten out of twelve childcare programs in the City of Kawartha Lakes have successfully completed Second Step training and it is Norma's goal to have every childcare centre in the City of Kawartha Lakes using Second Step in their daily plans. Another goal it to present to local school boards the possibility of using Second Step with older children, specifically grades one to four and grades five to eight. Norma and Judy Robbins, from the Ontario Early Years Centre, will begin this process by presenting Second Step at the Trillium Lakelands District School Board's Parent Showcase Conference.
DECA plans underway
Plans are underway to host a 3-day training seminar on the Devereux Early Childcare Assessment (DECA), which teaches parents and educators to measure and build resiliency in young children. The seminar is being offered February 27 to 29, 2008 and will be hosted jointly by Community Living Kawartha Lakes and CHIMO.
Over and above the issue of facing challenging behaviour, DECA allows us to 'red flag' children who might need extra support as they move out of childcare and into the school system. By identifying the children who might need special assistance, we can provide follow-up and support by liaising local services with the school and school board.
Toxic awareness
Kathleen Cooper, a senior researcher from the Canadian Environmental Law Association, spoke to parents and educators this October about the effects of toxins in our environment on children's development. Kathleen shared a great deal of valuable information - including the latest research about how toxins can affect children's learning, physical development and cognitive functioning.
Along with other advice, Kathleen suggested:
- Not using plastic wrap
- Not re-using plastic water bottles
- Being aware of lead in some jewellery and toys
- Ensuring that paint in older houses is not lead-based
- Using a vacuum with a hepa-filter system
- Not using perfumes or products like Febreeze or other air fresheners
- Getting rid of old carpeting
There are a number of great resources available online about how you can create a toxin-free home. For more information, feel free to check out these resources.
Canadian Environmental Law Association - Publications, Core Programs (website)
Healthy Environment for Kids (website)
Playing it Safe: Childproofing for Environmental Health (8 page PDF file)
Child Health & the Environment - A Primer (134 page PDF file)
Playing it Safe Strategies - Service Provider Strategies to Reduce Environmental Risks to Preconception, Prenatal and Environmental Health (94 page PDF file)
Raising Standards across the City
An Accountability Committee has been struck in the City of Kawartha Lakes, which will be chaired by Janine Mitchell, Team Leader, Childrens Services at the City. The Committee's mandate is to raise standards across childcare centres.
The Committee's work will begin by meeting with childcare supervisors to introduce the initiative and invite their participation in ongoing professional development.
Starting this spring, the Accountability Committee is planning to institute environmental assessments in local child care centres. Environmental Assessment focuses on the relationship between program delivery and how the environment is organized. Centres will be awarded rankings of bronze, silver and gold.
For more information about the Preschool Resource Program or any of the information in this update, please see our services section or call (705) 328-0464, extension 222 or 228.
157 Years Of Service Celebrated
Twenty-five Community Living Kawartha Lakes staff members were recently recognized for their years of service to the Association.
Twelve staff members received their 3-year awards:
- Charlene Creighton
- Vicki Fielding
- Rosemary Lee
- Leslie Mann
- Dana McAfee
- Joan Moriarty
- Christy Moses
- Ryan Oliver
- Crystal Patton
- Nancy Salonius
- Kathy Schultz
- Amy Steele
Five staff members were recognized for 5 years of service:
- Leah Berry
- Tammy Clark
- Denise Landry
- Dwight MacMillan
- Lesley McMillan
Three staff members received their 7-year awards:
- Darlene McShane
- Mary Lynn Kyte
- Heather Locke
Two staff members were recognized for a decade of service:
- Steve Burke - Supervisor of Child & Family Services
- Jessica White - Assistant Support Worker
Three staff members were recognized for 15 and 20 years of service:
Trisha Fiegehen was awarded for 15 years of service. Trisha started with Community Living Kawartha Lakes in 1992 and currently works with the Tri-County Family Home service.
Donna Gilmour and Barb Stokes were acknowledged for 20 years of service. Donna works in the Independent Living program and Barb works in the Jobs-R-Us/ Day Supports program.
Community Living Kawartha Lakes currently has 106 employees, with 35 staff members being here for 10 years or more, and 3 for over 20 years.
Thank you to Anne Manley and Ursula Young for helping with the awards ceremony gifts and certificates.
Thank you also to Marlene Cote for submitting this story.
On The Road Again!
On November 30th the Illusions put on a wonderful show for individuals and staff members at Community Living Durham North. Enthusiastically received, the show incorporated many interactive opportunities for the audience. It was great to see so many individuals attending the show get up and join in the fun with the Illusions performers.
Illusions director, Caren, has been invited to assist Community Living Durham North to start a performing arts program of their own. She will also be providing information to Community Living Durham North about the theatrical and drama exercises used by the Illusions.
What a compliment to Caren and to the entire Illusions troupe. Great job, everyone!
Thank you to Sharon Coupland for submitting this news item.
