Did you notice the literature pocket right by the door? Right now it has a brochure about reading readiness and another about the flu. Feel free to take one. PLEASE tell Teri if there is something related to child development or care that you would like to learn about. She will be happy to research it. Remember, if you wonder about something, chances are, someone else is wondering too!

I am stunned and sickened by the school shooting in Connecticut. I am sending home a note today about our security procedures. If you ever have questions or concerns, or just want to check in on your child, feel free to call us!

Decemberrrrrrrrrr

The gray skies outside today remind me that it IS Decemberrrrr, something the sunny and warm weather let me forget for the last few days. As you dig out the cold weather gear, please label it all. Teachers look at the same sizes and styles every day. Reuniting articles of clothing with their owners is no easy task. Be kind to a teacher today!

Our new website is up and running. We hope it can be a place for new families to learn about us, current families to share their expertise, and for us to give you information to help you during your child's formative years!

Wow, that sounds all fancy! Basically, we want this to be a place where we can all connect for the sake of the children we love.

If you see anything that doesn't work, or if there is something missing, PLEASE let Teri know. Thanks!

www.readysetgrowbountiful.com

Oh my goodness! It HAS been a while since I left a post!

Things have been wonderfully busy at Ready-Set-Grow.

Here are some of the 'biggies' that have had me running crazy...

The teachers are writing a new curriculum this year that more closely aligns

to the state standards for pre-school. We still advocate play-based learning,

we are just a little more focused when planning the activities we present.

  

We are in the process of creating a new, more interactive website.

If there is anything specific you would like to see on the site, please let Teri know.

We were awarded with a quality improvement grant to update

the playground for the younger children, add a musical center to the back playground,

and make a couple of other improvements inside the building.

We can hardly wait to get started.

Patience is free. It is worry that costs you!

 

The children have taken so many pictures! These are some of my favorites. 

 

It might FEEL hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, but our school-age children learned today that it is NOT hot enough to toast a marshmallow with a magnifying glass.

 These are just a few of the many pictures taken by the kids at the Ogden Train Station on Monday! 

 

NEW CONTEST
LIKE ReadySetGrowBountiful on Facebook and your name will be entered to win a $25 giftcard from Applebee's Restaurant!
All current families on our 'like list' will be entered in the drawing to be held on June 8, 2012.

Good Luck!

Dana was the winner of the contest! Thank you to all who responded. We hope you will continue to watch our pages!
If there is anything special you would like to see posted, please let Teri know!

LOOK WHAT I CAN DO!
  A child's self-esteem is built on those five words, and how the adults in the child's world react to them.
This week I read an article by the Gesell Institute, http://www.oh-pin.org/articles/pex-01-self-help-skills-and-chor.pdf, which gives several practical tips for helping your child learn the value of doing for one's self.
I hope you check it out!

We are having a contest this week. Tell us the name of your favorite storybook from when YOU were a child, and you will be entered in a drawing for a free children's book pick! You may enter once each day. The drawing will be Thursday afternoon. Good Luck!


Congratulations to Lauren!
The book list is available on our Facebook page.

I always loved pet week as a teacher. "My cat had puppies!" was my favorite one-liner.
Even for children who do not have pets at home, this week is a developmental boost. All of the children are talking about pets and learning about the science of living things! They are learning about skin coverings (fur, scales, feathers, etc.), and discussing things living creatures need to survive and thrive (food, water, shelter, and care). Inevitably someone knows someone who has lost a pet, which leads to discussions about the life cycle. While these talks may seem trivial, they are the first steps towards caring for and coping with other relationships in real life!

We hope your spring is a joyful one!

I couldn't resist sharing this picture from one of our preschoolers.

4-16-12 : Fun and Fantasy : It seems like this week is redundant. I mean, children live in a fantasy world most of the time, right? Pretend play is an important part of a child's life, and one that generally gets overlooked in today's 'plugged-in' society. Playing a fantasy game on a computer is not the same as making up the story on your own, and following through with a group of your peers. This week we will be purposefully instigating pretend play to foster their recognition of reality vs. fantasy, to encourage them to recall a plot, and to have them solve pretend problems. And we will have fun doing it!

NURSERY RHYMES: Do you remember your favorite nursery rhyme? Can you close your eyes and still see the illustration that went with it? Rhyme is an important part of pre-reading. I encourage you to share that favorite nursery rhyme with your child this week!

The summer flyer is ready to send out! You can get a sneak-peek at it on the website, http://www.readysetgrowbountiful.com/.
When you pick up your official copy, be sure to take extras for your child's friends! Summer is always better when you share it with friends!
(Plus, when a friend enrolls, you get $200 off your tuition!)

Spring is in the air! This week we have been talking about baby animals and enjoying the sunshine after the minor weather slip on Monday. I hope you are soaking up some sunshine in your life. If you need an extra smile or ten, stop in and say hello. We have lots of eager happy faces here!

Transportation is the theme of the week, and I managed to get some pictures of the preschoolers and kindergartners making their "box" cars.     :D



Custom painting takes some time.

Miss Chris helped a lot.




Can't you just hear him saying, "Mine is gonna go FAST!"



Miss Alicia adds the 'custom' license plate.



They were so happy with their work.



 










Time for a test drive.

Our lunch menu has been updated! We changed a couple of things to make sure we are offering a balanced food program every day. To see it, go to the main website and follow the MENU link.
Buon appetito! Buen Provecho! Bon apitit! Enjoy! - No matter how you say it, it means YUM!

 

Hat Day!   
Please do not tag
any photos of children online!

 

 

This week's link is just for fun, just for fun for everyone! 
Please excuse my timing, I am almost done with rhyming.
In honor of Dr. Seuss's birthday, I am sending a family link your way.
http://www.seussville.com/
Did you know that rhyming books are one of the best things
to read to young children because it helps them make
reading connections between similar words?
Even made-up words increase later fluency!

As the new Director here at Ready-Set-Grow, I have been working to update the website: http://www.readysetgrowbountiful.com/. If you haven't seen it lately, please check it out! If you are finding us for the first time, please call the office at 801-294-0602 for our rates, and to give me a chance to show you around! Thanks!

2/20/2012 - COMMUNITY HELPERS: We started the week with Pajama Day, then moved on to talk about different uniforms workers wear. The focus was on people who help keep us safe and healthy.

FRIENDSHIP: With Valentine's Day on Tuesday, this week has been all hearts and happiness...well almost, lol.  I have been hearing a lot more friendly conversations, and they are working and playing with their friends every day. The teachers have been sharing books, finger plays, and projects with friendship and love as the themes.

Our rates are changing slightly. Please Call Teri (801-294-0602) for an accurate quote...at least until she figures out how to edit a blog! LOL

I came across an article today that I want to share with parents of preschoolers (although it is useful advice for all ages):

http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/20-tips-for-parents-from-preschool-teachers/

Happy Reading!

Love is a building full of children.

I asked the children how they know somebody loves them. Some of the answers were cute, some silly, but this one stands out to me:

Eliyahu said, "That's a fairly easy thing to do. They jump up and kiss or hug you!"

Here's hoping you have people jumping for you all day!

Teri Young, Director

Lets Learn About - The Circus!
This week the children are reading, watching and playing circus. They are reading books about the animals, making fun crafts and pretending. The mood in the building is very excited!

Come Check Us Out!

Welcome!

We offer affordable, creative, nurturing and educational daycare and preschool in Bountiful.

Our preschool program follows an exciting curriculum with weekly themes to inspire every child.

Our school-age program includes transportation to and from eight area schools.

Our summer program is packed with fun and educational activities and field trips.

With current openings in each classroom, we hope you will stop in to see us soon.