Friday, October 29, 2010






















Looking for a Halloween night snack that's both healthy and festive? This skeletal array fits the bill, no bones about it -- just assorted fresh vegetables and a bowl of dip arranged in the shape of a spooky cat.
More Halloween Recipes
Ingredients
• Black Bean Dip
• ASSORTED VEGETABLES OF YOUR CHOICE, SUCH AS
• Celery
• Cherry tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Mushrooms
• Zucchini



Instructions
1. Arrange vegetables in the shape of a cat, as shown. Serve with Black Bean Dip

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Tips for a safe Halloween

Motorists—please do not exceed 20 MPH in neighborhoods this Halloween, regardless of the posted speed limit.

Trick or Treaters—always walk in-groups; parents should accompany young children. Older children should give their parents a predetermined route and return time. Try to finish trick-or-treating before dark—if not, carry a flashlight. Only visit homes that are decorated or that have outside lights on—never enter a strange home or get in the car with a stranger. Always use sidewalks where available—if not, walk facing on-coming traffic.

Costumes—make sure your costumes are made of flame-retardant materials and are not so long as to trip you walking up and down steps. Use light colors or carry a glow stick or some type of reflective material. If you choose to wear a mask, make sure that your vision is not obstructed or walk with someone who can watch your step for you.

Treats—don't eat your treats until you get home! Parents check out all treats in a well-lighted area and throw away any treat that has torn or damaged packaging. Fruit and homemade treats should be inspected very carefully, even to the point of cutting them up for a closer look.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Are you a Super Dad??

Faster than a speeding minivan, more powerful than the smell of a dirty diaper, able to leap discarded toys in a single bound, it's . . . SUPERDADDY!

Join Dads, Inc. this Saturday, October 30th at 10:30 am at the Glendale Branch Library for this fun-filled, action-packed program that teaches Dads how to incorporate comic books when helping their toddlers and pre-schoolers learn to read, or when enhancing their elementary-age children's reading skills. Dads and kids are both encouraged to dress as their favorite superhero! And be prepared to meet some superheroes! This event is appropriate for ages 3 and up.

While this is traditionally one of our most popular programs, it will not be offered again until October 2011. Be sure to take advantage now!

Registration is $10 per family ticket (1 dad and up to 2 kids). That price includes a free comic book, a snack and a picture with a superhero! To register, call Chris Maples at 317-635-DADS today!

Access Pass Program Partnership



The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, Conner Prairie Interactive History Park, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, NCAA Hall of Champions, and Indiana Historical Society have joined forces to make fun family learning available to more Indiana families. Families that participate in any of the state assistance programs listed below can visit these locations for just $1 per family member per visit.




Qualifying programs

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Food stamps

Hoosier Healthwise Insurance

To join, visit any of the venues listed below and complete the Access Pass application. Applicants must show an Indiana-issued photo identification and a Hoosier Works card (without Visa logo) or Hoosier Healthwise card.

Download a printable application.



Tuesday, October 26, 2010

High Quality Family Child Care Training Online!

FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS...Don't miss this opportunity!

Up to 90 hours of family child care training IN YOUR OWN HOME!!!

REGISTER BY December 12, 2010

NAFCC is offering 2 online family child care training courses. Each course is worth 45 clock hours. Both classes are stand-alone and may be taken one at a time or at the same time.

Teaching and Learning in Family Child Care
· Explore the unique relationships that define the family child care environment
· Learn strategies for addressing guidance issues
· Discover the purpose of play and how to provide developmental learning activities that will keep your kids and parents excited about your program
· Grasp the professional and business practices that will help make your business a success

Creating Safe and Healthy Family Child Care Environments
· Understand how to arrange your home to facilitate positive learning experiences
· Learn what materials and equipment are developmentally appropriate
· Examine the health and safety concerns that are particular to the family child care environment

4.5 CEUs are available for the completion of each course and must be purchased at time of registration.

Courses begin January 10, 2011 and end May 6, 2011.

NAFCC Members
Course $150.00 (PER COURSE)
CEUs $50.00 (PER COURSE)
Non-Members
Course $200.00 (PER COURSE)
CEUs $50.00 (PER COURSE)

For several semesters, NAFCC, partnering with Salt Lake Community College, has offered Introduction to Family Child Care as a 45-hour online training course. If you completed NAFCC's "Introduction to Family Child Care" online course you have completed the curriculum that is covered in "Teaching and Learning in Family Child Care" and "Creating Safe and Healthy Family Child Care Environments"

Scroll Down for More Information

REGISTER HERE by 12/12/2010

Questions?-Contact us at training@nafcc.org or call 801-886-2322 ext. 335

More Information

Both classes are stand-alone and may be taken one at a time or at the same time. Each class will be considered complete based on its own merits. These two classes present a solid foundation for family child care providers new to the field and a best practices in family child care refresher training for experienced providers.

Teaching and Learning in Family Child Care

Materials included in this class are based on the NAFCC Quality Standards for Accreditation content areas of Relationships, Developmental Learning Activities, and Professional and Business Practices. It examines all of the relationships that make up the family child care environment including those between the provider and children, the children together, and the special relationship that exists between the provider and the client families. It also addresses the professional relationships that are part of family child care and explores the unique aspects of operating a family child care business. This class offers 10 lessons specifically targeted to providing developmental learning activities in a family child care environment including all domains of learning, information that reinforces the importance of scheduling and of providing a balance of both provider and child-directed activities, and strategies for addressing guidance issues.

Creating Safe and Healthy Family Child Care Environments

Materials included in this class are based on the NAFCC Quality Standards for Accreditation content areas of The Environment and Safety and Health. This class examines topics including home arrangement, materials, and equipment for the family child care program. It also addresses specific areas of concern regarding the safety and health of young children in group care settings. Creating Safe and Healthy Family Child Care Environments explores topics including minimizing disease in the family child care environment, planning and preparing food for young children, keeping children safe, and ensuring that the family child care environment is inspected for both health and safety concerns.

Requirements

There are no regularly scheduled class meetings: participants will learn where and when they choose within the time frame of the course schedule. Assignment due dates are included and will be adhered to during the course. Included are printable lecture notes, engaging discussion groups, weekly individual and group assignments, and links to additional material. This is an introductory course; there are no prerequisites.