EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCE GUIDE

Transcription

1 The Town of Coventry EARLY CHILDHOOD RESOURCE GUIDE Coventry ALL COVENTRY CHILDREN BIRTH-AGE 8 ARE NURTURED, HEALTHY AND ENGAGED & SUCCESSFUL LEARNERS This publication was made possible with funding from the William Caspar Graustein Memorial Fund. 2014

2 C H O O S I N G Q U A L I T Y C H I L D C A R E F O R Y O U R C H I L D R E N There are many different types of care available to fit each family s individual needs. The different types of care include: 1. Home Day Care Operated within an individual s home and providers usually care for children of all ages. 2. Child Care Center Licensed for many children and operates in a building specifically designed for child care. May or may not have services for infant/toddler, preschool and school aged care. 3. Preschool Serves children who are ages 3 and 4, and sometimes 5. Programs vary but options may include a part day or full day. 4. Babysitter/Nanny A person who cares for your child(ren) usually in your home. SOME POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN LOOKING FOR CHILD CARE All child care facilities need to be licensed by the CT Department of Public Health. Call for more information. The National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accredits programs that have met or exceeded rigorous national standards. Visit to learn more about this accreditation Child Care is a great resource to help you find child care in Connecticut! Call or visit A F F O R D I N G Q U A L I T Y C H I L D C A R E School Readiness: The School Readiness grant allows children from families earning below State Median Income (for a family of 4 this was under $79,000 in 2014) to attend preschool at a reduced cost, based on a sliding fee scale. Please contact the Coventry Early Childhood Center at for more information. Care 4 Kids: Care 4 Kids is a State assistance program which assists working parents with the cost of child care. In 2014, a family of four had to earn less than $51, 586 to qualify. For more information, visit or call KIDS.

3 W H A T T Y P E O F C A R E I S A V A I L A B L E I N C O V E N T R Y? Program Name Coventry Early Childhood Center (CECC) Coventry Kids Center Prince of Peace Christian Preschool Family & Consumer Sciences Pre-K Coventry High School ext. 136 Home Day Cares Program Type Non-profit 1/2 or full day preschool program 2, 3 or 5 days a week For profit infant/toddler care, full day preschool, before and after school care Non Profit 1/2 day Christian preschool program 2,3 or 5 days a week Ages 3-5 year olds Preschool program taught by high school students interested in pursuing careers in early childhood education. Programs vary by provider. Contact for more information C H I L D C A R E I N F O L I N E Visit or call from any telephone in Connecticut Child care is a free confidential and statewide service which helps match the requests of parents with child care providers and programs.

4 C O V E N T R Y P U B L I C S C H O O L S I N F O R M A T I O N Coventry Grammar School (Grades K-2) Main Street Coventry High School (Grades 9-12) Ripley Hill Road GHR Intermediate School (Grades 3-5) Cross Street Director of Pupil Services ext 4 CNH Middle School (Grades 6-8) Main Street School Lunch Program Visit the Coventry Public Schools website at In CT, a child needs to be 5 prior to December 31 to enter Kindergarten in the fall (this is subject to change after 2015). Kindergarten registration occurs in March. If you are new to the district and need to enroll your child in school, please visit Coventry Public School website at and click on the Central Registration link on the top of the page. After you pre-register on-line, the system will provide you with any additional information to complete the registration process. Please contact the Coventry Early Childhood Center at to arrange a time to have your 3 or 4 year old child screened free for preschool. Speak and Listen: Getting Your Child Ready For Kindergarten Use and understand many words Speak in complete sentences Say and notice that words rhyme in stories Share personal stories about their interests Use Mathematics: Recognize and count Begin to describe objects that have different sizes, colors, shapes and patterns Sort items by same and different Begin to use words: near, far, top, bottom, under, first, second, and last Participate and Cooperate: Participate in conversations Stay involved in an activity through its completion Follow routines and patterns Work and play with other children Read and Write: Retell favorite stories from books Hold a book upright Identify alphabet letters Recognize letters in their names and in names familiar to them Recognize, copy and print their names Hold a pencil and write with it

5 T O W N O F C O V E N T R Y U S E F U L I N F O R M A T I O N W W W. C O V E N T R Y C T. O R G Booth & Dimock Library Programs for babies to teens, including BabyGarten, story times and teen clubs. Schedules are available on-line at www. coventrypl.org Discount passes to area attractions are available. Hours are Tuesday-Thursday 10 am-8 pm, Friday 10 am-6 pm and Saturday 10 am-3 pm Main Street Coventry Human Services * Multi generational agency which assists Coventry residents in meeting their basic needs, including assistance with food and energy. Crisis counseling and referrals are available. The office also organizes a Holiday Giving program for families in need Coventry Youth Services * Many programs for youth and their families, including a youth job bank and lending library Coventry Parks and Recreation * Many offerings for children, including camp and summer swim lessons * Located in the Coventry Town Hall at 1712 Main Street Coventry Did you know that you can rent beautiful town facilities to host parties and events? Contact Parks and Recreation for more information!!! Coventry Police Department 911 for all emergencies for non-emergencies. Little Explorer s Playgroup Drop-in playgroup for children under five. Contact Coventry Parks and Recreation. Small fee may apply, call for details. MOMS Club Moms Offering Moms Support. Open to all moms. themomsclubcm. weebly.com Parents As Teachers The mission of Parents As Teachers (PAT) is to provide information, support and encouragement to parents. Currently the PAT educators are partnering with the Booth & Dimock Library and they are available to talk about child development, community resources or any other questions parents may have. You may reach the PAT educator at Sign up for Town E-blasts! Visit the Town Webpage and click on Notify Me.

6 W E L L N E S S I N F O R M A T I O N Local Hospitals: Local Walk In Clinics: Connecticut Children s Medical Center 282 Washington Street, Hartford, CT Manchester Memorial Hospital 71 Haynes Street, Manchester, CT Rockville General Hospital 31 Union Street, Vernon, CT Windham Hospital 112 Mansfield Ave. Willimantic, CT Connecticut Birth to Three State system Do you have concerns about your child s ability to see, talk, hear, move, eat, or play? To talk to someone about your concerns, call the Child Development INFOLINE at , or visit HUSKY Program This State program may provide health care coverage to uninsured CT residents.call CT.HUSKY or visit to find out if you qualify. La Leche League The local La Leche League (LLL) meets at the Access Agency 1315 Main Street, Willimantic, CT on the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:30-10:30 am. The meetings are free and open to the public. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly Food Stamps) A State of CT assistance program administered by the Department of Social Services. In 2014, a family of 4 had to earn less than $31,005 to qualify. Coventry is served by the Willimantic DSS office. Call for more information. WIC Women, Infants, Children Provides nutritious foods and education to eligible pregnant women, postpartum women up to six months, breastfeeding women up to one year after delivery, and infants and children up to their 5th birthday. In 2014, a family of 4 had to earn less than $43,568 to qualify. Contact the ACCESS agency at for details. CVS Minute Clinic 3514 Main St, Coventry Med East Walk In Clinic 1703 West Main Street Willimantic, CT Med East Walk In Clinic 200 Merrow Road Tolland, CT Looking for Health Care Providers? Call your health insurance to find out providers in the area that accept your insurance. Also, try for a listing of local providers for School Age Children s Health Children should be receiving: 9 hours of sleep each night.5 of each plate filled with fruits and veggies No more than 2 hours of TV 1 hour of exercise 0 sugary drinks Visit for more information

7 F A M I L Y F U N I N O R A R O U N D C O V E N T R Y Find a playground anywhere in the country! mapofplay.kaboom.org Recreation in the area for young children Bolton Ice Palace boltonicepalace.com Ellington YMCA ghymca.org/indian Farmers Market coventryfarmersmarket.com Mansfield Community Center mansfieldct.gov Nathan Hale Homestead ctlandmarks.org Star Hill starhillsports.com The Bright Spot brightspotplayplace.com Places of Worship in Coventry First Congregational Church, Main Street Presbyterian Church, Boston Turnpike, Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Main Street Saint Mary Catholic Church, Main Street Second Congregational Church, Boston Tpke Parks in the area for young children Coventry: Lisicke Beach Corner of Route 31 and Cheney Lane Patriots Park Lake Street Columbia: Recreation Park Hennequin Road Hebron: Veteran s Memorial Park on Wall Street Lebanon: Baileys Garden (Handicapped accessible) at Lebanon Elementrary School open when school is not in session Tolland: Crandall Park on 64 Cider Mill Road Willimantic: Memorial Park on corner of Main Street and Tingley Street Fun at the University of Connecticut Ballard Museum of Puppetry Community School of the Arts Dairy Bar & Animal Barns Jorgensen Auditorium Ice Rink D I D YO U K N OW? Looking to donate or purchase used children s items? Here are two really great places right in town that help all Coventry residents! Noah s Closet located in the 2nd Congregational Church Thrift & Gift Shop located on Stonehouse Road below the Post Office

8 Checklist for Parenting Success: 4 Are you spending 20 minutes of one-on-one, uninterrupted, positive time with your child every day? You have no agenda, no teaching points, no technology- just having fun, smiling, encouraging and seeing what is right with your child. 4 Are you interacting with your child in a calm, respectful manner most of the time? 4 Is the atmosphere in your home calm and kind? Do people speak respectfully to each other? 4 Are you using discipline methods that increase cooperation and build selfworth? Do you bring attention to the behaviors you want? 4 Is your child s schedule predictable? Does it match your child s age and temperament? Are there set routines in the morning and at bed time (which include reading and cuddling?) 4 Is your child eating a healthy, nutritious diet and being physically active each day? 4 Are you taking care of yourself? Do you ask for support from your partner, friends and/or family? Are you caring for yourself in the way you hope your child will care for him or herself as an adult? RUTH ETTENBERG FREEMAN, LCSW & JOE L. FREEMAN, M.DIV, LCSW Learn more and read the complete list at positiveparentingct.com Coventry STEPS is an advocacy group consisting of parents, community members, and local leaders, all of whom are committed to ensuring that Coventry s Children are Nurtured, Healthy and Engaged and Successful Learners! To find out how you can become involved with the STEPS Collaborative please visit our website at