Healthy Beginnings, 1, 2, 3!
Here we are, in 2019. The teachers are all back from holidays (except Anna. She'll be back tomorrow), and somehow, we're already half-way through the winter season. The sun is shining, and as we learned in Elsa's presentation of the BKC Up class, we're getting closer to the sun day by day!
Our season theme, Healthy Beginnings 2019, has stretched to encompass everything at Buddings, from healthy choices at Ayumi's New Year's "osechi" party, to our "try new things" January snack menu, and our third annual "big picture" company meeting this weekend.
It's a chance for everyone who works at Buddings to discuss and decide our direction... but it does mean there's no Satur-daycare available on Jan. 19.
Plus, we're excited to let you know Buddings-fam Val Tsoy opened a new co-working/childminding space on Commercial St., that accepts babies, for guided children's programming, while parents work. There's something very familiar about the booking system, and people have been asking questions. The rumours are true.
Read on for the full confession.
xox
Talia
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Info Night: Get ready for Big Kids Club
Feb. 8, 6:30 - 8pm @ Storybook
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In 2019, we're launching our original, diverse, flexible afternoon program out on its own, with a new website home, and logo (coming soon!), and a 9-month readiness program of events for families of two year olds: Get Ready for Big Kids Club!
Maybe you've heard us talk about our teachers presenting learning opportunities for Big Kids of all ages, but what is Big Kids Club? Is it for you?
Join us on Feb. 8, for the kick-off event, to find out!
Toddlers become preschoolers through a series of developmental stages, and their readiness for structured programming corresponds with:
- their physical readiness in their bodies, including potty training
- communicative readiness in their language
- emotional readiness for social learning
It's a process, and with over 1,000 kids making that journey in our centres, we're excited to share our experience with you!
Potty training is the first step, and if you have questions, the info night is a great opportunity to ask! Ask the teachers, ask other parents, and share your story.
Of course the event is family friendly, absolutely free, and open to anyone with a two-year old, or questions about two-year olds. The structure will include a short video series, facilitated discussions, and pop corn!
View the Facebook event, and definitely, please share to any parent groups you know. When looking for answers, the more heads, the better!
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An hour for your thoughts...?
Before we tell you what we think about Big Kids Club, we'd love to hear from you!
Take a minute to post a review of our programs, centre, or especially, what you love about our program for preschoolers on Facebook or Google, and we'll drop an hour in your home branch account for February!
Reviews posted by Feb. 8, 2019 to qualify.
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Healthy living along the Nile - with Aïda
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When the Pharaoh opened the gates to the Nile, the waters rushed in, and the people knew there would be a bountiful harvest. The river meant life, and the Buddings Big Kids at both centres have been navigating the waters, through history, deep into the tombs, and all the way across town.
Fieldtripping, hieroglyphs, and an immersive experience awaits. Find Aïda's post on the blog, and her class happening at Broadway on Tuesdays, and Storybook on Wednesdays, from 1 - 4pm until the end of February.
Login to join them!
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Healthy Storytime with Ayumi
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This season, Ayumi presents us with Japanese traditional stories geared towards healthy living, and the new year is an important time to set the stage, and the table, for a healthy future.
The kids are learning to speak Japanese, which foods are associated with health, and of course, having fun! Read her post on the blog to catch up with the adventures, or better yet, join them!
Healthy Storytime runs at Broadway on Wednesday, and starting this week, at Storybook on Fridays!
Special Note: A HUGE thank you to Chelsea, Elsa, Vicky, and all the teachers, for covering classes while Ayumi, Tomomi, Anna, and Ehlssie have been on holiday.
どうもありがとう = Thank you very much! ("domo arigatou")
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To 2020... and beyond!
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This year, we chart the 8th trip around the sun for our flexible daycare business, and with 12 staff, 2 centres, and several hundred families to consider, it's time to check in. The teachers and I are getting together this weekend for our third annual "visioning session", to take a look at the big picture goals we've set for ourselves, and assess our progress. Read all about it.
On Saturday, Jan. 19, I'm so excited to get together with this amazing group, to plan our path for the future of flexible care.
As you may know, I'm also splitting my days with Growing Daycares, my software and services company, and for 2019, we're sharing some news: The rumours are true!
Our booking and administration system for flexible daycare will be rolling out this Spring, and our beta-user, Inside Out, has opened in East Van! The gorgeous venue offers workspace and wifi for parents, and programming and playtime for kids, with a separation between the two that reimagines life/work balance. And no age restrictions.
Plus, they're using our software, so you won't have to learn anything new!
Inside Out answers questions that we, at Buddings, hear all the time, and offers a solution for infant families with no where to go. To help with start-up, they're running an iFundWomen campaign this month, that means hours and space rentals are deeply discounted, until Feb. 18.
If you've ever thought working and childcare should be connected, read her story and see how she's using Growing Daycares to bring them together.
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Click here for a complete list of all of our Big Kids Club winter field trips, and find some upcoming highlights below:
Saturday, Jan. 19 (both locations): Closed for Company Visioning Meeting
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Buddings Broadway
Monday, Jan. 21, 1 - 4pm - Kez takes the Super Naturals to super craft store Urban Source on Main Street.
Tuesday, Jan. 22, 1 - 4pm - Learn to make bread with the Egyptians... at Bon Chaz Bakery
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Storybook Buddings
Wed. Jan. 23, 11:15am - Storytime at Storybook VPL
Monday, Jan. 28, 1 - 4pm - Climb Up, Up, Up to the rooftop patio at the Central Branch of the VPL
Friday, Feb. 8, 6:30 - 8pm - Get Ready for Big Kids Club Info Night
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