Ready, Set,... Spring! Or, SNOW! Or...?
 The last week of February, and the last week of Healthy Beginnings 2019. The last week for Big Kids Club winter, and the blog is bursting with the final posts from the teachers.
The new season means new styles and new shoes. Lighter sweaters for warmer weather, and... Hey! This is brand new! How can it be too small, already??
Hello Spring Swap is right around the corner, for trading in, trading up, and trending out! Get the best spring styles (summer too!) for $1 per item, or get 10 FREE!
Plus! The premier has reaffirmed childcare commitments, and the flexible families at Buddings are hoping that will mean eligibility for subsidy and benefits. Our advocacy efforts had a call from the Child Care Services Centre, and the results are below!
It's a busy time, and getting busier as the temperatures rise. Mornings especially. Better book ahead. Whatever the weather, we know March will be hopping!
Get in there!
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Hello Spring Swap - Mar. 10, from 11 - 1
Got stuff? You bet!
Too small? You bet!
Swap em' out for this season's sizes at the Hello Spring Swap, @ Storybook Buddings, Sunday Mar. 10, starting at 11am. Everything $1! Get the details here!
There may be a line up...
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BKC Healthy Beginnings Blogs
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Avocado: Yummy or Yucky?
It's yummy!
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Tomomi's Health is Wealth class spent the season introducing foods, exercise, and balance into the busy lives of the preschoolers at Buddings.
And she even changed a few minds, at least, when it comes to avocado. Tastes can change when things are fun. Read her post to learn how she does it!
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Ehlssie to the rescue!
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Healthy Beginnings grow healthy communities, and Ehlssie's Everyday Heroes class has been celebrating all the good works, done by people who care.
Her Tuesday afternoons have taught the kids to help others, serve and protect, and stay safe. Find her post on the blog.
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Now for something a little spicy...
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Traditional Japanese stories and legends, fun crafts and colours, food, fieldtrips, and... demons (!!) have all come into play in Ayumi's Healthy Stories class! Her weekly posts on Instagram have the most likes, and the best pics (she's our Instagram coordinator, after all!), but her post on the blog has the drama! Enjoy!
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Artistic expression
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Did you know that Anna Hasonova is a trained artist and art therapist? She doesn't brag, so no one knew, until the Healthy Beginnings Art Therapy class at Storybook.
Art and ideas have been flowing. Beautiful! She totally supports what the kids express. Read all about it... or attend. It's happening today! And next Thursday! Then it's over.
How does that make you feel?
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Childcare Subsidy Application: DENIED
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But first, the good news :)
The BC government commitments to improve quality childcare access and affordability have taken hold in their first year, with families of 52,000 children benefitting from reduced or no fees for childcare. 88% of eligible operators are enrolled, and programs to license currently unlicensed centres are underway.
For the first time in decades, funding programs are being implemented in childcare, and advocates are thrilled. This, with appreciation, from the Coalition of Childcare Advocates (DBA $10aDay) newsletter this week (click the image to visit their site):
This exciting change in childcare policy is a dream come true for advocates, and everyone in BC, with children, without children, and most importantly, children themselves, are benefitting.
It's a win-win! So let's go for a triple!
As you may know (if not, spoiler alert), Licensed Occasional Childcare, like Buddings, is currently excluded from the excitement and funding. Similarly, the 40 hour monthly limit and inability to accept infants (0 - 18mo.) are licensing restrictions that can't be amended.
Why?
"According to BC laws!"
Unsatisfied, last week, we asked you to raise your concerns to the Child Care Services Centre (gov. adjudicators of the childcare subsidy), and they got back to us right away!
They said "Please stop sending ineligible forms. They're not going to be processed, and we're not going to keep track of them."
But, she also sympathized with the families who applied, and sympathized with Buddings, too. She gave this helpful advice:
Start a petition. Write a letter. Do a survey.
It takes time to change the world. More importantly, it takes timing, and for flexible care, that time could be now. Or soon.
So get involved! Click the link above to add your voice.
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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:
Fri. March 8, 6pm - DEADLINE for clothing drop-off for 10 items free at our Hello Spring Swap. Everything will be sorted and sized for the big day on Mar. 10. Clothing brought to the swap will be donated to charity, along with anything remaining at the end.
Sun. Mar. 10, 11am - 1pm @ Storybook Buddings: Hello Spring Swap!
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Buddings Broadway
Monday, Feb. 25, 1 - 4pm - Kez takes the Super Naturals to YVR
Friday, Mar. 1 - Healthy Beginnings... ends.
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Storybook Buddings
Wed., Feb. 27, 11:15am - Storytime at the Kensington Library
Monday, Mar. 4 - Rainbow Spring begins! Details coming next week! Stay tuned.
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