Hard to believe that February is almost over. Before we know it the nice weather will be here! With March quickly upon us St. Patrick’s Day is not far off. Below I have a cute craft and fun game to play with a St. Paddy’s Day theme. These and other great ideas can be found at Making Learning Fun .

Also check out below to see more exciting news regarding our referral program!

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Egg Carton Shamrock

Cut a cardboard egg carton so that three cups stay together.

Trim the edges so that they are even.

Paint the cups.

Punch a hole in the raised part of the carton.

Cut a pipe cleaner in half.

Lace it through.

Fold it over and twist.

These would be cute for a party with candy inside.

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Four Leaf Clover Hunt

This activity is designed for young children. Spray paint many paper plates green. After they have dried, cut them into clovers as shown. To do that, just cut v’s around the paper plate, then round the corners. Make most of the paper plates be three leafed clovers and only a few be four leafed clovers. To use the clovers, lay them all over the floor. Turn on some “Irish Music” and have the children go on a hunt to find a four leafed clover.

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Baked Oatmeal

Here is another great recipe from KIDZ WORLD . Apparently the kidz at KIDZ WORLD get so excited when they smell it baking and they ask their parents to make it at home too. Can’t wait to give this one a try.

3 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp baking powder
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1/2 cup melted butter
2 tsp vanilla

Preheat oven to 350′

Mix together oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder. Beat in milk, eggs, melted butter and vanilla. Pour into 9 x 13 baking dish.

Bake for 40 minutes.

Scoop into bowl and pour milk over top!

ENJOY!!!

(optional: can add cranberries, choco chips or raisins to mix before baking)

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Referral Program

Calling all providers. We are excited to announce that we will be adding a referral program for providers. If you refer another provider to the site and they place an ad, let us know and you will receive two months FREE added to your current ad. Keep spreading the word about our fantastic site.

We also want to encourage all of you to keep sending in any craft ideas or recipes you may want to share. Just email us at info@durhamregiondaycare.com . We love hearing from you!

I don’t know how it is that we are on the 11th of January, but we are LOL. Time sure flies. With being a new year I was going to offer a discount coupon to new members and thought that it was appropriate to offer it starting today seeing as it is 1-11-11. So all new members can enter WINTER11 and receive 11% off their membership fees from today until February 11th, 2011.

For current members you can renew at any time and get 20% off your membership fees.

Thanks

Tamara

You asked and we listened! I have received many inquiries from both parents and providers asking about daycare out of the Durham Region. I am pleased to announce that we are expanding and lauched a site in the York Region. Please be sure to let all your friends and family in the York Region know that we are now offering what we have been doing in the Durham Region in the York Region. Providers can join at a low introductory rate right now. Please check out the site York Daycare.

Also don’t forget to follow us onTwitter and on Facebook.

Sunderland Country Day School is holding a Garage Sale and

Food Drive on Sunday, August 15th

Everyone has been hit hard by our slumping economy. So, this summer we had a HUGE sale on a 6 month listing on Durham Region Daycare: Just $20.

Almost 30 providers signed up, or renewed their current ad.

You sent us a not-so-subtle message: Our prices were too high for today’s times.

We listened.

Although the summer sale is over, we have permanently reduced our already low rates:

• 6 months: $35
• 1 year: $65
• 2 years: $110

It’s now easier (and cheaper!) than ever to reach potential families. Click here to join (or renew) today: http://durhamregiondaycare.com/members/

Take advantage of the busiest time of the daycare season with our summer special!

It’s just $20 for a six month listing — new or renewal — on our busy site.

Simply enter coupon code Summer09 to build your custom, searchable, photo-enhanced ad on DurhamRegionDaycare.com.

Click here to join!

If you live in Durham Region or anywhere in south central Ontario today, you know it’s GORGEOUS out — currently 28 degrees up here in the Boonies! Unfortunately I’m spending some of the afternoon getting ready for tomorrow’s Mamas & Chicks Show, which includes this reminder blog post, which in hindsight is probably pointless because you’re probably all outside!

Eric, Alice and I will be there just inside the front entrance, so be sure to say hello and enter to win all this booty:

• Haircuts, shampoos & accessories from Melonhead Children’s Hair Care
• Funky maternity shirt from Spegg Wear
• Free portrait session and gift certificates from Shelly Ferguson Photography
• Tagalicious Blankie from Balaboosta Baby
• Eight-week workout session from Mommy and Baby Fitness
• Baby wrap from Wee Ones by JaJoC
• Two one-hour treatments and coupons from Feet First Reflexology

Another special thanks to our friends in the Durham Region parent-geared business community for the support and product donations. Don’tcha all love freeeeee stuff?

See you there!