Welcome to another provider profile, where we highlight the great childcare workers in Durham Region! Our May provider of the month is Rosie from Rosie’s Home Daycare.

Name: Rosie Colombo

Daycare name & location: Rosie’s Home Daycare is located at Harmony and Taunton in Oshawa.

How long in the business?: I am new daycare provider.

Why did you decide to become a daycare provider?: Opening my own daycare is something I have always wanted to do since the birth of my nine year old daughter. I love being a mother and I love children! Being a working mom for nine years, I understand how difficult it is finding a daycare provider for your child that you can trust, I wan’t to provide a safe and happy environment that will give parents peace of mind while working.

What makes you unique?: What makes me unique is that I provide a warm family environment, because my daycare kids will be part of my family. One of my passions are cooking and baking. I plan to cook and bake along with the children, we are not afraid of getting messy while creating our yummy masterpeices!

If you are looking for some fund raising ideas for your daycare here is a great opportunity from Discovery Toys.

Discovery Toys has a unique program for Daycares, Early Years Centres, Schools and Home Daycares called the “Helping Hands Toyraiser”. Utica Community Daycare is currently participating in this from now until May 10th, and will be raising approximately $4000, with 100% of the funds going towards brand new educational toys for the school.

The idea is parents get involved in the fundraising, entire families get involved, to help classrooms that would not otherwise have the funding or budgets to buy new toys. The program runs for approx 1.5-2 weeks, with one day designated for a display area for parents to browse & learn about the products. At the end, the school makes a ‘wish list’ for toys they really want and the funds raised from the parents & families involved in the school go towards that school or classroom receiving brand new toys. In addition, DT offers 100% warranty and will replace broken toys at no cost to the school.

DT Durham is able to do approximately 2-4 Toyraisers per month. For interested daycares, please refer them to us via the links below and we can absolutely work with their school one-on-one and make that BIG delivery of brand new toys happen for them!

For more info contact Kerie L McAfee
Discovery Toys Durham
Email: durhamtoymom@gmail.com
Tel: 905-409-1554

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Spring is finally here and the nice weather too! We have been spending as much time as we can outside and I’m always looking for fun things to do with the kids. Here’s a recipe to make your our chalk. Have fun!

Make it Yourself Chalk

1 cup Plaster of Paris
1/2 cup cold water
Candy or popsicle molds
Tempera Paint (powdered is best)
Combine Plaster of Paris, water and tempera paint. The amount
of tempera you add will determine how dark the colored chalk will be.
Pour the mixture into candy or popsicle molds and let dry. Take the chalk out of the molds and use for drawing on the sidewalk. This chalk will be most effective right after taking out of the molds.

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Do your kids like to bowl? We joined a FREE bowling program last summer and my kids really enjoyed it. They are offering it again this year. Your kids can bowl up to two games per day for FREE from June 28th to September 5th at participating bowling alleys. You just have to pay for your shoe rental. They even have a great deal for parents/guardians too. For more details check out Kids Bowl Free

Hard to believe we are already almost in the middle of April. We are loving the nice weather we are finally having. Hope you are too!

Easter is Sunday, April 24th and below I have a cute craft brought to you from Busy Bee Kids Crafts. Be sure to check out lots of other cool crafts they have too.

Make sure that you check out Facebook on a regular basis as I do post crafts shared by others on there as well as other interesting articles and activities that don’t go on my blog. If you haven’t already “liked” us please be sure to come on over and check us out on Facebook.

Peeking Bunny

This adorable Peeking Bunny craft is perfect for preschoolers. Green hand prints make the grass for the paper plate bunny to peek through!

Here’s what you’ll need…
•Paper plate
•Green and pink construction paper
•Pencil
•Scissors
•Black marker
•Glue

Here’s how you make it…

Trace 3 green hand prints and cut out. Place your paper plate ‘eating side’ down and glue the hand prints to the bottom of your paper plate.

Cut two bunny ears from your pink paper and glue onto the top, back of the plate. Draw on some ‘peeking’ eyes, and you’re done!!

If you want to hang your Peeking Bunny, punch two holes on either side of the plate and string through a piece of yarn.

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Here are a couple other ideas for some Easter fun!

Put a piece of tape on the carpet for your finish line. Take a plastic eggs that you can find at the dollar store. Have two or more kids line up on the opposite side of your finish line and have them go on their knees (hands and knees for younger kids) and have them roll the egg with their nose without using their hands and see who can pass the finish line first.

You can also use the plastic eggs to make shakers for circle time. Open them up and fill with beans, rice or any other item you think will make lots of noise. Have an adult use a hot glue gun to seal the eggs and voila you have egg shakers!

Hoppy Easter from Durham Region Daycare!

Welcome to another provider profile, where we highlight the great childcare workers in Durham Region! Our April provider of the month is Julie from Play Days

Name: Julie Mackley

Family: Husband Sean, two wonderful boys – Owen 4 and Luke 2.

Daycare name & location: Play Days located at Townline/Taunton in Oshawa

How long in the business?: The childcare profession for over 20 years.

Why did you decide to become a daycare provider?: I love being home with my 2 boys and this way I get the best of both worlds. I also wanted to give other Mom’s the piece of mind of having their children looked after by a professional who enjoys her job.

If you have $1000 for your daycare what would you use if for?: Definitely a deluxe triple stroller and even more large outdoor equipment. Kids need to have fun in the sun !

Favourite memory as a provider?: I love when the children give you a hug and a kiss as their way of saying thanks for all you do. It make’s what we do so worthwhile.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?: The ability to hire an assistant and have more children enjoy the daycare but one important thing would be to have stricter regulations for some providers that do not meet the needs of children in their care. Every child deserves the best from us and to leave with happy memories every day.

Looking for some ideas of what to do with your kids over March Break. Ontario Power Generation has lots of FREE fun, entertaining and educational activities for you and your kids.

Signs of Spring – Monday, March 14th 10am – 2 pm
Darlington Waterfront Trail
Explore the trail. Join friends of second march for a fun nature activity. Go for a horse-drawn wagon ride and warm up with a yummy treat and hot drink around the campfire.

Community Skate – Tuesday, March 15th 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
South Courtice Arena – 1195 Prestonvale Road, Courtice
Pad A – Parents and Tots Skate. Pad B – General public skate. Lace up your skates, put on your helmet and join us for a whirl around the rink. Skating is fun for everyone!

The Wonders of Wildlife – Wednesday, March 16th 9:30 am – 11:30 am or 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Darlington Nuclear Information Centre
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Meet animals, spiders and insects and discover fascinating facts during Jungle Cat World’s Wildlife presentation. Learn what you can do to help keep these creatures in the wild.

Take a Liking to a Viking – Thursday, March 17th 10 am – 3 pm
Sarah Jane Williams Heritage Centre, 62 Temperance St, Bowmanville
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED!
Join us on our journey through the life of the vikings. View our re-enactment of viking life inside our encampment. Try on a helmet and creat your own viking shield.

Breakfast with the Birds – Friday, March 18th 10 am – 2 pm
Purple Woods Conservation Area Maple Syrup Festival
Create and take home your own ‘breakfast with the birds’ feeder and take a trip back in time to visit a pioneer school classroom. Purple Woods is located in Oshawa – 20 minutes north of Taunton Road, at the intersection of Simcoe Street and Coates Road. (Note: $7 per family admission fee to Purple Woode. OPG – sponsered activities are FREE).

FOR MORE INFORMATION: PHONE – 905-623-7122 OR EMAIL – DARLINGTONNUCLEAR@OPG.COM

Welcome to another provider profile, where we highlight the great childcare workers in Durham Region! Our March provider of the month are the providers at Utica Community Daycare, Inc

Daycare Name: Utica Community Daycare, Inc.

Family: The Utica family boasts 31 full/part time children ages 12 months to 10 years old. We employ 6 staff. A cook, a cleaner, 2 ECE’s, a school-age teacher and a resource teacher/supervisor.

Daycare Type and Location: Licensed childcare Port Perry, ON

Why did you decide to become a daycare provider?: The centre was opened as a safe pace for local farm families to send their children during the day. It has evolved into a non-profit centre for all Scugog families.

How long have you been in business?: 24 years

What do you find most challenging about your day?: Meeting the needs of such a diverse group of children, many with exceptional needs, can be exhausting but so incredibly rewarding.

Favourite memory as a provider?: When our school-age program (10 boys and 2 girls) made handmade blankets for each of the toddlers and preschoolers as Valentine gifts.

What makes you unique?: Our quiet rural location, low ratios and homey atmosphere are unique in licensed centre care.

What’s your favourite part of the day?: Circle Time! Singing songs, show & share and reading stories with the kids can make any day better.

If you could change one thing, what would it be?: More government funding for Non-profit child care programs to keep child care costs down for parents.

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!

Happy Valentine’s Day from Durham Region Daycare!

The site is finally on our new server and have lots to update on. We will not be doing a “Provider of the Month” for February, but stayed tuned it will be back in March.

I also haven’t had a chance to post any of our crockpot recipes yet, so below you will find our first crockpot recipe. Enjoy! Please be sure to keep sending in your recipes.

Also have a really cute Valentine craft from Activity Village. Please be sure to see what other cool craft ideas, colouring pages and activities they have for Valentine’s Day too.

Lovebug Lollipop Craft

This lovebug lollipop is a perfect little Valentine gift for children to give to classmates or friends on Valentine’s Day.

You will need:

2 large craft foam hearts
2 small craft foam hearts
Chenille stem
2 tiny craft foam hearts or sequins
2 small wiggle eyes
Lollipop
Glue
Double-sided sticky tape

Instructions:

Stick the 2 small craft foam hearts to the centre of each large heart, then stick the two large hearts together so the points overlap.

Use a piece of double sided sticky tape to stick the lollipop to the join of the two large hearts.

Cut a small piece of chenille stem, fold in half and attach at the fold to the lollipop with a small piece of double sided tape. Stick a tiny heart or sequin to each end of the chenille stem.

Stick the two wiggle eyes to the lollipop.

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Mock Lasagna sent in by Kristy Renee of Kristy Renee’s Kids

1 10 oz pkg. broad lasagna noodles broken into bite-size pieces
1 lb ground meat of choice (really good with pork, but anything will do)
1/2 lb Italian sausage (I use build sausage and squeeze it out of
casing, but you can also use slices)
1 onion chopped
1 clove garlic minced
12 ozs mozzarella cheese, shredded
1 12oz carton cottage cheese
2 6oz cans tomato paste
1/2 cup water
1 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 1/2 tbsp dried parsley flakes

Cook noodles according to package directions until tender; drain.
Brown ground beef and sausage. Drain. Place in lightly greased
crockpot. Add all remaining ingredients. Stir to mix thoroughly.
Cover. Cook on low 7 to 9 hours or high for 3 to 5 hours.

With the cold weather we’ve been having I know we haven’t been spending a lot of time outside. Here’s a cool craft that you can do and let your kids bring the outdoors indoors. This craft and other cool ideas can be found at Activity Village .

When it is cold and snowy outside, kids can make this ice rink craft for their action or fashion dolls to enjoy!

You will need:

Card (we used one side of an old box)
Kitchen foil
Cotton wool balls
Glue

Instructions:

Cut a piece of foil to cover your card and glue it on so that the less shiny side is on top. Glue cotton wool balls around the outside.

To make skates for your action or fashion doll stick a craft matchstick to the bottom of each shoe with sticky tack.

For skis, use wide craft sticks (you could use drinking straws for poles too).

One of the things I love about winter is using my crockpot to make yummy stews and pot roasts too. I am always looking for new easy crockpot recipes. Don’t even know if there is such a thing as a hard crockpot recipe LOL. I love the fact that you can just throw everything in the pot, plug it in, turn it on and voila you have dinner.

I’m putting you all to the test. I’m asking everyone to email me your favourite crockpot recipe and I will post one crockpot recipe each week. Come on people let’s see what we can stir up. Please email me your recipe to info@durhamregiondaycare.com

Happy Eating!

Tamara