Minnesota Licensed Family Child Care Association

R a m s e y
C o u n t y
Family Child Care
A
RCFCCA
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Summer
2012
This Newsletter is coming to you by providers for providers. If you have ideas you would like to share with other
child care providers, please feel free to e-mail them to [email protected]. This seasonal newsletter is
offered 4 times a year. The submission deadline for the Fall Newsletter is August 10.
In This Issue
l Get Smart About Sunscreen
l RC Providers Honored
l Union Update
l Parent Aware
l Cereal Tidbit
l Ask the Licensor
l Brain Teaser Answers
l RCFCCA Fundraiser
Calendar Keepers
FREE RCFCCA Trainings
-Mean Girls and Boys
-Supervision and
Mandatory Reporting
l Conferences/Events
l Winter Training
l When Kids Interrupt
l Are You in Sleep Debt?
l Fire Extinguisher Servicing
l Membership
New & Renewed
Need to Renew Soon
l Public Library Programs
l Legislative Issues
l Networking Contacts
l Board Meetings:
June, July, August
l Membership Application
l Summer Activities
l Spring Tour of Homes
l Brain Teaser Puzzle
l Father’s Day Poem
l From the Eyes of a Child
l RCFCCA Board
l Dates to Celebrate
l RCFCCA Newsletter
Submission Deadlines
l Mission Statement
l Union Point of View
l Outreach Removal
l
Get Smart about Sunscreen
Be proactive about preventing skin cancer by wearing sunscreen every day on areas
that will be exposed to outdoor light – even on cloudy days, when 80 percent of the sun’s
UV rays can slip through the clouds. A far cry from the white stuff you wore as a kid, today’s sunscreens are non-greasy, invisible on the skin, and come in every form possible,
from sprays to wipes. The biggest improvement: Many products now shield you more
effectively from the sun’s two types of dangerous rays, UVB (which are the main cause
of sunburn and have been linked to skin cancer) and UVA (which penetrate through car
and house windows, infiltrate the skin’s deepest layer, and have been linked to melanoma and premature aging, including wrinkles). With so many sunscreens to choose from,
you’re bound to find one you like enough to wear every day!
WHAT TO BUY The American Academy of
Dermatology recently upped its recommendation
from daily use of SPF 15 or higher to a minimum
of SPF 30 on exposed skin. The SPF number
on sunscreens indicated how much longer than
usual you can stay in the sun without burning if
you use it. If you usually start to burn after 10
minutes, for instance, using an SPF 30 sunscreen means it would take you 30 times longer
to burn, or 300 minutes. SPF refers only to the
lotion’s level of protection against UVB rays,
though, so make sure the label on the bottle
boasts coverage that’s “broad-spectrum”. This
means it protects against UVB and UVA.
HOW TO APPLY Lather it on generously. Most people rub on less than half the amount
of sunscreen that’s recommended, which is one ounce – enough to fill a shot class – for
the entire body. Using too little SPF 15, may only give you the coverage of SPF 5. That
is one reason that dermatologists now recommend SPF 30. Apply sunscreen to skin
about 30 minutes before going into the sun. Then reapply every two hours or immediately after perspiring, swimming, or drying off with a towel (which can rub lotion off).
Waterproof sunscreen should provide protection in the water for 80 minutes.
Water-resistant sunscreen will provide protection in the water for 40 minutes. Watch your labels
for “very water-resistant”. This is replacing “waterproof” on most products and will be
effective for 80 minutes if you have been perspiring or swimming.
Source – R e d b o o k m a g . c o m & p h a r m a c y m i x . c o m
RCFCCA.com
1
Newsletter
Ramsey County Providers Honored
On May 5th, Minnesota
Licensed Family Child
Care (MLFCCA), once
again honored 23 family
child care providers from
across the state of Minnesota, including Vickie
Ries and Susan Schaefer
from Ramsey County.
The 2012 Annual Provider
Recognition Banquet,
held in Bloomington,
kicked off the Week of the
Family Child Care Provider.
Vickie Ries has run her
child care, Vickie’s Village, from her St. Paul
home since 1993. Vickie
has a C-2 license and
cares for children ages 3
months to 6 years. Vickie
has a relaxed environment where safety is her
#1 priority. She believes
that if a young child
cannot be at home, they
should be in a “home-like”
environment to learn,
explore, and share. She
prefers to let the children
learn “on the job” and as
things happen. This presents a learning experience. When children are
nurtured, fed nutritiously,
and receive proper rest,
they are engaged, creative, and happy! Another important goal is for
the children to gain trust
in another adult that loves
them.
Vickie feels appreciated
when a parent asks for
and MLFCCA for supporting me in the love of
children.”
advice about their child,
whether about a fever
or behavior questions,
and especially when they
comment on “how much
she loves their children.”
Susan Schaefer and her
husband, Brian, have
two children, Austin 17
1/2 and Alicia 13. Susan
Vickie is active and a cohas been a licensed child
leader in the Mac-Grovecare provider for 16 years
land/ Highland/ Merand has a C3 license.
riam Park Neighborhood
Her child care is “Sue’s
Network. She is also the
Patty-Cake Playland” and
Past Chair (2007-2010) of
they reside in White Bear
RCFCCA. Vickie believes
Township. Her hobbies
”being involved with other
and inFCC
terests
profesare:
sionphotogals
raphy,
has
dancbeen a
ing,
great
going
supto movport
ies,
for
social
me.”
networkShe is
ing
single
Vickie Ries, Susan Schaefer
(FB),
and
scrap
proud
booking and going on
mother of one. Her
walks. Susan also atdaughter received her BA
tends the White Bear Lake
from the U of M in DeArea Family Child Care
cember, 2011, in French
Networking Group.
Studies (aka Travel!)
They both enjoy travel
At least once a month
and have enjoyed many
Sue has EFCE, Growing
excellent adventures in
with Music, and Travel
her daughter’s educaTots come to her child
tional endeavors. Many
care. In the summer she
more adventures are on
has “FUN THEMES” since
the horizon!
she has more school age
children than preschool
“Many thanks to my day
ages. Susan feels her
care families for nominatrole with the children is to
ing me and to RCFCCA
teach them, love them,
and help them explore,
develop self-esteem, get
along with others, make
friends, and prepare for
kindergarten. Part of her
daily routine is to teach
songs, work on early
literacy skills, and teach
letters and numbers.
Teaching the children
how to cut with scissors,
glue, and use a pencil to
write their names helps
develop gross and fine
motor skills. Susan also
teaches the children sign
language.
Susan believes in the
motto “Tell me and I
forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and
I learn.” Benjamin Franklin. A word of wisdom or
encouragement that she
would like to share with
other providers is, “Sometimes the smallest things
take up the most room in
your heart.” A.A. Milne
Susan says that she is
one of the lucky people
who loves their job. “How
often do you have a job
that allows you to sing,
play, create and just be
silly?” The best part of
her job is watching how
much the children have
grown in her care. “It
brings such smiles when
they reach certain milestones in their lives and I
am there to be part of it.”
Congratulations Vickie and Susan!
RCFCCA.com
2
Newsletter
Update
Professionalism
Union Update
Parent Aware
Question on unionizing child-care remains
Good news for you and Minnesota kids!
Few issues so quickly and starkly reveal partisan divides
in St. Paul more than those involving unions.
• Parent Aware, Minnesota’s voluntary child care quality
and improvement rating system, will continue and
grow.
That proved true gain April 6 when a judge in Ramsey
County ruled that Gov. Mark Dayton exceeded his authority in trying to order a unionization vote among in-home
child care providers who participate in state-subsidized
programs.
• Opportunities are available to prepare for the rating
process through Building Quality: Making Good
Things Better coaching, training, professional development advising and improvement support dollars.
Political rhetoric from special interests on both sides of
the aisle (but, to his credit, not Dayton’s office) came fast
and furious.
• When you’re ready, we invite you to begin the Parent
Aware rating process. Become a star provider/educator and chart your progress in:
o Physical Health and Well-being
o Teaching and Relationships
o Assessment of Child Progress
o Teacher Training and Education
Now that it’s died down a bit, and especially as Dayton
ponders appealing the decision, it’s worth revisiting the
key question in this issue: How does forming a union
help children?
As we did last fall, this board poses the question again
with sincerity and respect. In-home providers fulfill a
valuable role for countless Minnesota families. So how
will forming a union yield better care of those children?
• The ratings will be expanding statewide over the next
three years and are currently available to accredited
programs throughout Minnesota. Programs in
Ramsey and Hennepin County are able to enroll in
2012.
One reason we ask again is the lack of a solid answer
from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and the Service Employees International Union, the two entities pushing for it.
Think Small hopes you will consider joining Parent Aware
and becoming a Star Program. The growth of Parent
Aware represents a great opportunity to celebrate the
quality of your program. Information session dates were
mailed in March that are scheduled through July and
more will be added. Continue to check the Parent Aware
Ratings web site at www.
parentawareratings.org. For
more information on Parent
Aware, call Carol Stromme at
651-641-6644 or cstromme@
thinksmall.org.
Their main selling points seem focused on benefiting
providers through more lobbying of government, whether
that’s license issues, potential benefits or subsidy rates.
Yes, those are important to providers, but what are the
benefits for kids in their care?
And what about their parents (read consumers) who,
thanks to free markets, now have varied choices for
hours, rates and conditions? Could this unionization limit
such choices for consumers? That’s hard to tell considering the plan involves only votes from about 4,300 of
11,000 in-home providers.
It’s important to clearly answer those kinds of questions
now. They could impact Dayton’s decision on whether to
appeal. Plus, the ruling reiterates that a call for such a
vote must come from the Legislature. Sooner or later, the
Legislature may issue that call.
Source - Sandy Myers
Think Small
Nutrition
For starters, it should be much later. There are many
pressing issues that state leaders need to resolve. This
is not among them. Still, given the politics the issue
involves, it would be good to get clear answers now.
Cereal Tidbit
52% of kids’ cereals have more sugar
Once the debate heats up again, history
shows political rhetoric – not clarity – will
dominate.
per cup than three chocolate chip cookies.
(Adults consume 58% of kids’ cereals.)
Source: St. Cloud Times
Source: womenshealthmag.com (April 2012)
RCFCCA.com
3
Newsletter
pay for our licenses and background checks, how do we pay for these fees?
When are they due? How will we be billed?
A:
CHILD CARE LICENSING FEES
?
2-2012
The Ramsey County Board voted to begin charging fees, effective January 1, 2012, per
Minnesota State Statute 245A.10. This statute grants counties the ability to collect fees
to recover the actual cost of background studies, capped at $100 annually AND for the
licensing process, not to exceed $50 for a one-year license OR $100 for a two-year license. The total amount the county will charge is minimally $150 for a one-year license.
The maximum amount is $200 for a two-year license.
FOR CURRENT LICENSE HOLDERS
Approximately four months prior to the relicense date an invoice will be sent by our accounting department. A check must be sent to the address on the invoice and received
15 days prior to the end of the current license date. There are no extensions, sliding
fees, or waiver of the fee. If the fee is not received by the end of the current license
date the licensing worker will NOT submit the licensing recommendation to DHS. If the
fee is received on time the licensing worker will submit their licensing recommendations
to DHS to issue a license.
If you have questions please talk to your licensor.
FOR NEW APPLICANTS
Upon notification from the applicant that they wish to continue the application and
licensing intake process, accounting will send an invoice for the Background Study fee.
A check must be sent to the address on the invoice.
Once the assigned licensing worker has completed the intake and licensing process,
and has determined the applicants meets all licensing criteria, accounting will send an
invoice for the license fee. A check must be sent to the address on the invoice. Upon
receipt of the payment the licensing worker will submit their licensing recommendations
to DHS to issue a license.
Brain Teaser
What’s a Commonym?
See our Brain Teaser
puzzle on page 11. Have
fun trying to solve each
one. Then check your own
answers here.
Answers:
Q: Now that we, Ramsey County family child care providers, have to
Answers
1. they have waves
2. they are hitched
3. they are balanced
4. they have tanks
5. they have scores
6. they have bowls
7. they are filled
8. they have picks
9. they are bucks
10. they deliver
11. wheels
12. letters
13. types of dogs
14. they are laid
15. they have stories
16. names of soap brands
17. prizes
18. fights
19. jackets
20. days.
A sk t h e L i c e n s o r
If you have questions please talk to Renay Strenger at 651-266-4166.
?
We need to hear from YOU! Send a question you would like answered by
a Ramsey County Licensor to [email protected]. We will publish one
question per Newsletter. (This will be done anonymously - no names used.)
Source:
Jean Lang’s Facebook
RC F CCA Fu n d ra i s e r
RCFCCA is again offering the 2013 Calendar Keeper to providers at a discounted
rate. This is a fundraising effort for RCFCCA. You can order your Calendar Keeper
for just $12.50 (original price is 15.95). Orders are due by June 5, payment is due
by July 15, and calendars will be delivered in September.
To order please contact:
Brenda Hruza
763-785-0314 or
[email protected].
RCFCCA.com
Please mail checks to:
Brenda Hruza
7917 Eastwood Road
Mounds View, MN
55112
Please make all checks
payable to:
RCFCCA
4
Newsletter
FREE RCFCCA Member Trainings
To register for these two FREE classes contact Brenda by e-mail: [email protected], or phone:
763-785-0314. Registration information and training fliers are also available on our website at: RCFCCA.com.
FREE RCFCCA Membership
Training for Providers
FREE RCFCCA Membership
Training for Providers
*Training Approved by Ramsey County Licensing Unit*
*Training Approved by Ramsey County Licensing Unit*
If you are a member of RCFCCA, this
training is FREE for you.
Membership for 1 year is $30 (4 FREE classes,
8 hours total) or you can pay $20 for each class.
If you are a member of RCFCCA, this
training is FREE for you.
Membership for 1 year is $30 (4 FREE classes,
8 hours total) or you can pay $20 for each class.
Summer Class
Fall Class
Tuesday, June 5, 6:30-8:30 pm
Tuesday, October 9, 6:30-8:30 pm
REGISTRATION DUE BY 5-29-12
REGISTRATION DUE BY 10-2-12
Mean Girls and Boys: Here’s What
Parents and Providers Can Do
Supervision and Mandatory Reporting
**Taught by Licensing and Child Protection**
(Approved by Licensing for 2 training hours.)
Read more info. on our website, mid summer, at RCFCCA.com
Think Small (formerly RCC)
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117
Questions?
Think Small (formerly RCC)
10 Yorkton Court
St. Paul, MN 55117
Call Brenda at:
763-785-0314.
Conferences / Events
Call Brenda at:
763-785-0314.
Winter Training
Tu e s d a y, F e b r u a r y 1 2 t h
Saturday, June 23, 2012
6:30 – 8:30
8th Annual Inclusion Institute:
Together We Can!
Sleepless in America
Concordia University
St. Paul, MN
Do you have children in your care misbehaving, or are
they just missing sleep? Are some children too tense to
sleep? What upsets a child’s body clock? Do you have
bedtime battles and late afternoon meltdowns? Come
find out the link between behavior and sleep deprivation.
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Ramsey County Provider Recognition Dinner
DeGidio’s
425 West 7th St.
St. Paul, MN
More information will follow in our Fall Newsletter.
Read more about this class in our Fall Newsletter.
Saturday, November 17, 2012
Not a Member of RCFCCA? You can join anytime!
Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
10 am - 2 pm
Mounds View Community Center
Download a membership form from RCFCCA.com,
or print a form from page 9 of this newsletter.
Seeking Vendors NOW
More information will follow in our Fall Newsletter.
RCFCCA.com
Questions?
Members receive 8 hours of FREE professional training
per membership year!
5
Newsletter
Parenting
Health
Love and Logic Insider’s Club
Are You In Sleep Debt?
Maybe you’re only losing an hour or so of sleep,
but repeating that loss day after day can result in an
unhealthy sleep debt. How much sleep do you owe?
You can start to answer that question by assessing how
sleepy you are daily. Here’s how:
When Kids Interrupt
Kids should not be allowed to interrupt their parents.
When children are allowed to control whether or not their
parents converse, they’re at great risk for developing the
notion that they have more importance and power in the
family than their parents. While we believe that children
should be given plenty of love and attention, we know
that kids who believe that the world revolves around
them… well… grow up to be adults who believe that the
world revolves around them.
Rate each one of these statements from 0 to 3 – 0 being
unlikely to doze off, 2 being somewhat likely to doze, and
3 being highly likely to fall asleep during the activity.
Reading
Watching Television (or feeding a baby
)
Sitting in a public place, such as a movie theatre
Sitting down after a meal where you did not drink alcohol
Sitting and talking with someone
Waiting in a car stopped in traffic
Riding as a passenger in a car for an hour or more
Part of the solution involves being very careful to avoid
interrupting them when it’s their turn to speak. In my
book, Parenting Kids to Become the People Employers
Really Want and America Desperately Needs! I discuss
the immense power of modeling. Kids who learn these
skills via example enjoy far happier lives as adults.
Total _____
If your total score is 0 to 5, you’re probably getting
Another piece of the puzzle involves setting and enforc-
enough rest. If you score 6 to 12, you are mildly sleepdeprived. If you scored 13 or higher, you’re likely suffering from a daily lack of sleep.
ing clear limits. Some parents experiment by calmly yet
firmly saying, “I will listen to you when I am done talking
with Dad.”
Bottom line: When you rou-
When children continue to interrupt anyway, there must
tinely miss out on sleep, you put
your safety, health and happiness at risk. Take action today
to restore your sleep debt.
be a consequence delivered with loving empathy. Many
possibilities exist. Perhaps the simplest involves doing
your best to finish the conversation…then calmly saying,
“This is so sad. You interrupted us when we were trying
to talk. Now we don’t have the energy to do the things
you wanted us to do today.
Source: Unknown
S a fet y
One couple commented on their unique strategy:
Our kids had gotten so bad about interrupting us that we
decided to hire a baby sitter…at their expense. We said
to them. “this is such a bummer. You guys haven’t been
letting us talk. Now we need to go out and get all of our
talking done. You’ll be staying with Mrs. B. She’s going
to ask you how you plan to pay her for her time.” After
we did this one time, our kids were far more careful when
we said, “We’ll listen when we are done talking.”
Fire Extinguisher Servicing
Looking for a place to get your fire extinguisher serviced?
Look no further. These two resources will fill that need.
1. RCFCCA Holiday Shopping Extravaganza
Saturday, November 17, from 10 am - 2 pm
Mounds View Community Center
Bring your extinguisher with you and shop while it is serviced.
Thanks for reading! Our goal is to help as many
2. Twin Cities Fire and Safety Services
Tim Smith
651-261-2314
www.twincitiesfireandsafetyservices.com
Tim charges $5.00 if you bring your extinguisher to him,
or he is also willing to come to you for a fee of $30.00.
families as possible. If this is a benefit, check out our
website for further resources.
Dr. Charles Fay
Source: Love and Logic Institute Insider’s Club Email
RCFCCA.com
We hope one of these works for you.
6
Newsletter
MEMBERSHIP
New & Renewing
Members
Members Needing
to Renew Soon
Mounds View
Kara Chamberlain
Lisa Hansen
Brenda Hruza
Colleen Johnson
Cindy Mills
Theresa Mitchell
Ann Palzer
Laurie Ricci
New Brighton
Jane Carlson
Sharon Heisler
Jeryl Vannurden
St. Paul
Cyndi Cunningham
Rachelle Gasho
Mary Ksiazek
Judy McLaughlin
Anne Scheller
Rebecca Skally
John Stanley
Shoreview
Betsy Schuneman
Vadnais Heights
Mary Pat Sandstrom
White Bear Lake
Kate Bridgeman
Sherrie Ehrman
Patricia Lee
Susan Schaefer
May
St. Paul
Angela Rein
White Bear Lake
Tanya Muedeking
Public Library Programs
by Shelly Hawkins
Youth Services Dept. Supervisor
Saint Paul Public Library
Summertime is fast approaching and all metro area
libraries offer a summer reading program for children
ages birth through teens. Check the library nearest you
for more information.
June
St. Paul
Lisa Thompson
Judith Willner
To learn about the Summer Reading Program at the
Saint Paul Public Library check www.sppl.org. Look for
the Saint Paul Public Library’s booth at the Flint Hills
International Children’s Festival on June 2 and 3. While
there, pick up your Summer Reading Program materials and help make a mosaic for the library. Then visit
the Children’s Department at the library to watch performances by Bill the Juggler and Circus Manduhai.
July
New Brighton
Joni Knudsen
St. Paul
Carol Overland
The following are some of our favorite summertime
books--both old and new!
10 Hungry Rabbits: Counting and Color Concepts by Anita Lobel
A Butterfly is Patient by Dianna Hutts Aston
Grow it, Cook it by Jill Bloomfield
Looking Closely inside the Garden by Frank Serafini
One Hot Summer Day by Nina Crews
Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies
Rah, Rah, Radishes!: A Vegetable Chant by April Pulley Sayre
ReMake It! Recycling Projects from the Stuff You UsuallyScrap
by Tiffany Threadgould
Tops and Bottoms by Janet Stevens
UnBeelievables: Honeybee Poems and Paintings by Douglas
Florian
Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayres
August
New Brighton
Jackie King
St. Paul
Donna Holman
Shoreview
Rebecca Kuehn
White Bear Lake
Cindy Hering
Dawn Mayr
L e g i sl a t i ve Is s u e s
Dayton Vetoes Bill in Unionization Spat
In one of the briefest veto messages in memory, Gov. Mark Dayton has shot down a Republican bill that would have
prevented union dues from being deducted from state child care subsidy payments.
“This legislation is completely unnecessary because no union representation of child care providers exists in the State
of Minnesota.” Dayton wrote in his veto letter to lawmakers.
The Democratic government issued an executive order in November calling for an election on unionization child care
providers. Since then, a Ramsey County Judge blocked the vote, ruling that Dayton “exceeded his authority” by calling
for the election. Republican legislatures said they wanted to enact a law to prevent state payments from going directly
to unions should Dayton issue another executive order.
A Dayton spokeswoman said he is considering appealing the judge’s ruling.
Source: Bill Salisbury of the Pioneer Press
RCFCCA.com
7
Newsletter
Networking
Neighborhood Contacts
We need your help! In the interest of keeping providers connected, RCFCCA is encouraging every neighborhood listed
below to have an area contact person and to work towards an active network with a list of providers in your area. This is
a vital part of helping us keep you informed, even if you are not a member of RCFCCA! If you live in an area that does
not have a contact person or does not hold regular meetings, please consider taking on the task. Area networks that
are active have found the fellowship and support to be as important as training opportunities that can also be offered.
Please contact Brenda Hruza at 763-785-0314 if you or a friend can help to get your area connected today!
Arden Hills Contacts: See Mounds View, New Brighton,
Shoreview
Como / Little Canada / Maplewood / North End
Contact: Mary Ksiazek (651) 489-2514
Dayton’s Bluff
Contact: Pat Wester (651) 774-6920
Eastside Providers
Contact: Lisa Thompson (651) 308-2055 Frogtown
Contact: Bobbi Gant (651) 489-9130
Highland Park / Mac-Groveland
Contact: Anne Scheller (651) 690-3848
Little Canada, Maplewood, North End, Como
Contact: Chris Christofore (651) 484-9077
Maplewood / Como / Little Canada / North End
Contact: Sue Kraemer (651) 489-2866
Julie Conrad (651) 487-81606
Merriam Park
Contact: Lois Walker (651) 646-5376
Midway
Contact: Beth Jackson (651) 330-8756
Mounds View / Arden Hills / New Brighton
Contact: Brenda Hruza (763) 785-0314
New Brighton / Mounds View / Arden Hills
Contact: Jane Carlson (651) 631-1725
North End / Como / Little Canada / Maplewood
Contact: Amy Toby (651) 489-8452
North St. Paul / Oakdale
Contact: Ruth Von Wald (651) 779-7718
Phalen / Duluth & Case
Contact: Kelly Massey (651) 776-4046
Roseville
Contact: Sally Jenner (651) 636-4293
Shoreview / Arden Hills / Mounds View
Contact: Nancy Peake (651) 481-0102
South Maplewood
Contact: Shelly Stadt (651) 739-6371
St. Anthony Park
Contact: Adella Wiest (651) 644-5516
Summit - University
Contact: Terry Martin (763) 434-3039
Vadnais Heights
Contact: Sally Hesse (651) 762-9590
West 7th Street
Contact: Mary Jo Bjornson (651) 292-8596
White Bear Lake
Contact: Jill Shaw (651) 426-2636
Board Meetings
Board meetings are held on the 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30 pm.
Meeting Dates: June 18*, July 16, August 20.
Board Vacancy
Meeting Location
minutes. View a full description of this position in our By-laws
on the About Us page on our website at RCFCCA.com.
Secretary - This person attends board meetings and takes
Ramsey County Library in Roseville
NE corner of County Road B and Hamline Avenue.
We will meet in the Loft of the Dunn Brothers Coffee Shop.
*June 18
The June 18 Board Meeting is cancelled.
If you would like a reminder e-mail, please contact
Mary Ksiazek at 651-489-2514.
Board meetings will resume in July. If you have any questions please feel free to call Mary at 651-489-2514.
**Anyone who holds an active Board position (75% attendance per year) will earn a
FREE RCFCCA yearly membership. This also includes your spouse and/or helpers.**
RCFCCA.com
8
Newsletter
Dear Child Care Provider,
Your Ramsey County Family Child Care Association (RCFCCA) is where your support strengthens your
connections to other providers and advances professionalism in family child care. RCFCCA is made up of a
volunteer staff of Family Child Care Providers just like you. We strive to support Family Child Care. We help
you stay updated, educated, and connected. Our goal is to keep you informed and help you promote quality
child care in a professional manner. We offer electronic updates, a website, yearly educational experiences, and
networking to help you achieve this goal. We are happy and proud to represent you and enjoy offering these
support services.
Yearly Membership Benefits Include:
• Four FREE training opportunities (8+ hours) during your membership year*
• Additional Trainings at a reduced cost
• Reduced rate for the Tour of Homes
• An electronic newsletter offering community resources and information emailed to you*
• Mentorship opportunities (providing or receiving)
• Opportunities during the year for socials with other Ramsey County Providers
• An open invitation to attend and be heard at our monthly RCFCCA Board meetings
• Networking through the Neighborhood Contacts in your area
RCFCCA will be branching out to capture many providers through an electronic email loop that will keep
providers up-to-date with upcoming trainings, changes in legislative issues, recall updates and information that
is critical to our jobs as Professional Child Care Providers. Our communication will be largely electronic, so
please make sure we can continue to get critical information to you.
Thank you for your continued support,
Rebecca Skally (Membership Chair)
Brenda Hruza (Training & Outreach Coordinator) 763-785-0314 ~ *Coordinator for above items
(Tear on the line & send with your payment or send in your email address to receive the electronic newsletter)
RCFCCA Membership Application
Name: (print)________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________________________
Telephone:_________________________
Current E-mail:_____________________________________
If you do not have a personal one, please list someone who can get you this information.
___ 1 Year Tax Deductible Membership - $30.00
___ 1 Year Tax Deductible Membership for Spouse and/or helpers - $20.00
___ 2 Year Tax Deductible Membership - $55.00
Checks Payable to RCFCCA c/o Brenda Hruza, 7917 Eastwood Road, Mounds View, MN 55112
RCFCCA.com
9
Newsletter
Summer Activities
Summer ~ Summer ~ Summer What to do with those kids?
World’s Best Bubbles
Straw Paintings
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
2 ½ quarts water
½ cup light corn syrup
1 cup liquid dish detergent
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
Plastic drinking straws
Poster paints and paintbrushes
Pie tins or other sturdy containers
Plastic cups
Water
Construction paper or watercolor paper
Plastic spoons
Plastic tablecloth
HOW TO CONCOCT IT:
1. Mix water and corn syrup together until completely
blended.
2. Gently stir in the liquid dish soap.
3. World’s Best Bubbles will store for several weeks in
an airtight container.
HOW TO MAKE IT WORK:
Cover your child’s work area with a plastic tablecloth.
Provide poster paints, construction paper, plastic drinking
straws, and plastic spoons. Add water to thin the poster
paints so that they run easily when blown on with a
straw.
CONCOCTION TIPS & IDEAS:
• Add a little color to your bubbles by stirring in a few
drops of food coloring.
• Create bubbles in many different sizes by dipping
various items such as a plastic strawberry basket or
wire whisk in to the bubble solution.
Source: The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions
Demonstrate to your child how to spoon a small amount
of paint onto the center of her paper and then blow
through a straw to spread the paint.
Rock Candy
This will create a “firework” effect. Provide several colors
of paint to make the pictures even more exciting.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED:
2 cups water
4 cups sugar
REMEMBER:
This kind of painting can also make cheery wrapping
paper. Make sure it is thoroughly dried before using it.
HOW TO CONCOCT IT:
1. Pour water into a large saucepan.
2. Add sugar and stir for 2-3 minutes to dissolve as much
sugar as possible.
3. Place the saucepan on the stove on medium to
medium-high heat.
4. Continue to stir the solution until all of the sugar is
dissolved.
5. Remove the saucepan from the stove and allow the
liquid to cool.
6. Pour the mixture into a square plastic container.
7. In 7-10 days the bottom of your container will be
covered with Rock Candy.
8. Turn the plastic container upside down in a sink and
allow it to drain for one hour.
9. Break the Rock Candy up into chunks and place it on
several layers of paper towels to dry.
Always use non-toxic paint to be sure that your child is
not harmed if she accidentally gets some on her lips
when blowing through the straw.
Dress your child in old clothes, a paint shirt, or a smock
for this activity.
Source: Creative Kids – Preschool Arts and Crafts Book
Fireworks
Bright lights that sparkle:
Look at the Sky.
Explosions of fire
In colors so high!
CONCOCTION TIPS & IDEAS:
• Before cooking, add food coloring to your sugar
mixture to create edible Rock Candy gems that look
like rubies.
• Layer different colors of Rock Candy in a jar to create
a colorful candy art gift.
Growing and blooming
Like flowers of light.
Oh, how the fireworks
Brighten the night!
Source: Creative Kids – Preschool Arts and Crafts Book
Source: The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions
RCFCCA.com
10
Newsletter
Spring Tour of Homes
B r a i n Te a s e r
The Spring Tour of Homes was a huge success. The
following four homes were featured.
What’s a Commonym?*
Chrissy Christofore ~ Has done child care for 27 years
in her Little Canada home. She offers a homey environment with an emphasis on the skills children need
to interact with their peers and their entry into a school
setting. She does a family picnic/ barbecue every year,
a Father’s Day Breakfast and a Mother’s Day tea. She
has been a Neighborhood Contact person for providers
in her area. She has participated in The Building Quality
Project on her way to becoming an accredited child care
center.
in the three words/items listed. For example: the words;
A car – A tree – An elephant… they all have trunks. These
will make you think!
1. Hair – A Brain – An Ocean
2. A Bride & Groom – A Boat & Trailer – A Horse & Buggy
3. A Scale – A Tire – A Checkbook
4. An Aquarium – An Army – A Car
5. A Sports Page – A Movie – A Broadway Musical
6. A Cook – A Toilet – College Football
7. A Doughnut – A Cavity – A Prescription
8. A Coal Miner – A Dentist – A Guitar Player
9. A Male Goat – A Dollar – A Male Rabbit
10. A Doctor – A Mailman – Domino’s Pizza
11. Wagon – Ferris – Cart
12. Love – Chain – Dear John
13. Hot – Chili – Corn
14. Bricks – Eggs – Carpets
15. A Skyscraper – Ernest Hemingway – Mark Twain
16. Tone – Zest – Dove
17. Door – Grand – Nobel
18. Pillow – Dog – First
19. Dinner – Straight – Leather
20. Labor – Columbus – Ground Hog
*See page 4 for answers.
Maureen Espelien ~ Has done child care for 31 years.
Currently living in Oakdale but
operating a child care home in
her childhood home in Little Canada. Her philosophy is to offer
a comfortable home setting for
her families. Her purpose for her
child care business is to encourage the love of learning, develop
large and small motor skills, create good personal health habits
and safety habits and to teach
pre-kindergarten skills.
Patty Fyksen ~ Has done child
care for 1 ½ years in her North
St. Paul home and has worked
as an Infant/Toddler Aide, Nanny
and a preschool teacher in a
child care center for years. She started with a foreclosed run down home in 2009 and in October 2010
opened Precious Peeps Child Development Center.
She runs a fairly structured child care that includes kindergarten readiness, Spanish, fitness and music classes
weekly, as well as field trips. She is currently participating in Parent Aware with a goal of four stars.
A commonym is a group of words that have a common trait
Source: Pioneer Press Live To Age Well Edition
Fa t h e r ’s D ay
“In Daddy’s Steps”
I watched him playing around my door.
My neighbor’s little boy of four.
I wondered why a child would choose
To wear his dad’s old worn-out shoes.
I saw him try with all his might
To make the laces snug and tight.
I smiled to see him walk, and then
He’d only step right out again.
Tammie Rhoades ~ Has done child care for 18 ½
years as well as child foster care for 28 years in her
Maplewood home. Her philosophy is to foster individual
learning needs of every child as well as their family.
She offers both family and preschool style opportunities
to grow at individual paces. She offers both indoor and
outdoor classrooms as well as involving children and
families in class work, home work, outings & special
gatherings and events. She also offers a preschool
program and field trips for the kids.
I hear him say his voice so glad.
“I want to be just like my dad.”
I hope his dad his steps would choose.
Safe for his son to wear his shoes.
And then a shout and cry of joy,
A “Hello, Dad!” and a “Hi-yu, boy!”
They walked along in measured stride
Each face aglow with love and pride.
“What have you done today, my lad?”
“I tried to wear your old shoes, Dad.
They’re big but when I am a man
I’ll wear your shoes, I know I can.
Not able to attend the tour this year?
Join us next year! Check future newsletters for dates and times.
RCFCCA.com
Source: Unknown
11
Newsletter
From the Eyes of a Child
Do you know turtles can breathe through their butts!
Source: Misc. Email.
D a te s to C e l e b rate
RCFCCA Board
Mary Ksiazek
Association Chair
Como
Rebecca Skally
Membership Chair
MacGroveland/Highland
Kate Bridgeman
Treasurer
White Bear Lake
Secretary
Vacant Position
Brenda Hruza Training Coordinator
Outreach Coordinator
Mounds View
Jill Shaw
Electronic Newsletter
Webmaster
White Bear Lake
Vickie Ries
Past Chair
MacGroveland/Highland
RCFCCA is run by volunteers who give their heart and
soul to their businesses and this organization. The
membership fees collected help fund support services and
effective training opportunities for child care providers.
RCFCCA Seasonal Newsletter
The submission deadlines for upcoming issues are:
-
Spring - March Summer - June Fall - September Winter - December June
June 3
June 9
June 10
June 19
June 20
June 26
National Safety Month
Egg Day
Donald Duck’s Birthday (1934)
National Yo-Yo Day
Father’s Day
Summer Begins
Toothbrush Invented (1498)
July 4
July 9
July 10
July 23
July 24
July 27
National Picnic Month
Independence Day
National Sugar Cookie Day
Teddy Bear Picnic Day
Ice Cream Cone Introduced (1904)
Parent’s Day
Bug’s Bunny Birthday (1940)
July
August
Book Lover’s Month
August 3 National Watermelon Day
August 6 Wiggle Your Toes Day
August 7 Friendship Day
August 11 Play in the Sand Day
August 16 Joke Day
August 31 National Trail Mix Day
Deadline February 10th
Deadline May 10th
Deadline August 10th
Deadline November 10th
Source: Family Crafts
Mission Statement
RCFCCA is here to provide support services and resources, training and professional development for child care providers
and act as advocates for children and families served by licensed family child care while respecting cultural diversity of all.
Union View Point
RCFCCA neither supports nor opposes any Union, their statements, beliefs, or practices. We, as an organization, are
here in support of family child care providers and feel that the decision to join a Union, or not, is a personal and individual decision to be made by each family child care provider.
Outreach Removal
You are receiving this e-mail loop ELECTRONIC NEWSLETTER because you are already a member of RCFCCA, a
past member of RCFCCA or have recently talked to an active RCFCCA member and have agreed to receive this. If
you would like to be removed from this e-mail list, please “REPLY” to this e-mail and put “Remove From List” in the
Subject Line and we will gladly remove you.
RCFCCA.com
12
Newsletter