Ground Hog Day, Valentine’s Day and Chinese New Year are all a part of February! We have several events planned for this chilly month and if you are still feeling cooped up then join us every Wednesday night for Family Gym Night at Chester District School from 6:30-8PM, only $2 a family. The days are slowing getting longer and our building is really starting to take shape. Soon it will be time for March Break camps and the first day of spring!

FAMILY VALENTINE DANCE
This year’s Annual Family Valentine Dance is scheduled for Thursday February 11th, 2010 6:30-8PM at Chester District School. Cost is $1 per person. This is joint fundraiser between CDS and CAFRC and is a very popular event. Tickets are available from both the school and the Family Centre and everyone is welcome to attend.

CHINESE NEW YEAR BENEFIT DINNER
We have decided that February needs another celebration so we are hosting a Chinese New Year Dinner and Auction on Saturday February 20th here at the Chester Curling Club location. Chef Tom Connors will “wok” his culinary magic and prepare a mouth watering Chinese menu that is sure to be a hit!! There will be door prizes sealed in fortune cookies, 50/50 draws and everyone has an equal chance of winning amazing prizes in the Chinese Auction, such as an 8 gig IPOD, hockey sticks, gift certificates and much, much more… Tickets are $39.99 a person and sitting is limited to 120 adult customers. So book early! Call 275-4347 for tickets.

HOMEMADE HAND-STITCHED QUILT TICKET DRAW
We have been given a beautiful homemade hand-stitched quilt to raffle in a ticket draw. Tickets are $2 each or 3 for $5. Proceeds from the draw will go towards the purchase of safety cribs and bedding for the infant room in the new facility. Draw date will be on our grand opening day in May 2010.

ART CLASSES FOR KIDS
Saturday morning art classes are available for 6 weeks starting February 6th-March 13th here at the Chester Curling Club location. Instructor Gillian Everill is offering 2 class times ages 4-6 at 9-10:30 and ages 7-10 at 11-12:30. Cost is $72 and includes materials. Please call the Family Centre 275-4347 to register.

STORM CLOSURE REMINDERS
Please remember to check the radio or the South Shore School Board website for school closure announcements. Kidz Zone Programs at Bayview Community School and Gold River Elementary School are closed if the schools are closed. Kidz Zone Chester and Kidz Time Pre-school are always open 7AM – 6PM unless the roads are closed. Parents can check our answering machine for information on storm days 275-4347. Please check with your Program Coordinator to make sure your child is on the emergency pick-up list if school closes early for any reason.

KIDZ TIME PRE-SCHOOL PROGRAM FULL DAYS
Our full-day pre-school childcare for children aged 24 months to 5 years here at the Chester Curling Club is full but we are taking names on the waiting list. This is a fully licensed early learning program through the Department of Community Services. We currently have 18 full-day licensed spaces until our new facility is open in May 2010. Family Centre staff and full-time childcare needs will have priority access, and then sign up will be on a first come first serve basis.
 
Kidz Time Pre-school Program hours of operation are Monday – Friday 7AM to 6PM. Program fees are set at $22/day for full-time and $25/day for permanent part-time. This full-day program qualifies for the subsidized portable spaces available through the Department of Community Services. Information regarding subsidy can be obtained by calling the Bridgewater office at 543-5527. Call Teena Bond for Pre-School information 275-4347.

KIDZ ZONE BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Kidz Zone Before-School Program will be offered at the Chester Curling Club location only. The hours of operation are 7AM-9AM. The program is designed for children 5-12 years and includes breakfast and school drop-off for both CDS and CAMS. Program fees are $7.50/day. Parents must pre-book care in advance.

KIDZ ZONE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
We currently offer the Kidz Zone After-school Program at 3 locations. Chester Brass Band Building, Gold River Elementary School and Bayview Community School in Mahone Bay. The hours of operation are school closure until 6PM Monday through Friday. The Kidz Zone After-School Programs are licensed through Department of Community Services and are designed for children ages 5-12 years. Each program has a daily schedule which includes physical activity, nutritious snacks, crafts, dramatic play, science centres, homework study and much more. All programs are coordinated by experienced ECE staff who are licensed by the Province of NS.

Program fees are as follows:

• $12/day for full-time part-day
• $13/day part-time part-day
• $20/day for full-time full-day
• $22/day for part-time full day